Prologue
Victoria has never seen her brother in such emotional turmoil before. He’d knocked on her door a few minutes ago looking completely lost. She immediately knew he needed a drink and promptly poured him a stiff gin and tonic. He sat down opposite her and took a large swallow from the glass.
She watched him closely. He looked terrible. The stubble on his face was more than a few days old and his eyes stared at nothing in particular. Her heartbeat accelerated slightly. She was used to Max being strong, solid and in complete control of his life and emotions. The man sitting across from her was the complete opposite.
“Max, what’s going on? Talk to me, please!”
For a moment it seemed as though he didn’t hear her. He slowly turned his gaze towards her. “I’m fucked, Vic. Completely and utterly fucked” he whispered hoarsely.
Victoria was taken aback. “What do you mean? What happened? Did you and Kelly have a fight?” she asked as countless possibilities ran through her mind.
Max shook his head slowly. “No, Kelly and I are ok. Don’t know when was the last time we fought.”
“Did Red Bull fire you?” she asked, holding her breath.
He gave a mirthless laugh and shook his head. “No, it’s nothing like that.”
“Then what is it? You look terrible. I’ve never seen you like this … not even when you’ve had the worst hangover.”
Max looked down, twirling the drink in his glass and watched the ice cubes clink against the glass. His mind was running at a thousand miles an hour. At times he thought he was in the grips of a dream. But he knew the truth. He needed someone to talk to. He had no idea how or where to begin.
Victoria watched the play of emotions on his face. If only he would tell her what was wrong! She knew her brother very well. They were close even though they didn’t see the other that often. The fact that he was there told her that he wouldn’t have flown all the way from Monaco for something insignificant.
“Max? Hey, you know you can tell me anything, right? I might not always understand but I can try” she whispered as she sat down next to her brother and took his hand in hers. It was cold to the touch.
She tried to think what could possibly be wrong. As far as she knew he and Kelly’s relationship was solid, he was the proud father of a beautiful baby girl and his career was flourishing. She couldn’t think of a single reason, no matter how outlandish, that could explain her brother’s behaviour.
He squeezed her hand, turning to face her. His eyes searched hers. “I don’t know what to do, Vic. I’ve been thinking, wracking my brain to try to figure it out but the answers are escaping me. It’s so fucking frustrating!”
“Whatever it is, Max, you can talk to me. I’m your sister and I’ll try to help” she said gently.
Max closed his eyes and swallowed against the sudden tightness at the back of his throat. He has always prided himself of being the master of his destiny and now life has thrown him a curveball he never saw coming.
“Where do I even begin?” he said and wiped over his face.
Victoria gently squeezed his hand. “At the beginning. That way it would probably make more sense.”
“I met someone, Vic” he said and finished the last of his drink.
She was taken aback and for a fleeting moment couldn’t think how to respond. She recovered quickly.
“But … you and Kelly? I thought you were happy and …”
Max interrupted. “We are … at least that’s what I thought.”
“What do you mean?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “I mean, I should be content, right? We’re in a long-term relationship, we have a child together and my career is at its best. I lack nothing. I mean; what more could I possibly want?”
“You’re right … but?”
Max shook his head. “I’ve had this weird feeling the last couple of weeks. I can’t really put it in words, but it’s almost as if I’m aware of something different … like I’m waiting for something big to happen. What exactly I have no idea. I first thought it might be the uncertainty of the new season with all the new rules and regulations. But it wasn’t that. I had a sense it was on a more personal level.”
Victoria nodded in understanding. “And you think it has to do with this person you’ve met?”
“I know it is because when I looked into her eyes it was as if time stood completely still. It sounds so soppy, such a cliche, but it was like that. At that moment it felt like it was meant to be … like destiny, you know?”
She nodded. His words have alarmed her. Never before, not even in her wildest imagination did she ever think that Max would meet someone that has such an impact on him. Something told her it was far more serious than she could think. She had no idea how she was going to help him, if at all, but she would support him as much as she could. He was her brother after all. And she loved him fiercely.
“Before you tell me the rest of the story, I’m going to refill our glasses. I have an idea that the both of us are going to need the extra bit of courage.”
Max watched his sister disappear to the kitchen to pour their drinks. He looked at his hands. They were shaking slightly. He clenched his fists in order to get his emotions under control. He knew his sister wouldn’t judge. She was one of the most unselfish people he knew, and yet, he felt a sense of panic at the thought of sharing his innermost feelings with someone else.
He took a deep, calming breath and slowly released it. Since that fateful meeting a few days ago, he’s been walking around with a dull ache at the pit of his stomach. Hopefully, once he’s bared his soul, he will feel a little better.
Victoria returned a few moments later, handed him his drink and sat down next to him. She got comfortable, tucked her feet beneath her and looked at him steadily.
“All right, big brother. I’m ready. Tell me what it is that is obviously so important that you flew all the way here to talk to me. I won’t judge. I’m here for you …” she said softly and put her hand on his arm reassuringly, hoping he’ll understand.
Max nodded slowly. “Before I begin … please keep your questions until I’m finished. I promise to answer them all if I can …”
