Ride or Die | Lando Norris (ENGLISH)

10

I woke up in the middle of the night by noises coming from the corridor. Women's giggling and men's whispers. I thought that it was just someone from the Ferrari crew having a bit of fun. I completely ruled out any of the drivers, because it would be terribly stupid and irresponsible behavior, considering that a few hours later there was the third practice and then qualifying. Besides, the boys were probably already in their rooms, because it was already well after three o'clock. I closed my eyes again when the sounds stopped.

– Charles! You tiger!

The sweet, drunken giggle of some young girl made my eyes widen. Charles? I just thought. Maybe this isn't the same Charles? However, a note of uncertainty and curiosity at the same time made me approach the door and gently open it, letting a bit of light from the corridor into my room.

– Shh, we can't wake anyone up, angel. I have quali...qualifying tomorrow – Charles whispered. He was so drunk that he could hardly say last words.

Shit.

It was indeed Leclerc. He had one hand around the waist of a slim brunette wearing a short leather dress, and the other was leaning against the door to his room, which was just two doors down from me. His shirt was unbuttoned, his hair was disheveled, and on top of that, his belt was undone, causing him to keep adjusting his pants, losing his balance.

– Charles, let's go inside – the brunette giggled, running her hand over the boy's exposed chest. He just nodded, looking for the door card in his pocket.

At that point I decided I had watched enough. Yesterday it was me, today another one? I closed the door behind me and leaned my back against it, staring into the dark nothingness of the hotel room. I guess I preferred not to see or hear it. Even though there was nothing between us except one stupid night, I still felt hurt. "Wait for me in your room." I waited. I really hoped that our relationship would develop somehow. Damn, he met my little brother! We baked fucking cookies together and he even showed me a secret place in Monaco. Maybe it wasn't so secret? Maybe he took all the girls he met there?

– You're so naive, Melanie – I muttered to myself and threw myself on the bed.

***

– Charles, you're sixth. It could have been a lot better, but we will make up for it in qualifying – Xavi said on the radio, then sighed with disapproval.

Everyone in the Ferrari garage was disappointed with Charles' position and I wasn't surprised. He wasn't doing well this season, and sixth place in qualifying in Imola didn't portend anything good. Because let's face it, with a hangover you won't get a better position in qualifying than you did in practice. However, Carlos finished second and Lando seventh, which was apparently his best result this season so far.

– I screwed up, I'm sorry to all of you – Charles replied.

I adjusted my red headphones and rested my head on my hand, watching the drivers' actions as they entered the boxes on the big screen. I was watching car number 4 when my face appeared on the display. As soon as I noticed the camera pointed at me, I smiled awkwardly. I have just been seen by several million people in front of their TV sets in their homes. God, I was so fucking embarrassed. Literally after a few seconds, the cars appeared on the screen again, but these few seconds lasted forever for me. I wanted to go back to the hotel and bury myself in the bed a few hours before the qualifying because it was getting cloudy and there was even a forecast of rain, so there was no way that one of the girls would take me somewhere. Besides, they probably planned to spend this time with their loved ones anyway.

– Oh shit – I muttered to myself when I remembered the Lando's photoshoot I had promised Adam. I had to do it in the few hours before qualifying, because he would be busy later.

I took off my headphones and put them on the table. I had to go to him and tell him about it. I left the garage through the back door and headed towards the McLaren, trying not to get lost.

– Jon? – I asked uncertainly, seeing Lando's trainer. I had no idea if I remembered his name correctly, but I was right. The man nodded uncertainly, probably wondering what I wanted from him and who I was.

– I need to talk to Lando. Literally just two minutes – I said, almost pleadingly.

I can't let Adam down.

– Could I at least know who you are? – he asked and I mentally gave myself a high five with my forehead. He didn't know me at all.

– Melanie Harris... – I said and was about to finish that I work for Adam Norris when he smiled gently at me and waved his hand for me to follow him.

I didn't ask any more questions. I simply followed him through the narrow corridors to Lando's room, in front of which Jon left me alone. I thanked him nicely and stared at the huge 4 on the door in front of me. I was hesitant to go inside. I had it in the back of my mind that we still had a big conversation to go through that would eventually come. But not at this moment. So how did I have to talk to him to avoid this topic? I had no idea, because he would have started talking about it anyway.

– Melanie? I think you mixed up the boxes. The Ferrari is several meters away – Lando's irritated voice reached my ears. He stood in the doorway, leaning sideways against the frame. He was wearing a half-removed overalls and a McLaren jersey on his chest.

I rolled my eyes at his "jokes".

– I didn't. I remembered we need to take some photos for your father's new campaign – I said in one breath.

Lando's eyes wandered around my person, thinking hard about something.

– Okay, but first, give me a chance to explain everything.

I grinned. I knew he would want this, but... I didn't.

– Lando, we can talk after the race... – I started, but he shrugged and stepped back inside, intending to close the door in my face.

– Then there will be no photoshoot – he said confidently.

My God.

– Okay! Okay, let's talk – I squealed quickly and stopped the door with my hand, which made the guy smile smartly. Everything was going his way.

– Come in – he merely murmured and moved away from the door, letting me inside.

This was a bad idea.