Daniel
- Max arrived at my apartment and I stopped packing my suitcase. I quickly opened the door for him and he instantly walked in. I saw him throwing his shoes somewhere in the room and he sat down the sofa.
However, there was absolutely something different about Max. He had slightly blushes on his cheeks and he couldn't sit still, tanning his fingers on the couch slyly.
"Did something happen, Max? You seem like a total different person." I asked with frowned eyebrows. Max looked at me and I saw his face quickly turning completely red.
"No, what makes you think that?" Max asked warily, shrugging his shoulders.
"Maybe the fact you're a bad liar and your face is red says enough," I commented, grinning softly.
"Oh, well I can't think about something that could possibly be different now, so?" Max gave me a dumb glare and shrugged his shoulders again.
"Hmm, so with Melody everything was fine?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. Max swallowed deeply and nodded.
"Yes, she's still mad at James and Rose for making out, but I think she'll get over it. I mean- you can't separate two persons who are desperately in love, right?" Max said, softly squeezing his bottom lip.
"Listen, Max, you know that's not true. James isn't in love with Rose, and Rose isn't in love with James." I exclaimed.
Max sucked in a deep breath. "Then why did they make out? Melody is totally broken and hurt! How can you call yourself a fucking friend whilst-"
"Max, don't insult her like that! Rose is a good friend, she was only drunk." I declared.
"Still, don't you think it's mean towards Melody?" Max asked, folding his hands to fists and clenching his jaw.
"No, I've kissed lots of girls when I was drunk, she just did too!" I sighed and threw my hands up in the air.
"Why do you keep taking- oh my god, is there a chance you may like Rose?" Max asked mischievously, widening his eyes.
My heart skipped a beat and I swallowed deeply. "No! She's like 7 years younger than I am, it wouldn't work and-"
"Well that wasn't the question." Max simply folded his arms over each other and grinned. I groaned as a reply and shook my head.
"I think it's the opposite. You like Melody and denying won't change it, Max" I responded, changing the topic.
I was absolutely not into Rose, she was like a friendly girl to me, but nothing more and Max should get that. Besides, I was not the one who fell desperately in love and just wasn't capable to admit it..
"I-"
"Something happened, right? Did you two kiss?" I called out, realizing what was going on.
"No!" Max declined, though his cheeks turned slightly red. "Yes, I can see it! How did it happen?" I ranted in enthusiasm.
Max sucked in a deep breath. "Alright, we kissed. But you can't tell anyone, especially not Rose or James!" He warned me.
"No worries, your little secret is safe by me. But please tell me what happened!" I pushed him, quickly sitting down next to Max.
"I drove her to the airport and we just talked a bit. Then she started thanking me and she kind of stepped out of the car. However, I pulled her back and.. well the rest is private." Max rattled quietly and smirked whilst telling, causing me to chuckle.
"In a public parking lot?" I scoffed, not able to believe it. Max slightly nodded. "Yes, but I don't think someone noticed and-"
"Max you need to be careful! If someone finds out about you two, there will be a lot of drama and you know it!" I sharply interrupted, glaring at Max full of disbelief.
"I know that very well and nothing happened.. except for a little meet and greet with me and Melody at the airport.." Max admitted.
"What?! You're on a picture with fans together with Melody? Did you loose your fucking mind?! If you think this won't get you in trouble, you're so wrong." I said sternly, shaking my head.
Max placed his head in his hands and sighed deeply. "Oh I know this will have consequences, but I can't help it! I didn't do anything stupid, Dan, the only thing I did was bringing her towards her plane!" Max breathed in annoyance.
"How are you going to explain this? If you lie again to the media, you'll bring yourself in even more trouble!" I exclaimed.
"I don't know, guess we'll have to figure something out then." Max said airily and scratched his neck, many emotions flashing through his eyes.
- - -
Melody
I threw my suitcase on the sheets of my beautiful bed, which I'd missed extremely much. I sighed, feeling exhausted of the thinking and worrying I'd done since Max and I kissed in his car.
I grabbed my phone and opened Instagram again. I couldn't help but read some of the comments under my posts. They weren't all that heartwarming and lovely as I'd wanted, but somehow I felt like deserving all the hate. I kept worrying and came to the conclusion it really was my fault, I shouldn't have kissed Max, I should've been more careful.
I swallowed deeply after reading plenty of comments and tried to pretend the hate didn't hurt me. However, it did.
I took a sharp breath and briefly closed my eyes. The silence in the house was intense, I had never recognized it before. Without Rose it felt different here, empty.
I squeezed my bottom lip and thought about all the drama I was part of. I wondered why I even cared, I didn't achieve anything by having a good reputation if I didn't feel happy.
Maybe it was only for the better if I ignored every single rumor, every bit of hate. I had already read some news articles about me and Max, where people instantly started to speculate why we were together at the airport.
Annoying.
I'd texted Max as soon as I got off the plane and he acted very calm and understanding. Luckily, because I needed him to react that way, otherwise I would've totally lost my mind.
And then a good idea popped up in my brains. I grabbed my phone and posted a picture I took of London, making sure people would see I wasn't with Max anymore. After I'd posted it online, I kept reading every single comment that appeared on the screen of my phone.
MelodyPeterson: Maybe the sky isn't that pretty, but London definitely is. Glad to be back! #soexcited #hometown
@MaxVerstappen1: And I thought you would only stay there for a week 😉
@VictoriaVerstappen: 😍👌
@DanielRicciardo: Just wondering why you are not on the picture? 😥😛
@RoseEmilyWatson: The sun is shining in Monaco.. You better come back !
@LucyHarridson: YesYesYes you're back! Let's meet up soon x
@User1: Hmm.. wondering where Max is?
@User2: Is Max you're boyfriend?
@User3: I'm glad you aren't on the picture, slut!
@User4: Am I the only one who is hoping for James and Melody to get into a relationship?
- - -
I couldn't help but let out a breathy chuckle by reading Rose her comment. I was still mad at her, really, but after everything she helped me with I couldn't hate her. I simply couldn't.
Luckily James didn't reply, I didn't need him being lovely online. He backed off, exactly what I wanted him to do.
I felt my eyes getting heavier and I put away my phone. However, my phone lit up just before I fell asleep. I grabbed it in a slowly movement and a smirk spread around my lips as I read it.
Max: goodnight x
I swallowed deeply and bit my lip before sending him back the exact same message as I was too tired to make up something better. I put away my phone again, and felt sleep slowly taking over me.
- - -
My heels clicked nonchalantly on the asphalt as I headed over to my car. I was finally done with work today and I had promised Lucy I would come by for a little chat.
I stepped into the car and drove towards her house. As soon as I approached her enormous villa, Lucy stood already in front of her house, waving happily.
"Hi girl!" She called out. I quickly parked the car and got out. Lucy instantly wrapped her arms around my neck in enthusiasm. "Hi!" I greeted her friendly.
"Come on in! You like white whine, right?" Lucy rattled, letting me in.
"Yeah, sure!" I giggled, taking off my coat. I had been in Lucy her villa before, but it kept surprising me how big it actually was.
I slid down on the sofa, curiously looking around. The sofa was a black one with some tints of grey in it. On the white walls hang some paintings and in front of her, she eyed an enormous flatscreen television.
Lucy really had a wonderful home.
"Here you go," Lucy grinned, handing me the glass of wine. I took it from her and mumbled a softly 'thanks'.
"So.. I haven't talked to you since the premiere, how have things been between you and James?" She questioned.
I sucked in a deep breath and instantly felt uncomfortable. "Uh.. I'm not sure how to tell you but- we're kind of.. fighting" I declared quietly, sipping from the whine.
"Wait.. what?" Lucy retorted, arching an eyebrow. "I thought you two.. liked each other?"
"NO! I mean- no, I've never liked him.. not in that way." I declined, swallowing deeply.
"But- you remember the afterparty, right? You two were like.. attached to each other.. I even told you that I thought he liked you.." Lucy said in confusion, licking her lips as they became dry.
"I do remember that, but- I really thought we were just friends.."
Lucy nodded slowly. "But still.. how did you two get into a fight?"
Okay, now it would get really weird..
"As you know I decided to spend the time in Monaco because of the apartment I have there. Besides, some of my new friends live there.."
"Oh, Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo, right? You know, sometimes I read news articles too." Lucy interrupted.
"Then you must've heard about the fantastic rumors going around.." I grimaced, scratching my neck.
"Yes I did.. but there have been rumors about me as well.. I don't really believe them, so.." She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
Sure, but the problem was that the rumors about me.. they were true..
"Well.. Daniel invited James to come over and stay at his. He accepted the offer and I picked him up from the airport. In the beginning it was nice spending time with him and we decided to have a coffee before going back to the apartment but- when we got there, James started asking ridiculous questions about me and Max and he didn't stop. I got mad and started shouting.. he called me a fake friend and a slut." I rattled, still getting emotional by talking about it.
Lucy dropped her jaw instantly. "How in hell.. I really thought he was a nice person.." She stuttered in confusion.
"Guess he turns out to be not that nice." I presumed, biting my bottom lip.
"And you two didn't talk after that fight?" Lucy wondered, curiosity laced in her tone.
"We did, actually. Daniel managed it and he apologized.." I said.
"So.. you're not in a fight with him?" She assumed warily, not getting it.
"No- I mean yes. A few days after the conversation I found Rose and James, you know, hooking up in the corridor of some stupid club." I said airily, trying to hide the annoyance in my tone.
"Woah.. I didn't see this one coming.."
I shrugged my shoulders. "You know, I'm happy to be away from them, just for a little while.." I admitted, disappointment flashing through my eyes.
"I totally get it, are you okay?" Lucy gently asked, placing her hand on my shoulder.
"Well, I keep telling everyone that I'm fine, but- the truth is.. I'm not." I stammered quietly. I've never told someone about my feelings before.
Lucy took a deep breath and grinned friendly. "Melody.. I'm so sorry for telling you, but at the moment, you're a mess.." She swallowed and scratched her nose.
"Oh yeah, like that's gonna' help me!" I said, letting out a breathy chuckle.
"No I don't mean it that way.. it's just that you've changed since the first time I met you and- there's something wrong, isn't there?" Lucy asked suspiciously, looking a bit worried.
"What makes you think there's something wrong with me?" I questioned, feeling caught.
"That thing with James.. it was about Max, right?" I nodded briefly and she quickly moved on, "I think James is jealous and- maybe because there's obviously something else with you, I can just see it, like the sparkles in your eyes-"
"Okay enough.." I mumbled, trying to stop Lucy from searching for more reasons.
"No.. you can tell me whatever is going on, it's safe with me, I promise." She said sternly.
"There's nothing!" I defended firmly, folding my hands over my chest.
"There is, just tell me."
"Okay fine, damn it!" I gave up, throwing my hands in the air. "Why is everything so complicated, Jesus!" I declared.
"Mel, I'm sorry for putting you under pressure but- you need to tell at least someone about your struggles and problems.. and I've this strong feeling I can really help you with it." Lucy explained.
I sucked in a deep breath before talking. "I know, it's just so hard to tell you.. it feels like I can't trust anybody.." I pouted, running my hand through my hair.
"I get that.."
"But I know I should trust you, so.." I cleared my throat before continuing, "I think there's a chance I may have developed some feelings for Max.."
Lucy dropped her jaw and glared at me in confusion. The exact same reaction as I expected.. nice..
"But, does Max have feelings for you too?"
I nodded in return, not able to give a normal answer to the question.
"And you know that, because..?"
"Because we kissed" I said airily, not wanting to create a drama out of this. And besides, I wanted to lighten the situation a bit.
"Oh my god, that's like, amazing!" Lucy stuttered, widening her eyes in disbelief. "Does anybody know about this?"
"I don't think so.. except for you. And don't tell anyone as it's supposed to remain a secret." I offended.
"Sure, but then what makes it complicated?" Lucy wanted to know.
"I can't tell the media about it, they'll freak out and my reputation will be gone. I don't want that to happen as I worked so hard for it. Besides, I can't loose James and Rose and I'm sure I will if they find out.. I lied to them, to both of them." I stammered, my voice shaking softly.
Lucy glared at me, her face could tell she felt sorry for me. "Oh gosh, erm.. maybe you should keep things private, for only a little while, until things will get certain." She advised casually, shrugging her shoulders.
"I think that's a good idea, let's see what will happen" I muttered, ending the conversation.
Lucy nodded in agreement and wrapped her arms around me. "Just do what feels right, okay?" She asked quietly.
"Will do"
She grinned happily and changed the topic. "So.. how's work going?"
We started talking and ended up in a long and casual conversation, which I enjoyed a lot. I hadn't really spoke that way with someone in a long time, until now.
- - -
A/N
HeyHi everyone!
First of all, I'm sorry that it took so long before posting another chapter. I just wasn't happy with this one and actually, it still doesn't feel much better to me now. I think sometimes that just happens and I can't change it. No matter how hard I try, the chapter still sucks..
However, I hope you all still enjoyed it a bit..
XXX