The perfect match

“You got a pole!” Esteban yelled out, jumping on the bed.
“Oh my God, you are happier about this than me.” Logan said, watching Esteban jump.
“Come up here. It sounds childish, but it is real happiness! And there is no mum telling you to stop!” Esteban said, stretching out his hand and helping Logan on the bed. They jumped around for a while before Logan heard a knock on his door, making him jump off the bed and run over out of breath.
“What the hell are you young people doing in here?!” Fernando almost yelled at him.
“Uuhm … we were jumping on the bed, celebrating the pole position.” Logan said, Esteban still jumping around on the bed.
“Jumping on the bed? Like a little kid?” Fernando asked, crossing his arms.
“Yes, it is real fun, you want to join?” Logan asked and Fernando looked around the corner seeing Esteban still jumping around and waving at him.
“I’ll try … but just a little bit, and no pictures!” Fernando said while walking over to the bed, Esteban helping him up as well.
“Okay, this is way more fun than expected!” Fernando said a couple minutes later and there was another knock on the door. Logan was running back to the door, opening to see Sebastian.
“Oh, hey, what are you doing here?” Logan asked.
“That’s not the right question. Where is Fernando?” Sebastian asked “And what the hell are you doing in here? Our suite is right below and it sounds like the hotel would implode any second.” Sebastian said, following Logan to the bedroom. He pulled out his phone as soon as he saw Fernando jumping on the bed and laughing with Esteban.
“We are celebrating my first pole position. You want to try? It’s a lot of fun.”
“No, thank you.” Sebastian said while filming the chaos, Esteban and Fernando now having started a pillow fight as well. Fernando saw Sebastian with his phone out and froze, giving Esteban the opportunity to slam a pillow into his face with full force, knocking him off his feet and onto the mattress, letting out a groan. “Are you alright?” Sebastian asked, not sounding really worried.
“Yeah.”
“Did you learn and not do any more stupid things?” Sebastian asked then.
“No” Fernando said and Esteban laughed.
“You guys want to drink something?” Logan asked.
“No, thank you, Fernando wants to go to bed.” Sebastian said sternly.
“Yes, sir.” Fernando said, saluting while getting off the bed. “Thank you guys for the fun!”
“Am I correct that this is ‘I’m happy and everything else is private’?” Logan asked.
“Absolutely. Keep it down boys, or mama is coming back.” Fernando said, pointing at Sebastian and earning a little slap to the back of his head from the beta.

The next day in the hospitality, Nicole and Oscar sat a little to the side, having their conversation about Daniel.
“But why?” Oscar asked.
“I didn’t plan it, Oscar. I don’t know why him. He came over and … I knew he was interested from almost the beginning, but … he knew I wasn’t. After your father … I couldn’t just go out with someone else, but then everything settled and it … I just wanted to. I wanted to go on a date with a man that was nice and caring and … who did not meet me because our fathers are working together. I wanted to go out with a man who wanted to go out with ME. The real me. I didn’t go to our first date with … long term intentions, either.”
“You mean it started as a one night stand?” Oscar asked.
“Oscar!” Nicole said, looking around and blushing “No, we actually … actually we didn’t … we didn’t do that … yet.”
“You didn’t?” Oscar asked surprised after a little silence.
“No. We kissed and … I think it is called fooling around on the sofa, but we didn’t go further.”
“Not at all?”
“No, not at all. All above clothes, no overnight stays.” Nicole said and Oscar looked at her in shock.
“That is not … I didn’t think that … he is a good guy, I just … I didn’t think he … would want to wait.”
“Well, he does. I feel … important … when I am with him. I matter. And he respects and … cherishes me. And he is amazing with the girls. Chloe still needs a bit, but … they really like him.”
“It feels awkward.”
“That’s okay, Oscar.”
“I really would have …. I would have wanted to know sooner, but … I also think I would have tried to stop it and I don’t know if that would have been a good thing, either.”
“I love you, Oscar.”
“I love you too, mom.” Oscar said, squeezing her hands on the table before dropping his smile “If he hurts you I will make Lando kill him.”
“I will warn him.”
“Good. We should go to see them before the race now.”

At the same time, Carlos stood in Zak’s office.
“No” Zak said, sitting in his chair with crossed arms.
“What?” Carlos asked surprised.
“No” Zak said again, shrugging.
“But … I’m very consistent, I’m bringing in good results, I’m a very good driver.” Carlos tried to reason.
“You left us deliberately to go to Ferrari, even though we offered you better pay, with that you pissed off a lot of people. You’re passive aggressively bullying Oscar and you tried to assault Lando.” Zak said, getting louder.
“I had a weak moment, all I wanted is to get Lando back.” Carlos said, also getting louder.
“A weak moment?! A fucking weak moment?!” Zak asked loudly, getting up from his chair “You forced yourself on him, even though he told you to stop twice! You suggested all kinds of things to him! You tried to emotionally manipulate him by bringing up your past! You insulted Oscar at the same time! There is nothing you can say or do to make me sign you up with us again!” he yelled the last sentence on the top of his lungs, making all the employees and guests in the hospitality stop and stare at the darkened glass door of Zak’s office, the door being ripped open a second later and Carlos rushing outside. Zak stepped out of his office, now seeing everyone turning back, looking at him. “It’s race day, it’s always about the drivers, I wanted some attention on a Sunday for once.” Zak said, shrugging.

The race went well for the McLaren team, Lando winning the race, Logan and Max behind him. The top ten were completed by Charles, Oliver, Esteban, Yuki, Lance, Fernando and Nico. George, Lewis and Liam were next. Nicholas, Zhou and Pierre didn’t finish after a collision.

Toto had kept his eyes on the happenings on track, as well as the happenings in the paddock. He had seen Carlos entering the McLaren hospitality and leaving it in anger a couple minutes later. He reeked of madness. Toto made the decision to try and talk to Zak, thinking there was more going on. He entered the hospitality and saw Zak standing on top of the staircase. He saw him and waved him over, Toto making his way up quickly.
“Coffee?” Zak asked, holding up a can.
“Happily” Toto said, sitting down in front of the table. “Thanks” he then said, taking the cup and waiting for Zak to sit down “I saw Carlos visited you.”
“Yeah” Zak scoffed.
“Is he not happy at Ferrari?”
“I don’t know, but he definitely won’t come here again. At least not while wearing our colours.”
“He’s a good driver.” Toto said.
“He reasoned with that as well.” Zak said, turning his cup in his hands.
“So, there is something else that keeps you from rehiring him?”
“You know I can’t talk with you about things like those.”
“Okay … did you know, that in some country, I forgot which, it means yes when they take a sip of coffee?” Toto asked.
“No, but it seems like a very good form of non-verbal conversation to me.” Zak said with a smirk.
“Is he out of Ferrari at the end of the season?” Toto asked and Zak took a sip.
“Will he come back here?” no sip.
“Is there a reason he isn’t coming back here, other than that he left you for Ferrari even though you offered a better contract?” another sip.
“If I would know the reason, would it keep me from signing him up?” Zak drank half of his cup.
“Jesus Christ, what kind of reason did he give you?” Toto exclaimed. Zak looked at him, then opened a drawer at his desk, digging through it before pulling out three flyers. He laid them down in front of Toto one by one. First a McLaren flyer, Lando on the front. Second, a flyer for an escort service. Toto looked at Zak, who slowly shook his head while pointing at Lando’s flyer. He then put down the third flyer. A helpline for victims of physical and sexual assault.
“He assaulted Lando?” Toto asked surprised, staring at Zak with wide eyes. Zak lifted his cup, taking another sip.
“Will Lewis be his replacement?” Zak was now the one asking. Toto took a sip.
“Lewis wants to leave?” he asked in shock. Another sip.
“Do you have a replacement yet?” no sip.
“Are you interested in Ricciardo?” Zak asked, only realizing what he asked after he said it. Toto looked at him, not taking a sip.
“So, is Ricciardo definitely out?” Toto asked. No sip.
“Alright, it was a good talk.” Toto said, drinking the rest of his coffee.
“I think so, too. See you later.” Zak said, putting away the flyers.

After the race and the meetings ended, Toto drove back to the hotel with Suzy.
“You are unusually silent.” She said to him.
“We’ll talk at the hotel.” Toto said softly, smiling at her.
“You know that Lewis is leaving.” Toto said, standing at the window, looking over the scenery, a drink in his hand.
“I will never forget the moment you told me that.” Suzy said, sitting down on the couch, having her own drink in hand.
“I thought Carlos would be a good replacement.”
“He has good results, had a little down maybe for two or three races, but otherwise, he’s doing really good at Ferrari. So, he’s the one they’re letting go?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know?”
“I suspected it, but I talked to Zak.” Toto said, walking over to the couch and sitting down “Carlos was with him today, asking for his seat back. Zak declined harshly. Apparently, he assaulted or tried to assault Lando.”
“So, you won’t take him.”
“No. I don’t want someone like that in my team, I don’t care how good the results are. If you do something like that once, no one can guarantee you won’t do it again.”
“Who’s still in the run now? At the moment, it seems to have shrunk down to Oliver, Esteban and Fernando, if he wants to start full next year. George said the drivers are thinking Checo won’t come back at all. Nico and Daniel are shaky. They both have a lot of experience, but Daniel seems to be declining rapidly, no idea why. Nico is … I don’t know. His talent is hard to place, I’d say. He’s a great driver, but is it really always the car that keeps him from success? He drove for different constructors, they can’t all be mediocre every time he drives for them, it’s tough to place him.”
“I’m not sure if Daniel would fit. To the team, I mean. With Nico, I don’t know if he could handle the pressure at Mercedes. It’s a big team, a front row team … he hasn’t been driving front row for quite a while now. Oliver is a really great driver. He came into F1 and performed from day 1. RB would be stupid to let him go. How did Esteban get into the mix?” she asked, taking a sip and leaning against Toto.
“George suggested him. I have to admit, I kind of overlooked him, but George was right. He’s consistent, he gets the best out of his car, great tire management and he seems like a really great guy. He also seems to have started something with Logan.” Toto said with a smirk.
“Uuuh, a Mercedes Redbull love couple, what a scandal.” Suzy said theatrically.
“There is no final decision, yet. And I need to be careful, Alpine is crazy if you approach their drivers.”

The Barcelona airport wasn’t big. Toto saw Esteban getting in line to buy a coffee, other guests in front of him that didn’t belong to the racing teams.
“Don’t turn around” Toto said lowly, letting Esteban stand straighter. “Jesus you’re tall. You should work on that posture.”
“Yeah, I’m onto that.” Esteban said.
“Your contract is up at the end of the year as well?”
“Yes”
“No extension yet?”
“No, they say they want to wait for better results.” Esteban said and Toto let out a scoff.
“I’m having a little vacation this week, I’m visiting Zurich with Suzy and Jack. We always tend to cook too much food, maybe you should come over Tuesday night, or are you occupied then?”
“Hello, one medium cappuccino with almond milk and a bit of caramel syrup and a big latte without foam, please.” Esteban said, stepping up to the front of the line “I can make time.”
“Wonderful. One medium latte macchiato and a double espresso, please.” Toto said to the employee while Esteban took his coffees and made his way over to the sugar and lid table. “You know where our appartement is?” Toto asked, stepping next to him, putting some sugar into his.
“Yes”
“Alright, then, Tuesday at six. I have to ask you to not bring that … cappuccino of yours.”
“I have an appartement where the cappuccino will be fine.” Esteban said with a smile.

“So, this is you.” Logan said, looking around the appartement. It was located on the Utoquai, a penthouse with a full view over the Zurich Lake. It was built like an O, the middle being open, building a terrace. There was also a balcony at the waterfront, spanning the whole width of the appartement. You entered the appartement into a little foyer with a guest bath before entering the long, open plan, kitchen, dining and living room. At the end, turning clockwise, were two other bedrooms, around the next corner getting to a bathroom, the big master suite with walk-in closet and it’s own bathroom, as well as an office, around the next turn, there was a home gym with an attached sauna and bathroom, a storage and laundry room, as well as the pantry, another door opening up to the foyer again. It had dark wood flooring throughout, the chairs and tables also dark wood. The kitchen was held in a rich and dark green with a dark grey stone countertop, the room turning lighter towards the living area, where a huge cream carpet covered the area in front of the green couch, building a nice contrast. Clean and modern mixed with natural materials. The living area was parted a little from the huge, twelve top dining table by thick branches, kept all natural, hung up above one another to build a wall, still letting through some light in between. “It is beautiful.” Logan said, stepping up to the glass front and looking over the lake. “Seriously, the only thing missing is the pool.”
“I have one.” Esteban said, letting Logan stare at him.
“Where?” Logan asked and Esteban pulled him onto the terrace in the middle, where a lounge-like corner and a fire pit was built. They went up some stairs Logan didn’t even see at first and stepped onto the roof terrace. Logan turned around. An infinity pool spanned almost all the width of the front, a separate whirlpool at the end. The rest of the terrace had a wooden railing, the same colour of the floor up here. There was a lot of ivory all around and peonies in the back, ranking up and around a pergola with an outside kitchen. There were some closed cream coloured sun umbrellas and some sun lounges spread out. “I didn’t bring swimming trunks.” Logan said, sounding a little sad.
“This is private, Logan.” Esteban said, pushing a button and the protective layer of the pool started pulling back quickly while he took off his cap and shirt. “We can do whatever the hell we want.” He said, dropping his pants. Logan quickly followed his example and took off his clothes, jumping into the pool after Esteban. They swam around for a while before resting at the front, arms on the infinity barrier and looking over the lake. “Cherry coke?” Esteban asked after some silence.
“You have it?”
“I called up front and got your almond milk, cherry coke and more spinach and broccoli.” Esteban smiled, swimming over to the side corner, opening a floor fridge and taking out a can of cherry coke and a mountain dew. “You got me started with it.” Esteban said when he reached Logan again, handing him the cherry coke.
Esteban made their dinner later. Chicken breasts on spinach with roasted potatoes and roasted pinenuts.

“I think I can skip my work-out after this!” Daniel said, stopping where Nicole sat on a bench with Julia, watching Chloe learning to ride a bike. Even with the training wheels, she insisted on Daniel running next to her, catching her if she would fall.
“DANNY!” Chloe yelled from a hundred meters away and Daniel sped off towards her, letting Nicole laugh.
“He is nice.” Julia said, looking up from her book. “Is he going to move in?”
“What? No … at least not for a while, why?” Nicole asked.
“There’s this girl in my class. Her mum has a new boyfriend and he moved in with them a couple weeks back. She said it’s weird but good.”
“Weird but good?”
“Well, she said it’s weird because he’s not their dad, but he is a great guy. He picks her up from soccer practice and is at her games on weekends. He plays with her and her little brother and he makes them all feel safe.”
“Well, Daniel is travelling a lot … he won’t be home as much.”
“Still … he’s an alpha.”
“We shouldn’t make him move in with us just to have an alpha live here. Also, with Lando and Daniel coming here, there is enough alpha scent around, also, we are not weak, sweety.” Nicole said to Julia.
“He’s still a good guy. It just took Chloe a while to see it. She got more punishment from our father than I did.”
“I know … I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you more.” Nicole said.
“You did. You got us away from him. You’re keeping us safe. You are a good mum.” Julia said to her.
“Thank you, Julie.” Nicole said, watching Chloe and Daniel again.

“Hey, I thought I should bring something, the lady at the store said this is a good one, I actually don’t drink, so I don’t know.” Esteban said to Suzy, standing in front of her door on Tuesday evening.
“Oh, thank you, Esteban. You didn’t have to bring anything. Did you come here well? Take off the shoes, please.” she asked, taking the bottle of wine and waving him in.
“Oh, yes. I actually thought it’s a little further, it’s barely 200m from my appartement.”
“You have an appartement on the Utoquai? You sell drugs on the side or something?” Suzy asked with a smile.
“No, I bought the building as an investment but fell so much in love with the penthouse that I kept it for myself. The rest is rented out.”
“So, realty is your go to thing?”
“Well, it was more of an accident. I was here on vacation, already liking the city and heard it was for sale. It was pretty cheap compared to others because it wasn’t fully finished. The constructors went bankrupt during the building phase. I’m not at break-even yet, about half a year to go on that.”
“And you own the whole building?”
“Yes. Good evening, Toto and you must be Jack.” He said, kneeling down to the boy playing with some legos.
“Yes. I’m Jack.” Jack said, stretching his fist towards Esteban, who bumped and then let it explode with him.
“How many appartements are you renting out?” Suzy asked interested. “I’m sorry for being this nosy, I really like the thought of realty businesses, but we never really invested in them outside of stocks.”
“It holds sixteen appartements over eight floors and the ground floor is a jewellery boutique. It also has underground parking.”
“Wait … the building down the street? With Engler’s jewellery and the infinity pool on top? Orange juice with raspberry.” Toto asked, handing a glass to Esteban.
“Yeah.” Esteban said, taking the glass and clinking with them.
“Isn’t that the building that Otmar always boasts about living in?”
“Yes. He doesn’t know that I own it and I would prefer to keep it that way for now.” Esteban said and Suzy laughed.
“It’s safe with us. You do eat beef, right Esteban?” Suzy asked, walking back towards the kitchen.
“Yes, I do. Can I help?”
“No, you guys get Jack to the table and I’ll bring the food.” Suzy said and they helped Jack to the table. They had just sat down, Jack insisting on sitting next to Esteban, when they heard a loud crash and splintering, a yelp and a swear word from the kitchen.
“Uuuuuh mummy said a bad word!” Jack yelled out and Toto and Esteban walked to the kitchen, seeing Suzy sit on the floor, the big, rectangle glass bowl from the oven next to her, vegetables, potatoes and meat covering the floor.
“Are you okay?” Toto asked, stepping over to his wife.
“Yes, my hand touched the heating string at the top of the oven and then I dropped it.” She said, letting Toto help her up. “Well, we still have salad and bread.” Suzy said with a nervous smile.
“I have meat, sausages, veggies and all kinds of sauces at home, as well as an outside kitchen. We could turn it into a barbecue?” Esteban suggested.
“This was supposed to be us inviting you to dinner, not the other way around.” Suzy said.
“Life intervened, it happens. Now let’s clean this up and get to mine, I’ll just tell Logan really quick so he can start the grill.” Esteban said, pulling his phone and quickly calling Logan while Suzy went to change her dirty dress and get Jack. Toto and Esteban cleaned up the spilled food and packed the bread and salad. “The grill is going to take a bit, you can bring your swimming stuff if you want to.” Esteban said before they left the kitchen.
“Hey Jack, want to get your swimming trunks?” Toto asked and Jack sped away, Suzy following him and coming back with a tote bag shortly after.
“Well then, let’s go.” Esteban said and they made their way to his appartement. “This is also a socks and barefoot only appartement, by the way.” He said after opening the door.
“Bwoah” Jack let out, seeing the big couch.
“I have a better bwoah for you upstairs. Are you going to put on your swimming trunks?”
“You have a pool?”
“Yes”
“All for yourself?”
“For me and my friends, yes.” Esteban said. “You can change over there. And the stairs to the pool are on the terrace in the middle.” He said, Suzy and Jack going into one of the bedrooms to change while Toto and Esteban already went upstairs.
“Hey you guys, seems like the cappuccino is of use after all.” Logan explained with a smile. “Don’t worry, I can take care of watching Jack when there are bigger things to talk about.” He then said with a wink to Toto. He saw Suzy walking up the stairs with the salad in hand, gave the grill tongs to Esteban and made his way over, taking the salad from Suzy and placing it on the table before starting to set the table. Toto and Esteban stayed at the grill, starting to put on the meat.
“So you’re searching for a new driver?” Esteban asked.
“Yes.”
“Why? They aren’t bad ones. Lewis is the king and everyone knows George is like a son for you.”
“Lewis wants to leave.” Toto said and Esteban dropped a piece of beef into the fire on the shock.
“What?”
“He’s not going to extend his contract. He signed with another team for next year.” Toto said.
“I never thought I’d see that day. I always thought he’d retire with you.”
“I thought so, too.”
“Why me? Why are you interested in me.”
“Because your car is a shit show. I know our own car isn’t a championship winning car this year either, but yours is terrible. Somehow, you’re still staying really good. You’re getting a good number of points, you have great tire management, your times are consistent, there is no reason you should have a chance in a better car. Did they talk about an extension with you yet?”
“No, I also didn’t ask though.” Esteban admitted, looking at Jack and Suzy in the pool, Logan blowing up a swimming animal from a storage at the side, sitting on a chair next to the pool.
“Could you imagine driving for Mercedes?”
“Yes” Esteban said, turning the steaks “Shouldn’t you have this talk with my management, though?”
“I like to ask the drivers themselves before that. I have to ask something, though.”
“Okay”
“What are your sponsorships.” Toto asked and Esteban let out a laugh.
“The big mystery.” He chuckled “29 million”
“Personal sponsorships? All of them?” Toto asked.
“Yes. Most people think I just like the four brands I’m wearing and I do, don’t get me wrong … but I only wear them.”
“Got it” Toto said.
“I might lose 4 million with a switch though.”
“Still, that amount is … mind blowing.”
“So, if we’re talking about money, anyway, what would you offer?” Esteban asked and Toto chuckled.
“12 million and your boyfriend will have to sign a pretty tight NDA.” Toto said, shouting for Jack and Suzy to get out of the pool for dinner.
“Any chance I can get 15?”
“Barely.”
“How long?”
“Let’s start with two years.” Toto said.
“12 for the first, 15 the second, let’s keep the bonuses to my management and the HR people.”
“Deal” Toto said, holding the serving dish for Esteban to load on the steaks and sausages. They sat down, enjoying the food, Logan catching Jack before he fell off the chair sleeping, softly laying him down on a lawn chair, covering him with a big towel.
Logan came down to the door with them, holding the front door open for Suzy with the tote bag and swimming clothes, Toto carrying the sleeping Jack. Logan stuffed the garbage bag in the container and said goodbye to them, none of them seeing the black Porsche passing by.