Art to fall in love with /// Lando Norris

Chapter 29: Return from the Break

The end of the summer break had arrived, and a sense of anticipation hung in the air. Lando stood on the balcony of the beachfront villa in Greece, staring out at the shimmering blue waters. The last few weeks had been a whirlwind of sun, sand, and laughter, but now it was time to return to reality. He sighed, feeling a mix of excitement and dread about getting back to the racing season.

Inside, Max was packing his suitcase, his usual relaxed demeanor slightly overshadowed by the impending return to the high-pressure world of Formula 1. "Hey, Lando, you done packing?" Max called out.

Lando turned away from the view and walked back into the villa. "Almost. Just trying to savor the last moments here."

Max smirked. "You'll have plenty of time to reminisce on the plane. Let's just hope everything's in order when we get back."

Lando nodded, his mind drifting to Cassy. He hadn't seen her in weeks, and their video calls and messages had been a lifeline. Yet, something had felt off in their last few conversations. She seemed distracted, stressed even. He hoped it was just the pressure of work and nothing more.

As they finished packing, Lando's phone buzzed with a message from his manager, Harry. He frowned, opening it.

Urgent: Call me ASAP. There's a situation.

Lando's heart skipped a beat. "Hey Max, hold up a second. I need to make a call."

Max raised an eyebrow but nodded. Lando stepped out onto the balcony and dialed Harry's number. The phone rang twice before Harry picked up.

"Lando, we have a problem," Harry said without preamble.

"What's going on?" Lando asked, anxiety creeping into his voice.

"There are rumors swirling around about you and Cassy. Some photos have surfaced of her with Alex, and people are talking. It's causing a bit of a stir."

Lando felt a rush of anger and confusion. "What do you mean? Cassy and Alex are just friends. This is ridiculous."

"I know, but you know how the media loves a scandal. We need to address this when you get back. For now, just stay calm and focus on getting home."

Lando ended the call, his mind racing. He knew Cassy would never betray him, but the thought of her name being dragged through the mud infuriated him. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself before rejoining Max.

"Everything okay?" Max asked, noticing the tension in Lando's expression.

"Just some stupid rumors about Cassy and Alex. It's nothing, but it's bothering me," Lando admitted.

Max sighed. "You know how it is. People will talk. Just keep your head down and focus on what matters."

Lando nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. He finished packing in silence, his thoughts consumed by the situation back home.

---

The flight back to their respective headquarters was long and uneventful. Lando tried to distract himself with movies and conversation, but the worry gnawed at him. He sent a quick message to Cassy, letting her know he was on his way back.

Hey, just got on the plane. Can't wait to see you. xx

He stared at his phone, willing it to buzz with a reply, but none came. He hoped she was just busy with work.

When the plane landed, Lando felt a surge of determination. He needed to see Cassy, to talk to her face-to-face and reassure her that everything would be okay. As they disembarked, he pulled Max aside.