Thread of Destiny | Lando Norris

Chapter 8: Back to Beginnings

Excitement filled the air as race day dawned upon Monaco. Eli returned to the paddock, once again captivated by the electric atmosphere that somehow managed to far surpass the energy of the previous day. Navigating through the bustling crowd of fans, teams, and media, she made her way toward the Ferrari hospitality. Cautious to steer clear of anything, or anyone, in orange, she tried her best to avoid any chance encounters with Lando. She wasn't particularly up for stumbling over her words again if she were to be confronted with his questions about her presence in the paddock, and more so, how she knew Charles. In the midst of it all, Eli spotted Charles in his team's hospitality area, sat in a corner with someone who had a similar outfit on— a red cap and shirt plastered with the logo of a black horse in a yellow crest. She exchanged warm greetings with Charles, and he, in turn, introduced her to his teammate, Carlos. "Great choice of colour," Carlos winked, referring to the red top she chose to throw on today. "Well, I thought I'd look the part," she smiled back. The trio engaged in easy conversation for a while until Carlos was called away by a staff member for his press obligations. With his teammate gone, Eli and Charles had a moment to talk. "So, it's confirmed then, Lando's the one I'm meant to protect?" Eli thought aloud.

Charles nodded, "Looks like it. Everything that happened yesterday and the bracelet's response of another pearl darkened points to him."

"And now what?" Eli sighed, a mix of uncertainty apparent in her voice.

Leaning in slightly, Charles placed his hand on hers to offer a comforting touch and reassuring smile. "Now, we just watch, and trust that time and fate will do their thing."

It was all becoming like some sort of waiting game for her. "Why isn't there some sort of 'How to be a Guardian Angel 101' manual for this?" she groaned in frustration as she slumped down in her chair. Charles couldn't help but let out a laugh as he ruffled her hair before leaving to get ready for the race.

"It's lights out and away we go!" boomed the commentator's voice as the race lights dimmed, signalling the start of the Monaco Grand Prix. Eli sat in the Ferrari garage, grateful to be able to experience the race in the heart of it all. And although she was in red today, and cheering Charles on, her eyes still looked out for the orange car adorned with the number 4. It wasn't just her guardian instincts at play; she couldn't deny the intrigue she felt for Lando. So, amidst monitoring for any potential trouble, she found herself genuinely drawn to watching him on the track, perhaps more than she'd like to admit.

The race unfolded like a symphony, each turn and overtake a stanza in the exhilarating composition. The cars, akin to musical notes, danced around the circuit, weaving a melody of speed and strategy. As pit stops approached, Eli couldn't help but liken the orchestrated chaos of tire changes to a performance, each pit crew member playing their instrument with precision, harmonising into the symphony of the race. Her heart raced in sync with the cars speeding around the track, the adrenaline surging through her veins as she witnessed the drivers putting their lives at risk with each manoeuvre. The parallel between the adrenaline of the race and the rush she once felt while playing music wasn't lost on her. The intense focus, the precise coordination, and the crescendo of emotions mirrored the passion she once held for her music.

As the checkered flag waved and the race drew to a close, the results flashed on the screen—Charles finishing a commendable P6 after starting from the tenth position. Meanwhile, Lando secured points for McLaren, finishing in P9. Charles emerged from his car, a mix of satisfaction and determination evident on his face as he moved around the garage, exchanging congratulations and gratitude with the crew. Eli lingered about as Charles fulfilled his post-race driver duties— media sessions, debriefings, and the team packing up the garage for the next Grand Prix. She watched the flurry of activity, a tinge of fascination for the behind-the-scenes of an F1 team's operations. Eventually, she found herself waiting in the Ferrari hospitality, where Charles returned after completing his obligations, with Carlos by his side. "Come on, you can jump into our car. We'll give you a ride home," Charles offered, prompting her to follow the pair of drivers and the three of them made their way out together.

Spotting a familiar stature in orange walking ahead of them, Carlos called out to Lando. Charles and Eli exchanged a momentary glance, a silent panic passing between them. The drivers exchanged pleasantries, discussing the race, until Lando noticed Eli standing behind the two in red. With a quick grab of Carlos's arm, Charles remarked about their car being ahead, urging their departure and ignoring any comments Carlos was making. "Catch you later, Eli!" Charles called out, already walking away with Carlos in tow. She shot a glare in Charles's direction for leaving her, but he just shrugged his shoulders, a small smirk playing on his lips.

As Charles and Carlos disappeared off into the distance, a silence settled between Lando and Eli amid the once-bustling paddock, now hushed and almost deserted, embracing them in its quietude. Attempting to break the silence, Eli hesitantly initiated the conversation, "Good race." Lando, reserved yet polite, reciprocated with a brief acknowledgment. It was clear that Lando had a bunch of questions racing through his mind. "Do you wanna head somewhere else?" Eli tried, sensing the need for a change in scenery. He simply nodded and they made their way out of the paddock together. Passing through the gates, enthusiastic fans clamoured for Lando's attention, requesting autographs and photos. It brought a smile to Eli's face, seeing how much support Lando was receiving, and the genuine connection he shared with them. But amid the adoration, she couldn't help but feel the weight of curious glances and whispered exchanges directed her way. Sensing Eli's unease, Lando quickly wrapped up granting the fans' requests before gently guiding her away from the crowd towards his car.

The car journey was filled with an easy silence, much to Eli's surprise, as if the both of them understood the need for contemplation. Without any specific destination in mind, Lando's instincts seemed to guide them back to a familiar place— the harbour at Port Hercule. As they stepped out of the car and strolled along the harbour's edge, they found themselves drawn to the same bench where they'd initially connected. The familiar view of the serene waters, the gentle sway of the yachts, and the calming ambiance enveloped them. They settled onto the bench, the same one that had witnessed their first encounter. Eli couldn't help but feel a sense of déjà vu mingled with an intriguing sense of continuity.

Lando's question hung in the air, simple yet carrying an undercurrent of uncertainty. "So, you knew who I was all along?" His tone held a subtle nuance, a mix of curiosity and perhaps a tinge of disappointment, as if he suspected she might have approached him because of his F1 driver status. Eli sensed his unspoken concern and shook her head gently. "No, not at all. The first night we met was purely coincidental, I promise." She spoke with earnestness, hoping to convey the authenticity of her words. "It wasn't until I met Charles by chance at a museum that I got to know a bit more about you." She recounted the story, leaving out the intricate details of her role as a guardian angel. She noticed a hint of understanding in Lando's expression, as if he resonated with the randomness of fate that brought people together. "I never expected to be invited to the GP," she continued. "It was just a surprise turn of events, I suppose." She smiled softly, hoping to shift the focus to their shared moments rather than the mysteries surrounding them.

"I heard about what happened at qualifying," Lando's voice cut through the quiet harbour air, and Eli's eyes widened in surprise, disbelief laced through her expression as she turned to look at him. His easy tone didn't match the sudden whirlwind of emotions stirring within her. He shared that the incident came up during his team's debrief after the session. His team had mentioned how Charles had appeared with another girl, and naturally, Lando assumed it was Eli by his side. "Looks like you're always around to help me, huh?" he kid, unaware of the deeper significance behind those words.

Eli chuckled faintly, trying to match his light heartedness. "I guess it's just coincidence, right place, right time." But she knew well that there was more to her presence than mere chance. If only he knew...