Past and Present

25

I silently look over at the entrance of the McLaren Hospitality as everyone's attention is with the Papaya team right now. Finally ending their shitty races streak and thanks to the upgrades, Lando managed to clinch the 3rd podium of the day here in Silverstone. I watch as the whole team get their photos taken by a million of journalists, watched them spray champagne at each other, congratulate each other, high fives were thrown, and roars of excitement from everyone.

"You should have been there, Sky. Celebrating with them." The man beside me spoke, "I know Lando would have want that as well. You would have definitely want that." He added. I take a glance at him and scoffed before returning to look at the festivities of the neighboring hospitality. Max and I are looking down at the festivities next door from Red Bull hospitality roof deck. It's easier to hide here while I watch Lando celebrate with his team.

"Earlier, you were so keen, matter of fact begging me, not to stay with them today because you're scared of what I might do to Margaux." I hissed at Max, who's already wearing the Red Bull team kit as usual, held up his two hands at me before speaking again, "hey I was just looking after you. I've known you since we were kids, Sky."

I raise an eyebrow at him and yet my eyes never wavered on looking at Lando who's clearly enjoying the moment, "what are you trying to imply?"

"Look, all I'm saying is between Lando and I; I can always get away with most of the shitty things I've done without you trying to murder someone on my behalf or actually torture me for it." Max started and I glanced at him pretending to be offended by what he said. But before I could speak he shushed me which made me roll my eyes at him, "but Lando? Remember that one time when you guys were in boarding school and you found out someone was bullying him for being the smallest in your class?"

"Yeah, what about it?" I asked nonchalantly, obviously uninterested about the fact the Max is re-telling that story.

Max looked at me like I offended him somehow, "remember that you tattle tale to Toto about it and made him talk to the school board to expel the kid?"

"The bully deserved it."

"To be expelled from Millfield, definitely. But for every other elite boarding schools across Europe to turn him down? That's a Schuyler Wolff written all over it." Max explained further.

I looked at him and sighed loudly, "just get to your point, Max."

Max shrugs and looks at the celebrating Lando as well, "look all I'm saying is, it's scary to ever cross you or even try and cross Lando when they know full well that you're his best friend. Margaux doesn't know that." I veered my eyes off of Max and watch Lando celebrate again; out of nowhere, in the middle of the busy crowd, Margaux appeared.

"Margaux's not from around here. Matter of fact, she should be the least of your worries right now. Remember you have a real problem about you know who."

I watch as Margaux excitingly approach Lando and exciting hugged him. Blinding camera flashes started going off, my eyebrow unintentionally arched again as I watch Lando sweep Margaux off of her feet and twirled her around, I scoffed.

"What an eyesore." I mumbled before turning on my heels and walk away. I sensed that Max followed me so I decided to continue our conversation, "so...basically you're worried that I might do something so evil to Margaux that might what? Make her lose her influencer status? Lose her modeling contracts?" I answered sarcastically followed by a sarcastic laugh.

"That will make Lando resent you and create an even wider than it is gap between you both now." Max corrected.

I stopped walking and looked at Max seriously, my shoulders dropped in defeat, "whatever gap that it is with us now... that's on Lando. Not me." I answered sternly, "He abandoned me last year, forgot about that?"