Absolutely Not! (Lando Norris)

Belle

We turn up to my Father's apartment building, It was much more luxurious than Lando's apartment with a valet. 
The parking attendant opens the door for both me and Lando before climbing in to the car and driving off to a parking space. Lando holds his hand out for me to grab. I grab his hand and squeeze it tight, my palms are sweating. I take a deep breath before heading in to the building. 

A few minutes later, we knock on the door waiting for someone to answer. We are greeted by a very polished looking Liss. She was always dressed up as if she was about to attend some award ceremony. 
"Darling. Come on in" She smiles as she pulls me in for a hug before hugging Lando who stood behind me. "Lando, looking handsome" 
"Thank you Mrs Caulley" Lando awkwardly smiles as he takes a step out of the hug. 
"Please call me Liss" She gestures. "We are just at the dining table" I step in, I'd been here multiple times before but it looks like it had been decorated since I last visited. Everything was light marble and white walls and furnishings. It looked awful in my opinion, too much like a hospital, very sterile looking. As we enter the dining room, I can see my father sat at the head of the table, my brother Nate sat to his right hand side, Liss sits to his left, leaving seats at the side of Nate and Liss. Not sure who I wanted to sit at the side of the most, I mean I didn't even want to be here. This was torture for me. 
"Arabella, glad you could make it" My father smiled, while sipping on a glass of champagne. I look to see Nate smirking in my direction. When we were younger we always used to get on so well and then my father made everything a competition and that tore our relationship apart. I decide sitting at the side of Liss was probably less painful than sitting at the side of my brother. 
"We were just discussing the upcoming season Lando" My father smiles to Lando who is sat opposite me. "I'm expecting good things from McLaren this year" 
"Yes not long until the season starts. We have the car launch and testing coming up soon" Lando smiles to my father as he takes a sip of water. 
The atmosphere around this table was awful, we weren't a happy family, I don't even know what we were. 
"Lets eat" Liss smiles to the attendant who is stood to the side. One by one food is brought in and placed down in front of us. I suppose whilst we were eating, we didn't need to speak to each other. However that didn't stop my father. 
"So Arabella. Nate tells me you have taken up cycling again, with your try out for the GB squad this weekend" 
I almost choke on the chicken in my mouth. Lando looks to me with a worried look. He knew I didn't want my father knowing I was back cycling, not after last time. 
"That's why we decided to come to Monaco so we could attend" Liss smiles as she delicately cuts the chicken in to a crumb. 
"I-I" I was lost for words. 
"It's great you're back competing. I'm looking forward to seeing how much you've progressed." Nate sarcastically responds to me. 
"I have every confidence you will do well Arabella. The last thing we want is more embarrassment on the family. " My father doesn't look up from his food as his poisonous words leave his mouth. 
I look to Lando with tears in my eyes. I was used to this kind of treatment but for him, it was different. His family is nothing compared to mine, I was worried what he would think. It was uncomfortable for me, so had to be 10x worse for him. 
"She's been doing great. Isaac has really been working hard with Belle. I have every confidence she will get on to the GB squad with her performance." Lando responds to my family, offering me a little reassurance smile before tucking back in to his food. 
"I'm surprised you went back to Isaac after last time." My father continues. 
"He's a great coach, I didn't see the need to change that" I mutter from my seat. My father always blamed Isaac for my downfall last time but It was my fathers fault I was even in that position. 
The dinner continued in utter awkwardness, we soon dismissed ourselves after food, claiming I had to get back for a gym session. 
The drive back to Lando's apartment was silent. I'm not sure either of us knew how to process the dinner, neither of us wanting to bring it up first. I head in to the apartment heading straight to the bedroom before throwing myself down on it. I hear Lando's footsteps behind me, the bed gently dipping as he sits at the side of me placing a hand on my back. 
"I'm sorry they found out Belle. I know that's not what you wanted". 
"It was going to happen eventually." I sigh as I sit up. "They found out quicker than I wanted but there's nothing I can do now"
"I think you're going to do great." He places a reassuring hand on my thigh. 
"I'm sorry you had to sit through that dinner. That my family are nothing like yours" I bow my head, disappointed in my family.  
"Hey" He places his hand on my chin, gently lifting my head so our eyes meet. " Don't apologise for them. You are nothing like them. You are sweet, you are beautiful and talented. Who cares if your family are like that, we don't have to see them that often." 
"I know." I still look in to his colourful eyes. "Thank you. Thank you for coming with me. For your kind words"
"Everything I say is true. I mean it all" He leans in for a kiss. Our lips gently meeting. I could stay lost in this moment forever. He always knew what to say. He leans back from the kiss with a big smile on his face.
"What?" I smile back to him. 
"I love you Belle" 
The words I thought I'd never hear from anyone but there he was in front of me telling me for the first time he loves me. 
"I love you too"