Ride or Die | Lando Norris (ENGLISH)

6

I spent the next few days working. My mother and brother returned to England the day after Charles visited us. I had to admit that it was only after they left that I realized how much I missed them in Monaco. I missed Nico running back and forth with little cars in his hand and chatting with my mother in the evenings over a cup of tea or coffee. Now I was alone again.

– Melanie? Can we talk? – Adam Norris looked at me through the door of the tiny office where I was sitting, processing photos I had taken the day before. I didn't want to do it at home because I would probably go crazy if I sat there alone all the time.

– Sure – I said with a smile, and Norris went inside, closing the door behind him. He looked at me carefully.

– Charles Leclerc called me – he said slowly, to which I just focused my eyes on the monitor.

I knew what he was getting at. During these few days, I exchanged messages with Leclerc almost constantly, which gave me a lot of fun and made me feel like I was not alone. In particular, when we talked in the evenings about every possible topic, especially the fact that I had an obligation to appear at the Italian Grand Prix, which was only two weeks away.

This is what Adam talked to Charles about.

– I won't go into details about when and how you met, but I think he liked you – he said jokingly. A soft smile formed on my lips. Every time I heard about Leclerc, my cheeks turned pink.

– Do you want to fly to Italy for the Imola Grand Prix? A special invitation from Ferrari – he added with appreciation, observing my reaction.

Of course, a special invitation. I was supposed to photograph Charles and Carlos there on Leclerc's recommendation, but also Lando on his father's electric scooter, who had already sent him a few pieces on purpose. It was a good job offer, but also an opportunity to spend some great time with Charles.

I didn't have to talk to Lando there.

– If you let me, then yes – I said uncertainly.

I've only been working for Adam for less than two weeks, so if I were him, I would absolutely forbid myself from leaving.

– Melanie, you are like a third daughter to me. If it makes you happy, then of course I will – he said with a caring smile, shaking my hand. – Plus, we'll need some new Lando content. I would have assumed that it was his initiative to show up there, not Leclerc's – he shrugged, as if waiting for my answer.

Adam is a good man, I could never lie to him, and that was the case here.

– We've had a bit of a fight lately and we're not talking – I sighed, and Norris nodded with a comforting smile.

– You'll come to an agreement. As always – he said and headed for the door. – I'm taking you to dinner with me, Cisca, Oliver and the girls in an hour. And there is no excuse! – he added, closing the door behind him when I was about to refuse.

Dinner with an ex-friend's family sounds great.

***

I returned to the apartment late in the evening, as tired as after running the longest marathon. The first thing I did after closing the door behind me was to pour a large amount of hot water into the bathtub and add various oils that I had ever bought and took with me to Monaco, and there were several of them.

I undressed and got into the bathtub, feeling pleasant shivers as my skin touched the water. I took a deep breath and tilted my head back. I finally felt good. I wanted to never leave there. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment of relaxation, thinking about today's course. I was quite busy half the day, and the other half was devoted to the Norris family. Even though I loved them, I was terribly irritated by Flo, Cisca, and pregnant Sav's questions about Lando and what happened between us. Each time I cut the topic short and took little Mila to play. Oliver and my parents understood that I didn't want to talk about it and didn't pursue the topic, unlike the rest. Even though I was annoyed and tired of all this, I appreciated that they invited me to dinner as if I was their family. This always touched me and made me feel like their own daughter.