golden | d.ricciardo

nineteen

XIX. Scarlet Lovelle

ITALY: May 2023

Clara can feel the nerves Daniel was feeling. She wanted to comfort him but she felt Christian's eyes on her. Ever since the Milan trip, Christian has been on her ass and she was scared.

Scared for Daniel's spot and her job. Even for Max's. There was a sense of power that he had over them and she didn't like it. She didn't like how Christian has control over her life, over her friendship with Daniel. And quite honestly she was missing Daniel a lot.

But luckily for the her, at the moment Max grabbed the team principal's attention. So, she took the change and she placed a hand on Daniel's shoulder.

"Lara." Daniel said with a sigh. He stopped walking but didn't look at her. He couldn't. "Sorry." she muttered, this made Daniel frown.

He turned slightly to look at her, "For what?" he asked. He didn't know what he was looking for. He doesn't know what he was asking. But he just didn't know what to do about the situation that they were in.

"I'm sorry I didn't consult you. I should have, but protocols." she tried to explain. Daniel understood, she was doing her job. That was one thing that he loved about her. Her passion with her job but this, this really was something that he knew would affect the both of them and whatever they had. If there was anything that they had.

"I- I'm just shocked. I get it's your job. I'm not angry at you." Daniel admitted, he didn't like lying to anyone and he also didn't like hiding anything. And when it comes to Clara, he would much likely be honest with her as much as possible.

Clara gulped and shook her head, "But I hurt you." she simply said. This made Daniel let out a scoff, he didn't mean to but he did. This made her frown, "That's true..." he just said as he shrugged. Clara's eyebrows furrowed, "I wish I can make it up to you."

Daniel pursed his lips. He was trying to had the smile that was forming on his lips, he wished she wasn't that adorable. He wished she didn't easily get to his heart, but she did. And it was harder for him to ignore it.

He hummed and tilted his head to the side, "Breakfast like we used would be nice."

"Deal."

QUALI DAY: the race ended with Daniel landing a P5. Clara knew the interviews would be hyped as Max was Pole. So, she scheduled the interviews just beside each other so she could give them her attention.

They were almost over for Daniel while Max was officially done. Max decided on waiting for Daniel with Clara. Something deep down made Max stay. He felt that Clara would need him. And he was never wrong when it came to her

Clara listened to the questions that Evangeline was asking Daniel. It broke her to admit that she was actually hoping Daniel would rebel from the PR plan and fought for his freedom. But she was wrong.

"Any inspiration and motivation to continue to climb up Daniel?" Evangeline asked Daniel. The driver chuckled and shrugged, "Oh you know, my family but you meet people that really pushes you to do better. And I guess I have that." he answered as vaguely as he could.

"Mysterious answer. I hope whoever it is continues giving you the support and luck you are receiving."

"I hope so too." Oh if only people knew how he was referring to someone in particular. Someone who was just standing off to the side.

After the interview, Clara watched from the side as Daniel walked outside, walking towards the brunette beauty that was Scarlet Lovele. She watched as they greeted each other and she felt Max place a hand on her waist.

"You okay?" Max asked his best friend, looking at her with worry. Clara sighed, "Why wouldn't I be?"