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

Chapter 28

"What a drive Edom, what a drive!" Daniel congratulated me over the radio as I beamed beneath my helmut. I had managed to secure another podium in 3rd place. Although I had got lucky when there was a crash infront of me, I managed to overtake multiple drivers, including Lewis Hamilton and I wanted to cry with happiness. 

"Oh my god!" I yelled into the radio "Thank you so much team! This was our weekend!" Lando had finished 4th and so we had overtaken 2 teams in the space of one day in the constructor's championship. As I did my final slow lap round the track, I waved to the crowd, then pulled in to the spot with the 3rd banner. Max (as usual) had won and Charles had secured second.

I got out the car and ran to the barrier to hug my team and congratulate them. I took my helmut off and wandered to the stand to place my helmut and have a drink of water. 

"Nice drive Edom." Max placed a hand on my shoulder and I jumped and Max quickly took his hand off. 

"Thanks" I looked anywhere but his eyes. The awkwardness was almost physical. 

"Everything ok here." Charles suddenly stepped in. He was still wearing his helmut. "Careful Verstappen." He said quietly so the cameras couldn't hear. We were saved by David Coulthard who was conducting the post-race interviews when he called Max over. I suddenly remembered Charles' words before the race and quickly headed to the scales to get weighed but Charles followed me over. 

"You ok?" He asked after he took his helmut off. His face had marks from his helmut, his forehead was glistening slightly with sweat and his hair was messy, yet he somehow looked gorgeous. 

"Never better" I said as I stood on the scales and waited for my results. 

"Great drive." He tried as I got off. 

"Thanks, you too" I mumbled and walked back to my drink as he took my place on the scales. He rejoined me in a matter of seconds. I stole the occasionaly glance at him as he sipped his drink and watched Max's interview. 

"Come to my hotel room once you get back from your debrief." Charles suddenly said to me and before I had the chance to reply I heard David Coulthard say 

"Thanks Max, congrats on your win. And now we'll hear from Charles Leclerc, today's runner up," and he walked off. My mind was going crazy. Going into his hotel room felt like a bad idea and I was lowkey getting serial killer vibes from the extremely vague demands. But I was extremely curious and I also deep down wanted to know what Charles had to say to me that seemed so important. 

"Edom, please let me apologise." Max was stood exactly where Charles had. 

"Let's just forget about it Max. To be honest I'm even surprised you remember it." I said lowly. 

"I can't forget it Edom. It's all I've thought about since and I can't look at myself in the mirror. You once told me that the world needed more guys like me, but I then went and did that. Being drunk is not an excuse and I can't live with myself until I can make it up to you." He sounded genuinely full of regret. I looked at him and could see the total regret in his eyes. 

"It was very unlike you." I agreed. "But you really scared me and embarrassed me Max and what if you did that again to someone else?" 

"I'm not drinking anymore. I'm not giving myself the chance to ever get like that again." He told me. 

"That's a good idea." I smiled at him, deciding it was best for everyone if I forgave him and moved on. "You'll have to understand I can't just move on or forget it instantly-"

"Of course"

"-But I can tell you genuinely feel aweful and who ever did that wasn't really you. I want to be friends again-" Max beamed "-But just  friends." His smile dropped slightly. 

"I understand, thank you Edom"

"But if I find out that you ever do something like that to anyone else, don't even doubt that I will be on my way personally to the FIA and potentially the police." I couldn't let him get away without any leaving statement. 

Max nodded in understanding and agreement. "You'll never have to do that." He said "And I'm glad we're friends again." He smiled at me. 

"And if you want to make it up to me, maybe I could borrow your yacht sometime" My tone lightened and I winked at him as he laughed. 

"Sure" he chuckled. "Just tell me beforehand ok." 

"And now, our favourite female driver... Edom Hakimi in 3rd place." I walked over to David and stood on the cross marked for me on the floor. As I walked past Charles, he handed me the mic as he looked directly into my eyes and our fingers brushed. A chill ran up my arm despite how hot I was post-race. 

Throughout the interview, I couldn't help but look at where both the boys stood. They were both watching me, but whilst Max smiled at me, Charles glowered. Typical Charles I suppose. At one point, I saw him look at Max and his expression somehow worsened. 

I finished up my interview, then we were ushered up to the cooldown room. I went and sat in my chair and so did the boys and we watched the screen showing the race highlights in silence for a bit. 

"Nice move Edom!" Max commented as I went down the inside of Lewis at turn 1. 

"Thanks!" I smiled at him. I felt Charles glare at me. This was definitely putting me off meeting him later. I ignored him. 

"You owned the race, as normal." I complimented Max back and he smiled gratefully at me. 

I was then summoned onto the podium, and was greeted by screams and cheers. I beamed and waved at the crowd as I stepped up to my place. 3rd place was by no means 1st, but the fans made it feel like a win anyway. 

Charles soon joined me and his sour expression had been replaced by his contagious grin as he waved at the loyal tifosi. Max then bounded out, greeted by a mix of cheers and boos from the American crowd, which really irritated me. Max may not be who they wanted to win, but he had done so, fair and square so they should respect that instead of being so rude. Max seemed to not acknowledge them thankfully, but I guessed it was probably because he was used to it by now.

I was forced to listen to the Dutch national anthem for yet another weekend and then we were allowed to go crazy with the champagne. We all sprayed each but, but Max went especially crazy, totally targeting me with his drink and pouring it over my head. I cried internally for my hair but was too excited and happy to really feel upset about it. I took a huge sip from the bottle, then handed it down to the team again as they deserved it just as much as I did. 

Shortly, I headed down to the Mclaren paddock, where I was greeted with more celebrations from the team and we started the process of the debrief. I should've been paying full attention to what was being said, but I couldn't help but think about if I should meet Charles later or not, and if I did, what he would say....

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