System Failure - Chapter 99: Media - Part 2
Pairing: Max Verstappen x Dr. Anastasia "Ana" Wolff (Original Character)
Summary:
Max Verstappen to Mercedes? The paddock is buzzing. The media’s in meltdown.
Dr. Anastasia “Ana” Wolff, Mercedes’ notoriously brilliant, emotionally unavailable lead systems engineer and Toto Wolff’s eldest daughter, is not handling it well. Because Max isn’t just a potential signing, he’s the man she’s been sleeping with in secret for nearly a decade.
And if the rumours are true, and Max Verstappen really is joining Mercedes, then Ana’s carefully compartmentalised world is about to explode.
Warnings and Notes: GEORGE RUSSELL BASHING. I am warning in ALL CAPS because if you are a fan of him, DO NOT come into my inbox and complain to me about me being mean to this fictional version of him. REAL LIFE GEORGE RUSSELL WOULD OBVIOUSLY NEVER ACT LIKE THAT. Also, this chapter contains mentions of Death Threats and some vague mentions of sexual assault and threats of the same. RED BULL BASHING! Do I need to warn for that? I will just so that nobody will be able to complain.
For Housekeeping Reasons, this is fiction. I don't know any of these people in real life. The world portrayed in this story is obviously not real life, and I am sure that none of the people mentioned are anything like I portray them in this piece of fiction. (Apparently, this needs to be said for some of the people in my inbox.)
Let me know if I missed something else, and I'll add it! As always big thanks to @llirawolf , who listens to me ramble.
Group Chat: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!
(Members: Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, Yuki Tsunoda, Liam Lawson, Isack Hadjar, Oliver Bearman, Esteban Ocon, Gabriel Bortoleto, Nico Hulkenberg, Kimi Antonelli, Valtteri Bottas, Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz, Lance Stroll, Fernando Alonso)
Lando Norris: MAX.
Max Verstappen: What.
Lando Norris: YOUR FIANCÉE HAS BROKEN THE INTERNET.
Max Verstappen: Again?
Oscar Piastri: I think technically the ring did.
Alex Albon: Have you looked at Twitter?
Pierre Gasly: Apparently Ana is engaged to Mick Schumacher.
Max Verstappen: I saw that one.
Alex Albon: David Coulthard is my personal favourite.
Lando Norris: HEREDITARY SCOTTISH RACING-DRIVER ATTRACTION.
Carlos Sainz: I laughed for five minutes.
Lewis Hamilton: Susie has probably already seen that.
Kimi Antonelli: Someone at the factory sent me a poll asking if I knew who Ana was engaged to.
Oscar Piastri: What did you say?
Kimi Antonelli: I said yes.
Lando Norris: KIMI.
Kimi Antonelli: What?
Lando Norris: YOU CAN’T SAY THAT.
Kimi Antonelli: I did not say who!
Max Verstappen: That is fine.
Lando Norris: NO IT ISN’T.
Max Verstappen: It is.
Lando Norris: Fine.
Lando Norris: More important question.
Lando Norris: HOW DID THE BERGER MEETING GO?
Charles Leclerc: Oh yes.
Alex Albon: Actually yes.
Pierre Gasly: We forgot about that because apparently Max is secretly marrying Mick Schumacher.
Max Verstappen: Ana is.According to Twitter.
Oscar Piastri: Keep up.
Fernando Alonso: How was the meeting?
Lewis Hamilton: And is Gerhard still alive?
Max Verstappen: Yes.
Lando Norris: That pause before answering was concerning.
Max Verstappen: He is alive.
Carlos: What about Jos?
Max Verstappen: Also alive.
Lando Norris: Ana?
Max Verstappen: Unfortunately also did not murder anybody.
Lewis Hamilton: Unfortunately?
Max Verstappen: She looked very pretty while being threatening.
Oscar Piastri: Of course this is your takeaway.
Max Verstappen: Anyway.
Max Verstappen: Put the pitchforks down.
Lando Norris: I DIDN’T EVEN GET MINE OUT YET.
Fernando Alonso: Mine was ready.
Max Verstappen: Gerhard apologised.
Charles Leclerc: Properly?
Max Verstappen: Yes.
Carlos Sainz: As in actual apology?
Max Verstappen: Yes.
Lewis Hamilton: No excuses?
Max Verstappen: No.
Fernando Alonso: Did he say he was sorry or did he say “I’m sorry you feel that way”?
Max Verstappen: He said he was sorry.
Fernando Alonso: Hmm.
Lando Norris: That is a suspicious Fernando hmm.
Fernando Alonso: I am evaluating.
Max Verstappen: He took responsibility. For what happened. For how Red Bull treated me. Ana asked him questions for approximately forty minutes.
Alex Albon: Oh Jesus.
Max Verstappen: Yes.
Kimi Antonelli: Did he survive?
Max Verstappen: Barely.
Lewis Hamilton: I assume she had notes.
Max Verstappen: She had a folder.
Lando Norris: OF COURSE SHE HAD A FOLDER.
Max Verstappen: She wore pearls though.
Oscar Piastri: Why is that relevant?
Max Verstappen: She said she wanted to look non-threatening.
Oscar Piastri: Did it work?
Max Verstappen: No.
Valtteri Bottas: Pearls rarely neutralise a folder.
Kimi Antonelli: Especially an Ana folder.
Max Verstappen: Anyway.I am giving him a chance.
Lewis Hamilton: Okay.
Charles Leclerc: If that’s what you want.
Carlos Sainz: Then that’s what matters.
Fernando Alonso: I reserve the right to dislike Red Bull.
Max Verstappen: Obviously.
Fernando Alonso: Strongly.
Max Verstappen: Yes, Fernando.
Fernando Alonso: For a very long time.
Max Verstappen: I know.
Lando Norris: Can I still mildly hate them?
Max Verstappen: You can do whatever you want.
Oscar Piastri: Dangerous thing to tell him.
Lando Norris: I will hate them supportively.
Max Verstappen: Thank you.
Lewis Hamilton: If Gerhard apologised properly and you want to give him the opportunity to prove himself, then fair enough.
Max Verstappen: That is basically what I said.
Fernando Alonso: One chance.
Max Verstappen: Fernando.
Fernando Alonso: I am just saying.
Max Verstappen: I know.
Fernando Alonso: If he hurts you—
Max Verstappen: Ana already gave him that speech.
Alex Albon: I bet hers was scarier.
Max Verstappen: Much scarier.
Fernando Alonso: Good.
Max Verstappen: Actually. Serious thing. Ana is there this weekend.
Lando Norris: We know.
Lando Norris: THE RING IS CURRENTLY TRENDING IN THREE COUNTRIES.
Max Verstappen: Can you all keep an eye on her?
Lewis Hamilton: Of course.
Carlos Sainz: Obviously.
Lando Norris: Yeah.
Oscar Piastri: Do you mean generally or is something wrong?
Max Verstappen: Something happened before she left.
Lewis Hamilton: What happened?
Max Verstappen: She got threats.
Charles Leclerc: What?
Lando Norris: WHAT
Carlos Sainz: What kind of threats?
Max Verstappen: Bad ones.
Lewis Hamilton: Max.
Max Verstappen: Death threats.
Fernando Alonso: Who.
Max Verstappen: We think George.
Lando Norris: You THINK???
Max Verstappen: Police are tracing the number. There are reasons to think it was him.
Charles Leclerc: What did he say?
Max Verstappen: I am not repeating it.
Lewis Hamilton: Okay. You don’t have to.
Fernando Alonso: Is she safe?
Max Verstappen: Yes. Mercedes increased security. Toto has people around the family too.
Carlos Sainz: Does COTA security know?
Max Verstappen: Yes.
Alex Albon: FIA?
Max Verstappen: Relevant people know.
Fernando Alonso: Why is she there?
Max Verstappen: Because she refused not to go.
Lewis Hamilton: It’s her job.
Max Verstappen: Exactly. Toto tried.
Valtteri Bottas: I imagine that went well.
Max Verstappen: She said she was not letting anyone take Mercedes away from her because it is her safe place.
Lewis Hamilton: Right. Then we make sure it stays that way.
Carlos Sainz: Absolutely.
Lando Norris: She won’t be alone for five fucking seconds.
Oscar Piastri: Maybe don’t make it obvious, Lando.
Lando Norris: I CAN BE SUBTLE.
Oscar Piastri: No.
Alex Albon: Absolutely not.
Pierre Gasly: Historically false.
Lando Norris: Fine.
Lando Norris: I will be normal.
Oscar Piastri: Also unlikely.
Max Verstappen: Please do not swarm her.
Lando Norris: You literally just asked us to keep an eye on her.
Max Verstappen: Yes. Not form a protective circle around her like penguins.
Alex Albon: That is exactly what Lando was planning.
Lando Norris: I WAS NOT.
Oscar Piastri: He was.
Kimi Antonelli: I can stay close to her in the garage.
Max Verstappen: Thanks.
Kimi Antonelli: I am supposed to be close to her anyway.
Max Verstappen: Yes.
Kimi Antonelli: Because she works there.
Max Verstappen: Yes, Kimi.
Kimi Antonelli: Good.
Lewis Hamilton: I’ll check in with her.
Max Verstappen: Thank you.
Charles Leclerc: Me too.
Fernando Alonso: I will watch.
Max Verstappen: That sounds threatening.
Fernando Alonso: Good.
Max Verstappen: Fernando.
Fernando Alonso: I said nothing.
Lando Norris: You said “I will watch” like a Sicilian grandfather.
Fernando Alonso: I am Spanish.
Lando Norris: You understand the vibe.
Oscar Piastri: Does Ana know you’re telling us?
Max Verstappen: I am not telling you details. I just want people around her.
Lewis Hamilton: Understood.
Max Verstappen: And please keep it out of the media if you can.
Charles Leclerc: Obviously.
Carlos Sainz: Of course.
Lewis Hamilton: Nothing leaves here.
Lando Norris: Yeah.
Oscar Piastri: Agreed.
Alex Albon: Absolutely.
Pierre Gasly: Of course.
Valtteri: Understood.
Fernando Alonso: It stays here.
Max Verstappen: Thanks.
***
Group Chat: Paddock Girlies
(Members: Alexandra Saint Mleux, Rebecca Donaldson, Lily Zneimer, Flavy Barla, Kika Gomes, Lily Muni He, Alicia Torriani, Isabella Bernadini)
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Okay.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: I have been told something.
Kika Gomes: That sentence never ends well.
Rebecca Donaldson: Who told you something?
Alexandra Saint Mleux: I cannot reveal my sources.
Flavy Barla: Charles.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: I cannot reveal Charles.
Flavy Barla: 😭
Lily Zneimer: What happened?
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Apparently Ana got threats.
Kika Gomes: What?
Rebecca Donaldson: What kind of threats?
Alexandra Saint Mleux: I don’t know everything.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: And I don’t think we’re supposed to know everything.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: But serious enough that Max asked the drivers to keep an eye on her this weekend.
Flavy Barla: Oh my God.
Alicia Torriani: Is she okay?
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Physically, yes.That is basically all Charles would tell me after he realised he had already told me too much.
Flavy Barla: Classic.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: He literally said, “Actually, I probably shouldn’t have told you that.”
Rebecca Donaldson: After telling you.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Yes.
Kika Gomes: Pierre told me there was “a situation” and then refused to elaborate.
Flavy Barla: Oh so they ALL know.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Apparently Max told the drivers because Ana is coming to COTA and he isn’t.
Lily Zneimer: And he’s worried about her.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Very.
Rebecca Donaldson: Okay.
Rebecca Donaldson: Put her in here.
Kika Gomes: Exactly what I was thinking.
Lily Zneimer: Does Ana even know this chat exists?
Alicia Torriani: Does she WANT to be in a WAG group chat?
Rebecca Donaldson: Irrelevant.
Lily Zneimer: Rebecca 😭
Rebecca Donaldson: She is engaged. She is dating a driver. She is at a race without him. Someone threatened her. She qualifies.
Isabella Bernadini: That sounded like an immigration assessment.
Rebecca Donaldson: I stand by it.
Kika Gomes: Also the internet currently thinks she might be engaged to every guy under the sun.
Rebecca Donaldson: Put her in the chat before Twitter marries her to Bernie Ecclestone.
Kika Gomes: REBECCA.
Rebecca Donaldson: There is precedent for age gaps in that family apparently.
Lily Muni He: STOP.
Alicia Torriani: Does anyone actually have Ana’s number?
Alexandra Saint Mleux: I do.
Rebecca Donaldson: Add Ana.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Shouldn’t we ask her first?
Kika Gomes: No.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Kika.
Kika Gomes: She’ll say no.
Flavy Barla: She absolutely will.
Lily Zneimer: She’ll say something like: “Thank you, but I do not believe participation is necessary.”
Rebecca Donaldson: Exactly. So we remove the decision.
Alicia Torriani: This feels ethically questionable.
Rebecca Donaldson: She can leave.
Lily Zneimer: She won’t.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: How do you know?
Lily Zneimer: Because leaving a group chat is socially confrontational and Ana seems like she would rather calculate orbital mechanics by hand than create unnecessary social conflict.
Lily Muni He: That is frighteningly convincing.
Flavy Barla: Add her.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Wait.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Before we do—
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Nobody asks about the threats.
Rebecca Donaldson: Obviously.
Lily Zneimer: Agreed.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Nobody asks who sent them.
Kika Gomes: Yes.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Nobody tells her we know unless she brings it up.
Flavy Barla: Yes.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: And nobody treats her like she needs babysitting.
Rebecca Donaldson: We are not babysitting her.
Rebecca Donaldson: We are aggressively befriending her.
Lily Zneimer: Much better.
Kika Gomes: Can we subtly make sure she isn’t alone though?
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Yes.
Lily Muni He: That we can do.
Flavy Barla: Coffee.
Alicia Torriani: Lunch.
Rebecca Donaldson: Dinner.
Lily Zneimer: This is beginning to sound like a custody schedule.
Kika Gomes: Perfect.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Absolutely not.
Rebecca Donaldson: Max asked people to keep an eye on her.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: He asked the DRIVERS.
Rebecca Donaldson: And look how efficiently that worked.
Kika Gomes: We found out within twelve minutes.
Flavy Barla: Actually an argument against trusting them with anything.
Flavy Barla: 😭😭😭
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Fine.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: I’m adding her.
Alexandra added Anastasia Wolff to the group.
Ana Wolff: Hello.
Kika Gomes: HI ❤️
Flavy Barla: Hi Ana!!!
Lily Zneimer: Hello 🤍
Rebecca Donaldson: Welcome.
Lily Muni He: Hi Ana ❤️
Alicia Torriani: Hi!!
Isabella Bernadini: Welcome 🤍
Ana Wolff: Thank you.
Ana Wolff: Why am I here?
Rebecca Donaldson: You’re engaged.
Ana Wolff: Yes.
Rebecca Donaldson: Therefore you qualify.
Ana Wolff: For what?
Rebecca Donaldson: This.
Ana Wolff: I do not understand.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: It’s just our chat. Race weekends, dinners, gossip, emergencies, borrowing clothes, complaining about men.
Ana Wolff: I work with most of your men.
Rebecca Donaldson: Excellent. Inside information.
Ana Wolff: I am bound by confidentiality agreements.
Kika Gomes: 😭
Flavy Barla: She thought Rebecca was serious.
Ana Wolff: Was she not?
Rebecca Donaldson: A little.
Ana Wolff: Then my response remains applicable.
Lily Zneimer: Perfect.
Ana Wolff: Also, technically, I am not a WAG.
Kika Gomes: Oh my God.
Flavy Barla: Here we go.
Rebecca Donaldson: You are literally engaged to a Formula One driver.
Ana Wolff: That is not public information.
Rebecca Donaldson: Noted.
Ana Wolff: Also, I am employed by the team he is joining.
Lily Muni He: Still counts.
Ana Wolff: I was here first.
Kika Gomes: You can be both.
Ana Wolff: Was this Max’s idea?
Kika Gomes: It was girl power.
Ana Wolff: That does not explain anything.
Lily Zneimer: You have been forcibly adopted.
Ana Wolff: I see. Why?
Alexandra Saint Mleux: No reason.
Ana Wolff: That is statistically unlikely.
Rebecca Donaldson: She has been here twelve seconds.
Flavy Barla: 😭
Ana Wolff: Did one of the drivers tell you about the threats?
The chat is silent for twenty-three seconds.
Ana Wolff: I will interpret the silence as yes.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Charles has no operational security. Max mentioned it in a group chat. Charles can’t keep his mouth shut. So we thought you should be in here.
Ana Wolff: That is very kind.
Kika Gomes: Also we are having lunch tomorrow. Come with us.
Rebecca Donaldson: Yes.
Flavy Barla: Please ❤️
Lily Muni He: We can go somewhere quiet.
Isabella Bernadini: And somewhere security is comfortable with.
Ana Wolff: That is extremely sweet of you all, but I have lunch with engineering when I am at race weekends. And
Ana Wolff: However.
Ana Wolff: Alexandra?
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Yes?
Ana Wolff: Could you potentially sneak me into Ferrari hospitality for approximately fifteen minutes after lunch?
Rebecca Donaldson: EXCUSE ME.
Kika Gomes: SPY.
Flavy Barla: Traitor.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: 😂😂😂
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Probably. Why?
Ana Wolff: I have a gift for Lewis.
Lily Zneimer: Okay that is unexpectedly wholesome.
Ana Wolff: I may also ask Nico Rosberg to come.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: I need significantly more information.
Ana Wolff: Roscoe died several weeks ago. So I made Lewis a photobook.It contains photographs from throughout Roscoe's life. I had it professionally bound. Nico helped.
Rebecca Donaldson: NICO HELPED??
Ana Wolff: Yes. I asked him to review the draft.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Why Nico?
Ana Wolff: Because I am not particularly good at emotional communication.Nico is.
Rebecca Donaldson: That's… actually really lovely.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Wait. You said you're not good at emotional communication.
Ana Wolff: Correct. I am autistic. I process social situations differently from neurotypical people.
Rebecca Donaldson: Thank you for telling us.
Kika Gomes: Can I ask something? Only if you don't mind.
Ana Wolff: Of course.
Kika Gomes: You always seem… so good with people, though.
Ana Wolff: I am really not. I just had practice. I spent eight years in therapy. It mostly involved flashcards.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Flashcards?
Ana Wolff: Faces. People smiling. Frowning. Looking uncomfortable. Confused. Ashamed. Embarrassed. Interested.The therapist would ask me what they were feeling. I usually did not know. Eventually I became slightly better.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: So now...?
Ana Wolff: Now I calculate.
Kika Gomes: Calculate?
Ana Wolff: Mostly unconsciously. People's eyebrows. Eyes. Jaw. Tone of voice. Context. Probability. After enough practice it became reasonably fast.
Lily Zneimer: You literally analyse facial expressions?
Ana Wolff: Yes. I cannot reliably "just know" like most people. That’s why I had Nico check the photobook.
Rebecca Donaldson: Ana… That must be so tiring.
Ana Wolff: It is. But it’s normal for me.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Is that why you always seem...So composed?
Ana Wolff: Partially. Masking is easier if one has scripts.
Lily Muni He: Scripts?
Ana Wolff: Appropriate responses. Eye contact duration. Expected facial expressions. Conversation order. I have become quite good at appearing normal.
Ana Wolff: At least I believe I did.
Kika Gomes: You absolutely do.
Rebecca Donaldson: Did people...not understand when you were younger?
Ana Wolff: Many people thought I was rude. Or cold. Or strange. Or frightening. Some preferred "crazy."
Rebecca Donaldson: People are awful.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: I'm so sorry.
Ana Wolff: It was a long time ago. I do not really mask with Max. It is...peaceful. If I think something, I generally say it. He never minded if it’s blunt. He usually says something equally blunt back.
Kika Gomes: 😂
Ana Wolff: It is remarkably efficient.
Rebecca Donaldson: That's the part you like??
Ana Wolff: Yes. There is very little ambiguity. If he is annoyed, he says he is annoyed. If he is happy, he says he is happy. If he wants a hug, he requests one. If I require silence, I say so. There is very little guessing.
Lily Muni He: That actually sounds… Really healthy.
Ana Wolff: I think so. I enjoy existing around him.
Kika Gomes: That might be the most romantic sentence anyone has ever written.
Ana Wolff: Really?
Rebecca Donaldson: Ana. Honey. Yes.
Ana Wolff: Interesting.
Ana Wolff: I shall inform Max that my wording exceeded expectations.
Alexandra Saint Mleux: Please don't phrase it like a laboratory report.
Ana Wolff: Noted. (I will probably phrase it like a laboratory report.)
***
Text Messages: Dr. Anastasia “Ana” Wolff & Max Verstappen
Ana: Question.
Max: Yes?
Ana: Did you tell all of the Formula One drivers about the threats?
Max: ...
Max: Maybe.
Ana: Max Emilian Verstappen.
Max: I didn't tell them details.
Ana: Max.You informed nineteen Formula One drivers that I have received death threats.
Max: I asked them to keep an eye on you.
Ana: I have Nikolai.
Max: I know.
Ana: Mercedes security.
Max: I know.
Ana: Papa.
Max: I know.
Ana: The police.
Max: I know.
Ana: Then why?
Max: Because I couldn't be there.And because I trust them.
Max: I didn't want you walking around by yourself if I couldn't be next to you.
Max: Lewis said they'd keep it quiet. Charles too.
Ana: That was kind of you.
Max: You're not angry?
Ana: No.
Max: Congratulations by the way.
Ana: For what?
Max: Twitter is trying to figure out your mysterious fiancée.
Ana: Fiancée?
Max: Apparently they've realised they've been assuming you're marrying a man with absolutely no evidence.
Ana: That is statistically fair.
Max: Want to know the options?
Ana: Obviously.
Max: David Coulthard.
Ana: ...
Ana: Oh.
Max: Oh?
Ana: He did try to flirt with me once.
Max: WHAT.
Ana: I think.
Max: YOU THINK??
Ana: It was not entirely explicit.
Max: NASTYA.
Ana: There was a gala in Monaco. Perhaps 2021. We discussed historical racing helmets.
Ana: He approached me. Initiated conversation. Asked questions. Maintained eye contact. Statistically that usually indicates interest beyond technical discussion.
Max: WHY DID THIS HAPPEN.
Ana: I do not believe he recognised me.
Max: Recognised you as...?
Ana: Papa's daughter.
Ana: We had been speaking for approximately four minutes. Then Papa arrived.
Max: Go on.
Ana: Papa interrupted. David learned my surname. He became noticeably uncomfortable.
Max: 😂😂😂😂😂
Ana: Then Papa informed him that I was his daughter.
Max: OH MY GOD.
Ana: David left rather quickly. I later informed Papa that David appeared uncomfortable.
Max: 😂😂😂
Ana: Papa replied, "Good."
Max: THAT SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE TOTO.
Ana: Yes.
Max: Did he actually flirt with you?
Ana: It is possible he was simply unusually interested in helmet homologation.
Max: David Coulthard has many interests. I don't think helmet homologation is number one.
Ana: Noted.
Max: I don't know whether to laugh or be offended.
Ana: Why offended?
Max: Because apparently retired F1 drivers are trying to chat you up at galas.
Ana: Only one. Potentially.
Max: ONLY ONE??
Ana: That I noticed.
Max: THAT YOU NOTICED???
Ana: Correct.
Max: NASTYA.
Ana: Yes?
Max: Do you have any idea how pretty you are?
Ana: Not particularly.
Max: Nastya.
Ana: Yes?
Max: Men have definitely flirted with you before.
Ana: That seems plausible.
Max: AND YOU JUST… DIDN'T NOTICE?
Ana: Frequently.
Max: Jesus Christ.
Ana: Unless they state their intentions directly, it is difficult to distinguish flirting from friendliness. You were comparatively straightforward.
Max: Comparatively?
Ana: Your opening strategy involved horrificially bad pick up lines. That was sufficiently unusual to suggest ulterior motives.
Ana: You also asked me to have dinner with you. Then breakfast. It was efficient.
Max: I love the way your brain works.
***
Text Messages: Unknown Number & Dr. Anastasia “Ana” Wolff
Unknown Number: Take it off.
Unknown Number: The ring.Take it off.
Unknown Number: You look ridiculous.
Unknown Number: You really expect anyone to believe this?
Unknown Number: No man wants you.Nobody has ever wanted you.
Unknown Number: Your father bought you a ring because he is embarrassed.
Unknown Number: Or maybe you bought it yourself.That sounds like you.
Unknown Number: Creating evidence for something that never happened.
Unknown Number: Tell them the truth.
Unknown Number: Tell them nobody proposed.Tell them you are lying again.
Unknown Number: You lied about me.You lied about what happened.
Unknown Number: Who is he?
Unknown Number: Tell me his name.
Unknown Number: Answer me. You do not get to ignore me after everything.
I gave you chance after chance. I tried to help you. I was patient with you when nobody else would have been.
Unknown Number: Did he touch you?
Unknown Number: Did you let him touch you?
Unknown Number: I want to know who thinks he can touch what belongs to me.
Unknown Number: End it.Whatever arrangement this is, end it.
Unknown Number: You are humiliating yourself.
Unknown Number: You are humiliating me.
Unknown Number: He will leave when he understands what you are.
Unknown Number: They always do.
Unknown Number: You are cold.You are broken.You cannot love anyone normally.
Unknown Number: No man chooses that forever.
Unknown Number: He loves the mask.
Unknown Number: He has never seen you without it.
Unknown Number: I will always find a way to reach you.
Unknown Number: You cannot hide behind your father. You cannot hide behind Mercedes.
Unknown Number: Tell me his name.
Unknown Number: I want to know who thinks he can take what is mine.
Unknown Number: He will leave when he understands you.
Unknown Number: No man could actually love you. He wants your name. Or your father’s money. Or access to Mercedes.
Unknown Number: He will hate the silence. He will hate the way you stare. He will hate having to explain basic human feelings to you.
Unknown Number: He will leave.
Unknown Number: I would not have left.
Unknown Number: You did this.
Unknown Number: You made everything happen.
Unknown Number: If you had listened to me none of this would have happened.
Unknown Number: Take the ring off. Post that it was a misunderstanding. Tell them the engagement is over. Then I may forgive you.
Unknown Number: You are mine.
Unknown Number: Do you understand?
Unknown Number: Mine.
Unknown Number: Not his. You cannot marry him. I will not allow it.
Unknown Number: If I cannot have you, nobody will.
Unknown Number: You have until the end of the weekend to correct this. Or I am going to make sure that there isn’t going to be a wedding. Because the groom won’t be alive anymore.
***
