Something Gained

Chapter One Hundred & Eighteen

AN: sorry for the long gap, but here's another chapter. Thank you for all the love on this story, we're slowly coming to the end and I have loved this story and I hope you have to. Enjoyyyyy🤍

Everything seemed to slip back to normal in the coming days, Daniel and I were okay and it felt like something clicked back into place. LA was our favourite place, it's where he made sure I was okay and things just seemed to sort of happen once upon a time, I enjoyed the warmth and the happiness, even when Daniel had some people round and they were shouting about American football. Normal English football yes, American football was weird to me, so I left them to it and just did some work that needed my attention.

Michael's girlfriend was coming this week, as a guest. I had given up trying to get information from Michael so I left him to it. I had arranged everything, he could get her here. I wandered into the kitchen from my seat in the living room where the guys where, and got myself a drink.

"Alex! Your phone" I heard, I rushed back into the living room and saw an unknown number, I gave Daniel a look and he smiled. I still hadn't told anyone else about the job. It was all in my hands as well which made me feel more pressure. I dived away from the room and the silence of upstairs and just about managed to catch the call.

"Hello, is this Miss Walker?" The voice asked through the phone, it sounded distinctly familiar.

"Speaking" I said simply

"Miss Walker, I'm calling about the job in Mercedes, do you mind if I call you Alex?"

"Not at all, who am I speaking with?"

"Toto Wolff" I nearly dropped my phone down the stairs, I got into my bedroom and shut the door.

"Oh, hello" I wasn't sure what to say, Toto Wolff was calling me?

"I know you're in between races and probably busy, so I won't take too much of your time up. But I just wanted to call to ask how everything went the other day?"

"It was lovely, I didn't realise that you would want me no matter what, I thought it was an interview" I said

"We've been looking at you for a while Alex, you would be a huge asset to the team. We picked you specifically, and now it all rests on you as to whether you want the job or not" he said, that only added more pressure

"When do you need an answer by?"

"By the 24th of October. But Alex, just know that I understand it's hard to leave people behind, particularly a team you've been with so long, but progression and pushing the limits is not a bad thing, you would be looked after here at Mercedes, you would still have all the parts you enjoy and more, I personally would love to have you working with us"

"That's so lovely to hear, thank you. I will definitely have an answer by then" I said to him

"Until then Alex, have a good evening and I'm sure I'll see you around at the end of the week"

"Thank you very much, I'll see you around. Goodbye Toto" I smiled as I ended the call, the fact he had called me himself made a difference, it really did. I turned and came face to face with Daniel.

"I wasn't eavesdropping I swear" he held his hands up defensively

"But you were" I giggled, I walked straight into his arms and rested my head against his chest. He was wearing his buffalo bills jersey and he always looked good in jerseys. "Football?"

"Half time" he said simply, he stroked my hair. Right now I craved nothing more than affections from him, I knew why I wanted it. Because I was scared of another argument.

"Dan?" I whispered

"You took the job" he said simply

"No I haven't, Toto called me but.." I looked up at him and I didn't expect him to be smiling. He kissed my forehead

"You don't have to explain anything. I know you, it would be an amazing step up for you. Don't consider anyone else in this decision. Only yourself" he said. I reached up and pressed the back of hand to his head, he looked at me confused

"You do feel a bit hot, maybe you should sit down. You're not yourself" I said in a serious tone. He threw his head back laughing before picking me up and throwing me on the bed.

"I'm serious, whatever you do, wherever you are. As long as you're happy, that's all I want for you" he whispered as he leaned over me, my thumb brushed across his cheek softly, he leaned down and kissed me and I smiled before clinging onto him.

"DR!" I heard the yells from Blake from downstairs but Daniel didn't move.

"I love you" he said

"I love you" I said back, he kissed my forehead before getting up. I stood up quickly. "Dan?" I said as I grabbed his arm.

"Hm?" He asked. I tiptoed as he faced me and poured every ounce of love I could muster into the kiss I gave him, his hands held my neck softly, returning the favour, but it didn't stop there. It become a little heated and his tongue found it's way into my mouth, he picked me up and I wrapped my legs around him, my arms wrapped around his neck.

We both pulled away a little breathless as he leaned his forehead on mine. He was perfect. He carried me downstairs after I grabbed my phone and settled me on my seat I was in before, while he returned to the sofa to watch the football again.

We flew to Texas on Tuesday night so that Dan could chill out and do his favourite things. I let him be and worked and did bits I needed to do, I was exhausted. Mentally and physically, I couldn't muster the energy. Plus they were having this boys night for dinner and I wasn't disturbing that, so I sat working before heading to bed early. I didn't even hear Daniel come in late that night. There was another day before media day came round.