Wrong number

9) little get together

- Ok that's good but when are we done with this? I think we're supposed to..., he checked his phone, go take something to eat like an ice cream and hang out after.

- I don't know honestly. Cause I love padel so I don't really mind, Charles told him finally starting to be ok with Max.

- Well I don't like you so I do mind, Max told him annoyed.

- Hey! I didn't do anything to you. I was even starting to be ok with your presence but if your like that I can just leave and let you explain it to our PR's.

- Oh come on don't be a child, Max said rolling his eyes.

- Oh shut up. It's you, don't start an argument cause you're in a bad mood.

- Then shut up! Max told him a little too loud.

Charles shushed him, putting his hand on his mouth as people were starting to look at them. They could be filmed at any given moment. Max had immediately put his hand on the monégasque's arm, not taking it off yet. The two drivers were breathing heavily. They both looked at each other in the eyes, less and less anger in them.

Max slowly slid his hand along his arm until it got to his rival's hand. The Dutchman took off his hand from his mouth with his own still holding Charles'. While doing this they kept holding eye contact.

That was until reality strucked them both and they came back from their world. Charles took his hand out and got up. Max stayed a few seconds more on the bench with wide eyes wondering what the hell was happening to him. "I'm fucked." He thought not even knowing why he was indeed fucked.

- Should we do our posts now? Charles asked almost whispering as he was still shaken.

The Dutchman nodded and approached him. Charles took his phone out and opened instagram. He went to the camera and held it above their faces. They got closer and smiled at the camera. They did a few pics. In one Max was behind holding the ball and his raquet. In another one they asked someone to take it while they did a game.

Charles did his caption and wrote: "Padel date with Max in Monaco! 🏓 I'm winning at the moment and please @maxverstappen1 stay in F1 where you're actually good"

"Pff you're not winning..." Max told him reading the caption. "Yes I am." Charles said proudly like if Ferrari would make him win the championship. They then took Max's phone and took similar pictures. In the last one they were really close and they really looked like friends. The Dutchman wrote his caption to answer Charles'. "Little hang out with Charles in Monaco! Actually I'm winning not him and don't worry @charles_leclerc I'll stay in F1 so I can beat you there too🥇🏎️"

They got their phones down and continued playing for a while. After doing a last game that Charles actually won like most of them, they took their stuff and went near the beach together. They walked, small talking about racing, when they came across an ice cream stand. Perfect for their wonderful PR stunt.

They went into the line to wait their turn. A few fans asked them for pics and autographs. Fans seemed to believe into their friendship, which was a good news as that meant they wouldn't have to do these afternoons again.

It was now their turns to order. Max ordered first and ordered a vanilla ice cream. "You're so boring mate." Charles told him. "It's like the default flavour." Max turned to him looking offended. "Excuse me how dare you insult vanilla ice cream like that. And wait a second didn't you make one? Vanillove I think." Charles looked surprised now. "How the hell do you know that?" "Huh.." Max didn't know what to answer and was hesitating. He didn't want to look like a weirdo that stalks his rival. He just saw it once on twitter and actually went to buy one. His favourite indeed being Vanillove.

The Dutchman just went on the side to let Charles order. He ordered a chocolate ice cream with hundreds and thousands on top. Max snickered at this. "What a child, hundreds and thousands seriously." Charles looked at him weirdly as max continued. "It's for kids."
"No it's not, why are you so boring. Not my fault your entire childhood was karting." Charles replied. "Not my fault." Max muttered.

The two drivers walked away from the ice cream stand and walked a bit on the beach. They were silent. At some point they sat on some rocks, facing the sand and the sea. They stayed like that for a while, simply eating and actually enjoying a bit of the other's company.

After a small moment, Max took his phone and snapped a pic of Charles looking at the horizon. The monégasque didn't see that the Dutchman taking a pic. He posted it on his story on instagram. "Ice cream with Charles on the beach 🍦😋" He didn't tag him. He didn't need him to see it as he could may be mad that he took a picture in secret.

After all they simply needed people to see them together as friends.

When they finished their ice cream they finally said good bye and went on their sides back to their flats. Charles walked home and when he checked his phone he was surprised to see a pic he wasn't aware of. He wasn't even mad, just surprised the fact Max took a pic like that.

Charles then liked his post and Max did the same on his. At the end of the day he received a message from his PR thanking him for doing this and cooperating this much. He was now supposed to be able to stay away from Max.