"You are being awfully quiet today," Myra pointed out as she followed the Mercedes driver, both making their way to the hospitality. It was race day so people were in a hurry, and those with paddock passes were stopping the driver for selfies or autographs.

"Didn't sleep well," Daniella replied, hiding half the truth. She forced a smile to take a photo with a group of fans before going inside the hospitality.

"Is it because of George?" Myra asked, implying the argument the two drivers had the previous night.

"Or because you didn't get any action from Max last night?" Nate joined the duo, half his attention on the sandwich he was eating.

The race engineer got a light punch from his girlfriend while the driver's cheek slightly turned red.

"Can we stop talking about my private life and focus on the race?" Daniella slightly snapped before walking away.

She still hasn't processed the kiss properly and hasn't even told Max, but she is more than sure what his reaction would be and couldn't help but worry.

***

Daniella walked with Lewis to where all the drivers were gathering right before the driver's parade. The weather so far looks decent but there is a huge possibility for rain and everyone knows that.

"Listen, about last night..." Lewis sounded apologetic. "I thought it would have been a good idea if you and George talked things out but...I didn't think it all through and I am very sorry..."

"He kissed me," Daniella blurted out, not able to carry the burden alone anymore.

"What?" Lewis sounded surprised his eyes went wide. "When? How?"

Daniella looked around and pulled him to the side so they could get some privacy.

"He followed me outside and we had another argument and..."

"But it was raining out there."

"Yes..and..."

"So he kissed you in the rain?"

"Yes, but I don't..."

"Did you kiss him back?"

"Stop interrupting me and let me talk," Daniella snapped, turning eyes towards them.

"Sorry, please continue," Lewis apologized.

"We argued. He said he wants the truth or he will do much worse than just crash me out of the race, I almost cried, and then... he kissed me," Daniella explained in a low voice, almost whispering. "And no, I didn't kiss him back, I just... ran away back to the hotel."

It took Lewis a few seconds to process the information as Daniella started to feel even more guilty and worried, almost thankful that she is out of the championship otherwise she wouldn't be able to drive with a clear mind.

"Does Max know?" Lewis asked.

Daniella shook her head, giving him the answer.

"You better tell him before soon," Lewis advised. "In fact, I think you should tell him now."

"If I tell him now he will get angry and then mess up his race," She looked at her boyfriend who was having a fun conversation with the other Red Bull drivers. His eyes fell on her and sent a soft smile.

"That's exactly why you should tell him now," Lewis mumbled.

Daniella rolled her eyes and decided to ignore his advice.

"Just don't tell anyone, okay?" She let out a deep shaky breath.

"Not even Toto?"

"Especially him," Daniella replied as she walked away from her teammate and went to join her boyfriend.

"So how are we celebrating today?" She asked Max as she stood next to him.

"The race hasn't even started, Dani," Max let out a laugh. "And if Charles wins then I won't be a champion today."

Daniella offered a soft smile as she leaned against her boyfriend, his hand immediately going around her waist.

"Listen...I need to tell you something after the race..." Daniella nervously said but couldn't complete her sentence as George walked past.

At first, the Williams driver ignored her presence but once he went and joined his teammate and friends his eyes fell on her, the mixed emotions visible in his stern glare. Daniella immediately looked away and Max sensed her stiffened a bit.

"Everything okay?" He mumbled.

"Umm.. Yeah," Daniella forced a smile as thunder struck the sky, making the drivers groan. It was soon going to rain and might ruin the race.

Before Max could ask anything else the drivers were asked to head out for the parade as they want it over before the weather gets worse.

***

The race was delayed due to rain and at one point it almost looked like the cars would not be able to go out to complete even one lap. Daniella was too busy staring at the rain while thinking about how to tell Max about George.

"Have you told him yet?" Lewis asked as he took the seat next to his teammate.

"No.." She mumbled. "I will tell him after the race...once I make sure George is not within ten-mile radius."

"You are worried about Max getting in trouble or George getting hurt?"

"Both," she looked at her teammate.

It was soon announced that the race was going to start even though it was still raining and Daniella tried to push all her worries at the back of her head as she is going to need a clear mind to race in the rain.

***

"Keep putting pressure on him," Nate advised Daniella as she was chasing the Ferrari of Charles. "Leclerc's tyres are degrading fast."

"Copy," Daniella was fully focused and determined to get ahead of the Ferrari and finish P2 but Charles was doing a good job defending his position.

While Max was leading the race by twenty seconds and was confirmed to win the race, Charles was struggling to maintain his second position.

At one point the pressure to keep the Mercedes behind got to Charles and he made the mistake of going off the track at the last corner of the last lap. Daniella was ahead of him for a split second but he came out ahead of her again.

The fans cheered as Max crossed the chequered flag, winning the race, followed by the Ferrari and the Mercedes.

***

The three podium finishers went to the cool-down room. Charles was bummed out for receiving a time penalty for going off the track which put him down to P3 and Daniella up in P2.

"So you are the champion or not?" Daniella asked Max, feeling confused. Only half points were supposed to be handed out because not all the laps were completed due to the rain and the delay but were informed that they were going to get full points.

"No, I am not," Max sheepishly smiled. "They only gave half points, not full."

Charles was quiet. He is aware that if full points are handed out he is out of the competition and Max is the champion.

"But they are saying we are getting full points.." Daniella sounded even more confused.

"No no.." Max smiled.

"Yes, Nate told me.." Daniella looked around for any sort of confirmation.

"No but.." Now Max was confused.

The commentators came in and congratulated Max, confirming that he is the champion.

"Wait..I am?" A smile appeared on his face, but his eyes were still confused.

"You are the world champion," Daniella announced as it got declared on the screen in the room. She immediately hugged him.

Max hugged her back tightly as his smile grew bigger.

"My champion.." Daniella kissed him, not caring about the cameras or those who were inside the room.

Max kissed her back and hugged her again, taking in the moment. The couple didn't care that their moment was shared by the cameras and everyone got to witness it.

**********

A/N: Now both Max and Dani are champions. The ultimate power couple 😅 

Dani didn't get to tell Max about George but she is probably going to...but how is Max going to react? 

Dani is also worried about George...

 Lewis giving advice for all the wrong reasons 👀😂

Thoughts on this chapter? 

What do you think will happen next? 

I am starting to regret writing the George AU before this book😅😅👀👀

Also all my other finished books have happy endings so maybe it's time for a change