An inconvenient attachment

Chapter 39

A couple hours later we arrive at the hotel. The room is beautiful, as always. I don't know why it still surprises me every time. I'm nervous for this weekend. Lando doesn't seem to think much of it, since I'm always nervous when it's race weekend. Lando puts my bag down next to the bed.

"What time do we meet up with Max to go to dinner?" Lando asks. I look at my watch. "We have to be downstairs in 30 minutes, Charlotte and Charles are also joining us" I say. Lando nodds.

"I'm going to take a quick shower, want to join me?" Lando asks while walking over to me. He lays his hand on my back, pulling me closer to him. His other hand rests on the back of my neck. I shrug my shoulders. "Hmm, I don't know. Maybe I need a little more convincing" I tease. Lando's lips touch my ear and go slowly down to my neck. Godd.

"Ok, I'm in" I say while stepping back towards the shower. Lando follows me closely, a smirk appears on his face.

About forty-five minutes later we arrive at the restaurant. Charles and Charlotte are already there. "Sorry we're late guys" I say as Lando pulls back my seat for me. "Don't worry, we weren't expecting it at all" Charles says, sarcasm clearly sounding in his voice. "How was your flight?" Charlotte asks. "Yeah, fine" Lando answers. A couple minutes later Max walks into the restaurant. "Finally decided to join us?" Lando asks Max. Max sits down on the empty seat next to me. "Oh shut up, you were probably late also. I could hear you guys from my room" he says. I feel my cheeks burn up instantly. Oh my god. He can't be serious. "Oh fuck off, you didn't" Lando says. "No, but looking at Mia's face it looks like I was right about why you were late" Max says while wiggling his eyebrows. I give him a soft slap on is chest. "What's your excuse? Since Kelly isn't here this weekend" Lando asks. Max laughs.

After I finish my dessert I turn to Max. "Lando told me you are leaving for Milan Sunday night."

"Yes, I am. Why? Want a ride?"

"If it's not a problem that would me amazing" I say.

"Yeah of course, I was gonna ask since Lando's leaving for England, but I figured you'd be flying with Pierre." Suddenly Lando's head turns in our direction. "Well, since we became bff's this afternoon I figured it would be inappropriate to fly with someone else when I could fly with my bestie" I joke. Max rolls his eyes but can't hold back his laugh.

The next morning Lando has to leave very early. He has interviews and meetings all day. I spent the day with Charlotte. We go to a village nearby and visit all kind of cute places. I really enjoy her company. She senses there is something wrong. She doesn't bring it up until we sit down to eat dinner. "Are you going to tell me what is wrong with you? Or do I have to get it out of you some other way?" she jokes. Just a moment I doubt if I'll lie and say there is nothing wrong. But she'll probably see right through me. I sigh. "Come on, spill your guts" she tries to encourage me. Come on Mia, don't be like this. She's your friend. You did tell Max and his response was allright. I decide to tell her. "My ex is coming to the race this weekend, lets just say we didn't end on the greatest terms" I say. Well, I did tell her, just not the whole truth. I'm not ready to see her face full of sympathy and maybe even pity. "Ah babe, don't worry about that. You probably won't even see him."

"See, that word. 'Probably'. That's what doesn't sit right with me."

"You'll be fine. I promise I won't leave your side" she says while squeezing my hand. "You don't have to do that."

"Don't be silly, you are my friend, you would do the same for me" Charlotte says. We spent the evening drinking wine and chatting at the hotel lobby. I look at my phone and see Lando still hasn't texted me back, he's problably too busy. I wonder what time he'll be back. A few minutes later Charles walks into the hotel, he sees us sitting at the bar. "You girls seem to be having fun?" he says while giving Charlotte a kiss. "We did" Charlotte answers. Charles can't hold back a yawn. "Do you mind if we go upstairs?" Charlotte asks me. "No of course not, you guys go. I'll see you tomorrow." Charlotte opens her bag to take out her wallet. "No, it's my treat" I say. "Thanks Mia" Charlotte says while giving me a quick hug. Charles grabs her hand as they walk away.

"Can I pay please?" I ask to the waiter. I take out my wallet and see I have no cash left. I grab my card and give it to the waiter. "Sorry miss, your card has been declined." Oh no, you have got to be kidding me. "Could you try it again?" I ask. The guy looks at me like it has absolutely no point, but he does it anyway. "Sorry, insufficient balance." Well, that's a nice way of saying I have no money on my card. I start to panic a bit. "Miss, you are going to have to pay" the waiter says, more pushy this time. "I know, I'm staying in a room here, can I just walk up to get some more cash?"

"I know this trick, you say you have a room here, you leave to get some cash," he says while rolling his eyes, "and you don't come back." Suddenly someone walks up and stands beside me.

"No need to be a dick." I look beside me and see it's Pierre. Pierre gets his wallet out of his jeans and gives the waiter his card. "No tip please" Pierre says to the waiter with a fake smile on his face. I try to hold in my laugh. "Thank you so much for that" I say when we walk towards the elevator. "No problem, don't worry about it."

"I have money." I don't know why I feel the sudden urge to defend myself. "I know" he says. I realize how close Pierre is standing. "Which floor are you staying on?"

"The forth" he answers. "Ah so are we" I say. We walk out of the elevator. "This is me" Pierre says while unlocking his door with a key. "I'll bring you the money tonight."

"No need," when he sees I'm not taking no for an answer he quickly adds, "tomorrow is fine."

"Ok, thanks Pierre" I say when I start to walk off.

"Bye Mia." While I walk away I feel his eyes burning on me.