Pretending | Max Verstappen

- 16 -

Zoe

As I walked back at to the paddock I saw Jos Verstappen standing in front of the RedBull garage and he definitely saw his son coming out a couple seconds ago. I had never met Jos in person, only heard a couple of stories from Lando and other people.

His scowl at me said nothing good and I quickly disappeared into the hospitality. Why was he here anyway, it was just a race like many others so I didn't understand why he suddenly decided to visit his son.

Over the rest of the day Max was really busy with media stuff and we didn't saw each other again after our little conversation between the garages. Unfortunately I saw his father a couple times more and every time he looked really strange at me but never said a word, until Friday.

Raymond and Jos came together with Max to the circuit, I was already there. The Dutch driver quickly disappeared with his trainer because he didn't see me and so his father was now standing next to me in the garage.

 "You are Max's fake girlfriend, am I right?"

It was not a question to inform himself, it was a clear attack at my person.

"Yes, I am Zoe Graham."

I wanted to say nice to meet you or something or start a bit of small talk but his non existing smile and calm face somehow intimidated me and I kept my mouth shut. As I was done with the things here I wanted to go back in my office, but Jos followed me.

"Is there anything I can do for you Mr. Verstappen?", I said as I laid the papers on my desk.

The Dutch followed me in my room and closed the door behind himself.

"Stay away from Max."

Okay, I wasn't expecting that and therefore needed a couple of seconds before I could answer him.

"You do know that we are dating and I therefore have to be near him."

I clearly meant it as in we were fake-dating but somehow my stomach twisted as I said dating and thought about it. Dating Max was now something I would actually consider but of course it wasn't a possibility and we were doing all of this to pretend.

"The media isn't really interested in him anymore so you can stop doing this."

"But aren't they going to be interested if he breaks up again?" I asked curious as I didn't understand Jos' point.

"Tell the media you cheated on him or something so they don't blame Max."

Now my jaw dropped and I looked at the Dutch in horror. Not only wanted he me to stay away from Max and officially break up with him, no he wanted to blame me in the media.

"I am not doing that." I stuttered and felt how I got more and more scared of him.

"Yes you do. You're distracting Max and you were just a thing to convince the media he wasn't a thug anyway. It worked, the truth could be covered up and now it's time to end this."

What did he meant with the truth could be covered up, did max really hit his ex? With these thought I didn't pay much attention to Jos anymore and my confidence in this conversation went completely.

"I am going to talk to Raymond and Christian what the perfect time would be for the break up. Meanwhile stay away from Max and if you don't I guarantee you that you will lose your job here and never find another one in Formula one so do what I say."

With that he turned around and left my office. While the tears started running out of my eyes I took a seat a my little couch next to the desk. I didn't now why I was crying but it was a mixture of fear from Jos Verstappen and my feelings for his son, which I still didn't now how to describe.