✓ WORKING FOR THE KNIFE ━ lando norris. ¹

[ 031 ] Replaced

( ACT II. ── Uncertain Waters )
chapter thirty-one / Replaced

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Annika, typically, had a natural talent for pretending bad things weren't happening to her. Blood and tears and scowls were easy to write off, put away, tuck back into secret, hidden spaces in her mind that were reserved for unpleasant things. But those spaces were full, and there was barely anything left to fill the rest of the space. The dark presence was filtering back in.

"I know you're already knowing what this is about, but I want to assure you that this is completely informal. Nothing has been discussed with any amount of criticism yet. I just want to keep you informed so that... you won't be blindsided if some drastic decisions were to be made."

Sitting in Toto's office, her nail beds torn to shreds in her mouth; unbeknownst to him as he spoke, Toto Wolff was pushing his thumb into an open wound and she was taking the pain.

And it was like rubbing salt in the cut, as well ─ knowing that if she looked a little to the right, she would see cameras peering through the open doorway. Fucking Netflix. Those producers didn't even know her well enough go truly hate her as much as she hated herself.

The day was dreary. Fitting. It hadn't even been possible to enjoy qualifying yesterday for Mick's sake, although he did the impossible and managed to score himself a Q3 opening as a reserve driver, and ended up at P9 on the grid, not far behind Lewis. Annika felt uncomfortable and feverish, although there was nothing wrong with her, aside from being sick with envy. That was her car, her engineer, her so-called "cursed track" ─ and sure, she hated the title because giving it a name gave it power, but it was getting hard to deny that Spa had it out for her more than ever these days. She had been seeking redemption this year, and it was snatched away yet again, and all she could do was kick herself.

Biting deep into her nail beds, anxiety coursing through her like the slow boil of hot tears. She resolved that she would not cry in front of her boss. But it still hurt.

"It's been several races now without points... don't get me wrong, Annika, we are all more than aware of your talent, and we never stopped valuing that in you, as well as your work ethic and responsibility. But the sponsors are getting... how should I say... antsy."

Annika forced herself not to look towards the cameras. Netflix would be loving this. "I know I am in no place to ask anything of you, but..." she took a steadying breath. "I need you to give me time. Just please, let me work harder. I can prove myself."

"I know," he assured. "I know you can. But I can only give you until Suzuka. We need points by then, or else... I'm afraid I won't be able to hold off the talks any longer."