He's Max Verstappen, F1 WDC, and you're Chiara Pirelli. You've known Max since before he was an F1 driver and you were always meant to be - but you were faced with an impossible decision. Do you pick his future or your relationship?
It's been 3 months since Max and I have spoken. We didn't exactly leave things on the best terms, but I tried to talk to him and he refused. I know I've hurt him but I'm hurting too. I really do love him and I always will but he just doesn't understand that. He sees things in black and white - and that's not always the case. To be fair, his dad, Jos, is the reason he thinks like that. According to him, not winning is losing and Max thinks that too now.
I don't usually come to all the races on the calendar, but this year I want to be more involved in the F1 side of the business. So, I've decided to follow the F1 calendar alongside my dad.
That means I'm going to see a lot more of Max....
Why am I scared about that? He's made it clear he wants nothing to do with me.
"Chiara, mi amor, you're not even watching the race. Look at how well Charles is doing." my dad says.
We're watching the race from the Ferrari garage and Charles is doing well - he's leading the race. Ferrari thinks that they might actually win the championship this year with Charles, but with Max and Red Bull I don't think that's going to happen. I'm more of a Bull girl myself.
"Don't worry Papa. I'm sure Max will find a way to win." I say to him smiling.
He stiffens.
"Chiara, why are you bringing him up again. I've told you not to. Is something happening with both of you again? Is that why you wanted to join F1 again? Max Verstappen is not good for you. Don't you remember our deal?" he says angrily.
"Why do you always get like this papa? Max is a good guy and you know that too. Nothing's happening with us. I'm holding up my end of the deal don't worry but you know I'll always love him. He's my 'one'."
"Chi, you're too young for love and all. It takes time to find your soulmate, but may I just suggest Charles is a much better option - if you want a Formula One driver."
Papa has always loved Charles. He's followed his career from the time he's been karting. He believes that Charles will bring Ferrari a championship title - he probably will but only after Max wins a few more titles to cement himself as one of the legends of motorsports. He's made it clear that Charles is the perfect match for me - after all he's a Ferrari boy. However, I'd much rather be with my Red Bull boy.
LAP - 55
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"Why's Max going so slowly?" I ask.
"Engine failure I think." my dad tells me.
My heart drops.
Oh no. Max is going to start the season with a DNF. He's not going to be happy with that. Max doesn't take losing lightly.
The whole Ferrari garage is in a frenzy. They've already started celebrating what seems to be their first 1-2 in ages.
"Look, mi amor, this is Ferrari's season." my dad says.
I know it's going to be Max's season. I have to go find Max.
I sneak out of the Ferrari garage when my dad starts celebrating with Mattia - the Ferrari team principal.
I enter the Red Bull motor home and open Max's door.
MAX
I'm so fucking pissed off. I could've won the race but my car just fucking stopped working. How's that even fair?
"Mmhmm Max, you feel so good" says the Aston Martin race engineer I found lurking around. She's pretty. She's tall, blonde and has blue eyes. She must be eastern European. She's the opposite of Chiara.
Why am I still thinking of Chiara?
I hear a familiar voice.
"Emi, I know you didn't want to talk to me but....."
Oh fuck, that's Chiara.
She sees what's happening and she immediately turns around.
"WTF MAX! What's going on here?" she asks.
"I'm pretty sure you can see what's going on here." I say nonchalantly.
I look at the Aston Martin race engineer - what was her name Michelle? or Mika? I don't even know - and say "Carry on, Honey. It's nothing she hasn't seen before. In fact, it's nothing she hasn't done before. Do you want to join as well Chiara? Feeling a little jealous here, aren't we?"
Chiara turns around. It looks like she could kill someone with her eyes right now. She yell at Mika/Michelle "Get the fuck out right now! Do you know who I am? I'm a Pirelli and I know whatever this is - is against the rules. So get the fuck out before I report you."
Mika/Michelle immediately runs out of my room.
"Wow. Typical Chiara, using your family's name to get what you want always. I don't understand what your deal is. We were just two adults having a consensual relation, which I very much needed after a shit race. Or have you come to finish the deal like in Abu Dhabi? Oh I forgot you only fuck winners, don't you? Charles should be around here somewhere. I can take you to him if you want, but I'm sure you're already much acquainted with where his room is already."
I know it was harsh when I said it, but it needed to be said. I've chased her for too long and I've asked her to leave me alone so many times now. This is the only way to create distance between both of us and this is the last thing I need after the race I just had.
"What's your deal Max? Honestly, I get we didn't end things on the best of terms but why can't we just act like normal adults and have a normal conversation? and fuck you. You know Abu Dhabi had nothing to do with just you winning - it was about US. AND THERE'S NOTHING HAPPENING BETWEEN ME AND CHARLES FOR GOD'S SAKE."
"Chiara, there's nothing more to talk about. Abu Dhabi was a mistake - you've made that clear. And I actually think you and Charles will make a cute couple. He's a good guy. Plus, a Ferrari boy and a Pirelli, the media will eat that up."
She moves closer to me and says "Abu Dhabi was not a mistake. And I really don't like Charles like that. Not really a Ferrari girl myself."
She knows what she's doing.
She whispers in my ear "I'm more of a Red Bull girl."
I don't want to be led on by her anymore. I can feel the impact that she has on my body. It's like she's a drug. She's so close to kissing me but I back away.
"Checo has a family, Chi. Don't be a home-wrecker" I say.
"What the fuck Max! That's not what I meant and you know that. You're it for me. I'm a Max fan - always have been and always will be."
"Umm... that's very good then Chiara. What do you want? An autograph?" I say
"Honestly fuck you! I was here to apologise for everything that happened at Abu Dhabi and I wanted to explain my side to you. I reached out to you so many times and you just never replied to me. I was watching your race and I saw what happened. I felt bad Max and I wanted to be there for you."
"Chiara, you haven't been there for me for the past three years. Why would you start now? So, once again, I would like to ask you to leave. The Ferrari motorhome is right across. Say Congrats to Charles from my side."
She gives me the middle finger and is fuming. She struts out of my room. Hopefully, this creates the distance between both of us that can help me finally move on. She's so cute when she's mad though and that ass mhmm. Fuck, she makes me so hard.
