Miles from Normal - Lando Norris

3. When in Bahrain...

Weeks had passed since she first got the job and Alice had been studying everything about Formula 1. She watched past races; she studied all about Lando and Daniel, even though she knew they would be available for any questions she might have, she wanted to do a good job and be prepared. She had met Charlotte, the Social Media Executive, who was pretty much her big boss. A lovely woman who was the most helpful.

Alice had experience dealing with celebrities and was a very accomplished PA. She was used to demands, big egos, and dealing with the press. All she needed was to get acquainted with the motor racing world. She was now going on tour with them for the first time where she would see everything first-hand.

Everything had become more serious now. There wasn't so much goofing around and sexual jokes back and forth. All she talked to the drivers was about doing interviews and getting good photos for their social media. Lando had been infected with Covid-19 and all communications with him had been via Zoom or e-mail for the last two weeks.

"Is Lando doing press today before we fly out to Bahrain?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes, he is. He's coming into the studio shortly. He's negative and free to be a wild boy again."

"Good luck managing to control the drivers when they are misbehaving. Heavens now I've tried! Glad you're taking this over from me so that I can focus on managing the whole McLaren brand social media. If you need any help, I'll be at my desk over there."

"Thanks!"

Alice was sitting on her assigned desk at the PR department in McLaren headquarters. She was typing fiercely, trying to get as much work done before flying later that day. She had already booked the hotel rooms where Lando and Daniel would be staying and a smaller room, of course, for herself. She had checked them in for the flight online as well and sent them their boarding passes via email. She texted Lando, for the third time that day, to not forget his passport. She felt like that those reminders were much needed after a few stories Charlotte had shared.

"Yes, mum. Will I get a spanking if I forget it?" He replied to her latest reminder with an emoji sticking his tongue out.

"Hope this isn't something you ask your mum often. Dunno how to deal with mommy issues..." Alice replied back.

As she typed in another email refusing an interview that she didn't think would be good press, she looked at her ring finger and zoomed out for a bit, reminiscing on the reason why it now had a fake ring made of a paperclip.

*****************

She was working on her station at the headquarters when Lando came in with his hoodie on and sat on a desk opposite. He seemed moody, so Alice kept to herself. She was still trying to figure out what DRS and Brake Bias meant and just kept reading an F1 for dummies webpage, as Daniel called it.

She must have been absent-mindedly touching her ring finger as it still bothered her that the ring was missing because the next thing she saw Lando approaching her holding something.

"Here. I've made you a new one!" he said holding a twisted and intertwined paperclip in the shape of a ring.

"Aw, couldn't afford Tiffany's?"

"Maybe one day!" he said with a wink. "Too early in the relationship to propose, but use this one, maybe it will help you forget about the old engagement ring."

Alice put on her new ring and couldn't help but feel a warm sensation spreading all over her body. Was that happiness?

"Ah! It fits perfectly! Thank you, Lando. That made me smile and forget about this stupid inexistent ring that I keep touching."