Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 12

Lily

I woke up to the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains, the warmth of Lando's bedroom a comforting cocoon. It took me a moment to remember why I wasn't in my own bed. Glancing to my side, I saw Lando still asleep, his features finally relaxed and peaceful. He had slept through the night, and I was glad I could be there for him.

Carefully, I slipped out of bed and made my way to the kitchen, brewing a pot of coffee. The aroma filled the apartment, a signal of a new day and the beginning of an important journey. Today, we were flying to Bahrain for the first race of the season. The excitement and nerves of the impending competition buzzed in my chest.

I poured two cups of coffee and returned to the bedroom, placing one on the nightstand next to Lando. He stirred, blinking awake and giving me a sleepy smile. "Morning," he mumbled.

"Morning," I replied, handing him the cup. "You slept okay?"

"Better than I have in weeks," he admitted, taking a sip. "Thanks for staying over, Lily."

"Anytime," I said, smiling back. "Now, let's get ready. We have a plane to catch."

We quickly got ready, the routine familiar but with an underlying buzz of anticipation. After ensuring Lando was all set, I left his apartment and headed to my own place, which wasn't far away. The streets were still quiet as I drove, the city just beginning to wake up.

At home, I quickly showered and changed into my travel clothes, double-checking my luggage to make sure I had everything I needed. This was my first race, and I wanted to be fully prepared. 

Grabbing my keys, I headed to the garage and climbed into my McLaren. The engine roared to life, the sound a thrilling reminder of the journey we were about to embark on. The drive to the McLaren Technology Centre was smooth, the familiar route calming my pre-race nerves.

Upon arriving, I saw the team already bustling with activity. Engineers, mechanics, and support staff were all preparing for the trip. I parked and made my way inside, spotting Lando talking with some of the engineers. He looked more relaxed, a good night's sleep having done wonders.

"Ready to go?" I asked as I approached him. He turned and grinned. "Absolutely. Let's do this."

We gathered our things and headed to the team bus that would take us to the airport. The chatter among the team was lively, a mix of excitement and nervous energy. It was a long flight to Bahrain, but the thought of the upcoming race kept everyone's spirits high.

As we boarded the plane, I found my seat next to Lando. He leaned over and whispered, "Thanks again for last night, Lily. It really helped."

"Anytime," I replied softly. "Just happy to help." I added.

He nodded, looking out the window as the plane began to taxi down the runway. I settled back in my seat, the hum of the engines soothing. We had a long journey ahead, both in miles and in the season, but I felt ready to face it all.

This was my first race, and while the pressure was immense, I was excited to prove myself and support Lando in any way I could. The team had been welcoming, but I knew I still had a lot to learn. As the plane lifted off, I looked over at Lando, seeing the determination in his eyes. This was what we'd been working for, and now it was time to put everything into action.

With the support of the team and each other, I knew we were ready for whatever challenges lay ahead in Bahrain and beyond. And as Lando's personal assistant, I was determined to make sure he had everything he needed to succeed.

As the plane touched down in Bahrain, a surge of excitement rippled through the cabin. The Formula 1 community, a blend of drivers, team members, and support staff, buzzed with anticipation for the upcoming race weekend. I glanced over at Lando, who was staring out the window, his expression focused and determined.