Pretending | Max Verstappen

- 02 -

Zoe

Today was Saturday and the first Qualifying of the year. Luckily Verstappen had some surprising appointments the last two days so our arranged "walking together through the paddock" couldn't happen, but today it would.

The last two days and at the end of testing Verstappen came to me during work or stood next to me at some meeting but I was sure it was just because of the deal and because he saw what the media said. Although nearly three months pasted the press was more interested in his violence side than in his racing and I knew how much it bothers and annoys him.

However we didn't really spoke and when we did it was always racing connected and not in private . The truth is I had talked the last days more with Perez and the mechanics than with my "boyfriend", but it was fine for me.

"Graham are you ready?" I heard his annoyed voice through my door.

I sighed loud before I opened it and let the Dutch in while collecting the last things that I would need today. Meanwhile Verstappen leaned against my table and watched me. It wasn't uncomfortable for me because I didn't pay attention to him, but with some time his looks burned on my back.

"How comes you are suddenly looking at me Verstappen?" I asked him challenging and turned around.

Before he could answer me I gestured him to stand up and leave. In the way out he wanted to say something but I didn't let him.

"Shut your mouth and go."

He was a bit surprised with my tone but didn't say something. Normally I didn't talk like that but I was annoyed of the situation, probably as much as he was. The work with the team on the site was really fun I'm not gonna lie but now this whole shit would start and I had clearly zero interest in it, I just want it behind me.

We didn't speak a word while we were waiting for the elevator but when we got inside and I looked ta myself in the mirror the Dutch opened his mouth.

"Maybe you should put the glasses away."

His certain undertone was clearly referring to his opinion on my look and that he didn't like it, but that was nothing new for me despite he said it pretty clear on the flight to Bahrain.

"You can't tell me what to do so be quite." I said annoyed and took of my glasses for a moment to clean them with my shirt.

Next to me I heard the Dutch laughing but I just ignored it.

"Forget it, you look even worse without them."

My anger came up and I was about to explode but at the same moment the doors of the elevator opened and he gt out. I quickly followed him and we got into our shuttle. His manager was already waiting inside and I sighed when I took my seat next to him.

After ten minutes we arrived at the entrance of the paddock and Raymond looked at us one last time.

"First rumors are out but only on some wag pages and nothing serious so let's show them today what's going on."

To my surprise Verstappen said nothing and didn't make fun of me, he just nod at his manager and I also responded in that way. The door of the car opened and the Dutch jumped out before he sighed loud and reached his hand towards me. For one second I closed my eyes and breathed deep before grabbing it and following him.

"Let's get this done." was everything he said before we headed towards the gates where we scanned our passes.

Behind the gates where a couple of cameras that quickly put all there attention on us and took million of pictures. Oh no, I hated this so much I couldn't describe it. Never have I wanted to be presented in the media and of course not in that way but now it was too late, everything was clear and in the world.

"Don't break my hand I still need it today."

My eyes flicked quickly down at our hands and I saw how tight I grabbed his, but I was so scared and panicked even a little bit. I apologized but Verstappen didn't really pay much attention to my words and as soon as we entered the garage he let go of my hand and disappeared. But I stood there for another minute and let everything pass until Christian came towards me.

"Okay Zoe nicely done." he said and I just nod still processing what happened, "The data from yesterday is over there and we have a meeting with Max and Checo in twenty minutes."

As fast as he appeared he disappeared and I was alone again. Gladly Timo saw me and came over to me. He was a British mechanic and we got on really good from day one. He showed me around and everything and was really nice to me, other than some certain driver, who happened to be my "boyfriend".

"Hey Zoe, did I see it right, you are dating Max?" he asked me confused and I just nod my head.

"Yeah... can we talk later I have some stuff to do."

"Of course, have fun today, it's your first Qualifying out here." he said before turning around.

I was happy that he didn't ask something about Verstappen but this increases my worries. What will the team think about this. Would they think that I am only here because I was together with the Dutch? And how would they treat me if they think that?

Much time to think about it wasn't so I quickly prepared myself with the newest data before I entered the meeting room where Christian and Verstappens race engineer were already sitting at the table. After me some other men entered the room, followed by the drivers.

The meeting went by and we discussed mostly the data from the testing days but also from the training sessions yesterday. When I was speaking Verstappen looked a bit weird towards me but I simply ignored it. Work was fun and because I was fake-dating him and he hated me that wouldn't turn my mood. Luckily I hadn't much to to with him during the rest of the race weekend despite some small meetings like this one.

"Okay before we end this meeting I want to announce something." Christian said and immediately my head jerked up, "As some of you have already noticed Max and Zoe are dating but they and also I promise you it won't affect our work and the results. Thank you."

I saw some surprising faces among the engineers but nobody said something and the first stood up to leave the room. I also wanted to get back to my work as quick as possible but suddenly I felt a hand around my wrist and I winced. Verstappen let immediately go of it and looked in my shocked face.

"Just wanted to inform you about tonight, I will leave with a guest and friend so you don't have to be there."

I quickly nod towards him before I ran out. Since when did he cared so much about this thing and where I have to be. Okay, I understood it kinda because he was a racing driver and like every other he wanted the media to focus on that and not on some private shit an ex said. But still he was an annoying asshole and when I thought at tomorrow and our holding hands a shiver ran down my back and I felt really sick.

Luckily qualifying went well and Verstappen and Perez got the first row so tomorrow could only be better. After I finished the data from the day I looked at my watch and realized how much time had passed so I left my office and went down in the garage, when I saw someone in the meeting room.

I approached quietly and saw that it was Verstappen who was starring at some data sheets on his laptop. I shook my head in disbelief but didn't bother any longer and left. Didn't he say he wanted to leave with friends? But right, the only friends Verstappen had was the data, how could I have been so dump. Lauthing at my though I left the paddock and went back to the hotel.