Unchained Melody (Daniel Ricciardo)

I'm gonna be next to you

"If you want to run now I wouldn't blame you. I'll book you a ticket to wherever you want to go and I'll drive you to the airport myself. I would totally understand." Daniel says after Ayla has ended the phone call with Zak.

"Huh? What are you talking about? Why would I want to run?" Ayla looks at her man in front of her. He looks so defeated and down. Their beautiful moment is completely ruined by Zak who dropped this bombshell on their heads.

"I'm officially a washed up driver now. I won't have a seat next year and you'll be traveling to all the races for your work, so we wouldn't exactly see each other anymore. So why hold on to something that is doomed to fail."
It's clear to Ayla that Daniel is at an all time low because of this call, but she is not going to let him sink further. There's no way she's giving up on him.

"First of all, you won't have a McLaren seat next year. That doesn't mean there won't be other options. We'll just have to see what we can do to get you on that grid next year.
Second of all, did you already forget what we just talked about before Mr. Dickhead called? Didn't I tell you that I could picture us on this exact same spot with our future children? I'm not leaving you Daniel! I love you, with or without a seat. You are not washed up! Don't ever say that about yourself again."

She cups his face, forcing him to look at her.
"You have been strong for me when I needed it. Now I'll be strong for you. I'll give you today to wallow in self pity, but after that we are going to fight to get you a seat for next year. You've got me and I've got your back. Don't you dare give up on yourself or on us. We will figure it out."

She can see tears forming in his eyes, making them glossy and even though he's trying to fight them back, they slowly start to run down his face.

"I don't deserve you. I don't know what to do now. I don't want to quit racing, but it seems like I may not have a choice anymore. You say we are going to fight for a seat, but what can we do? There's no available seats, maybe with Haas, but I don't think I want to keep going if I can only drive in the back." Daniel says, his cheeks getting wet by his tears.

Ayla leans in and pulls his head against her shoulder where he is finally able to let go off all the stress and pressure that has been weighing on him since the season started.
He has been keeping his brave face up until now and even though her heart aches when she hears him break like this, she's also happy that he is now leaning on her and cry.

She has no idea how she is going to help him get a seat for next year, but she is definitely going to do whatever she can. She has connections, she knows the team principles. Most she is pretty friendly with. Maybe she can put in a good word for Daniel.

She isn't his manager, but maybe because she isn't, it will help in their benefit. She has a different relationship with the teams, it might not help, but she will absolutely give it her all to help Daniel out.

"Why am I not good enough?" Daniel asks, making her heart shatter again.
"Oh babe you are. You are an amazing driver and person. This is not your fault, this has nothing to do with you not being good enough. Zak is just a piece of shit."

She hears a soft chuckle against her shoulder. A sounds that gives her a little bit of relief. He can still smile, she can still make him laugh.

Daniel stands up straight again and wipes his face with his sleeve.
"I don't know what I'd do without you." He sighs.
"You'd be jerking off a lot more, that's for sure." She states dryly.
That's not what he expected to hear, but her neutral face after that comment makes him burst out in laughter.

"Oh my god you are something, you know that right?" He laughs through his tears.
"Oh I know. That's why you love me so much." She smiles, happy to see him laugh, even if it's just for a short while.