𝐒 𝐏 𝐑 𝐈 𝐍 𝐓 𝐄 𝐑 [max verstappen x oc]

twenty

Danny had left early this morning, leaving Lena do her own devices in her apartment. Having earned herself two vacation days in her town, she realized that she didn't have much to do besides sightseeing and going out at night. 

"So, Max doesn't seem to like me." Wes made a face across from her at the cafe. Out of her boredom, Lena had begged him to skip practice and come get lunch with her. 

Lena sighed. "He doesn't like anyone--even me."

"You guys looked chummy before I walked over." He pointed out, raising an eyebrow. 

The thought of Max sent her brain spiraling once again. After their conversation at the bar where he had spoken to her so aggressively that Lena couldn't tell whether his words had any truth. To be honest, she didn't want to know. 

"Stop looking at me like that." Lena rolled her eyes. "He's an asshole. I want nothing to do with him. "

A lie. Lena couldn't stop thinking about him. She only hoped the thought of her was torturing Max, too. 

"Whatever you say." Wes shrugged and went back to his sandwich. "He definitely did not like me, though. I don't care what you say."

Lena tsked. "Not everyone is going to like you. I barely like you."

"Liar. We went on a date."

A pit filled in her stomach at the thought of how things used to be. Lena would come to work every day and dream of moments alone with Wes, fantasizing about a life together in Monaco. When she'd finally felt that she'd gotten everything she could want, it was ripped away from her because of her racing. Well, more because she couldn't decide on an occupation. Her bike was too important to her to let go. 

Her phone dinged. 

max verstappen

Friday, 11:09 AM

max
Checo and are in the cafe. Peter says to get you.

lena
omw

Sunday, 9:02 AM

lena
pictures by car
lena
now

max
👍

Sunday, 5:41 PM

max
La Rascasse, 1 Quai Antoine 1er, 98000 Mon

lena
thanks

Today, 1:36 PM

max
Are you still in Monaco?

Lena frowned at the weird text. Her brain began running through any possible reason why he would be asking her. 

Today, 1:36 PM

max
Are you still in Monaco?

lena
yes
lena
why?

max
There is an event tonight for RedBull. It's unofficial
but might be a good place to get pictures.

lena
peter didn't tell me about any of this?

max
Peter was not invited. Hence why I said 'unofficial'.

lena
i can read
lena
gonna pass, i'm staying here so i dont have to work
and i dont feel like taking out the camera

max
You don't have to work then. Just come to the event
as a guest.

lena
wouldn't that be a little unprofessional?

max
we're well past unprofessional, augustine

Was this flirting? Is this what that was? Because as Lena sat and texted Max Verstappen, she could feel her cheeks turning red and a confused smile appear on her lips as his words.

lena
whats the address
lena
busy night but maybe ill swing by

max
I will get it from my friend. 

 'Unprofessional', huh? She could show him unprofessional. 

_________________________________________________

Her closet had nothing in it. Lena was surprised at how little apparel she had, or maybe it was the fact that she felt she really had to look good tonight to prove a point.

Lena didn't really know what her point was going to be, but she knew she had to make one especially with the way Verstappen had been acting. His shameless, and downright confusing actions the past months had been working her up, draining any last energy she had. 

Even without Max's incessant annoyance, Lena's anxiety had been at an all time high. When the conversations went quiet and her mind had time to wander, she could still remember Khai's face--the scar under his eye that she'd stared into that night after beating him in the race. It haunted her. Lena could still feel the weight of her heart sinking like it did when she saw him again in the RedBull paddock. Her only solace was knowing that if he said anything, she could easily come forward and tell the world about him, too. Lena didn't know how much Khai appreciated his job, though, or if he had ways of protecting himself that she didn't have. Besides, who would believe her--the first year photographer that looked like trouble--or him--RedBull Energy executive. Lena wasn't stupid--she knew that executives had a way of sweeping this stuff under the rug and turning accusations into 'cries for attention'. She wasn't going to make that mistake. No, she was going to continue her work and stay out of his way.