Racing Against Fate ~ Lance Stroll

Chapter 14

As the plane soared through the sky, I found my eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment. The comfort of the plush seat and the steady rhythm of the aircraft created the perfect conditions for sleep to claim me.
Without my knowledge, while I was sleeping, Lance couldn't resist the opportunity for a playful revenge. I awoke to the soft glow of my phone, the screen illuminating the dimly lit cabin. With a groggy mind, I opened my Instagram and was met with a photo that instantly brought a smile to my face. There it was—a picture of me, fast asleep, captured by Lance. He had taken the opportunity to turn the tables and playfully tease me. The caption read, "Revenge is sweet. Remember that time you caught me napping? #Payback." I glanced over at Lance, who was sitting nearby, wearing a self-satisfied smirk on his face. He knew exactly what he was doing, and the playfulness in his eyes was unmistakable. I couldn't help but shake my head in amusement, a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
Lance's gaze softened as he observed me, and his words carried a gentle tone "That's the first time I've seen you genuinely happy. It suits you, you know?"
I felt a slight blush creeping onto my cheeks, and I chuckled softly. "Well, maybe it's because I'm away from all the media chaos and drama for a little" I replied, trying to downplay the impact of our little escape. Lance nodded thoughtfully, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer. "I get it," he said, a hint of understanding in his voice. "But you know what, I can't just sit in silence for the rest of this flight. We should talk."
"Well, then let's talk," I responded, my playful tone mirrored in my eyes. He raised an eyebrow, prompting me to continue. "What about? I hardly know you," he remarked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. A mischievous grin played across my lips as I retorted, "You must know me enough if you've already gone and kissed me on that podium." I rolled my eyes playfully. Lance chuckled, the sound filling the cabin and lifting the mood. "Touché," he conceded, his eyes dancing with amusement.
Lance pretended to ponder for a moment, as if trying to come up with the perfect question. "Alright, here's a simple one for starters. What's your favorite color?"
I couldn't help but laugh. "Really? That's the best question you could come up with?" I teased.
He joined in my laughter, but then he looked at me more seriously. "Okay, okay, fair enough. But seriously, tell me."
"Fine, if you insist. My favorite color is green," I replied without hesitation.
His response was immediate, infused with a flirty undertone. "Ah really, green, just like my team color," he remarked, winking at me.
"You had to go there, didn't you?" I replied, a playful challenge in my tone.
Lance chuckled "I couldn't resist," he confessed. "Besides, green suits you."
I couldn't resist teasing Lance further, with a sly smile, I leaned closer to him, our faces inches apart.
"Well, I suppose I could say the same about you," I retorted, my voice low and laced with amusement. "After all, you do look rather good in that racing suit of yours." Lance's cheeks flushed slightly, but he maintained his composure, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. He leaned back, matching my playful tone. "Ah, so you've been keeping an eye on me, have you?" he quipped, a smirk playing on his lips. "I must say, I'm flattered."
I chuckled "Well, it's hard not to notice a driver who always seems to be in my wing mirror's" I replied, my voice filled with playful confidence. Lance leaned in, closing the gap between us once again. His voice dropped to a low, intimate whisper. "Maybe I like the view from behind," he suggested, his tone laced with suggestion. A surge of anticipation shot through me, my heart quickening its pace. The undeniable chemistry between us crackled in the air. But before I could respond, the intercom interrupted, announcing our imminent landing.
As the intercom interrupted our moment, announcing the imminent landing, we reluctantly pulled away from each other. The electric tension still lingered in the air, but we knew that the real world was calling us back to reality. As the plane taxied to a stop and the seatbelt sign turned off, Lance and I gathered our belongings and made our way out of the cabin. Walking side by side through the airport, we attracted some curious glances from onlookers, but we paid them no mind. The bustling airport terminal seemed like a world apart from the intimate cocoon we had shared in the sky. The noise and activity created a stark contrast to the private moments we had stolen together. Yet, a part of me longed to hold on to those stolen moments just a little while longer.
As we reached the exit, I hailed a taxi to take me to my flat in London. Lance and I stood there, a comfortable silence. I turned to face him, our eyes meeting for a lingering moment. "I still hate you, you know," I whispered softly, my voice barely audible above the surrounding chaos. A faint smile danced across Lance's lips, a mix of understanding and acceptance. He pulled me into a final embrace, the warmth of his body enveloping me. I breathed in his familiar scent, feeling a sense of comfort in his arms.
"I know," he replied, his voice filled with a touch of regret. "But maybe someday, that hate will turn into something else."
With that, he released me from his grasp, and I stepped back, a mix of conflicting emotions swirling within me. I turned to the waiting taxi, glancing back at Lance one last time before sliding into the backseat. As the taxi pulled away, I watched as Lance grew smaller in the rearview mirror.