Mind the Gap

Chapter 14

landonorris: captured, 🇬🇧🥹

Lando's POV:

I woke up with a pounding headache and my stomach doing somersaults, like I'd just finished a high-speed cornering session on an empty stomach. My mouth felt like I'd swallowed sandpaper, and as I sat up, flashes of last night came flooding back in a blurry haze. I remembered seeing Ana and Lewis chatting, their heads close together over the noise of the party. They were laughing, and my brain, in its drunk state, immediately took that as a threat. There was this sharp pang in my chest, a mix of jealousy and insecurity. Lewis is, well, Lewis—he's won more races than I've had hot dinners, and he's got that kind of confidence that comes with experience and, let's be honest, age. I guess part of me figured Ana would be more into someone like him, you know?

I glanced around and realized Ana wasn't in bed. I dragged myself up and headed to the living room of the hotel suite, where she was at the desk with her laptop open, clearly deep into a meeting. She looked stunning, of course, but there was this tiredness in her eyes, and maybe a bit of frustration too. She saw me, held up her hand like, 'Wait a bit, I'm in the middle of something.' So, I just nodded and headed to the bathroom.

I took a quick shower, hoping it might help clear the fog from my brain. As the cold water hit my face, I started to feel a bit more human. I grabbed a bottle of water and downed a couple of painkillers, praying they'd kick in soon. When I got back out, room service had arrived, and there was a spread of breakfast items laid out. The smell of coffee was a small comfort. I sat down, sipping my coffee, trying to piece together more of last night.

I knew I'd messed up. Big time.

Eventually, Ana finished her meeting and joined me at the table. She looked at me with that expression that makes you feel like you're about to get a proper telling-off.

"Hey," I croaked out, my voice still a bit rough. "I'm sorry about last night."

Ana didn't waste any time. "You were really out of line, Lando. You made a scene and embarrassed both of us."

I winced. "I know, I know. I was just... I was drunk, and I got jealous. It was stupid. I shouldn't have reacted like that."

She sighed, clearly not impressed. "You need to understand that I have male friends and colleagues. You can't act like this every time I talk to another guy."

"I know," I said, running a hand through my hair. "It's just... I get insecure sometimes. Especially seeing you with someone like Lewis."

"Why?" she asked, exasperated. "Lewis is just a friend, and he was actually talking about you, congratulating me on us."

I felt a wave of shame wash over me. "I'm sorry. I just... in my head, he's the kind of guy you'd be interested in. You know, older, more experienced..."

Ana just shook her head, clearly frustrated. "Lando, that's all in your head. Lewis is a friend, and he respects you. He was literally vouching for you last night, saying how great you are."

I blinked, surprised. "He said that?"

"Yes, he did. And you were too busy being jealous to even realize it," she said, her tone softening a little, but the frustration still there.

I felt like a right idiot. "I had no idea. I'm sorry, Ana. I should have trusted you more."

She nodded, finally letting out a small sigh. "Yes, you should have. Trust is everything in a relationship, Lando."

"I know," I said, reaching out to take her hand. "I'll do better. I promise. I just don't want to ruin what we have because of my own insecurities."

She squeezed my hand, her expression softening a bit more. "You have to get this under control. I can't keep reassuring you every time I talk to someone else."

"I will," I said, nodding. "I'll do better. I want this to work. I want us to work."

Ana leaned back in her chair, looking a bit more relaxed now. "Good. I hope you mean it. Because this jealousy thing... it's not going to fly."

"I do mean it," I insisted, giving her hand another squeeze. "I'm sorry. And I'm gonna text Lewis to apologize, too."

I pulled out my phone and quickly typed up a message.

Lando: Hey Lewis, mate, I'm really sorry about last night. I was out of line and way too drunk. Didn't mean to act like a prat. Hope we're good?

I hit send and put my phone down. "There. Sent it."

Ana nodded approvingly. "That was the right thing to do."

We sat in silence for a moment, just processing everything. Then I broke it with a grin. "So, let me make it up to you today. How about I take you out? Show you some of my favorite spots?"

Ana's face softened into a smile. "I'd like that. I just ... want to enjoy today."

"Your wish is my command," I said with a cheeky wink.