Royal Speed | Leclerc & Verstappen

44 | death wish

-/- Monaco 2021 - race week -/-

It was now nearly a month later and I was sitting in my office in the palace. Max had done amazing in the last three races, two first places and one second place was really great and the championship was going his way.

As all the races had been in America we hadn't seen each other since my birthday, only had texted, which also faded out over the last days. He somehow acted strange and I had no idea why, scared it would have something to do with the boyfriend thing.

To our surprise there hadn't been any bigger issues with Max's outing, most people cheering that there finally was a gay driver in Formula one. Also RedBull handled the situation pretty calm, trying to give Max space and simply accept him.

Of course there were also some bad comments, especially on social media, where Max was being insulted or laughed at. And even though he always said it didn't bother him what people think, I knew it hurt him.

I tried my best to be there for him, also my brother, who, since the dinner, got along with him really great. Arthur had been away for two weeks now, not really sure where, but he always sent me posts from Instagram, where people said what a great couple we would be, reposting pictures from the Dutch race weekend.

Arthur now was back since yesterday and we had even watched the race earlier, Max achieving the second place again, this time in Qatar. With that only two races were left, but before that we would see each other again.

I still though had some mixed feelings as I had also seen Kelly in the paddock on TV and social media and I wondered why she had been there, after everything that had happened. It was after all the interviews as I was sitting in my office, couldn't stop thinking about it.

Lost in thoughts I scrolled through Max's and my chat, smiling as I saw the red hearts he had sent me after I had congratulated him on the podium.

Charles: I saw her on TV today, why was she there?

The words were quicker typed then thought and I swallow hard as I hit the send button. I knew he would soon be on his flight back to Europe and I also knew I would freak myself out if I wouldn't get an answer to that.

His answer came not two minutes later.

Max: Didn't see her.

Again, his short and weird answers that had been there since one and a half week back. I wasn't sure why, but it gave me a weird feeling inside my stomach, it even hurt me a little.

Max: How's the kitchen going?

Again, he changed the topic without giving me the time to answer his previous message. It still made me smile as since he had seen the plans on the yacht, Max had encourage me to start drawing again and I was currently working on a plan for a house.

Charles: Yeah, it's going okay. Not sure if I should include a kitchen island or not, these things are mostly useless ;)

I tried to bring some fun into our conversation as it felt cold like a night in winter. He surely knew what I was referring to and curious I was waiting for his answer, biting my bottom lip until I saw it, than my face dropped.

Max: As you like.

Max: I have to board now, speak to you later.