Unexpected Love - Max Verstappen

Chapter 6 / Sofia & Max's POV

Sofia's POV

The second week of racing is already in full swing, this week I only saw George at work, Carmen is here the whole week and I wanted to give George and her enough "couple time".

When I was feeling really bad last year, he was always by my side, Carmen was often alone at home and I think it was also a hard time for their relationship. Nevertheless, Carmen always stood behind the decision that George should take care of me completely.

I spent some more time with Charles, Carlos and their girlfriends. I got along really well with Isa, but something didn't quite fit between Charlotte and me, we often ignored each other and only spoke the most necessary words to each other.

Qualifying in Saudi Arabia is just over, and the mood in the garage is anything but good.

P1 Charles

P2 Carlos

P3 Max

P6 George

P16 Lewis

The debriefing with the team wasn't exactly conducive to a good mood either.. I hadn't seen my uncle that angry in a long time, but he was right, something had to change now if Mercedes wanted to get back on the podium and compete for victories .

After the debriefing, I was back in the paddock "Hey little Wolff" I heard Daniel behind me. He stood with Lando at the side. I already had the Aussie and the British in my heart as friends.

"The mood with you was definitely really "great" right?" Lando asked worried "There will be better qualis again" I said and meant it, we'll manage it with the team "I felt very sorry for Lewis today, of course it's good for George that he was able to prove himself here and get what's possible out of the car." I added... I was really proud of George for what he got out of the car.

Lando, Daniel and I chatted a little more. "So I'll leave you alone now, I'll go over to RedBull.. Max's mood is definitely on fire too," said Daniel worried.

I wondered  "Why that? Ferrari was so strong today and Max got everything that was possible with P3" That was true even I had seen the evaluations of the FPs.

"P3 is good for most drivers, but not for Max. He sets himself the highest expectations of himself," said Lando thoughtfully.

"And his father has even higher ones..." Daniel rolled his eyes annoyed "Have you met him before?" he then asked me. I shook my head "No I only saw him in the paddock"

"You'll understand what we mean once you talk to him," Lando said next to me. "I still don't see any reason why I should talk to Jos Verstappen," I said and laughed.

Daniel really went to RedBull after that and Lando also had things to settle at McLaren. I made my way to the hotel, once again I was lying in bed and couldn't sleep. I hated it when my head played tricks on me...

Every time I try to close my eyes I have flashbacks to last year.. flashbacks to when my life and myself fell apart. I felt that scary tightness in my chest again...

I considered calling George but decided against it.. he should enjoy his time with Carmen and not have to worry about me all the time. I got up and put on my running clothes, I thought jogging would clear my head.

I just ran...it helps me and I felt my body relax. Eventually I stopped on a small bridge, it started raining...it was a warm summer rain.

I looked up at the sky, the raindrops fell on my face..I closed my eyes and thought of my father..what would he say now? I feel my eyes fill with tears and just let them flow. It was stressful but also liberating at the same time. I hadn't cried like that in a long time, I let everything out, the pressure and the negative thoughts.

"Hey are you all right?" I suddenly heard it next to me and felt someone's hand gently on my shoulder. I hadn't even heard anyone approach, I was so easy to kidnapped. I turned my head and my eyes were still blurry from the tears, but the blue eyes shine through as well. I just looked at him and still hadn't found my voice.

Max POV

I went jogging again at night. I would also prefer to use other times and it made sense not to be up so late before the day of the race, but jogging helped me.. I was able to take the pressure off my shoulders and clear my head.

I was almost done with my round when I saw her standing on a bridge. It had been raining for a few minutes but she stood in the rain instead of walking back to the hotel. Her body was shaking, why was she shaking? It was warm and the rain wasn't cold either. I slowly answered it, she didn't seem to notice me at all. I think she's crying.. or is it just the raindrops? I hardly knew her but it worried me immediately.

"Hey are you all right?" I asked her softly, putting my hand gently on her shoulder.

She looked at me, her eyes were glassy, ​​she had definitely been crying. She didn't say anything, I had the feeling that she was asking herself if I was hallucinating.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to bother you.. um, you were just standing here and I was worried" I said, hoping it didn't come across as creepy.

She cleared her throat briefly "ehmm yeah everything's ok, I just took a short break from jogging" she said but to be honest it didn't sound like she believed it herself.

"In the middle of the night? In the rain? with tears in your eyes?" was I now too direct?

„When I can't sleep I go jogging.. it helps clear my head... you must have gotten it wrong about the tears... It was the rain on my face"

I didn't believe her but I could tell that she didn't want to talk about it.

"I know that only too well, when it's too much pressure for me or everything gets too much for me, I go jogging," I said with an understanding smile. "When jogging, my head is just light and empty, no pressure.." I added and realized how faint it sounded. How could I reveal this vulnerable side to someone?

"So I heard that it's the case with people who can't deal with pressure and stuff like that," I added to pretend that I wasn't someone like that. I actually hated it when I acted like that, but that's just my way of protecting myself from the public.

"You know you don't always have to be like that to me? .. so dismissive?" she said, snapping me out of my own thoughts.

I just said "sorry" and I was sorry.. I didn't want to be like that but my father taught me to protect myself in front of people. I didn't understand why I opened up to Sofia like that.. or that I apologized to her last week. Of course I misbehaved last week, but otherwise I never apologize.

We went back to the hotel together and chatted about many things. About Formula 1 stuff, of course, but also about TV shows and such normal topics as these. At the end she laughed again which made my heart beat faster for a moment, I was glad that she felt better.

Sofia's POV

Max took me to my hotel room and then said goodbye. I lay in my bed and felt the tiredness and was able to fall asleep quickly.

The race the next day went a little better.

P1 Max

P2 Charles

P3 Carlos

P5 George

P10 Lewis

The team happy, George had pushed as hard as he could and Lewis had been in the points too.

Nevertheless, I caught myself watching the award ceremony on the screens. Max was standing on top and his blue eyes were shining.