Bad Reputation

16.

I did go to the next race. Skipped the practice sessions and qualifying because I had to work, but I flew to the Netherlands after my shift on Saturday.

It was very early when I checked in the hotel that Lando booked for me.

And even though I was extremely tired, I couldn't sleep. I was so nervous, never been to a Grand Prix, didn't know what to expect.

Didn't know what kind of Lando I was gonna meet there.

I only spend time with him in the club or at his place. You didn't have to be a genius to know that he was gonna be very different here.

Lando left a paddock pass for me at the reception desk, said I could meet him at the paddock, but he didn't want to go with me.

Said he did it for me, that it would cause a lot of rumors and he didn't want that, for me.

So I went to the paddock alone, by myself. I scanned my pass and walked in, but I had no idea where to go. I had no idea where to meet him.

I wish Lando did come with me if I was honest.

"You look lost" someone said from behind me. "Uh, yeah I kinda am"

Was it that obvious that I had no idea where I needed to go?

"Where do you need to go?" He asked. "I am looking for Lando"

He chuckled a little. "Of course you are"

It was as if he was used go girls looking for Lando, as if he invited a new girl every race.

"I have to be there too so you can walk with me" he said as he gestured to follow him.

"Are you a friend of Lando?" I asked. "I am his teammate" he answered.

Fuck, maybe I had to do some research before coming here.
I only knew a few drivers, like Lewis, Charles, Pierre and Max.

Only because of the reason that they came to the club. That's how I met them, not that they would actually remember me.

"Are you a friend of Lando?" He returned the question.

"You can say that" I shrugged. "Does he have a lot of friends coming to his races?"

He chuckled. "He does"

Not the answer I wanted to hear but he was honest at least.

We walked into a big bright orange building, which I assumed was the Mclaren hospitality.

Yes I did some kind of research.

Lando was sitting with some people but immediately got up as he saw me walking in with his teammate.

"You're already here" Lando smiled. "You could've texted me"

"Well, your teammate was so nice to take me to your hospitality" I smiled.

Lando looked at me and at his teammate. "So you already met Oscar" he mumbled.

So his name was Oscar. Good to know.

"I am Francesca by the way" I said as I turned to Oscar. "Nice to meet you, Francesca" he said with a smile.

He was cute.

"Yeah okay.." Lando cleared his throat. "Thanks for your help Oscar"

Oscar nodded and walked away, leaving us alone.

"I will give you a tour around the paddock if you want?" He asked. "That would be nice" I nodded.

He was nice, seemed excited to show me around as well. He introduced me to some of his mechanics and showed me around the paddock.

"So this is Ferrari, Charles is just walking out" Lando said as we walked to the Ferrari hospitality.

"Hi mate" Lando nodded at Charles. "Hi, you good?" Charles asked, but his eyes quickly went in my direction.

"You are Francesca, right?" Charles asked as he looked at me. I was quite surprised that he remembered me.

"I am" I nodded.

Max Verstappen walked passed us as well, waved at the both of us.

He also remembered me.

I guess they appreciated that I made good drinks and didn't gossip about them when they were drunk.

But when I looked over at Lando, he didn't look too happy. "I didn't know that you knew them?"

"I don't really know them, they just come to the club" I shrugged.

And then I realized that he probably thought I was a red flag as well.

A bartender in a nightclub, around guys all the time, I asked him to kiss me, started dancing with him, told him to dance with my friend as if I didn't care.

He was probably doubting me as well.

If he knew that he was only a bet at first, then he would definitely think I was the biggest red flag.

He could never find out.