Strangers At A Bar

Two

Saturday May 27th

"Come on kid, keep up." Christian yelled as he charged through the paddock towards his garage. Lily rolled her eyes and picked up the pace, still struggling to keep on his heel through the crowds of people.

Lily hadn't been to a race weekend with her dad since his days as a driver when she was a child. To be honest, she had no interest in the sport. She didn't understand how it worked, didn't know any of the drivers besides Max and Checo and the current buzz around them was giving her a headache and reminding her of why she didn't come to these. It wasn't that she didn't love or support her dad, she just showed it in other areas.

The Red Bull VIP pass around her neck bounced from side to side with each step as the gap between her and her dad grew. Eventually she huffed and gave up trying to match his pace, instead slowing to a walk and using the opportunity to take in her surroundings.

The paddock was full of life. Fans flocked to take photos as teams and drivers rushed around preparing for the days upcoming events. Press crews stalked around looking for any and all interview opportunities and friends and families of the teams enjoyed the festivities. Lily looked up at the signs above each garage as she passed them. Haas. Alpine. Aston Martin. Ferrari. Each one bustling with chaos.

The next garage Lily reached was Mercedes and she knew from hearing countless expletive filled rants from her dad that these guys were not their friends. But they looked just like any of the other teams to her.

That was until her eyes landed on a commanding figure stood at the side of the room. A headset hung lazily around his neck. His white button down shirt had the sleeves rolled up and his black dress pants were a smidge too tight. Lily's heart thumped so hard against her chest she was sure that at any moment it would burst open.

The stranger from the bar.

Only unlike at the bar, this time his shirt wore the Mercedes emblem and had embroidered writing underneath that she couldn't quite make out from that distance. Lily's head spun as a million different scenarios and explanations raced through her mind, none of them quite making sense. And then by chance he happened to look over, his gaze falling on the petite brunette almost immediately causing his eyebrows to furrow in confusion. His eyes darkened as he took in the team pass around her neck and it almost looked as though he was about to cross the garage to confront her when suddenly a hand wrapped around her shoulder.

"We're not friends with these guys." Max laughed as he pulled her away. "Toto would almost definitely torture you for Red Bull secrets if he knew who you were."

"Toto?" Lily squeaked, her mouth suddenly becoming drier than the Sahara.

"Mhm." He mused. "The big angry Austrian." Max laughed. "Don't tell your dad but Toto frightens me more than he does."

Toto Wolff. Lily had heard his name being cursed more times than she'd heard her own. He was no longer a stranger at a bar, he was her dads biggest rival. They had a long running feud that ran deeper than just opposing team fights. It was personal. It was heated. And Lily had just put herself right in the middle of it and set off a ticking time bomb.

Max led Lily to the Red Bull garage where her dad was so engrossed in the monitors he hadn't even realised she'd not arrived yet. And it's where she stayed for the remainder of the day, willing the hours away so she could go home and throw up.

Finally qualifiers ended with Max taking the top spot and after some celebrations the crowds began to disperse.

"I've just got to go to the FIA." Christian rolled his eyes. "Like they don't already suck the life out of me enough. I'll meet you at the car in about 30? Why don't you go to hospitality with Max and get something to eat." Without even giving her a chance to respond he dipped out of the garage and Max waved her over.