Ride or Die | Lando Norris (ENGLISH)

5

The silence, which had actually only lasted a few seconds, seemed like an eternity at that moment. The three of us stayed there. Mom and Nico went back inside the apartment. Lando watched us with a surprised expression, while Charles looked like he wanted to fall asleep.

– What are you doing here, Lando? – I asked, barely able to spit out his name.

– I brought your mother and brother from the airport because you kindly couldn't answer her phone. At least now we know why – he hissed furiously, watching the unaware brunette next to me.

Honestly? I hadn't looked at my phone since I met Charles, which was my fucking mistake.

– Great, you can go now – I replied, passing him in the doorway.

– I'll call you, Cha. Good night! – I said quickly, which Leclerc responded with a broad smile.

I wanted to quickly close the door behind Norris, but at the last moment he pushed inside.

– What the fuck was that? – his shining eyes observed my face closely.

I wanted to gouge out his eyes with my claws.

– Where's Claudia? – I asked with a fake smile, which confused him a bit.

– She flew to Spain. I think we're breaking up – he said, swallowing. Some part of me felt better because of it.

– Oh, I'm so sorry – I rolled my eyes dramatically, pretending to be concerned. Lando wanted to say something to that, but he was interrupted by Nico snuggling into my side. I put my arm around the little brunette, realizing that I was still wearing Charles' sweatshirt.

Oh.

– Mel? Why didn't you say you knew Charles Leclerc? You know how much I like him – the sad voice of my younger brother caused a small pang in my heart. I hated it when he was sad.

I looked at Lando, my hand stroking Nico's back comfortingly. Norris rolled his eyes, sighing dramatically.

– I thought you liked me more than Leclerc – he said cockily towards Nico, and he smiled gently.

– I like you very much, Lan. But I've known you for a very long time, and I only know Charles from TV... – the boy became sad again. I picked the boy up and placed him on my hip.

I won't say that he wasn't that light anymore, although for a seven-year-old he was still a small child.

– I have an idea. We'll call him tomorrow and ask if he has time for us. What do you say, little one? – I said with a wide smile, watching my excited brother.

Norris raised his eyebrows but made no comment.

– I'm going home. Good night, Nic – Lando stroked seven-year-old's head and headed for the door.

– Good night, Yolanda! – he shouted to my mother before opening the door. My mother shouted back a quick "good night, Lando" from the kitchen, and then he disappeared on the other side of the door.

Nico quickly jumped out of my arms and ran to my mother to tell her about my idea, while I stood in the same place, absorbing what had just happened. Lando broke up with Claudia. This thought was running through my head along with the one about Charles spending the day with my little brother. On the one side, I wanted to make Nico happy, but on the other, I really didn't want to impose on Leclerc by bothering him with a seven-year-old who idolizes him. I've tired him enough as it is.

– What's going on with you and Lando? – my mother asked gently, handing me a cup of tea as soon as I entered the kitchen. I sighed loudly. What was I supposed to tell her?

– Nothing. Apparently we can't stay together for long. Thank God he's leaving for Dubai – I shrugged with a smile, trying to turn it into a joke, which the woman immediately believed.

– Lando is a good boy. Come to an agreement – she said, taking out yogurt for Nico from the fridge. I rolled my eyes at that, but didn't comment at all.

Oh mom, if you only knew...

I spent some time with my mom and brother until we finally decided it was time for bed. I lent the bedroom to the guests, and I lay down under a blanket on the corner sofa in the living room, which, by the way, was not as uncomfortable as it looked. My eyelids became heavier and my breathing calmer as I felt my phone vibrate, telling me about a new message that I read at the speed of light.

Charles Leclerc

If you're not asleep yet, goodnight, and if you're already asleep, I hope you're dreaming about me :)

I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face. Charles was really cute and I understood what all those girls saw in him. He was quite the "steal your girl"  type of guy, but that didn't really bother me.

Thinking about Leclerc with a smile from ear to ear, I finally fell asleep.

***

– You're going to clean it up! – I squealed with laughter, hiding behind the kitchen island from Charles and Nico, who were throwing flour at me.

– No problem – Charles laughed and rubbed a handful of flour into my hair, which was tied in a bun. Then I had to retaliate, so I scraped some flour off the counter and smeared it on the brunette's face.

– 1:1 – I snorted, looking straight into his smiling eyes, which he rubbed.

– Nico, hold her – he said seriously to the seven-year-old. The boy laughed and grabbed both of my hands and tried to help his idol, who simply had some stupid idea in his head.

– I have her!– Nico squealed, and Charles gave him a thumbs up. Leclerc was slowly approaching me when suddenly his phone rang.

– Yes? – he answered with a loud sigh and went to the balcony. Nico let go of my hands, so I looked into the oven where our chocolate cookies were baking. I had to proudly admit that they turned out quite well. They were already slightly browned, so I took them out of the oven together with the baking tray and placed them on the burners to cool.

– I'll be there in about two hours, see you – was all I heard when Charles returned to the kitchen, looking at us with an apologetic look. – I have to get going now. A sudden meeting in Maranello – he sighed again, and I nodded in understanding when Nico didn't look too happy.

– Listen, Nic. If your sister had another job, I would gladly take you with me – he said to the seven-year-old, taunting him on the nose.

– Another one? Which one? – I asked curiously, observing the brunette. Leclerc smiled cleverly.

– Didn't I tell you that instead of behind the lens, you should work in front of it?

I rolled my eyes. I've heard it before and maybe there was something to it, but I had absolutely no idea what to do about it.

–You said it, Cha.

– Will you come to any races this season? – he asked with a note of hope in his voice.

– I don't think so. We'll see how Adam plans my schedule. Honestly? I'd love to watch you give them all a hard time on the track – I laughed, and Charles's expression seemed to brighten.

– I'll try to arrange it. See you! - he said quickly and kissed me on the cheek and gave Nico a hug. He moved quickly and decisively to the exit, and I remembered about the cookies.

– Charles! Cookies! – I screamed and ran after him, giving him a few cookies that I grabbed from the baking tray.

– What are you planning, Charles? – I asked, and the brunette just smiled, carefully observing my face.

– Something that both you and I will like, and even Nico – he walked away with a wide smile on his face and cookies in his hand, leaving me motionless in the corridor.

Was I supposed to be afraid?