Royal Speed | Leclerc & Verstappen

63 | not so far away

-/- Italy 2022 - race week -/-

The season had already started again and also before Max had done a lot of work at the headquarters, meaning that over the last four months we had been more separated then together.

But I hadn't done us any harm, I hoped, even though there was still this little fear inside me that once the season would start again, he would realized that he couldn't live without it and break our marriage and retirement plan.

The media by the way went crazy over it, of course getting knowledge about the mandatory weeding and Max's retirement, even though the Dutch hadn't commented on it until now. But that was what we had agreed on, no comments about the wedding and retirement as this was our decision and stuff and the press shouldn't talk about that.

But they didn't even need that as with Max's performance this season they had enough shit to talk about. A 19th place in the first race and a DNF in Australia two weeks ago weren't the results Max had hoped for, we had hoped for.

It was heart breaking seeing him on the TV, jumping out of his car while the both Ferrari's of Carlos and this Sebastian Vettel drove behind him, such a painful shot. I knew exactly how he felt, but he shut me out, again, and as I wasn't there I couldn't really do anything about it besides calling and texting him.

Once his emotions had calmed down again, in the evening, he had called me and at that moment I didn't care that it was morning here in Monaco, that I had important things to do for my mother and the palace, all I cared was Max.

But even through his voice I had heard how down he was, how angry he was with himself. Luckily his father was with him, giving me some updates every now and then when Max wasn't writing.

Most would think Jos would be angry with Max, but he wasn't like that any more. Since this one day back in the Netherlands, he and Max had a different bond, after this event that only the two of them knew, and me as Max once told me.

Charles: Good luck for the qualifying <3

I smiled at the text as Max had no idea where I was at the moment. He probably thought I would watch on my laptop again as I told him that I had an important appointment I couldn't miss. Little did he know that the appointment was his sprint later that day, now sitting in my plane on my way there.

Max: Thanks -.-

I sighed, basically feeling his annoyance. Not towards me, but towards the race as he was currently sixth in the championship, Carlos leading as he hasn't won already two races this season.

The Spaniard was also texting me every now and then, probably having my number from Pierre or Lando, as I had given the Brit my number on new years eve before the tequila thing escalated. Carlos often just asked how I was and how 'work' was at which I always shortly replied, not really getting his attentions though, if he wanted to be friends or not.

Charles: Don't be that annoyed, please babe :3

Max: Well I suck so there's not much I can do, this season is shit

For a moment I stopped, it wasn't the first time that Max said that, even telling me some times that this couldn't be his last season, he needed to do great in his last one. I always had seen it like a joke, but the more he said that, the more I got scared.

Charles: You'll do great this weekend, I'm your lucky charm ;)

Max: thx. but you're not even here so your lucky charm thing won't work

Charles: Trust me, it will ;)

Max: Hope so, have to go now, speak to you after the sprint, bye and ly <3