Friends with Benefits - Daniel Ricciardo

17. Saudi Arabia

SOPHIE

Round two of the 2022 season. Our car was not great. Daniel was stressed and I was juggling to get him to take interview. However, I was feeling good. My mind was a bit torn between Mason and Charles. Mason had made it clear that he had a serious interest and we had plan to meet once I was back in England. Charles and I would send each other little funny and flirtatious texts but no interest had been brought to the table. I was in the media pen with Daniel when my phone buzzed in my pocket. 

From Charles: You look cute just standing there. Want to go for a drink tonight? 

To Charles: Don't think your team principal would appreciate you drinking before quali

To Charles: Thanks btw ;)

From Charles: You do the drinking, I'll do the talking. 7pm

To Charles: See you at my hotel bar then

I turned around when somebody flicked my ear and I found Max's blue eyes and playful smile waiting for me to react. I rolled my eyes and turned to see Daniel on his interview. He was smiling, I hadn't see him smiling the whole day. He had been so stressed about his own and his car's performance. 

- "Why are you smiling at your phone?" Max asked looking at Daniel as well 

-"Don't be so nosy Verstappen" I replied putting my phone back in my pocket

-"So I heard the model is coming this weekend again" he said looking towards my direction 

-"Which model are you talking about?" I asked uninterested. I really didn't care about this hollywood world or who was coming to races or not. I was not starstruck by that many people in life

-"Well, definitely not Kelly" he said.

"Barbara. The girl from Bahrain" he continued. I guess Daniel did not mind being seen with her in every grand prix. I guess maybe he was ready for a serious relationship with the right person and I was no one to avoid that from happening. 

-"Oh that's cool. Maybe I'll ask him if he wants to go on a double date" I said looking at my phone and thinking of Charles

-"who said I want to be your date?" he asked making me direct my attention back to him

-"who said I was talking about you?" I replied raising one of my eyebrows before turning around and walking towards Daniel. I could hear Max's steps behind me and I was ready to hear him begging me to tell him. This guy could not hold himself back from a gossip

-"Soph, c'mon! you can't just leave without telling me"  Max said cutting my path and standing in front of me

-"I was talking about Charles. Happy?" I said almost whispering 

-"So Leclerc..." I heard an Australian accent behind me. I turned around to see Daniel's face

"He's kind of short for you Soph" he continued and I heard Max's laugh next to me so I just elbowed him

-"We are just going for a drink but if it goes well maybe we can have a double date with Barbara for the AustralianGP" I answered and could hear Max whispering "harsh" in my ear

"You got another interview at 3, but you are release for now Dan" 

"Have fun you guys. Love you" I said before kissing both my friends on their cheeks and making my way out

It was 7pm and I was making my way to the hotel's bar. I could see Charles waiting for me in the entrance of the bar wearing a black t-shirt and a bandana wrapped around his head. He was staring at me with a smile on his face and his arms crossed. He looked extremely good. He always did. I was just wearing a jean skirt and a cozy sweater. I tend to wear sweaters whenever I am around hotels. It's just too cold for me

-"Look at you looking all cozy" he said when I stood in front of him. His smile grew bigger when he saw my smile

"You look really cute" he said making me blush. We walked towards the bar and sat on one of the high tops. I hadn't mention a word yet. Charles was so perfect that would mesmerize anyone. He would make me feel nervous but safe at the same time. It was a different feeling from the one I felt with Mason. I had ordered a virgin mojito and I ordered a glass of wine 

-"One glass and we'll go to bed" I said. We couldn't stay too long. I could see a cheeky smile forming on his face and that's when I realized what I had said 

-"I mean, I was thinking of taking it slow but.." I hit his arm and we both laughed 

"Hey! I have to drive tomorrow" he said jokingly reminding of Max. 

-"Are you ready for tomorrow?" I asked on a more serious note. He sipped his drink while looking at me

-"Are you going to be wearing my merch?" he asked shirking his eyes inquisitively 

-"I'm going to be wearing Daniel's" I said proudly and he acted surprised. He was cute and funny

-"Well are you at least going to root for me?" he said grabbing my hand. I pretended to think about it

-"Nop. I'll be rooting for Maxi" I replied and heard him laughing

-"What does a man got to do for you to love him!" he said sarcastically and we both laugh really hard. His laughter sounded far and the time stopped when my eyes crossed paths with very familiar brown eyes. Daniel. He was walking through the lobby with Barbara next to him. I could see a hint of disappointment on his face. I knew he had always being overprotective and it was hard for him to see me with men. However, I was a grown adult and he had no right over me. He gave me a small smile before the woman next to him pulled him inside the elevator. He was going to hook up with her. Again. 

I stayed with Charles a bit longer than expected. I needed company and he seemed please to be around me. Although I was having such a good time with Charles, I had a question upsetting me in the back of my mind. Why couldn't it be me? Why was he holding back this much?

Author's Note:

Hey girls! I know this is a short one but I just finished finals yesterday and I flew back to my country today. One of you asked for a new chapter and I really appreciate she did so I just wanted to give you something to read while I get the chance to write a longer chapter!