𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 | 𝐋𝐍𝟒

𝐗𝐗𝐈

Zak brown..

Milaine stood frozen as he approached. She had expected this moment to come eventually, but now that it was happening, she felt completely unprepared.

Oscar, sensing the awkwardness, cleared his throat. «Uh—yeah, I'll just... go find Andrea.» He gave her a quick nod and walked off without looking back.

Viv placed a hand on Milaine's arm. «I need to speak with McLaren's PR team. I'll catch up with you later, okay?»

Milaine barely had time to nod before she was left alone with Zak.

For a second, neither of them spoke. The last time they had seen each other was at the McLaren party, where things had ended badly. She had sworn she'd never come to another race, and yet... here she was.

She braced herself for an awkward conversation, but before she could say anything, Zak stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.

Milaine stiffened. She hadn't expected this. For a few seconds, she just stood there, unsure of what to do. But then, slowly, she lifted her arms and hugged him back.

«I missed you, Kid» Zak said quietly.

Something in her chest tightened. She didn't know what to say, so she said nothing.

When they pulled apart, Zak looked at her with a mixture of relief and regret. «I'm glad you're here. And... I'm sorry.»He sighed. «For that night. I shouldn't have pushed you like that. I won't do it again.»

Milaine gave a small nod, appreciating the apology «I mean I also overreacted a little bit so , it's not on you.»

Zak shook his head in disagreement «No kid, you had everyright to react that way»

Before she could open her mouth and disagree with him once again , he dismissed the subject as he put his hand on his shoulder carefully «How is the shoulder? I've seen the match .. What a bitch»

Milaine chuckled, almost bitterly as remembered Iga swiatek.. the one who literally caused the injury «What a bitch indeed , but rest assured I will be fine»

Zak exhaled in relief, nodding his head. «So... who's the genius that convinced you to come?»

Before she could answer, a familiar voice spoke from behind her.

«That would be me.»

Milaine turned to see Lando, hands in his pockets, a smug boyish grin on his face.

His grin softened as he soon as his eyes met hers. And she looked so beautiful , so gorgeous standing right in front him in a white mini dress that made her look like she just walked out of a fairy movie ..  She also looked , healthier .. Her face was glowing, no sign of tiredness or exhaustion.. Which meant she probably had some rest in the past few days..

For a moment, he just stood there, his expression unreadable. And then, impulsively, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her in hug, He was way past the phase where he could greet her with just a wave and a smile.. He needed to be closer, he needed more..

It was still a friendly hug..

Milaine blinked in surprise, caught off guard. She hadn't expected it, she wasn't usually the type for casual hugs .. She doesn't remember truly hugging someone out of her will.. Yet she accepted hugs from people she deemed trustworthy enough..

She never hugged fans when she met them, she never hugs a rival after a good match .. And no matter how rude and arrogant that might sound or look, which it does and the media absolutely demolishes her for it very often.. She just wasn't comfortable to be that physically close to people she did not trust..