𝘽𝙄𝙏𝙏𝙀𝙍, max verstappen

chapter thirty-one.

since camila signed that contract, her life had been nothing short of eventful.

the news broke to the world that camila rivera, mercedes golden girl, was entering the lions den. the enemies camp. she was now teammates with what the world assumed was her sworn enemy, her rival, her reason she wasn't a 3 times world champion.

camila had vented to sofia about max. she just wanted to be able to move on, play nice, be civil — yet max refused. so what else could he possibly want? what game was he playing?

after taking sofia's advice, camila was still determined to focus on herself before anything. her performance this season meant everything — she had to deliver.

she was working ten times harder than any other driver on the grid — she was certain of it. from hardcore workouts to endless hours on the sim, camila was heading into this season stronger than ever. physically that was — camila was still unsure if she was mentally ready for the vast possibilities that the season could bring. but, nonetheless, she had sofia and lewis to guide her through it all, so that managed to ease her worries.

today was the launch of the RB18. today was also the first time that camila and max would be seen together. as teammates.

it still felt weird to think about. just last year — their fathers had forbidden them from even glancing at the other, but now, camila's father no longer had the privilege of being in camila's life — max's father however still did.

and jos didn't take the news of camila joining the team very well.

actually, very well was probably an understatement. he was absolutely furious. not only would max have to battle with camila on the track like last year, but now — now that they had the same car, the fight would only grow ten times more difficult for max. two champions, equal machinery, it was bound to cause disaster. christian was stupid to think that they'd ever work out. jos had charged to his office to make sure of this. he'd yelled for his son to be free of camila, he had to be, but christian wouldn't budge.

so, now jos just had to make sure his son was training harder than ever, that he was doing whatever he could to end up with his name above camila by the end of the season. he'd done it once, he could easily do it again.

their tension still hasn't subsided. camila wanted to fix things, and max didn't.

but she had to learn to deal with it. her priorities were elsewhere now.

camila fiddled with the rings on her fingers, whilst max stood stiffly beside her; the duo both waiting for their introduction, soon being able to step in front of the car, smiling for the cameras, answering questions, all of it — faking all of it.

"let's please give a round of applause for red bull racing's driver lineup for the 2022 season: max verstappen and the newest addition to the team, 2 time world champion camila rivera!"

as the announcer's voice echoed through the venue, camila felt a surge of nerves wash over her. this was it — the moment she had been both dreading and anticipating. she glanced sideways at max, noting the tension in his posture, the set of his jaw, and the clench of his fists.

the applause was deafening as they stepped onto the stage, the flashing cameras capturing every moment of their forced camaraderie. camila plastered on a smile, willing herself to push aside the unease gnawing at her gut.

be professional, they'll buy it.

the flashing cameras and rustling of eager reporters grew as max and camila walked across the stage, standing side by side in front of the car, being handed their microphones to prepare for the endless questions to come.