From the Past - Lando Norris

Eighteen: Complicated

--Ella's POV--

My nerves have been in shambles all week and now I have to get photos during a meeting with the team. Thankfully Lando will be on stage for most of the day and I'll be running around getting shots of the whole group. There are endless streams of orange people running through the building as I go upstairs. I go onto the catwalk above where the guys will be talking, "Hey," Oscar says making me jump as I start unpacking my bag. He apologizes as I stand up and give him a quick hug looking to see if Lando is with him.

"Excited to talk to a bunch of people?" I ask knowing this is his nightmare scenario. Lando has always been the talkative one out of the pair. Lando is probably excited to make people laugh while talking about his favorite things. He sits down next to me on the floor and leans on the railing as he watches me unpack. 

"I think I'll just hide up here with you. Lando won't even notice," he says as I give him a small smile, "At least promise me you'll make me look good".

"You do that yourself," I assure him as someone calls his name. People are starting to file into the main room meaning it's time. I reassuring rub the back of his shoulder as he stands up and stalls a little longer. After a whispered good luck he walks off and drags down the catwalk towards the door. I take some shots of the crowd, zooming in on some faces as they talk to their colleagues. There is such a positive vibe working here. I swear everyone is happy...well besides when the car is underperforming. Lando and Oscar walk onto the stage smiling about something they were talking about before. 

The floor-to-ceiling windows make for amazing lighting. Lando has the microphone first and I grab some solo shots of him. He rubs the stubble on his chin as he thinks of what he's saying. I'm envious of his ability to win over a crowd. He's a good frontman for everything and he's earned it. It's hard to hate him when he's such a genuine person. I always knew he would grow into the man he is today. I just wish I could have been around and helped him get here. When a slideshow starts playing and the lights dim I look at some of the photos I just took. My fingers stop when I get to a photo of him smiling up at me. His eyes are bright and his smile doubles when he finally spots me in the crowd. My heart started beating a little faster when I saw it.

His curls are sticking out under a beanie that he's been wearing a lot because of how chilly it is in Monaco. His McLaren sweatshirt is on display every time he turns around to motion toward another thing on the screen. I look back at my camera and zoom in on his face. I feel like a proper creep but his smile is contagious. Oscar's voice on the microphone pulls me out of my daze. I look up and see the guys subtly laughing about something as I point the camera at the Aussie. I didn't expect to get so many good photos today. 

As everyone is filtering out of the room I squat down to start cleaning my stuff, "You avoiding me Wings?" Lando says in the microphone making me jump. I stand up and move to the railing seeing him on stage looking up at me.

"Wouldn't dream of it," I yell down as Oscar looks amused, "You did good today," I call out.

"Thanks," Lando says back.

"I was talking to Oz," I clarify as he licks his lips smiling, "You weren't bad either"

He shakes his head and turns off the microphone keeping his smile. I guess he's going to ignore the kiss. Maybe that's for the best. He was pretty drunk. It was probably a drunken mistake that I'd put too much thought into. When I realize I've zoned out I hear the door to the catwalk open and see him walking in, "You doing anything for dinner tonight?" he asks as I pick up my bag. I walk past him with a smile because I have to finish editing these photos and get them in by tomorrow morning. He grabs my arm making me stop. I turn my head and see him looking at me, "We have to talk about the other night," he says in a low voice. A shiver goes down my spine and the door opens again. Lando's hand falls so I turn seeing Max walking in.

"What are you doing here?" I ask as he walks in giving me a quick kiss.

"I wanted to see if you had plans for dinner tonight," he says before looking at Lando. His eyes narrowed a little seeing how close he was to me, "I wanted to apologize for the event the other night. I was way beyond drunk and don't really remember anything," He says with a small laugh as he grabs my bag for me.

"It was an unforgettable night," Lando says as Max looks at him before back at me, "Wouldn't you agree?" He asks making the air thicker. His eyes twinkle as I struggle to think of words. The look on his face is enough to render me speechless.

"Come on you can tell me all about it," Max smiles grabbing my hand and walking towards the door, "Have a good night, Norris"

"Wings," He nods in my direction ignoring Max. I give him a small smile as the door shuts behind us leaving him alone on the ledge.