Art to fall in love with /// Lando Norris

Chapter 3: The Ripple Effect

The days following the Singapore Grand Prix were a whirlwind for Cassy. Back in her small apartment, she could hardly believe how much her life had changed in such a short time. She spent hours refining her designs and sketching new ideas, spurred on by the encouragement she'd received from Lando and the McLaren team.

One morning, as she was finishing up a new concept for a Quadrant-themed hoodie, her phone buzzed with a notification. It was an email from Sarah, the head of McLaren's marketing department. Cassy's heart raced as she opened it.

Subject: Merchandise Collaboration

Hi Cassy,

I hope this email finds you well. The team and I were incredibly impressed with your designs, and we'd love to discuss a potential collaboration with you. Could you join us for a video call tomorrow at 3 PM Singapore time?

Looking forward to it,
Sarah

Cassy's hands trembled with excitement. This was the opportunity she had dreamed of. She quickly replied, confirming the call and thanking Sarah for the opportunity. She spent the rest of the day preparing, making sure her portfolio was updated and rehearsing what she might say.

The next afternoon, Cassy sat at her desk, nervously adjusting her laptop's camera. When the call connected, she was greeted by Sarah's friendly face and several other members of the McLaren marketing team. Lando was there too, his familiar smile instantly putting her at ease.

"Hi Cassy!" Sarah began. "We're thrilled to have you with us. Your designs have sparked a lot of excitement here."

"Thank you so much," Cassy replied, her voice steady but her heart pounding. "I'm really excited to be here."

They spent the next hour discussing her concepts in detail. Cassy explained her inspiration and thought process for each design, while the team offered feedback and suggestions. Lando chimed in frequently, his enthusiasm evident.

"These hoodie designs are fantastic," Lando said at one point. "I love the minimalist approach with subtle nods to the team and the sport. It's something I'd definitely wear."

Cassy's confidence grew with each positive comment. By the end of the call, they had agreed on several designs to move forward with, and Cassy was officially on board as a freelance designer for McLaren.

After the call, Cassy could barely contain her excitement. She immediately called her best friend, Mei, to share the news.

"Mei, you won't believe it!" Cassy exclaimed. "McLaren wants to collaborate with me on their new merchandise line!"

"That's incredible, Cassy!" Mei replied, her voice filled with pride. "I'm so happy for you. You've worked so hard for this."

"I know, it still feels like a dream," Cassy said, smiling. "And Lando was so supportive. I never imagined he'd be so involved."

Over the next few weeks, Cassy's life became a flurry of activity. She balanced her day job with her new role at McLaren, working late into the night to perfect her designs. She frequently exchanged emails and video calls with the marketing team, and Lando often joined to offer his input and support.

One evening, as Cassy was putting the finishing touches on a new cap design, her phone buzzed with a text from an unfamiliar number.

Hey Cassy, it's Lando. I hope you don't mind, Sarah gave me your number. Wanted to chat about some new ideas for the merchandise.

Cassy's heart skipped a beat. She quickly replied.

Hi Lando! I don't mind at all. I'm free now if you want to talk.

A few moments later, her phone rang. "Hey Cassy," Lando's cheerful voice came through. "I was just thinking about some new concepts for the Quadrant line. Maybe we could brainstorm together?"

"Of course," Cassy said, excited at the prospect. "I'd love that. What do you have in mind?"

They spent the next hour bouncing ideas off each other. Lando's creativity and passion were infectious, and Cassy found herself more inspired than ever. By the end of the call, they had sketched out several new concepts that they both loved.

"This is great," Lando said. "You've got such a unique style, Cassy. I'm really glad we're working together."

"Thank you, Lando," Cassy replied, her cheeks flushing with gratitude. "I couldn't have done this without your support."

"Anytime," Lando said warmly. "Let's keep pushing these ideas. I think we're onto something really special."

As the weeks turned into months, Cassy and Lando's collaboration deepened. They continued to exchange ideas and feedback, their partnership growing stronger with each new design. Cassy found herself looking forward to their calls, not just for the work, but for the connection they were building.

One evening, after a particularly productive brainstorming session, Lando paused, his tone becoming more personal. "You know, Cassy, I'm really impressed with how far you've come. You're incredibly talented and hardworking."

"Thanks, Lando," Cassy said, her heart warming at his words. "That means a lot coming from you. You've been a huge inspiration for me."

"I'm glad to hear that," Lando replied. "I think we make a pretty good team. Maybe one day we can meet up again, outside of the races, and just hang out."

"I'd like that," Cassy said, a smile spreading across her face. "I'd like that a lot."

As they ended the call, Cassy felt a sense of anticipation for the future. Her journey with Lando Norris had started with a simple notebook, but it was turning into something much more. Their professional partnership was blossoming into a genuine friendship, and perhaps, in time, something even deeper.