Ride or Die | Lando Norris (ENGLISH)

27

London definitely didn't spoil me. The weather was awful. Rainy, stormy and cloudy. The closer I got to meeting Vivienne, the more nervous I became. What if she doesn't like me? My thoughts kept going in the same direction, and Max didn't make things any better by continuing to joke about me even agreeing to this. In his opinion, Vivienne was just trying to be nice to me for watching her daughter when she got lost in the paddock. He thought she offered me the job out of pity. And that bothered me, even though Pietra denied his opinion. Adding fuel to the fire were gossip accounts on Instagram, telling about my alleged benefits through contact with Lando. Honestly, if I looked at my life situation from the perspective of an ordinary person observing my life, I would hate myself. In just over a month, my life turned upside down. Just because I lived in Monaco and met new people. Lando's friends. After all, they were right, it was all thanks to him. No matter how it sounds.

– Mel, how was the photoshoot? – Pietra called from the living room as soon as I crossed the threshold of the apartment.

I took a deep breath as I took off my shoes and leather jacket in the hallway. I had no idea how to answer her. I have just returned from an ordinary photo session, the photos from which were to be included in my portfolio, if only Vivienne accepted them and accepted them into her agency. And I was supposed to find out about it only two days later, through a post on Instagram. The words of Vivienne's assistant kept repeating in my head: "If Vivienne likes the results of the session, your photos will be shared on our agency's Instagram no later than two days after the session, and if she doesn't like it, I'm sure she will let you know personally." I had terribly bad feeling.

– Okay – I replied sluggishly, sitting on the couch in the living room, farthest from Max, who had his arm around Pietra. I had no plans to expose myself to his stupid insults. I was totally in no mood for it.

– Ugh, Lando turned thirteen. Let's hope they make it to Austria with the upgrades – Max breathed, not taking his eyes off the TV, which I immediately looked at. Max Verstappen won, Alonso second and Hamilton third.

Me and Norris haven't said a word since I left Monaco. That's a good few days. I didn't even have time to text him the stupid "good luck" right before the race started, because I was only halfway through the session.

– Will he be in London today? – the blonde asked, running her hand through her boyfriend's hair.

– Mhm, he'll drop by late in the evening. He must be in Woking tomorrow – he muttered.

***

The problem was that Lando didn't show up at all. All three of us were waiting for at least a text message from him saying that he was close, but it didn't happen. Max paced around the apartment, checking his phone every now and then, and Pietra and I just watched. Out of boredom, P cleaned the whole apartment and I baked brownies. Norris's favorite cake. It was well after midnight when Pietra went to sleep in their bedroom, Max started streaming in my temporary room, still hoping that Lando would finally knock on our door, and I was lying in the living room, scrolling through social media. Every fourth girl from my high school was pregnant and posted cute photos with their fiancées. God. I took a deep breath. I was going to stay away from such a life.

I frowned when I started getting notifications about being tagged in a post. It was a very blurry club photo, showing Carlos wearing a blue shirt and hugging a brunette while Norris stood next to him, leaning over the ear of another slim brunette. He was wearing a white shirt, and the girl, whose face couldn't be seen because she had her back to the camera, was wearing a pink strappy dress. So that's why he didn't come to us. He hadn't even notify us about his absence because he went to the club with Carlos and two "friends". I growled under my breath, feeling anger rising. He didn't even call. Hell! He could have at least written a message to me or Max that we won't meet him that afternoon. That he has other plans. And he hasn't said a word to us.

– Max! – I exclaimed loudly and got up from the couch. People in the comments under this photo thought it was me. But damn it wasn't me.

– What?! – he replied when I opened the door to the room, showing myself on the stream for the first time. I looked uncertainly at the camera and then at the screen, which showed Max turned towards me and me in the background. I swallowed, glancing at Fewtrell, who was staring at me in shock. – I'm streaming, Melanie – he said calmly, pointing to the door through which I had already entered.

– Sound off – I muttered quietly, pointing at the microphone. His eyes fell on the phone in my hand. He was intrigued. He quickly turned off the sound, so I walked up to him, showing him my phone, which he immediately took from my hands. – Norris is having a great time with Carlos – I shrugged, licking my lip.

– That fucking bustard. He's having fun with some girl at the club, and he should be sitting here with me right now – he muttered, looking closely at the photo. – I'll talk to him about it tomorrow – he sighed and handed the phone back to me.

– He didn't even write to you? – I asked, to which he only shook his head no. – Asshole – I snorted and left the room.

I lay back on the couch in the living room when I received a message from Amelie.

ams

Whaaaaat are you doing?

I'm waiting until Max finishes the stream and then I go to sleep
What's up?

I feel like having a drink
In our favorite club...

You have classes in the morning, Ams

Only at 11:30
We'll be back early
I promise!!
I just miss you...

I sighed, looking at my watch. It was already a few minutes after one o'clock. I knew Max would extend the stream just to spite me, so why not take the opportunity to go out and have some fun? Especially since I also missed Amelie.

ams

Be there in half an hour

I love you, sun

I vigorously got up from the couch and this time I knocked on the door of the room where Max was staying.

– Fuck, Melanie. How many times are you going to come in here? What will you show me this time? How does Lando pee in the toilet? – he sighed, rolling his eyes as I walked inside. His camera and microphone were turned off.

– I don't know if I'd like to see that – I frowned, walking over to the suitcase from which I hadn't unpacked anything yet. – I'm going out – I muttered, taking a black, tight dress with long sleeves and silver rhinestones from the suitcase. It was perfect for this time of year. I put on my black heels and grabbed the door handle when Max coughed, catching my attention.

– Look after yourself. If anything happens, call me – he muttered, avoiding my eyes.

Awww.

– Aww, Maxie is worried about me – I laughed in a sweet voice.

– Don't piss me off, Harris. Lando would kill me if something happened to you while you live under my roof – he rolled his eyes.

– Keep telling yourself that, Maxie. I know deep down you like me – I said confidently as I left the room.

– I hate you, Melanie! – he growled loudly, making me laugh.

I quickly changed into a dress, fixed my makeup and hair, and then immediately left the apartment, grabbing only my phone, bag and wallet.

What can I say, it was supposed to be one drink.