Gentle with me | MAX VERSTAPPEN

XX

There are times where I sometimes wonder what I am doing in life. This time the philosophical thoughts arrived at Côte d'Azur Airport in Nice. I can already tell you now that it was definitely a weird time and place to be thinking about one's life decisions and existence on earth.

I was so caught up in my thoughts that Max was practically guiding me through the airport and making sure that my clumsy ass could keep up with the pace he was walking.

"Jesus, Tia. What got you so distracted?" Max asked, snapping me out from my distracting thoughts.

"Huh?"

"Earth to Tatiana. What are you thinking about?" I wondered that too. I could barely remember what I was thinking about. So I just decided to say the first thing that came to my mind.

"Would you still love me if I was a worm?" I asked out loud. It definitely wasn't the thing I was thinking about but it felt silly enough that I knew that Max wouldn't want to investigate it further.

"What?" He laughed in disbelief. "I mean I still love you and you're still a worm."

I looked at him, my eyes wide as I tried to comprehend what he just told me.

"How am I still a worm?!"

Max let out a laugh as he glanced down at me. "You're a bookworm, aren't you? Hence, you're technically a worm already."

"That makes absolutely no sense Maxie."

The two of us continued to walk out from the airport, heading towards the car that stood outside and waited for us.

"Oh, by the way, I kind of forgot to tell you that Charles will come and visit my apartment sometime this week to hang out. I hope that's okay." I snorted at that. As if Max really needed my permission to hang out with his friends? No, he definitely didn't need to ask me for my permission. Besides, I didn't really mind that Charles would come over for a visit. It would be nice to get to know the Ferrari driver. I just didn't find it in my interest to hang around him more than what is necessary.

"That's okay, Maxie. I mean you didn't really have to tell me about it. He's your friend after all." I shrugged before I entered the car with Max entering right behind me.

"Well, I know but I just felt like it would be a good gesture to inform you considering the fact you will also be staying in my apartment until the rest of your family arrives in Monaco." He said. I smiled softly at that. I appreciated his thoughts behind it and I know that he knew that I truly did appreciate his considerations when it came to that.

"Thank you Maxie, but at the end of the day it is still your home that I am staying at. You're allowed to invite whoever you want."

"Don't be so difficult all the time, Tia." Max groaned as he threw his head back to the headrest.

"Me, difficult? Maxie, I thought you knew from the very start that I am a difficult person."

"Tatiana. You're like an open book." He deadpanned. "Well, fuck you too, Max." I thought quietly to myself even though I knew that it all just translated to I love you too.

We both were like that sometimes. We pissed each other off, bothered each other and cursed at each other but at the end of the day we both also knew that the other would be there for you if you needed their support and that we still loved each other no matter what.

"So, what are the plans for the week?" I asked him, genuinely curious to what he would say.

"I don't know. Like honestly Tia. I haven't planned anything for your stay here. So, I guess you could do whatever you want in Monaco. I mean legal things by the way. I would prefer it if you didn't end up in jail." I laughed at that. It happened once that I got arrested for something I hadn't done. Back then my ex, Jason, was very good at framing me and convincing me to do things I would have preferred to have never done in my life.

The thing is, I went to jail once and suddenly it became a running joke between my family, close friends and me that whenever you tell someone that they're free to do whatever they wanna do, make sure to add some kind of jail comment.

"So, if I accidentally ended up in prison, you're telling me that you won't bail me out?" I asked, curious to know what Max would answer. Last time it had been my father together with the family lawyer Peter Everlark who managed to get me out scotch free from prison with my records erased and cleansed. Funny what money can do for you, especially if you happen to be arrested and jailed in America. Fun times. I rolled my eyes at that.

"No, I wouldn't bail you out. I would just call your dad and tell him to get you out. You would however see me holding a teddy bear, balloons and a huge card that says 'you made it' after you've gotten out of jail." He responded. I moved my hand to my mouth as I laughed out loud. It sounded like such a ridiculous scene that I wondered if Max had gotten that idea from a movie or something.

"Where did you even manage to think of such a scenario?"

"Considering I was thinking of doing that the first time you went to jail, you can put the pieces together."

"You know what? Forget that I said anything."

"Good, let's go on this wonderful roadtrip now." I snorted at that. Max and his enthusiasm is something I would say is a rare sight. At least for the public's eyes. I think too many people view Max as this serious person that forget that he has a fun and gentle side too.