End Of Summer ~ Mick Schumacher

DDD 20:19 MSC

After the meeting, I stayed in the room with Bianchi. I know I messed up but this isn't the way to clear my name. She was collecting the papers on the table when I turned to her after everyone left the room. Before I could say anything she started talking first.

"You said you want to do anything to clear your name. And you agreed on listening to me. What is it now?" Her eyes met mine. She was slightly smaller than me, so she had to look up. Her gaze was serious and focused. There is no way to change her mind.

I sighed. "When I said that, I meant something realistic. Like an apology. Or being completely honest. How many times did drivers fight and got filmed? They didn't receive any shitstorm like that. Remember Max and Esteban after the Brazil GP?" But the look in her eyes didn't change. 

"I already told you everything, Delancy. This stunt with Mick is fixed. And that thing with the other drivers fighting is a whole different situation. Also, they're men. You're the only woman in the F1 lineup currently. Of course, the media will try to eat you alive. And you could be a little more thankful." 

Something in me just dropped. I can't describe what it was but the last sentence went under my skin. 

We were just staring at each other until she grabbed the last paper from the table and put it into her folders. "There will be few cameras on the track, as always. Stay with Charles until you guys meet the Audi team. Then you and Mick will continue together. Greet the fans, and journalists, just greet everyone you meet on the track walk. Oh, and don't be so tense. You have to smile more." 

Then I watched her leave the meeting room. Shaking my head I sat down again. This is so not going to end well. 

...

I left the meeting room sometime later and ran into Charles who was upset. "Where were you? You just disappeared last night and then I find out that something happened between you and Schumacher? What is going on? Are you okay?" I think he didn't even breathe asking me all these questions. 

"Calm down Charles, your face is almost red as our suits." I looked at my watch. We have to be out there in 30 minutes. 

"Delancy, what happened? Do you know how many times I tried to call or text you?"

Call or text me? 

"No, I don't because I didn't get a call or text from you." Trying to prove it to him I took out my phone with the broken display and as I pushed the home button to turn it on, but the display stayed dark. Oh, fuck that. "Sorry." The look on his face got softer and he let a breath out. 

"Tell me what happened." 

...

After various "NO!", "What an Idiot.", "She didn't.", "That's stupid." and a lot of cursing, Charles learned about my current situation. 

"And now you have to pretend to be friends? Sorry but that's the most unrealistic thing I've heard in a long time." 

I nodded. "Tell me about it. But no, Bianchi is convinced that this will clear my name. A PR stunt with the guy I slapped in the face at the party and he's the same guy I hate since childhood." He let out a laugh. 

"Sorry, but that sounds like a Wattpad fanfiction." And he was right. Nothing like this could ever happen in real life. But now it did. 

...