BITTERSWEET (M.V x C.L)

Elevator - Charles

He had done it. He had done it before me even. Of course he had been in the sport longer than me, but it hurt equally bad. I had always assumed I would be the first to win the World Championship. It was on the cards for me to be the first Champion, so to speak. All the way back from our karting days, when our rivalry took its first steps. That was what I kept telling myself anyway. To make matters even worse, Carlos had finished 2 places above me in fifth in the overall standings. I was so disappointed in my own efforts this season. 

All I wanted was to go back home and just lie in bed all day. But I knew I had to keep up with the media and everything, so I hung in there. We had gathered inside of the paddock watching the podium ceremony after we had payed the weight a visit. Carlos was the first to walk out onto the podium. I was so happy for him and proud, although he had beaten me this year. Our relationship was one that I really appreciated. We had so much fun, both off and on-track. Lewis and Max were next, and I could hear the roars from the crowds, as Max received the trophy.

Once they were done, they entered the paddock, where all of us drivers had lined up to greet Max and wish him congratulations. I had deliberately pulled Carlos with me down to the bottom of the line. "Are you alright Charles? You've seemed so out of touch after the race," Carlos asked me, as we waited for Max to move through the line. Checo made sure everyone knew that Max was the champion. "Yeah, I'm okay... it's just, I feel so disappointed in myself," I replied. "Noo Charles, don't. You did your best this season, I'm sure you will come back stronger next season," Carlos said in a comforting way. I didn't believe it at the moment of course, but nevertheless he gave me some cheering up. I bent my head down and looked at my feet, as I could hear Carlos greet Max. I could hear Max approaching, and when he stopped, I kept my head down, not wanting to let my emotions get the better of me. "Many congrats," I said to him rather coldly, although I didn't mean to. "Thanks," was all I heard. I gathered power and looked at Max, who held his hand out. I unwillingly shook it, but as soon as our hands touched I felt a shot of electricity run through me. I was quite shocked to say the least. As he walked away, I stood there looking at my hand, which I wiggled through my other hand. 

Why did that happen? I though to myself. I was so caught up in my own world, it took my manager three times to catch my attention. "Charles! We need to go back to the hotel. Our reservation at that bar is in a couple of hours. You need to get back to the hotel and grab a shower if you want someone to come home with you tonight," he joked and laughed. I chuckled a bit myself and pulled myself together and went with him.
"I'll see you tomorrow Carlos, have fun!" I shouted back at Carlos. "You too mate, go have a couple of drinks. They will do you good," he smiled back. We took one of the shortcuts out of the paddock, where the media wasn't allowed.

As I got back to the hotel, I quickly grabbed a shower and dressed up nicely in a simple white button-up shirt and some black jeans. I put on some cologne and did my hair, brushed my teeth and I was all set. But as I looked myself in the mirror, my mind travelled back to the paddock and the handshake with Max. I could still feel his hand on my hand. As a way of trying to forget it, I washed my hands again, splashing some water in my face at the same time to get me back down on earth again.
There was a knock on the door. "Charles?" Someone called. "Yes? What is it?" I replied. "Are you ready to go? The car is waiting downstairs." "Yeah, coming," I said. I made sure, I had my wallet and phone with me, before I left.

--2 hours later--

I could feel the vodka burn in throat, as I drank up the drink I held in my hand. The club was full of people, we had invited as guests. The team and their family, friends, our friends and so on. I had just been up at the DJ's and sung along to Shape of you.
"Hey, Charles," I could hear someone say. I had had a lot to drink, so I was already a bit tipsy. I turned towards the voice and saw a woman standing there, in a long green dress that had long sleeves. It was safe to say the dress was low-cut. "Hey," I managed to get out. "You don't know me, but I'm Sara. You looked so lonely up here at the bar, so I took the opportunity to check in on you."
"Wow, uh, thank you, but I'm alright. I just wanted to...," was all I could say before she had turned a chair and sat down sliding a drink in my direction. She had one for herself as well.
"So, you know, I really admire your work, and to be honest, I really feel this season has been harsh against you. So, don't take it that heavily," she said.
"Thanks Sara, appreciate your words, but actually I just need to be alone a bit," I said with a bit sadness in my voice, as she had made me think about my poor efforts again. 
"No, I didn't mean it like that, you know. I, I... I just meant to comfort you. I couldn't bear to watch such a handsome guy like you sitting alone at your own party."
"Handsome? Thanks for the compliment, you don't look bad yourself," I said now suddenly not so sad anymore. She looked my in my eyes and leaned over towards me. I leaned in as well, and as our lips met, I didn't feel a thing. I didn't feel a single thing. Have I had too much to drink? I asked myself. I cut off the kiss, and looked at her. "Look, Sara... I'm sorry, but I can't tonight. I think I'm gonna head home, sorry," I said to her, and walked down to find Joris, who was chatting to another girl. 
"Joris, I'm gonna head home, I'm tired."
"Okay Charles, are you ok? It doesn't look like you to leave a party early, let alone your own."
"I'm fine Joris, bonne nuit," I said to him and left.

I called a cab, not wanting to walk all the way back to the hotel. As I got into the cab, I started to wonder why I suddenly wouldn't continue kissing that girl. She was so hot. It was probably because I'm fucking drunk! I laughed to myself. 

"Sir! Sir! Wake up sir, we have arrived at your destination," I could hear someone say. I opened my eyes, realising I had fallen asleep in the cab, and the cab driver had woken me up, because we had arrived at my hotel. "Thank you sir. How much is it?" I asked him and gave him the amount, he requested. I got out of the cab, and as I entered the lobby I quickly saluted the porter as if we were in the military. I went for the elevator and stepped in. I leaned against the wall, pressed 15 for my floor and closed my eyes.

"WAIT!" Someone yelled. A hand appeared in between the elevator doors and opened them again. And to my honest surprise and shock, it was non other than Max Verstappen himself, who entered.
"Max... what are you doing here?" I asked him.
"On my way home. Don't you remember we live at the same hotel?" He replied. That's right, I was so stupid. He even lived on the same floor as me.
"Oh, that's right," I said. An awkward silence filled the elevator. I suddenly felt myself unable to speak. I glanced at Max, who leaned against the opposite wall checking his phone. He was dressed in a pair of normal blue, slightly ripped jeans and a team T-Shirt and cap. His biceps filled the sleeve of the T-Shirt perfectly. He looked so handsome. Wait... what did I say?
*PLING* the elevator said. The doors opened, and Max went out of the elevator without saying a word. I nearly missed exiting the elevator, before the doors shut again. I found my keycard and locked myself into my hotel room. I threw my wallet and key card on the bedside table and lay down on the bed.

My mind immediately started charging through the scene with Max in the elevator. Why on earth did I think that? I couldn't find an answer until it suddenly appeared before me. Oh my God, it was real. I had always questioned whether or not I was actually straight, as I had always assumed. This was the reason for the spark of electricity back at the paddock today. The eye contact, the heat. The reason I couldn't go through with Sara. I had fallen for the one person that I knew was impossible to get. I mean, I still despised Max, and I knew he still despised me. Nonetheless, I couldn't fall asleep... I was too busy thinking about Max Verstappen.

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Author's note:

Hey guys, here's the second chapter. Was the length okay or what do you guys think. Please tell me:)

Feel free to comment and vote on this chapter - that would help me so much. Also, if you have any suggestions, please let me know. All inputs are valued!:)

-Robert