MAX'S URGE TO SHOVE his sister out of the apartment grows with the second she's present. The moment she closes the door, Max bursts out in command.
"Alright, guys," he announces and all men grow silent. "We have to work fast." He divides the tasks before the decorating starts. He sets up George, Esteban, Daniil, and Lewis for the decorations. Artemis, Sergio, Alex, and Kevin are blowing balloons. Sebastian, Antonio, Romain, Kimi, and Pierre are busy with the food and drinks. Lando and Carlos are working together on the banner. Lando is writing in huge letters while Carlos watches from afar.
"You should have started more to the left," Carlos criticizes. Lando glances over his shoulder and says: "Leave me alone. I know what I'm doing." Lando fixes his attention on the banner while Carlos crosses his arms over his chest. He silently judges his teammate and taps his foot while waiting. Lando quickly meets the end of the banner as he still needs to write 'lilah'. He curses under his breath and continues to write her name underneath 'De'.
     "Okay, you were right," he admits muttering. "I can't change it, the damage is done already and we don't have time to redo it." Lando meets his friend's gaze and notices a sly grin on his face.
     "Let's get it up in the air," Carlos grins. "I'm sure she doesn't mind." He reaches for the end of the banner and waits for Lando to grab the other end.
"It's the effort that counts," Artemis adds. She blows another balloon while watching the two put up the banner. Max's eyes linger on the banner and fails to suppress a chuckle.
"Did Lando write it?" he questions. Lando shakes his head in disbelief. Max clasps Lando on his shoulder, telling him he did a great job.
"Thank you that someone tells me I did a great job," Lando says. He looks at Carlos, only to receive a stuck-out tongue. Much time to bicker they don't have because Charles texts they are in the elevator.
"Guys, they are on their way!" Pierre calls out. All eyes turn to Max, waiting for his last command.
"It's lights out and hide away we go," Max grins. The men start to hide behind walls, chairs, or the couch. Max switches the light off and the apartment goes dark. A few are whispering and chuckling.
"Daniel, shut it!" Artemis whisper yells. "Yes, ma'am!" Daniel whisper yells in return. All they need to do is wait until the lights switch on.

Delilah watches Charles on his phone. He seems to text someone, not that it is any of her business. She averts her eyes and glances around the elevator. Charles sends the message that they are in the elevator and stows his phone away in his back pocket.
     "How does Monaco leave its impression?" Charles questions genuinely interested. He watches Delilah turn her attention to him. He feels a heat creeping up his neck as he meets her gaze.
     "Hot," Delilah chuckles. Charles' eyebrows furrow as he confusingly tilts his head. "Compared to the Netherlands ... Then Monaco is pretty hot in temperature." The ohh Monegasque's confusion draws from his face as he forms a new question: "How is the weather in the Netherlands?" Delilah rolls her eyes at his question, she chuckles and shakes her head.
     "How to put it... A woman has her mood swings during her menstruation. The weather is like a woman on her period," Delilah explains bitterly. "One hour, the sun is shining but the other hour, it is snowing." Charles' eyebrows rise as he draws a surprised expression.
     "So, it keeps changing during the day?" Charles questions. The elevator dings before opening its doors. The gentleman Charles is, he gestures for Delilah to go first. She nods in appreciation and continues answering his question
"It keeps changing like a kid throwing tantrums or something." He laughs as they reach Max's apartment. His laughter dies away, suddenly remembering what is about to happen. Delilah uses the key to open the door, noticing it is awfully dark.
     "Why is it so dark in here? I thought you were having a party," Delilah says confused. Charles hums and hurries past her to fit into the surprise. Her hand searches the light switch and turns the light on.
     "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" The men cheer and jump from their hiding place.
     "YAA!" Delilah yells startled by the sudden element of surprise. George and Pierre set off the confetti canons as Delilah takes in the living room. Her eyes linger on every man, and Artemis, before noticing the banner;

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DE
                                            LILAH

They have put up a surprise party. For her. A woman they don't know. Delilah puts her hand to her mouth as her eyes gaze around the room.
     "The cake!" Sergio announces. Several men step aside and Delilah's attention is drawn to the cake. She shifted her eyes to the person carrying that cake and ... It was the last person she expected to be here.
     "Unnie?!" Delilah gasps in disbelief. Victoria wears a wide smile and her eyes twinkle. She is glad to finally reveal her presence. "When did you get here?" Delilah screeches. Victoria sets the cake aside to embrace her little sister in a tight hug.
     "A few hours ago," she grins. "Happy birthday, Jeonghwa." She distances herself to look Delilah in the eyes.
     "You are unbelievable," Delilah says before turning to every man and Artemis. "As are all of you!" Some grin and some chuckle.
     "Max let it slip about your stay in Monaco," Artemis speaks. "And—"
     "Max straight up told you, Art. Don't lie," Daniel interrupts soundly with a wide smile gracing his lips. All eyes shift between the Aussie and the Austrian.
     "That's not the point, Daniel," Artemis dismisses. "And he told me about your birthday."
     "Then Art told me," George continues to speak. "And then I told Nicholas."
     "And I told Alex," Nicholas continues.
     "And I told Lando and Charles," Alex continues.
     "And they told everyone," Max laughs. All eyes turn to Lando and Charles who chuckle nervously and scratch behind their heads.
     "So, we came up with a birthday slash welcome party," Daniel smiles.
"You really shouldn't have," Delilah replies humbly. "It was enough of a gift to travel to Monaco." "Don't be ridiculous," Artemis says. "You'll love it here." Delilah meets Charles' eyes and blushes at the wink he sends her.

"Before we cut the cake," Max says and he gestures to Lando. Delilah's eyes follow Max's gesture to see Lando. He has a package in his hands. A present.
     "Since you are new to the sport," Lando speaks. That is not true, Delilah thinks but she doesn't want to burst his bubble. "Most of us have put our effort into this." He hands over the present which Delilah receives with both of her hands.
     "You shouldn't have," Delilah sighs. She gracefully but effectively rips off the wrapper to reveal a book. A hardcover book with Max's Red Bull on the cover. "How to survive F1 with us," Delilah reads and laughs. "Is it that bad with you?" Her comment stirs a burst of laughter among the men.
     "However, it is so sweet that you have put your time into this," she continues. "Thank you all so much."

"Just curious, who directed this? The main author?" All the attention shifts to Lando who sends Delilah a humble smile.
     "I couldn't have done this alone," he defends. "Artemis and I put together the book after everyone wrote what they wished to write."
     "But you made it happen, Lando," Artemis counters. "Without you, we wouldn't have put this together." Delilah leaves through the book and simply enjoys the scent of fresh paper. The corner is decorated with a simple but natural design.
     "I bet Artemis did this," Delilah deducts, "no man does this." "Guilty," Artemis smiles.
     "It looks beautiful," she says, finally closing the book, "I will definitely read this. Thank you." All drivers smile and nod. "Is it now time for cake?" Delilah asks, causing some laughter among the men.
     Max laughs as well, "Yes it is now time for cake." Delilah carries the cake to the kitchen where she starts to cut it into pieces. Artemis follows Delilah to the kitchen to help with the cake. She quickly leaves the kitchen with plates.

Charles is the next one to enter the kitchen.
"Happy Birthday," he smiles. Delilah glances to her left to see the Monegasque leaning against the cupboard, his hands in his pockets. He pushes off the cupboard and draws a flat box out of his pocket. Charles watches Delilah's eyes shift to the box in his hands and back to his eyes.
"What are you doing?" Delilah questions suspiciously. Charles casually shrugs, reasoning: "It is your birthday, isn't it? Presents belong to a birthday."
"You don't know me, Charles," Delilah continues nervously. It doesn't break Charles' spirits while he reasons: "I would love to get to know you. See this as a birthday present but also as a token of the start of a friendship." The woman puts down the knife, knowing she will not leave this kitchen without accepting his gift.
"You don't take no for an answer, do you?" she questions with a slight smile. A proud smile graces his lips as he shakes his head. "Alright, Mr 'I don't take no for an answer'," Delilah mutters. She accepts his gift and unties the ribbon of the box. Charles watches in suspense as she lifts the lid. It feels like forever but finally, the lid lifts properly. He hears her gasp and focuses on her facial expressions.
     "You shouldn't have, Charles," Delilah breathes. She holds the silver necklace in her hands and glances at the small pendant, a clover. Charles gently takes the necklace out of her hands and gestures for her to turn around. Delilah grabs her hair and turns around. She feels the cold metal against her skin as Charles clasps it around her neck.
     "It's beautiful, Charles. Thank you," she says. She wraps her around his neck and tiptoes. Charles smiles and wraps his arms around her waist.
     "I'm glad you like it," he whispers in her ear. His breath fans her neck and he notices small goosebumps on her skin. He smirks as he grabs several plates with cake and hurries out of the kitchen, leaving Delilah stunned behind. Her hand reaches for her neck, the place where Charles' breath had fanned her skin.
It took her a moment to move. She brings out the final plates before actually joining the party.

As Delilah sat down on the rail of the couch, Daniel took the opportunity to start a conversation.
"So, do you know anything about Formula One?" he asks genuinely interested. Delilah looks down at the Aussie.
"I followed Max since he began at Torro Rosso," she says. "Watched all of his races but only for Max you know. I mean, I know your name, just like some others, but if you start talking about compounds ... No clue." Daniel nods and smiles.
"Why didn't you visit one of Max's races?" he continues to ask. "If that is okay for me to ask." She gently sends him a smile and answers his question.
"I was still in college back then and our mother got sick," she mutters. "So, I was the only one who could take off her, together with Vi ... And that drained my energy." Daniel nods understanding.
"Two years later, she died. I fell into a black hole or something, but my best friend supported me," she says. "Once Max knew about my health, he made sure to travel me to Monaco."
"I'm so sorry to hear that," Daniel apologizes.
"It's okay, you know," Delilah smiles, "I knew she loved us. I knew she fought. I knew she died a hero."
"Beautifully said," Daniel smiles. He grabs her around the waist and pulls her off the rail, falling onto him.
Delilah shrieked, but it soon turned into laughter.

"Max, go to bed," Delilah chuckles as she catches Max yawning for the fifth time this evening. Most of the drivers have left by this time since they need to drive tomorrow.
"I can handle this," Delilah yawns. Max nods as he glances at the group, "see you tomorrow."
"I'm going as well or Christian won't be pleased with me," Alex chuckles.
"It was nice meeting you, Alex," Delilah smiles, "and I'll see you tomorrow."
"Positive," he smiles and leaves the apartment as well.
"I'm going as well," Artemis says. "My arm hurts." Delilah laughs as she says, "Totally understandable. Don't worry." Artemis turns to Charles and winks. 'Payback,' she mouths. Charles pinches the bridge of his nose, knowing when they did this to George and Artemis.
"I love you too, Art," Charles comments sarcastically.
Artemis turns to Delilah, "I will see you many times." Delilah gives Artemis a hug, "of course." After that, both Artemis and George leave.

Charles is the last man standing as Delilah lets herself fall onto the couch with a sigh.
"Everything alright?" Charles asks. "Yeah," she answers, chuckling, "but I met like, 15 drivers tonight and it was my first day in Monaco. Quite overwhelming." Charles nods and chuckles, "I understand."
"You should probably go," Delilah yawns. "Busy day tomorrow."
"Are you going to clean this all up by yourself? I don't think so," Charles says and starts to collect cans and cups.
"No, Charles," she complains. "You don't have to:"
"The less you complain, the earlier we are done, the earlier I'm gone," he smirks. Delilah opens her mouth to speak but she closes it and purses her lips. "Okay."

Within half an hour, Charles stood in the hallway. "See?" he smirks. Delilah rolls her eyes as she nudges Charles' shoulder.
"Thanks a lot, though," Delilah smiles.
"It was the least I could do," he smiles. "And you looked really good tonight. I just wanted to say that." Delilah's ears are heated at the compliment as a shy smile graces her lips.
"Thank you," she smiles. "You didn't look bad yourself." The Monegasque smiles, showing his famous dimples. A warm feeling flares in his chest.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Delilah," he smiles.
"Goodnight, Charles." She stands at the door, waiting for him to disappear before closing the door. Closing the door feels like closing the day because it has been one hell of a day. The exhaustion hits her like a slap in the face. She couldn't have been faster with her night routine because she yearned for her bed.
She switches off the lights and closes the door of her bedroom. She lies down in bed and shortly spends time on her phone. She reacts to birthday wishes and watches Instagram posts dedicated to her. There she sees it, a photo of her and Max at the circuit.

DELILAH HAS ARRIVED!

She observed the photo for a moment before dismissing it. This will be part of her life if she wants to stay in the Formula One world. She puts away her phone and closes her eyes.
Sleep came to escort her to the lands of Dreams.