unconditional

chapter twenty fifth

* still lando's POV *

We invited Ella and Victoria to the big dinner with all the drivers, that we do at the end of every race. No matter what the outcome is.

All of the drivers were sat at a long dining table, Lewis had rented out the whole restaurant which wasn't a surprise at all. I took the opportunity to save two seats for Ella and Victoria, opposite me and Daniel.

When I saw Ella come in, I couldn't help but just stare at her. She was in a long red dress, that hugged her body perfectly. She looked perfect. I stop looking at her for a second to see Charles with the same expression I must've have, the only difference was Ella looked at him and it me. I was annoyed that she would now be sitting next to him.

The girls both sat down and Ella turned to Charles and said in a formal tone, "Congrats on today's race Charles" I knew she was just being nice and making conversation but I felt a surge of jealous through me. They looked into each other's eyes for far too long which compelling me to cough, to get them to break eye contact. And it worked.

"Where's my congratulations?" I ask, trying to conceal my jealousy and making it sound light hearted. Charles chuckled which made me angry.

Ella smiled and rolled her eyes at me, Daniel shouts, "Mate, she did congratulate you. You picked the girl up and spun her around!" he giggles.

I smile proudly, wanting all the drivers to think me and Ella had something, even though we didn't. I look at Charles and see him down his drink as he stares at me sternly, but I didn't care.

The drivers all begin to talk to Ella, asking her about how it was working for Mclaren and if she wanted to always work for our team. Then, the drivers' girlfriends start up a conversation about their lives, and how much hate they get. Which made me feel quite bad for all of them. I could see Ella looked disheartened at what they were saying, which made me think she was thinking of me.

"I assume you wouldn't be able to with any drivers because you work for Mclaren, right?" Isa asked her, which made Ella look embarrassed at the very forward question.

"She can be with a Mclaren driver like me though, right Ella?" I shout, jokingly. Ella darted her eyes at me furiously, then they softened to a sad gaze. I immediately regretted what I said. But, I could see how all these drivers were looking at her. I wanted them to back off, so I just made a joke.

Ella immediately stood up and walked to the restroom, Kika followed her after. I was confused, I didn't think I said anything that bad.

Soon after, Ella came back with a smile, but I could tell she had just been crying. I couldn't help but look down, I felt so bad. I feel Ella kick me gently, I slowly look up and she says to me 'It's okay."

Daniel shouted, "Time to go out?" and everyone cheered, including me. I really needed a drink. We all started drinking a lot, everyone one of us. I was sat with Daniel, Victoria and George and opposite was Pierre, Kika, Charles and Ella. I hated that she was sat next to him, but I couldn't say anything. They were just talking. Plus, she isn't mine.

Victoria was getting really drunk, which made Ella come to sit in between me and Victoria. I definitely wasn't mad about that. I offered to go get Victoria some water, Ella smiled at me and thanked me.

I ask Ella if she would go somewhere more quiet with me because I needed to talk to her, she agreed and we head outside to the smoking area.

I don't know if it was the alcohol or not but I felt like I just needed to lay everything out on the table and hope for the best. Maybe, she feels the same way. A part of me truly thinks she does.