Hope is a dangerous thing for a Woman like me to have

Chapter 16

Qualifying didn't go as planned and I ended up qualifying 17th. I was on my final flying lap in Q1, making green sectors when a Ferrari got in the way and I had to abort. It turned out to be Charles which made me even madder.

When I parked up, I stormed into the garage, ripping my helmet off and going straight to Zak.

"What have the FIA done about this scumbag." I seethed. "He better have a 10 place grid penalty."

"Calm down Edom," Zak said putting a hand on my shoulder. "Stop being so emotional." At that comment, I knocked his hand off my shoulder.

"Emotional?! Did you just say I'm emotional?!" I was fuming. "My race just got ruined by some prick in a Ferrari, so yes, I am a bit emotional. But you know what Zak, I've never heard you say that to Lando before. And I know he's had similar reactions to this, so if you dare belittle me like that again I swear to God."

"Woah woah" Zak backed off "I'm sorry Edom. I didn't mean it like that, I just meant that cameras are filming us right now so you should probably be less expressive." My eyes widened and I looked around to see a camera facing me and in the corner of my eye I saw myself on the big screen. Although no one would've heard what was said it clearly looked like I had had a tantrum.

"I'm sorry Zak." I slowed my breathing "That was unprofessional of me. I'm too used to not being taken seriously in this sport it's made me tired and sensitive."

"Don't worry Edom, I get it. We've already sent a complaint to the FIA." he smiled empathetically at me.

I thanked him, then turned back to the camera that was still filming us. I walked up to it and kissed the lens, before going into the garage and into my private room where I watched the rest of qualifying.

Max unsurprisingly qualified first and I was happy for him. Charles qualified in 3rd and it was yet to be determined his penalty. I watched the post race interviews (which I had refused to go to) and proudly watched Lando (who qualified 8th) and Max discuss their sessions.

Then Charles came on screen. Normally I would've turned the TV off, but I was curious to what might be said.

"Hello Charles, how are you feeling!" The interviewer asked.

"Yeah, alright," Charles said with a grin

Oh yeah I bet you are I thought, my face scrunching up just watching him.

"I'm happy with 3th place considering how the car isn't strong on this track." Ugh the bragging. He made me sick to my stomach.

"Well that might change. You clearly impeded Hakimi in Q1." The interviewer said back. I didn't know who it was but I suddenly loved them.

"It was an accident" Charles defended himself. "My engineer didn't warn me that she was coming,"

"Surely you saw her in your mirrors, it was on the straight?" The interviewer pushed. My love for them grew, they were asking all the right questions.

As Charles went to reply, someone burst into my room- Max Verstappen.

"Max, what are you doing here?" I jumped up in surprise.

"I had to make sure you were ok." Max spoke quickly. "I asked about you and the engineers told me what happened, then I saw your reaction with Zak on the big screen. I was worried."

"Thanks Max. I'm fine. It's so frustrating though as-" before I could finish my sentence, Max grabbed my face and kissed me roughly. I pulled away quickly in shock. I stared at him with surprise for a second, before he tried again. I once again pushed him off.