𝐒 𝐏 𝐑 𝐈 𝐍 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 [max verstappen x oc]

eight

The building was ridiculously impressive. Though Lena still had her doubts about the new job, things were looking pretty good. 

"These are our press rooms, so you'll spend some time in here when theres a conference or a meeting." Peter explain but he shrugged. "Most of your job is really just going to be following Max and Checo around, but it's important you see these places for when we return here every once in a while."

"Max and Checo?" Lena questioned. Her backpack and duffel were dropped off by her cubicle, which was situated on the third floor right by the windows so she could look out onto the river below. 

Peter raised an eyebrow. "You don't watch Formula One? Honey, you have a lot of work to do."

He continued parading her around, introducing her as 'the new Patty', and after Lena finally asked him about it, Peter explained that she had been the head photographer for last season. She'd gotten pregnant. That explains the opening. 

"Where are you from?" Peter asked her as they made their way down a hallway. 

"Uh, originally Monaco and I live there now, but I've been all over." She answered. "Spent some time in Madrid and then France." The truth was, her family had been bouncing from country to country, living day to day while trying to find somewhere to settle down. Her new boss didn't need to know that, though.

Peter seemed pleased. "Well, it's good that you're well traveled. You're going to be doing a lot of that."

Lena smiled back and shoved her hands into her jeans pocket. A noise from the lobby drew her attention away from the trophy case on her left. 

"Drivers are here!" Peter picked up his pace. "Come, I'll introduce you. You're gonna love them--just no autographs or pictures or anything, obviously."

Lena thought that it was comical she would as for an autograph, anyway. Her distaste for four-wheeled racing stemmed from a long line of beef between motorcyclists and drivers. They always thought they were better than bikers, and they made sure to prove it every day. Lena had a bias against them, one that would be hard to shake and extremely unlucky, seeing as her new job required her to spend all day around them. 

She summoned the most genuine smile she had and hustled behind Peter, praying that these guys would be friendly enough. 

"Checo, Max!" Peter entered the lobby and made a bee-line to a group of people in the center, most of them looking like RedBull executives, except for one guy in normal clothes. "Meet your new photographer for the season! This is Lena."

She smiled awkwardly and waved her hand, only able to recognize the one guy who didn't seem to work for RedBull. He was very short with dark black hair. 

"Hello, I'm Sergio." He stuck out a hand and Lena detected his accent. "You can call me Checo."

"Lena. Un placer conocerte." She shook his hand and felt her chest warm up when she saw his smile. 

"Hablas Español? Donde eres? España?" 

Lena shook her head. "Nací en Mónaco pero viví muchos años en Madrid."

"Ah, si. Tu Espanol es perfecto, no?" Checo was kind, Lena decided. He reminded her of her father, which was slightly off-putting but easy to deal with, she thought. 

"And this is Max." Peter pulled her slightly to her right. 

Lena looked around the group of people, unable to distinguish who 'Max' was, seeing as everyone else was wearing a RedBull shirt. She opened her mouth, still searching for whoever she was supposed to find before her eyes landed on a man with his his hand out. 

Tall. Taller than Checo, at least. Dirty blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and a very annoyed expression on his face. 'Max' seemed very unhappy to see her. 

"Sorry, hi, nice to meet you." She took his hand, surprised at how cold it was. "You blend in with the rest of these guys." Her attempt at a joke stirred a muttering of chuckles, but Max just frowned and raised an eyebrow at her. Jesus christ, his gaze alone was making Lena want to vomit. 

"I'm really excited to work with you guys." Lena forced herself to look away and muster some excitement as she said the lines she'd rehearsed on the trip over. "I'm new to Formula One, but I've been photographing football for about three years now, so this should be fun."

"You don't work for Formula One?" Max's voice was gruff and deep, disgust dripping form his words. 

Jesus christ, how many times were her credentials going to be questioned today? Lena swallowed her snarky response. "No...but I've worked for ESPN for over five years. I'm good at what I do, trust me."

"I don't know you."

Lena couldn't control the glare on her face as she glanced at Max who had now crossed his arms, eyeing Lena like she was dirt. Who the fuck did this guy think he was? 

Checo laughed. "Dios mio, Max. Give her a break, it's her first day." He turned his attention toward her. "We're happy to work with you, too. Now if you'll excuse us, we have a meeting to get to, but I'm sure we'll be seeing more of you over the next few days."

He mumbled something to a girl beside him before shoving Max forward and waving goodbye. Max said nothing, turned, and walked away faster than she could even get a bitchy comment out. 

Lena was left standing in shock--what a disrespectful asshole? Lena wasn't exactly the most approachable person, nor the nicest, but she'd approached them kindly and been nothing but warm. And she got bitchy remarks and glares in return, at least from Max. She clenched her jaw shut, forcing herself to not say a word as she watched the two of them, surrounded by their team, disappear down the hallway. 

"Oh, ignore Max." Peter grabbed her arm and pulled her along. "He's, uh....going through something right now. I swear he's not always this rude."

"I hope so." Lena muttered. Still taken aback by the conversation she inhaled and decided to move on--even though Lena could already tell that this season might be hell for her. At least Checo was fine, right?