Lucky number 4

Shit

The way he is looking at me tells me he knows exactly who is behind this. I can't seem to look away. I hold my breath and count the seconds go by. Ella pokes me in my back, bringing me back to the room and the commotion still happening.

"Let's go" she whispers in my ear. We scramble away from the crowd and down the stairs to the entrance. Menno is waiting for us outside, a big grin on his face. I can't seem to relax just yet.

When the Uber pulls into the lane, I finally release a breath I didn't know I was holding. Menno and Ella step in, but a shadow behind me closes the car door before I can follow.

"I'll get her home" Lando tells the others through the open window. No one says a word. I don't know Lando well enough to know what he'll do if we don't play along. He obviously knows it's us.

"Text me" Ella replies. I nod before the driver pulls out.

I take a deep breath before turning around to the driver that makes everybody's heads spin, including mine. His back is towards the entrance, the light from inside doing little to brighten his features.

"He deserved it" I mumble, playing with the ring around my finger.

"He did".

Surprised I look up into what I'm guessing are his eyes. Gods it's so dark out here.

Lando shrugs. "He's a dick. There are plenty of stories out there."

I'm confused, but mostly angry. If there are so many stories out there, why has nobody ever spoken up about it.

"Yet he is still in a position with so much power?! How is that possible! You say so yourself, people know about him."

"People talk, but no one ever came forward. There is no evidence or complaints." I can't get a read on Lando, but he sounds sad. "There is no ground to demote or fire him."

I sigh deeply, remembering the chat I had with Menno and how he wants me to stay quiet.

"But you know what we did" I say, too tired to walk around the bush. "What are you going to do, seeing as I already broke too many rules today."

Lando looks at me for a long time, to the point it's making me anxious. "You did what any good friend would have done."

He turns slightly so the light from inside illuminates' parts of his face. His features look softened. Intrigued almost.

I must be hallucinating.

"I'll keep your secret. I'm not in the habit of getting the actual good ones kicked out." My ears must be deceiving me right now. He is letting us go. Again.

"Why tho?"

Lando looks surprised at my question.

"Why are you being so kind? Most would have had our asses fired already."

Lando snickers, motioning to the clerk in the front to bring around his car. "Let's say I'm entertained, not offended. It's about time things get a little more interesting around here."

I ponder over his answer, not exactly sure what he means to say with that. A beautiful Porsche CGT rolls around the entrance. Lando walks over to the driver who hands him the keys.

"Get in" Lando motions with his hand. "I promised to get you home."

I try not to gawk at his car. Call me a simp, but any racing fan dreams about being in the passenger seat of an F1 driver. I'm frozen in place at the realization he is offering me a ride home. It's just a ride, it's just a ride, I chant in my head.

"I... I can call for an Uber" I stumble over my words.

"Get in Kaya". He is even holding open the door. I'm so screwed.

Reluctantly, I get into his car. I'm so extremely nervous, I sit frozen in my seat. He gets behind the wheel and watches me entertained. I'm glad someone is finding this fun. I don't know why he makes me so nervous. Yes, he is good looking, but so do many other guys.

Is it his persona, the image of him that freaks me out? Probably. Should I show more control than this? Definitely. Lando leans over and I swear I stop breathing.

"Seatbelt" he says, catching something beside my head. When he's finished strapping me in, he starts the engine. Get a grip Kaya. The man must think you're an empty shell with a frizzled brain. Not that he's far off tho, but I take a deep breath and try to get a grip.

"How do you know where I'm staying?" I ask when he speeds out of the venue's parking area. My stomach is feeling funny. As if I'm sitting on a roller-coaster.

Lando looks over at me. Still with that amused smile on his face. "We stay at the same hotel."

Ow. Great observational skills Kay. 10 out a 10.

"It's a nice hotel" I say as a way of conversation.

Lando laughs. "Am I making you nervous?" The bastard thinks this is funny.

"Nope" I totally lie.

"Liar".

The drive to the hotel is thankfully short. Someone overlooking the mess that's my life finally took some pity on me. Lando parks the car in an underground lot that's obviously not for normal guests. I wouldn't know the way out of here if my life depended on it.

"If you were a serial killer right now, this would be the perfect place and time. I don't think anyone else comes out here, except people with enough money to cover up a crime."

The words tumble out of my mouth before I can get a grip on my loose tongue. Lando looks contemplating around the parking lot.

"That was joke" I stammer. Lando grins and walks over to me, clearly enjoying the way he's making me feel.

I nearly jump out of my skin when he places his hand on my lower back and chuckles.

"This way" he nods towards the elevators I had not yet spotted. With a special key, the elevator lights blink to life and bring us right up to the lobby. He gets out and turns towards me.

"Be careful out there, okay. Most would like you quoted 'had your asses fired already'".

I nod solemnly. "Lando" I say as the doors are closing. I throw out my arm to keep them open. "Thank you".

Lando smiles. "Don't thank me yet."

I frown at his odd response. Mischief gleams in his eyes and it's the last thing I see before the elevator doors close.