𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒: 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐊 | 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐬

[ 032 ]

'Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about.'
- Winston Churchill

LANDO'S POV

When Luise closed the door right in front of him, he didn't know what to do. He loved her and didn't want to give up on her. He wanted to ring the doorbell again and try to talk to her again. Because he knew it was just a short circuit reaction on her side. A panic reaction. But at the same time, he also knew that he would never be able to calm her down now. He wouldn't be able to convince her that he didn't want anyone else but her. She wouldn't believe him. She wouldn't want to hear that.

Still, it hurt his heart to hear her crying behind the door. To hear that it hurt her just as much to let him go. As much as it hurt him to leave her behind.

He turned around anyway and with a heavy heart walked down the stairs, got into his car and drove to his apartment.

He didn't know what was going on in her head. Why she was suddenly so anxious. After all, she had enjoyed the last few evenings, he hadn't imagined it. Was that maybe why? Was it going too fast for her? Was she overwhelmed? He couldn't make any sense of it.

He walked nervously up and down. What should he do now? Should he go back to her? Should he give her a day alone? Should he call her? He felt so helpless, so desperate. He only wanted one thing: to be with her. To spend time with her. And she seemed to want it just as much, except for this morning.

He had to figure it out. Had to talk to someone about it. He needed a second opinion. Because he didn't want to lose her under any circumstances. He couldn't just forget about her.

So he dialed the number that was most likely to help him. And just waited for his friend's picture to appear and his own picture to shrink.

He shouldn't spend time on her, had she meant it? Had she meant it, that she wasn't worth it? That she was afraid of not doing him justice? Were those words just something she said to keep him out of her life? Or did she mean those words? Did she really feel that way?

"Hello, mate." His smile was wide, his dark curls were in a mess.

"I need your help." He immediately said seriously, because he didn't know how else to express it.

The woman I love the most has just thrown me out the door with the words: I never want to see you again. But I can't let her go, so I actually want to go straight back to her and talk to her.

No, he knew that was ridiculous. He probably had to tell Max every detail so that he had a chance to understand.

"Oh Lando. What have you done?" He sounded like he always did when Lando asked him for help. Amused, because he thought that something stupid had happened to him again. But also worried, because he was afraid that something worse had happened.

"How am I supposed to explain this to you..." he sighed and looked down.

"It's best if you just start." he suggested, "But the way you look and talk, I can almost imagine what it's about."

His face had taken on a pitying look and Lando now knew that he had worked out on his own that it was about Luise.

"Really?" One corner of his mouth twitched upwards and he looked at the camera, caught off guard.

"Luise broke up with you."

"We weren't even together," he corrected, sighing.

"But it's about Luise?"

Lando nodded, "She kicked me out this morning. With the words: I never want to see you again."

Max's eyes widened, his eyebrows shot up and seconds of silence fell over them.