Hearts on the track

Cap. Nine

"Sophiaaaa!" he exclaims almost shouting. "Wait a second." He says goodbye to his friend and disappears from my field of vision, appearing by my side after a few seconds. "What are you doing here?" he asks me curiously.

"I got a bit lost inside and ended up here upstairs. The view is beautiful," I say, pointing towards the sea.

"Do you know that being on the McLaren balcony wearing a Ferrari T-shirt is only going to cause you trouble? If you missed me so much, you could have just said" he says with a huge smile on his face, playfully nudging my shoulder.

My cheeks instantly turn red with embarrassment. I was so caught up in my frustration that I didn't notice where I was going.

"What? I didn't know. Oh my god, I'm so absent-minded. I just wanted some fresh air. Sorry, sorry, I'll leave," I tried to apologize as quickly as I could. The last thing I wanted right now was trouble.

"Relax, haha, I was just teasing you! Well, except for the T-shirt part because I know orange will suit you much better," he manages to make me feel more at ease in a matter of seconds and elicits a big laugh from me with his comment.

"Ready for tomorrow?" I was genuinely interested to know, but I really wanted to move on to my topic of being the most absent-minded person ever in order to calm my embarrassment.

"A bit nervous but super excited to get back on the tracks," he says with a slight twinkle in his eyes. It's clear how much he values having a place among the best. He himself is an excellent driver with enormous potential. I'm caught by surprise when he raises his hand and takes a strand of my hair. My body stiffens, afraid to move an inch. "Your hair smells nice."

"Thank you?" I respond with a slightly confused chuckle. I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination or not, but I felt a spark when his fingers brushed against my neck and ran through my hair.

"You should join me and my friends tonight." I was surprised by his invitation, but I smiled softly and said.

"Ah, thank you, Lando! That sounds fun. It would be a pleasure to join you tonight. Where and at what time?"

Lando, excitedly, gave me more details: "We'll meet at the restaurant nearby at 9 p.m. Then we can head to a bar with live music. I'm sure you'll love it!"

After exchanging phone numbers so he could send me the restaurant details, and with him accompanying me to the exit of the paddock so I wouldn't get lost again, I hailed a taxi to take me back to the hotel.During the ride, I called Sarah to apologize for what happened and let her know that I had left the circuit.

I was a whirlwind of emotions at this moment. I found myself thinking about the contrast between Lando and Charles and how they had approached me in such different ways. Charles didn't rest until he made me uncomfortable and hurt me as soon as he sensed my presence. In contrast, Lando gave me a friendly gesture and seemed genuinely interested in my company. Accepting the outing tonight would be a great opportunity to distract myself from the problems and enjoy a relaxed moment outside of the work environment.

I had to stay focused for tomorrow, and at this moment, my argument with Leclerc had only dampened my spirits.

I had chosen to wear high-waisted black leather pants and a sleeveless black corset.After putting my hair up in a half-loose bun, I did my makeup as Sarah had taught me. It took longer than it should have, but it was already 8:30 pm, and I was putting on my jewellery and perfume.I rushed out of the hotel room to arrive on time at the agreed-upon location.

I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about meeting his friends, but I was greeted with warm smiles. I instantly felt at ease with the group's infectious energy.The restaurant was elegant and modern, with a vibrant atmosphere, and we were led to a reserved table in the centre of the hall. The smell of the place made my mouth water.

The dishes were too exotic for me, but they were delicious. The conversation flowed in a relaxed and engaging manner as they shared hilarious stories they had experienced together.We left the restaurant already slightly tipsy after consuming the large amount of wine.

We arrived at a lively bar with an infectious atmosphere. It was karaoke night. I knew, with conviction, that I was a bit intoxicated when I found the idea super interesting instead of going to the bar with live music.The interior of the bar was vibrant, with colourful lights dancing on the walls and a small wooden stage. We sat at a table near the stage, where we could see and hear all the performances to come. The sound of applause and laughter filled the air, and I felt part of something special. It was as if everyone there was connected by a shared passion for music and fun.

"Hey, Norris, you should invite Sophia to do a duet. I'm sure everyone here would love it," exclaimed Max, Lando's best friend, almost shouting. He was speaking so loudly to Lando, but I ended up hearing it too.

"Me? Sing on stage? No, never! Do you want me to shatter the glass?"The driver didn't give me any more room to complain and refuse because he took my hand and dragged me to the stage. He whispered something to the bartender, and before I knew it, I was in the middle of the stage, looking at all the people, with the microphone in my hand.

The music started playing. It was "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction. I immediately let go when the music started playing. Luckily, I'm good with numbers because I'm terrible at singing. My heart was racing inside my chest, but I was happy. Nothing crossed my mind except happiness.
I looked at Lando, who was by my side, and his eyes sparkled with a playful flame. He encouraged me with a smile, conveying confidence.During the performance, Lando's friends joined the chorus, dancing and having fun. The audience applauded and cheered with each note sung, creating an atmosphere of contagious energy.

The rest of the night was incredible. I never had the opportunity to experience these moments when I was younger because everyone found my company boring. Maybe I was just with the wrong people. We had a few shots, and I was definitely in the hallucination phase because I think I heard Lando's voice whispering in my ear, "You're amazing."

At the end of the night, on the way to the hotel, I walked side by side with Lando in a slow and clumsy march. The nighttime breeze started to get colder, and I shrank a little, rubbing my arms, trying to warm myself up.

"Sophia, are you cold? Here, take my jacket," he said as he took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. Even under the influence of alcohol, I couldn't help but blush. That moment was too cliché to be happening to me.
"Thank you," was all I could manage to say.

"So, how did you get into the world of Formula 1? Was it by chance?"

His question, in my intoxicated state, made me sad. My drunken version was tired of all the resentments and unfulfilled desires I had. His gaze encouraged me to open my heart, like I had never done with anyone before.

"You know when you fall in love with something as a child, and your only purpose in life is to have that lifestyle when you grow up? I didn't have Barbies or stuffed animals. I had toy motorized cars. I would throw tantrums wanting to go to school with a helmet on my head. I wanted to be among the best and become the greatest Formula 1 driver. Since I was a child, it was my biggest wish. I loved the speed, the thrill, and the feeling of freedom. All my birthday parties were spent at go-kart tracks with my dad" I sighed deeply with his mention. I had never talked about him to anyone, and it felt like the pain was resurfacing in my throat. "But not everything goes as we wish. I had an accident that led to mobility restrictions in my leg, and to make matters worse, I also lost my dad."

Tears welled up in my eyes. It was the first time I voluntarily told someone about my father's fate.

The man next to me must have sensed my sudden sadness because he placed his arm over my shoulders and gently squeezed them with his hand."I'm so sorry, Sophia. I can't even imagine how difficult it must have been."

Our gazes met, and I felt safe. At that moment, I realized that Lando was more than just a famous driver. He was someone with whom I could share my deepest fears and aspirations.Words ceased, and a profound silence settled in—a comfortable silence, and I was grateful that I didn't have to utter another word that night.

—-
Another one just for you guys