𝐒 𝐏 𝐑 𝐈 𝐍 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 [max verstappen x oc]

ten

The event was packed with people, most of whom Lena didn't really know. When she got there, Danny was already waiting--decked out in a button down and black trousers. They looked exactly the same, so at least there was that. 

"Hey. You got dragged into this too?" Danny smiled lowly. He was from Chicago, one of very few Americans in the company surprisingly, but Lena kind of liked him. He didn't talk much and never invaded her space. 

Lena sighed. "Yep. I'm counting down the minutes until I can go home and drink."

That made him laugh. "It's just us tonight. Emilia got the day off, lucky girl."

They chuckled together, standing unified as lowlives around the high-class guests they were surrounded by. At least she had a friend. 

"Okay, I'm going to go find Peter and get to work." She groaned. "Maybe if I take a shit-ton now, they'll let me go home early."

"Text me when you leave and bring me with you, please."

Lena smiled and promised she would before turning on her heel and making her way through the crowd. The dim room and purple lighting made everything unfamiliar, but she could spy Peter's red hair out of the crowd. 

"Oh, if it isn't wondergirl!" He smiled and hooked his arm with hers before turning ot the people he was talking to. "This is our new photographer, Lena. She's amazing--always does what she's told and never complains! Lena this is Darnell and Patricia Gomez. They're donators for our fund and huge supporters of RedBull."

She smiled as politely as possible, eyeing the Rolex on Darnell's wrist. "Lovely to meet you."

"Our pleasure." Patricia smiled. "We'll keep an eye out for the photos."

The conversation went quiet so Lena took that as a cue to make her leave. She turned to Peter before she did. "Anywhere I should focus on?"

"Max and Checo."

She nodded and took off into the crowd.

___________________________________________

Only an hour had gone by. Lena had tried to stay awake but she was slowly falling asleep standing up. She was leaning against the bar, forcing herself to ignore the drinks as she watched the crowd of people.

"Lena, right?" 

She turned her attention to Checo who had now joined her at the bar. 

"Yes, that's me." Lena smiled and adjusting the strap of her camera. 

Checo nodded, grabbing a flute of champagne. "That's what I thought, I just didn't want to look like an asshole getting your name wrong."

She laughed, a genuine one for the first time all night. "You don't seem like an asshole, don't worry."

"Max does though?" Checo raised an eyebrow. 

Lena widened her eyes. "I didn't say that."

"You thought it."

This guys was good. 

She smiled. "I didn't say that. Your words, not mine."

Checo laughed too. "Well, for what it's worth, I apologize on his behalf. I was thinking about it the other day and I'm sure it made you feel pretty unwelcome, so I was hoping to raise your spirits tonight by telling you the whole team is very happy with you."

"I appreciate that. Really, I do." Lena fiddled with the camera. "And no, it didn't make me feel unwelcome. I assume that's how he always is, so I should get used to it."