I Care ~ Lando Norris

Chapter 31: Whispers of Love, Shadows of Fear

Amidst the festivities, a familiar voice cut through the lively atmosphere. "What's all this commotion about secret societies and love children?"

I turned to find Charles, wearing an amused expression, strolling towards us. Luna, Lando, and I exchanged glances, realizing that Charles had caught wind of the internet sensation we unintentionally became.

Charles raised an eyebrow, his eyes flickering between us. "Care to explain what's happening on Twitter? I leave you alone for a moment, and suddenly, Luna's a time-traveling love child?"

I chuckled, attempting to summarize the whirlwind of online speculation. "Well, Charles, the internet has decided that Luna is our secret child. It's a whole narrative now."

Luna, ever the enthusiast, added with a grin, "Apparently, I bring the excitement of the future to the present. Who knew?"

Charles joined in the laughter, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "I go grab a drink, and I come back to a racing and parenting conspiracy. You guys really know how to keep things interesting."

The mood shifted when Lando, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, decided to elevate the festivities. Without warning, he scooped Luna up in his arms, her laughter filling the air. With one swift motion, he threw his other arm around my shoulders, creating a lighthearted tableau that seemed to capture the essence of our racing family.

The paparazzi, seemingly always ready to seize a moment, captured this spontaneous scene. Flashes of cameras illuminated the paddock, freezing the joyous moment in time. Luna, suspended in the air, wore an expression of pure delight, while I found myself caught in surprise.

Charles, Oscar, and I exchanged glances, realizing that our playful dynamics had once again become fodder for the ever-watchful eyes of the media. The images, undoubtedly, would find their way onto social media, fueling further speculation and imaginative narratives.

As the echoes of our laughter lingered, Oscar, ever the instigator of joy, decided to contribute to the merriment. He playfully tickled Luna, prompting another round of laughter from our group. The carefree energy of the celebration continued, but little did we know that a subtle shift was about to occur.

Oscar, in the midst of the playful banter, received a notification on his phone. His expression turned serious as he read the message, and a furrow appeared on his brow. Luna, still recovering from the tickling, looked at Oscar with curiosity.

"What's up?" I asked, noticing the change in Oscar's demeanor.

Oscar hesitated for a moment before whispering to us, "My mom just texted. She saw the photos on Twitter. She says that it looks like you two are in a relationship. You maybe want to be more careful."

As Oscar's revelation about his mom's message settled in, the carefree atmosphere of the celebration took on a more thoughtful hue. Luna, Lando, and I exchanged glances, realizing that the line between spontaneity and discretion in the racing world was thinner than we had acknowledged.

Amidst the paparazzi flashes and the remnants of laughter, Oscar's suggestion lingered in the air. I could see a hint of concern in his eyes, a reminder that our joyous antics might have unintended consequences. Luna, still wearing a playful smile, seemed to grasp the shift in dynamics.

Just as we contemplated the next steps, Nicole, a familiar and friendly face in the racing community, approached with a determined stride. "Luna, time to head back to the hotel." she announced, her tone a blend of warmth and practicality.

Luna, ever the spirited one, gave us a dramatic wave before following her. As they walked away, I caught a glimpse of Luna's expression, a mix of excitement and curiosity about what would unfold next.