Chapter 7 - Blonde

465 6 2
                                    

Sitting. Waiting. Wondering. Why is this taking so long?

People come and go as another two hours have passed by, along with a few not so smooth arrests as two drunken men persisted to shout abuse at the officers bringing them in, and everyone else in the waiting area. I'm still cold and wet sitting in the same spot I had been since leaving the interview room, and with every minute that passes I'm just becoming increasingly concerned for Lando.

Why was he not out yet? Do I just stay here indefinitely? What is going on? I've asked twice at the main desk and both times have been told they're unable to give me any information. I really don't know what to do.

Before I have another moment to question anything or worry, I see him - Finally!

He's talking with P.C Atkinson but their conversation, at least from a distance, seems to be a positive one. I see subtle smiles across both of their faces while they continue to talk, they've not yet entered the main waiting area, a glass door still separates us.

Eventually shaking hands, it looks like he passes something to Lando during the handshake, a small piece of paper of some sort?

I don't really care right now whatever it was, he's finally here and out - as soon as we make eye contact and he realises I'm still here waiting for him, his pace picks up and he begins to run towards me.

Swinging both arms around me gripping me tightly, my feet leave the ground as he spins me around letting out a sigh of relief. All I feel right now is my body burning with pain but I don't care, I'm just so relieved he's out.

"Oh my god Lilly, I'm so sorry, I can't believe you're still here - let's get out of here! What a day!" He sounds like he's ran a marathon with how heavily he's breathing, but I can tell from his face that he's completely overwhelmed with relief.

"Of course I was going to wait for you, where else did you expect me to go?" I joke.

"Behave." He says, almost pushing me over as he jokingly knocks me to the side with his shoulder.
I'm glad the mood has lifted, because he was right - what a day.

I have so many questions I need to ask him, but not here and not now. Here isn't the right place.

I'd almost forgotten just how much had actually happened today, it doesn't quite feel possible that the chaos we've faced was all in the space of the last 9 hours or so. From landing here in Manchester this morning, visiting the grave and potentially losing my mind, the turmoil and despair of the clinic, to Landos arrest and after all of that - I'm STILL in these damn soggy clothes! My skin probably looks like the stone of a plum by now.

Lando places his warm hands onto the ice cold skin of my cheeks "You're absolutely freezing Lil, let's get out of here and get a hotel room booked. You really didn't have to wait here for me you know."

"Ok I'll keep that in mind and remember to leave you next time."

He bursts out laughing "Next time? Do you think I'm some sort of hard time criminal. There's not going to be a next time Lil."

"Good, I'd like to think not!"

After only a five minute journey we arrive at a Hilton hotel, and I'm not sure how anyone knew where he was going to be, but people lined the steps of the hotel entrance - fans bombard Lando for photos and signatures as soon as we step out of the car.

There must have been 40 people waiting there at the very least. This wasn't good. I can't be seen here right now, not with Lando. This would cause a total media shit storm, and a world of hurt for a Charles.

Throwing my hood over my head, my eyes locked in to the ground below me as I keep my face down, trying my absolute best to keep out of the way of Lando and the crowd of people around him, practically tiptoeing past I manage to make my way into the main doors of the hotel and walk towards the reception.

I catch a glimpse of myself in a full wall length mirror as I stand and wait at the check in desk and I'm quickly presented with a horrible reminder of how truly horrific I looked at the moment.

"Hi can I help you?" Says a young blonde woman with potentially the most silky hair I've ever seen in my life, before she looks me up and down.

"Hi I have a room booked, it will be under Lando Norris."

She looks back at me like I've totally lost it, probably thinking - who's this mess of a girl claiming to be here with Lando Norris, but before she could say another word I see her facial expression shift, to almost shyness and disbelief. That's when I feel his hand on my shoulder.

"Have you checked us in already? It was crazy out there, I don't know how anyone even knew we would be here."

"I'm just waiting for the room key." I say, looking back at the girl whist I widen my eyes. Her reaction actually made me want to laugh at the pure disbelief on her face. But at the same time - he is Lando Norris, I shouldn't be shocked. I still look at him with disbelief most of the time. Disbelief that he was ever interested in me. Disbelief of how beautiful he is.

He interrupts as she's searching the system for our room booking, "Can you upgrade and just give us the best room you have available please."Asking her politely with a smile on his face, a smile you just can't say no to.

She blushes a little at him as he leans over the counter towards her. He knows what he's doing and he absolutely loves it, batting his eyelashes at her with those big green eyes, occasionally glancing down before looking back with that huge inviting smile on his face, he thrives off of this. He's a menace.

As she hands him over the key card, he hangs onto her hand for a little longer than necessary while taking it from her, brushing over her thumb. She was beautiful too, long blonde silky hair with huge oval shaped light hazel eyes, a petite body and a shy cute smile that showed off her tiny dimples.

Now I'm asking myself... was he flirting with her as he did with everyone without even realising it, or was he actually interested in this girl? And why do I care? I feel complete jealousy watching him hold onto her hand, even if it was just for a moment.

What is wrong with me? I seem to be asking this of myself an awful lot lately.

The doors of the lift close behind us, and thankfully there's only us two inside. I don't know why but I find being in a lift with other people or anyone I don't know just a horrible ordeal, it's so awkward and stressful for some reason, it's always silent to the point I end up holding my breath from the fear that someone might hear me breathing.

Both of us have our backs to the mirror, facing outwards towards the lift doors in front of us. Our room is on the 28th floor, so there's quite a way to go yet.

"You could have played it a little cooler with blondie at the reception desk if you actually want her to like you, you were allover her."
My god I'm actually so salty.

"I thought I played it quite well, she was pretty wasn't she." He smirks at me grazing his bottom lip with his teeth.

"Yeah she was ok."

"You're sounding a little jealous there Lil." He says as he turns around to face me, lifting my chin with one finger so I'm looking up at him.

"I'm not jealous at all I just don't think she's really your type." What was I even saying right now? I have no idea what Lando's 'type' is - if he even had one, and he's completely right, I am jealous. Painfully jealous.

"So I can go ask her on a date? That's ok with you yeah?" He's so cocky.

"Sure, if you want to go ask her on a date then you do that." I snap. Im trying to keep my cool and not let on how infuriated I am, but I don't think I'm doing a great job by any means.

"I couldn't give a shit about asking her on a date, I just wanted to see you're reaction." The smug smile covering the entirety of his face as he glares at me, scrunching my face together and I'm completely flustered.

Fuck. Sake.

Not again...

————————————————————————

DNS 2 Where stories live. Discover now