10 Years Later Ago - Lando Norris

30

I have a backpack, that's all I managed to grab with me and I also didn't want to seem too eager. I actually didn't have a plan, all I managed to go was grab my pyjamas and laptop, that's about the length of it. 

As I step off the flight and head toward my car, checking my time I know that Lando would be heading to the track about now for qualifying. The past few days I've been dodging the question he's been asking, I've been keeping the conversations light and guided. He has no idea I'm coming, and I kind of am looking forward to his reaction. 

I'm ready though, I'm ready to tell him I'm all in. To say I want it all, and I want him. Finally. 

As we pull up toward the track, my nervous are kicking in and I'm starting to doubt, I wonder if he even wants this. I know we've briefly spoken about us, but we've never fully discussed a future, and now here I am committing my entire being to him. 

Again. 

"You okay?" I look up to see the driver looking at me, and then I realised we've already parked and I've just been sitting here petrified. 

"Sorry" I apologise, but yet still failing to move. 

He looks down on me, giving a knowing smile, "You've got this" he encourages, not knowing anything about the situation. 

I chuckle at him, taking a deep breath and encouraging myself to actually get out of the car. 

I hook my handbag over my shoulder and slide out of the car, the hot wind catching me off guard. Closing the door, my driver winds down his window, "He's an idiot if he lets you go" he calls out. 

I turn around to face him, "How did you know it's that?" I ask, amused. 

"It always is" he teases before driving off. 

I turn around facing the entrance to the track, I see a few familiar faces of the McLaren team heading into the paddock and I figured they'd be my way in, considering I didn't actually work out how I would get to Lando. 

"Maria, hey!" I call out, rushing toward the entry gates. 

"Brayleigh" she acknowledges as I get close. "Does Zak know your here?" she asks, looking around my neck for my pass. 

I chuckle slightly, "No, this was sort of a last minute trip out" I admit. 

"Oh that's okay, the track is addictive" she boasts, reaching into her briefcase retrieving a paddock pass and handing it to me. 

"Thanks" I appreciate as I follow her through the gates. 

"The team are loving your improvements by the way, our online engagement has improved already by 58%" she gushes. I knew the numbers, but I am happy that the team is noticing. 

"That's great, I'm so glad it's working" 

We pass a few other colleges and exchange greetings, "That new fan sector is going to be hit, they're going to feel like they are more apart of the team than ever, and I think that's really want they want these days, to feel involved" 

"That's the plan yeah, that's the way technology seems to be heading, closing that gap between fan and idol" I agree. 

As we arrive at the McLaren garage I realise that I haven't prepared what I'm going to say, and I don't want to enter the garage and run into him like this. 

"I'll catch up with you soon, I'm just going to get a coffee, did you want one?" I knew she wouldn't, Maria is the type to keep on a regular schedule with her diet. 

She shakes her head "No thanks, see you in there" she waves goodbye as she answers a phone call. 

I take a deep breath and double back towards the cafe area. 

"Brayleigh?" I hear my name, and I recognise the voice. 

I turn around and see Max calling out to me. 

"Max," I mutter, looking around to see if he's accompanied by anyone. 

"Lando didn't say you were coming." he acknowledges as he makes his way to me, offering me a friendly hug as a greeting. 

I take a deep breath, "He doesn't know I'm here" I admit. 

Max gives me a worried look, "Brayleigh, don't tell me you're ending things" he worries. 

I chuckle, "Quite the opposite actually" I admit to him shyly. 

Amused, he fist punches the air in a little jump, "Finally" he gushes. 

I laugh, "Don't say anything to him, please, I want to be able to tell him, I just haven't been able to figure out how yet." 

Max gives me a concerning look, one that overflows with trouble. "I have an idea"