Fragile Heart

93

We arrived in Abu Dhabi, and now I'm sitting with Alex on a couch overlooking a golf course while Lando, Carlos, and Charles play a round.

"You don't look so good. Are you okay, Stella?" Alex asked, taking a sip of her champagne.

I turned to her, pulling my gaze away from Lando, and shrugged. "I'm just feeling a little off, that's all," I said. Initially, I thought it was motion sickness, but now I'm not so sure. The nausea hasn't gone away, and I'm starting to wonder if it's something else entirely.

"Imagine you're pregnant," Alex says, chuckling.

I raise my eyebrows and laugh. "I'm not pregnant. Lando and I always use protection. Besides, I don't think we're ready for kids," I say, shrugging, though a small, nagging doubt lingers in the back of my mind.

"Do you think you would want kids with him?" she asks, tilting her head. I smile and nod without hesitation.

"Yes, of course. I want to experience everything with him." I smile as I turn back to watch Lando hitting a golf ball.

"Even marriage?" She raises an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. I can't help but wonder why she's so curious.

"Mhm." I smile again, but this time I keep my gaze on Lando.

"What if he asked you to marry him in the next few days or weeks? What would you say?" Her question catches me off guard, and I start to feel a bit confused.

"Why are you asking me this?"

"No reason." She shrugs and takes another sip of her champagne, turning her attention back to the boys. But I can't shake the feeling that she knows something I don't.

|~~~~~|

"You look stunning, as always," Lando smiles, his eyes lighting up as he takes in my appearance in the elegant white dress. He steps closer, his hand finding my waist naturally.

We're going for dinner, until the actual weekend starts, where Lando might be a world champion.

"You look handsome too," I whisper in his ear, planting a gentle kiss on his cheek before we head out for the evening.

Hand in hand, we leave the hotel and arrive at a small, fancy restaurant.

Inside, the ambiance is intimate, and we're seated in a more private area, ensuring it's just the two of us.

"Order whatever you want, I don't care about the budget. I want to treat you tonight," Lando murmurs as he peruses the menu.

I look up at him with a grin. "I want some sushi on the side, my main dish salmon with vegetables, and for another side dish, I want some shrimp," I say, giggling. It's weird—I never really crave seafood, but tonight feels different.

He gazes up at me, his expression a mix of amusement and mock exasperation. "Fine," he says with a playful huff, setting his menu down on the table. I chuckle, slightly surprised by his quick surrender.

"Well, that's unexpected," I comment, setting my own menu aside. He shrugs casually, "You just won't be getting any kisses from me unless you brush your teeth at least five times after indulging in all that seafood," he adds with a wink as the waiter approaches to take our order. I roll my eyes playfully, already anticipating the playful banter to come.

As our food arrives, Lando's expression morphs into a mixture of surprise and amusement as he eyes my seafood-laden plate. I can't help but chuckle at his reaction

Lando winces as I tease him with the shrimp, and I can't help but laugh before popping it into my mouth. But suddenly, the laughter dies on my lips as i pause mid-chew as a sudden wave of nausea hits me like a ton of bricks. Hastily swallowing the shrimp, I place a hand over my mouth.

"Fuck." I mumble to myself. "I don't think these shrimp are good, give me a moment," I manage to say to Lando before darting away.

Kneeling on the floor in front of the toilet, my stomach heaving with each retch. After what feels like an eternity, the nausea subsides, leaving me drained and shaky.

Once I've finished, I lean my back against the wall, feeling utterly exhausted. As I clean myself up, my mind whirls with confusion. What the fuck is happening to me lately? This sudden illness is out of the blue, and I can't shake the feeling that something's not right.

Suddenly, Alex's words echo in my mind once again. "Imagine you're pregnant." The thought sends a shiver down my spine, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainties. Could it be possible?