Hard life

Friends again

2019 Winter break

Verstappen's POV:

Almost half a year has passed since Antoine died. It was very difficult for Charles to process, but I was very happy to be able to help him. We FaceTimed or texted almost every day. We got along really well again and that was extremely reassuring. There was no awkward silence anymore because of what happened and it was fantastic. However, I did not finish the season well and I was particularly angry and disappointed because of it, but I finally have a break and I can better prepare for the next season. We had minor disagreements with Charles, but nothing serious that would have lasted for a long time. After all, we are competitors, it is not surprising if we do not spare each other on the track. And Charles knows me and is used to it. I had minor disagreements with my father, but thank God nothing serious happened. I was afraid that since I was performing poorly and so was RedBull, there would be another rough argument between us and maybe he would hit me like he did a long time ago, but that didn't happen, and I'm used to the yelling. It's been a week since Abu Dhabi and I enjoyed the rest, but I knew it wouldn't last long. A few hours later, when I had just finished taking a shower, my phone rang. I went to pick it up and saw that it was Christian so I picked up.

"Hey Max, hope you enjoy your break!" -he said with his British accent

"Hi Christian! Yes it's good to relax a bit but I kinda getting bored you know" -I said and laughed

"Look Max, the management decided that it would be good to get the grid together a bit and that's why there will be a 3-day tour where 10 of you draw a pair and you have to go with him to get a box that we don't know what's in and you'll have 3 days for that..." -he said not too confidently

"What a fucking bullshit! Man! I don't want do this!" -I frowned

"We can't do anything about it. Just be at the Paris Caffee in 10" -he said not very happily

"Okay!" -I said indignantly and hung up

While grumbling to myself, I put on a RedBulls t-shirt, a hoodie and jeans and headed for the door, where I grabbed my phone and jacket and went out. In the garage, I saw Charles also going to his car.

"Hey mate" -I said and he turned to face me- "Did you also get a call saying to go to Paris Caffee?" -I asked and he nodded

"Yeah unfortunately" -he said and looked at the time

"We can go together if you want to" -I said and he smiled

"Okay that's a good idea" -he said and we went to my car and he sat on the passenger seat

I started the engine and we set off.

"What did they tell you?" -I asked him

"That you have to pull a pair, team building training and that we have 3 days to do it. I personaly don't have a problem with team building training but I feel like it's going to be awful. What if I get a person who I can't stand?!" -he said with a slightly paniced voice

"I agree with you. But I hate to be around people" -I said and he laughed

"Yeah I know"-he said smiling

We arrived, got out, went in and saw the bosses, then went to ours. After 10 minutes, everyone was here and no one knew what was going to happen. A man in a suit came in and introduced himself.

"Welcome to everybody! You all know why you are here. I want to elaborate on this. 10 drivers draw a pair and each pair receives an envelope. There is a number in it, this represents their car number, an address, you have to go there for a box, and a map. You have 3 days to bring it here. You can't have money with you and you only get a phone so you can call for help if there's a problem. If you have a question, you can ask it now." -he said and there was silence- "If there are no questions, I would like to ask Pierre Gasly, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas, Nico Hülkenberg, Carlos Sainz, Sergio Perez, Fernando Alonso, George Russell and Max Verstappen to come here and draw a name" -he said and opened a black textile bag