𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 ; 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬

01

"why don't you take us back to where it all began?"

"well, i guess it began in las vegas 2023.."

ELENA

Make or break. This will make or break my career hopes. Inhale, Exhale. Focus. That is all I have to do today, is focus.

A glance in the mirror at my appearance shocked me. I do look different.

I do, don't I?

Of course I do. God, Elena pull yourself together.

I didn't spend the best part of a year, changing my hair, changing my style, changing my frickin' eye colour - even changing my name for this not to happen.

I tucked a loose strand behind my ear, standing tall and pouted my lips. Today is a fresh start, things will get better from here on out.

It was the Las Vegas Grand Prix, 18th of November 2023. I was about to make my interviewing debut for Formula One. In fucking Las Vegas.

This is not my first rodeo. I have interviewed for the NFL many times. It is quite easy to interview for a sport you aren't hugely interested in. But for a sport you've lived your whole life watching? That is a whole other kettle of fish.

Stepping out into the chill of the night, I adjusted my dress as it rode up my thighs. Goosebumps trailed up my open skin, bad night to wear a dress I guess.

The paddock was a frenzy with reporters trying to be first to the media pen to get their interviews with the drivers. I looked around in the chaos, my eyes widening slightly.

Am I out of my depth?

My dark hair blew over my shoulder as I began my journey to try obtain the crucial interview. Gerald, the camera guy, followed me capturing the scene unfolding before us.

My inner fan girl screamed as I spotted some of the drivers speaking to other journalists and reporters. Now was not the time to unveil my guilty pleasure of watching every race growing up. It wasn't the time to confess my die hard infatuation with Lewis Hamilton.

I looked like a child in a playground hanging around the back of all the reporters, waiting patiently (impatiently) for my turn to ask my questions. My note pad was gripped tightly in my left hand, microphone in my right. I could feel some eyes burning into my skin as I turned to look in the direction.

Tired, hazy, green blue eyes stared back at me. A hint of a smirk played on his lips as we made eye contact. The burning sensation rose in my cheeks as I'm sure he was well used to making girls blush. He wasn't speaking to any reporters, just hanging out in the media pen, arms crossed across his chest. His body language was closed off, but his eyes were inviting me to speak to him.

Small steps and slight pushes got myself and Gerald closer to him. His eyebrow slightly raised at me as if to say 'What makes you think I want an interview?'. Flashing him a shy timid smile, he softened his gaze and gave me a curt nod.

"Hello, Lando Norris," I started off faking my confidence. "Unfortunate race for you out there, what exactly went wrong?"

He chuckled slightly. His smile was breathtaking, even if it wasn't exactly genuine. He was beautiful, I don't know how I haven't paid attention to him before. The eye contact with him was so intense that I felt I was going to break under his stare at any given moment.

"I hit a bump, lost control and went into the wall. Not much more too it." He shrugged, moving his weight on his feet. I gulped slightly, nodding. I looked down to my notepad to notice my slight shaking hand.

"D-do you feel that if it hadn't of happened, that you could've scored some serious points?" I stammered slightly, before regaining my control.

"For sure, we were going for a podium this weekend. It just didn't work out for us." He licked his lips as he spoke.

My eyes widened as they watched his tongue flick out of his mouth and run over his lips. It was such a simple gesture, but it drove me insane.

I sound like a feral school girl.

"Next race is the last race, have you any last goals you would like to achieve?" I asked but due to the noise it came out quieter than expected, causing him to dip his head lower to me. The blush crept up my cheeks again as I gnawed on my lip, something I do when I am anxious.

"Give it all I have, last race of the season with an incredible car. I'm going to push the limits, who knows what will happen." He smiled brightly, and for the first time I think it was completely genuine. I smiled back, taking a step back from the barrier and expecting him to do the same.

"Thank you, Lando, best of luck." I chirped back. Gerald gave me a thumbs up, walking back with the camera looking at the footage.

In my peripheral vision, Lando was still standing there. His hands were now placed on the barrier, using it to lean against. The way the corner of his mouth was quirked up in a half smile, eyebrows raised suggestively was making me feel.. some things.

"You're new here," He nonchalantly said. I furrowed my eyebrows, I'm sure I looked just as confused as I feel. My mouth opened to speak but no words come out.

You look like a fool Elena.

"I would remember a pretty face like yours around the paddock." Lando explained, his cool breath hitting the air.

I could feel the flutter in the pit of my stomach. Alarm bells rang through my head, he is a formula one driver - he says this to every girl. There was something in his eyes that made me intrigued, the hint of lust, the seductiveness behind them.

As a journalist I had to do my research. I watched his races, multiple of them to be precise. I watched his interviews, he was a cheeky boy. He would cry with laughter at the most immature things. He would crack jokes to make everyone laugh. He was sunshine on a cloudy day.

This man stood before me didn't give me that vibe. I liked it. I liked to feel slightly intimidated, it was a familiar feeling I unfortunately became comfortable with. I guess the adrenaline excited me.

"Thanks." I simply replied, tucking a strand of my hair behind my hair. He looked me up and down once more, before biting his lip.

Biting his fucking lip.

"After party in an hour," He called out as he began to turn away. "Zouk nightclub - Just say my name pretty girl."

My face burned. He called me pretty girl. Why is he having such an effect on me? I have only spoke with him once, but those green eyes with flecks of ocean blue draw me in.

"Elena, my name is Elena." I called out to his back. He stopped in his tracks to turn and look at me. A wide grin on his face.

"Pretty girl suits you better." He winked.

And then he was gone.