L is for Love ♡ Lando Norris

38 | Turn back time

♪
Daniel Schulz - Turn Back Time:
'If I could turn back time and make it all alright, only a piece of you and me will keep me warm all night. If I could turn back time and rewrite every line, if I only could, but baby, I can't'

W A R N I N G: aggressive behaviour and language

The calm of being at home alone with Lando for the first week of them living together, quickly shifted into a busy schedule because of the Russian Grand Prix this weekend. Lexi had unpacked all of her suitcases and boxes and was feeling right at home with him already and she couldn't wait to get back to their little happy place after this race and Singapore next week. It was Friday, Lando had just finished his first free practice and Lexi was editing some photos in the hospitality area when Charlotte walked over to her and sat down at her table with a big sigh. "The media is going crazy. They all want to know if you two are back together and if you have moved in with him". She said and Lexi giggled. She knew this was going to happen after the picture she posted on her Instagram when she moved out of her parents' house and Lando had made the mistake to post an IG Story with her voice in the background once before he quickly deleted it.

"I think Lando would agree on confirming both of those statements. It's already out there anyway. Saying yes would be much easier than to keep on denying it". Lexi said and Charlotte nodded before she stood up to meet the masses of media outside the hospitality again. Lexi felt her phone vibrate on the table next to her and smiled when she saw a picture of Lando, just chilling in his driver's room. She decided to get up and go visit him, she could always work from there. On her way over Lexi spotted a tall man with dark hair in the distance and her heart clenched together when a faint feeling of recognition washed over her. She couldn't see his face because he was that far away, but Lexi felt the tension rise in her chest. She quickly made her way over to Lando's driver trailer and she was happy he opened the door after she knocked.

"Hey baby, that's a nice surprise!" Lando said when he pulled her inside by her hand. He planted a soft kiss on her forehead before she leaned down to place her bag on the floor. "Yeah, I thought I could join you for your lunch break and edit in here". She opened her bag, pulled out her laptop and took a seat at the desk in the room where Jon would usually sit. "How did your first run go?" Lexi asked and they talked about their morning adventures while Lando finished his sandwich. "Charlotte came to see me about something by the way". Lexi spoke up and she told him about the questions the press had been asking and that she told Charlotte she could confirm the statements about them living together. Lando nodded and he moved to a chair near her to place his arms around her waist. "That's fine baby, a lot of people knew already anyway.." He said and Lexi looked at him smiling. They spend the rest of the hour chatting until it was time for Lando to get back to the garage. "I'll see you later, okay?" He asked before he kissed her goodbye. "Be careful, baby". Lexi said and focused her eyes on the screen again when he left.

Lexi had been taking some more pictures around the track when the second practice was in full swing and she wanted to head back to the garage for when the drivers were getting back. She walked behind all the team buildings when she suddenly felt someone pull her between two trailers. "Hey princess, I'm back". She heard a man's voice whisper in her ear and when she glanced up she looked straight into Mark's eyes. Lexi started to panic and tried to squirm her way out of his grip but once again, he was too strong. She felt his fingers move up to her face and a wave of nausea spread through her stomach when he caressed her cheeks. Lexi felt herself freeze up and she couldn't move anymore. "L-Let me go, please.." She said softly while the first tear rolled from her eyes. "I just want to talk to you for a second. You don't think I was just going to let you get away with getting me fired, do you?" He said while his breath ghosted over her face with every word he said. "But luckily I found a job at another magazine, so I will be here every.. single.. race weekend to see you". His nose brushed against her cheek between every word he spoke and Lexi almost threw up all over him right there.

She thought about her next move for a while before she finally found the courage to do it. Lexi turned her torso with a huge force so her elbow would hit him in the stomach, which made him let go of her shoulders. She kicked her heel on his toes before she turned to plant her knee in his groin and quickly ran away when she saw him fall on the ground in pain. Lexi had never run this fast in her life. She made her way over to the McLaren hospitality and found the bathroom to empty her stomach. The tears were falling silently from her face and she still hadn't regained her breath when she heard someone knock on the door. "Lexi? Are you okay? I saw you run in, what's going on?" She heard Charlotte say and Lexi turned around to slowly open the door. Charlotte let out a gasp when she saw her sitting on the floor in front of the toilet with her arms around her legs, rocking back and forth. "Come on, let's get you somewhere a little quieter". She said before she wrapped her arm around Lexi and lifted her to her feet. 

Charlotte opened the door to Lando's driver room and sat Lexi down on a comfortable chair in the corner. "What happened?" She asked when she took a seat in front of her. "H-H-He's.." Lexi started but her breath was still out of control, so she could barely talk. She took a deep breath before she spoke up again. "He's here again". That was all she said. Charlotte knew about what happened with Mark, Daniel had told her a few weeks ago. "You mean the guy that attacked you in Belgium?" She asked and Lexi nodded. "He found another job at an m-magazine and he said he will be here every s-single race weekend to s-see me". She said before she told her what he did to her a few minutes ago. Charlotte thought for a while before she took her phone from her skirt pocket. She called a few people, including Jon, Lando's trainer and told them what happened. Lexi didn't mind, she just wanted him to go away and never come to an F1 paddock again. "It's taken care of, the security will escort him from the property as soon as they see him". Charlotte said and Lexi gave her a hug to thank her. At the same time, the door swung open en Lando stormed into the room.

"Lex, are you okay?" He asked while he moved over to her. Charlotte left the room to give them some privacy and Lexi finally comprehended what had happened. She burst into tears and fell against Lando's chest while sobbing hysterically. He held her head and rocked her to comfort her. He didn't speak, he just let her cry as long as she needed to. When Lexi had calmed down a little, she told him everything that had happened. From getting a weird feeling when she spotted a tall man this morning, to him pulling her between the trailers and her kicking him in the groin. Lando was so proud of her for doing that and kissed her forehead to reassure her he was there. He called Jon to ask for an update a little while later and he told him he was escorted off the property and handed over to the police. Charlotte had told them what had happened and apparently, he was wanted for multiple sexual assault cases back in England. Lexi let out a big breath when she heard she was finally safe but the fact that he had assaulted several girls made her feel nauseous again. "What would have happened if I did open the door that night at the hotel? Or if I didn't fight back between the trailers today?" Lexi asked while crying softly.

Lando held her against him again and told her that it didn't matter anymore. "You are safe now. I'm making sure you will never have to see him again, okay?" He looked directly into her eyes and Lexi felt herself relax in his arms. Lando wrapped up his day at the track extra quickly and they made their way over to the hotel room with Jon and a few others. When they arrived at their hotel room, Lexi took off her clothes immediately. She wanted to get away from his smell and got one of Lando's t-shirts to put on before she climbed into bed. She wasn't really interested in going to dinner with the team tonight and just wanted to cry some more and go to sleep early. Lando stayed with her the entire night and let her cry as much as she wanted to. He reassured her that Mark had been arrested and that she was safe multiple times. As soon as Lexi fell asleep, Lando covered her with the duvet and moved over to the balcony. He let out a big sigh and let out a few tears of his own. He just wanted her to know she was safe now.