The gamble of love

23

Jo's POV

I got woken up by the sound of my alarm going off, I turn around and shut it off quickly. We have two days off before our flight to the next race, which I am thankful for. I see Charles still sleeping peacfully. I gently wiggle myself out of his arms and grab my phone and go to the kitchen to make coffee. I take my coffee and go sit outside on the balcony. I lit a cigarette and started to scroll through Instagram.
All of a sudden an article caught my eye. I clicked on it, the caption read 'Baby Sainz causing drama between the boys' I mentally roll my eyes. Why are they targeting me like this? I see photos of my and Lando outside the club last night, we were laughing in the shot they took. And then another picture followed where Charles were with us looking mad at Lando, which was not completely the case. 'Why does Charles LeClerc seem angry at her and Lando spending time together?' And finally a photo of the shirt that Max gave me with the caption, 'he made the day special for her.' I sigh. Against my better judgment I start reading the comment section.
- She can rather have Lando than Charles.
- how is she even related to Carlos? He is so gorgeous and she is just 🤢
- Charles is in a happy relationship with Alex, you can't compare girl, keep walking! 👋
- Lando looks really inlove with her, I find it so cute.
- I wonder how Kelly feels about Josephine making a move on her man? 🤔

I put my phone down as I feel tears rolling down my cheeks. These people really are crazy. I just sat there smoking and also crying, how can people be so cruel to someone they have never even met? Suddenly my phone began to ring, it's Lando. I sigh and the answer the call. "Hey" he says. "Hi Lan" I tell him. "Are you okay?" He asked. "Not really, I assume you saw the article on Insta?" I ask him. "Yeah, that's why I am calling. To make sure you are alright but also, Zak saw it and he wants to have a meeting with me and you in an hour." He says. Oh no, am I going to lose my job because of this gossip? "I'll arrange a car for us and meet you downstairs in a bit?" He asked. "Yeah that's fine, I'll go back to my room and get ready." I tell him. "Where are you now?" He asked. "At Charles" I say silently. "Okay be careful when you leave, there are fans and paparazzi everywhere." He says and I told him I will and then we said goodbye.
I went over to the bedroom and woke Charles up. "Good morning baby." He says in a sleepy voice. "Good morning Char." I say and cuddle up to him. "I have a meeting with Lando and Zak so I have to leave to get ready." I tell him. "A meeting about what?" He asked and I take my phone to show him everything and he quickly reads through it. "I'm sorry baby" is all he says. "It's not your fault, I am sure everything will be fine." I tell him. We talked for a bit and then I put my clothes on and leave to my room. I quickly took a shower and threw on some jeans and a shirt with sneakers. I didn't do any make up and just threw my hair up in a messy bun. I went downstairs and saw Lando waiting there for me. We greet each other with a quick hug and then walk through all the people towards the car.

Soon after we arrived at a small coffee shop where Zak told us to meet him. Luckily it was pretty quiet here, when we walk in we see Zak sitting at a table waiting for us. We sat down with him and greeted him, then a waiter came to take our order.
"So I've been seeing alot from you two on social media, what's going on?" Zak began. "Nothing is going on, the fans are just speculating." Lando says and I nod my head agreeing with him. "Lando, everyone can see the way you look at her, and how your face lights up when you are around her." Zak says and I can see Lando turning red from embarrassment. I clear my throat, "there were some romantic feelings between us, but that was a long time ago, and it all ended when I started dating Charles." I say. "Well, as I understand Charles currently has a PR girlfriend? To keep people from finding out that you two are together." He says. "Yeah, it was arranged when we arrived here." I tell him and he nods. "How would you two feel about a PR relationship?" He asked and me and Lando looked at each other wide eyed. "What?" Lando asked him. "It will be allowed as Jo works for McLaren so it wouldn't be a conflict of interest, meaning Jo will be able to keep her job and the two of you are bringing in good publicity for the team, the fans seem to love you two together." Zak explains. I don't know what to think about this, it really is a terrible idea, as I know how Charles will react. We all kept quiet for a moment. "I know it will be awkward with Charles, but unfortunately there is no question, it was a request from the team, for us to be able to keep you working, we don't want to lose you." Zak says. "I- um, yeah I suppose it will be fine then." I say looking down. "Jo, are you sure?" Lando asks me. "Yes, I can't afford to lose my job now and we are close friends so I think it will work out fine. I will explain everything to Charles." I say and they both nod their heads. "Great, I want you to go with Lando wherever he is going for the two off days, and act like a real couple so that the media will buy it." Zak says. We agree and finish our coffee and then me and Lando go back to the hotel. "My flight to Monaco is in two hours, will you be ready by then?" Lando asked as we are walking in. "Yeah, I'll talk to Charles and pack my things and meet you at your room before we leave." I tell him and he agrees and we part ways. I text Charles to come over to our room and he soon after arrives.