Something Gained

Chapter One Hundred & Sixteen

I stepped off the plane in England and smiled. It was a very weird feeling travelling on my own, not with Daniel or any of the team, not for work. Only Daniel knew what was going on, I asked him not to tell anyone else, not even Michael or Blake which I knew was a big ask, but I just wanted to do this for myself and see what happened.

I remember going for my interview for McLaren, walking into that big beautiful building I called home. I was a bag of nerves, not knowing if I was qualified enough, or if I could even do it. Still all over the place from the rollercoaster of events that had occurred in my life. I knew straight away it's what I wanted to do as soon as I stepped in the door. That's the feeling I was looking for now. I would know. I got into one of the cars Dan and I had here, first thing was first. Seeing my parents.

I drove along, to music playing, thinking about all that had happened, the wild ride I had been on. From having the worst time of my life three years ago, nearly four. Managing to find my dream job that seemed to put me back on track, to finding my person, having the friends I have, feeling so at home with Daniel's family. Having the best job in the world, travelling all the time. There was nothing like it, I wondered if it was even the right decision to go for this job with Mercedes, but I had to at least try, and I wasn't going to turn down such a great opportunity.

I arrived at the cemetery, and smiled. It was so horrible being here, it used to be, but coming here with Daniel, it had made me more comfortable, before open. This was a place I could still see my parents, and still speak to them. He had really changed my life around, and I had really grown and flourished.

"Hi mum, daddy" I whispered. I brushed some dirt away and put down the fresh flowers I bought on the way. I filled them in on everything, letting myself breath. They were always with me, and I knew they'd be proud of me. No matter what happened.

I woke up early in Brackley. The nearly two hour drive after a long flight was awful. But I was here now, and I was ready. I 100% couldn't wait to jump on a plane to LA later, but for now, I was fully focused as I showered and got dressed for the day.

I walked through the car park, nerves building in me. It was so strange being surrounded by Mercedes. They did supply McLaren with their engines, but this was a whole other level, everything seemed so much richer and fancier and it only amplified my anxieties. I stood at the door and played with my bracelet, smiling. I knew I had this, whatever the outcome was, this was a great opportunity for me personally. I took a deep breathe and walked into the building.

"Hi, I'm Alexandria Walker" I spoke softly when the receptionist greeted me.

"Miss Walker, pleasure to meet you. Mr Anderson will be with you soon, would you like anything to drink?" She asked me, she was a petite dark haired woman, she was very friendly and it only made me relax more.

"Some water would be lovely"

"I'll get some for you right now, please take a seat" she said.

I left the building with a smile on my face, it was the weirdest feeling. When I met Mr Anderson, he told me straight up that this was a meeting not an interview as they already wanted me, it was more for me to work out what I wanted and if it suited me, I felt pressure straight away realising that no matter what, they wanted me. It was both a really nice feeling, and really daunting one. He toured me round the building, showed me what I would be doing day to day, the teams I could be working with, what I would be doing. The whole thing was extraordinary, and so strange. It felt like it was a safe space, like I was meant to be there. Which was bizzare, because to me, the MTC had been my home for so long.

I wondered if this was a fresh start, I had McLaren to heal me from my past and put me in this position, was this now the opportunity to do something new, move up and be as successful as I could.

I would be working with Toto Wolff every day, along with the team principle and the drivers. I would manage all communication teams for the whole of the Mercedes garage on the road, not just the drivers or the drivers press officers and not just the media teams. I would oversee everything for everyone and have staff at my disposal to manage. It was a huge pressure, but I would still get to travel, and I would still be near what I loved everyday. Even though I was fortunate to be able to go where I liked majority of the time, I was always needed and I had to be certain places, this would be different. I would be at the track, but when I wasn't, I could work from home for everything else. I was able to do as I pleased and have more freedom.

It really was a decision between the old and the new. Between sticking it out, or pursuing more. Going above and beyond and pushing limits was something I had always done, so for me, it would be silly to stay with McLaren. Mercedes was a big big big brand, it was all over the world, it was a successful eight time constructors champion, it was a well established formula one team, it was everything and more. I really needed the time to think about this and let it sink in before I made a more concrete decision.

But first, I needed to get to LA, and enjoy the sun, enjoy a couple of days break before working again, I needed to smile and laugh and be with Daniel. I needed to speak to him as well, it was a big decision, and it would affect us, I wasn't naive enough to know it wouldn't. I wouldn't be with him 24/7, I would have the freedom to do what I wanted and still see him all the time, but not be by his side everyday. There was also a pretty big part of the deal if I made the move, with Daniel being a McLaren driver, I had to sign a hefty document to not pass information, but that I definitely wouldn't be doing anyway. Only time would tell what I would feel was best.