Art to fall in love with /// Lando Norris

Chapter 8: Sorting Out the Past

Lando sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his phone. Cassy's message played over and over in his mind. He wanted to respect her request for space, but the thought of her hurting because of a misunderstanding gnawed at him. He knew he had to address the situation with Mia once and for all. He sent her a text, asking to meet at a nearby café.

Mia agreed, and within the hour, Lando found himself sitting at an outdoor table, waiting for her. The café was tucked away in a quiet corner of Monaco, far from the prying eyes of the public. He needed this conversation to be private, honest, and final.

Mia arrived, her demeanor as composed as ever. She sat down opposite Lando, offering a polite smile. "Lando," she greeted, her tone neutral.

"Mia, thanks for coming," Lando said, trying to keep his voice steady. "We need to talk."

Mia nodded. "I figured. After what happened yesterday, I'm sure there's a lot to discuss."

Lando took a deep breath. "I want to apologize for the way things played out. Cassy wasn't supposed to find out about us like that. It's not fair to her, and it's not fair to you either."

Mia leaned back, studying him. "I understand, Lando. But let's be honest. We both know that our relationship was never real. It was all for PR."

Lando nodded, relief mingling with guilt. "You're right. Our relationship was a business arrangement from the start, something to maintain appearances. But it's not fair to Cassy. She doesn't deserve to be caught in the middle of this."

Mia sighed, her gaze softening. "I've known for a while that your heart wasn't in it, Lando. And to be honest, neither was mine. We played our parts, but it's clear that we need to move on."

"I agree," Lando said. "I care about Cassy. I care about her a lot. And I don't want to lose her because of a misunderstanding."

Mia gave him a small, understanding smile. "Then go to her, Lando. Explain everything. She deserves to know the truth."

Lando nodded, gratitude filling him. "Thank you, Mia. For understanding and for everything."

Mia reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "Good luck, Lando. I hope things work out for you and Cassy."

With that, Mia stood up and walked away, leaving Lando to reflect on their conversation. He felt a weight lift off his shoulders, but he knew the hardest part was still to come—convincing Cassy of the truth and earning her trust back.

---

Meanwhile, Cassy was trying to navigate her own emotional storm. She needed a friend, someone to confide in, and her thoughts turned to Alexandra, the girlfriend of Charles Leclerc. Cassy had met Alexandra through her work and they had bonded quickly. Alexandra's kindness and warmth had been a comforting presence in Cassy's life.

She texted Alexandra, asking if she was free to meet up. Alexandra responded almost immediately, inviting Cassy over to her apartment. Cassy made her way there, grateful for the distraction and the company.

When she arrived, Alexandra greeted her with a hug. "Cassy, it's so good to see you! Come in."

Cassy followed Alexandra inside, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. Alexandra's apartment was cozy and welcoming, filled with personal touches that reflected her vibrant personality. As they settled on the couch, Alexandra's little cream dachshund, Leo, trotted over, wagging his tail.

"Hey, Leo," Cassy said, scratching his ears. Leo happily snuggled up next to her, his warmth a comforting presence.

Alexandra sat down beside her, a concerned look on her face. "You seem a bit off, Cassy. Is everything okay?"

Cassy took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past few days pressing down on her. "It's been a rough few days, Alex. I need to talk to someone."

Alexandra nodded, her eyes full of empathy. "I'm here for you, Cassy. Tell me what's going on."

Cassy recounted the events in Monaco, from the wonderful moments with Lando to the devastating revelation about Mia. Alexandra listened intently, her expression shifting from concern to shock to understanding.

"Oh, Cassy," Alexandra said, reaching out to hold her hand. "That sounds so painful. I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

"I just don't understand why he didn't tell me about Mia," Cassy said, her voice trembling. "I thought there was something real between us."

Alexandra squeezed her hand. "It sounds like Lando cares about you a lot, Cassy. Maybe there's more to the story than what you saw."

"Maybe," Cassy said, doubt still clouding her mind. "But it hurts so much. I don't know if I can trust him again."

Alexandra nodded. "Trust is a fragile thing, especially when it's been broken. But if Lando really cares about you, he'll do whatever it takes to make things right."

Cassy sighed, feeling the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. "I just need some time to figure things out."

"Of course," Alexandra said. "Take all the time you need. And remember, you're not alone. You have friends who care about you."

"Thank you, Alex," Cassy said, her voice filled with gratitude. "You don't know how much this means to me."

"Anytime, Cassy," Alexandra replied. "How about we take Leo for a walk? Fresh air might help clear your mind."

Cassy nodded, appreciating the suggestion. They grabbed Leo's leash and headed out, the little dachshund happily trotting along beside them. As they walked through the picturesque streets of Monaco, Cassy felt a sense of calm returning. The beauty of the city, combined with Alexandra's supportive presence, helped soothe her troubled mind.

They strolled along the harbor, the gentle sound of the waves providing a serene backdrop. Cassy watched as yachts bobbed gently in the water, their reflections shimmering in the sunlight. It was hard to reconcile the peaceful scenery with the turmoil she felt inside, but the walk was helping.

"Do you ever wonder why life has to be so complicated?" Cassy mused, her eyes fixed on the horizon.

Alexandra chuckled softly. "All the time. But I think the complications make us stronger. They teach us about ourselves and what we're capable of."

"I hope you're right," Cassy said, feeling a glimmer of hope. "I don't want to lose faith in people, in love."

"You won't," Alexandra said firmly. "You have too much heart for that, Cassy. And remember, you're allowed to take your time. You don't have to make any decisions right now."

As they continued their walk, Cassy felt a sense of clarity slowly emerging. She wasn't ready to confront Lando yet, but she knew that she needed to give herself the space to heal and to understand her own feelings. The bond they had shared was special, and she didn't want to let it go without giving it a fair chance.

---

Lando, on the other hand, spent the rest of the day in turmoil. Mia's understanding had been a relief, but the thought of Cassy hurting because of his mistakes was unbearable. He replayed their moments together in his mind—the laughter, the shared dreams, the kiss by the harbor. He couldn't lose her.

He decided to reach out to Alexandra, hoping she might know where Cassy was. He sent her a message, explaining the situation and asking if she had seen or heard from Cassy. Alexandra's response was quick and reassuring.

Lando, Cassy is with me. She's okay, but she needs some time to process everything. I'll let her know you're looking for her. Just give her some space for now.

Lando's heart ached, but he knew Alexandra was right. He had to respect Cassy's need for space and hope that, in time, she would be ready to hear him out. He spent the rest of the evening reflecting on his feelings and planning how he would explain everything to Cassy once she was ready to listen.