Risking it all (Lando Norris)

Chapter 20

Lily

I woke up to the soft warmth of Lando's chest beneath my cheek and the gentle rise and fall of his breathing. The morning light was filtering through the curtains, casting a soft glow around the room. I shifted slightly, careful not to wake him, and slipped out of bed, the cool air of the room meeting my skin.

I quickly pulled on my clothes from the night before—Lando's button-up shirt and my underwear—feeling a mix of comfort and reluctance as I left the safety of his embrace. I moved quietly around the room, dressing and gathering my things. Lando was still asleep, his arm draped over the pillow where I had been, a peaceful expression on his face.

Before heading out, I paused to take one last look at him. There was something so reassuring about watching him sleep, a reminder of the connection we had forged amidst all the chaos. I picked up my phone from the nightstand, noting a few missed messages, but I had little time to deal with them now.

I headed to the bathroom to freshen up. As I brushed my teeth and ran a comb through my hair, I mentally reviewed the day ahead. My doctor's appointment was first on my list—something I had been putting off but needed to address. 

I wasn't particularly looking forward to it, but it was necessary. After that, I would head to the McLaren Technology Centre. I had a busy day of meetings and work waiting for me, and I knew it would be a challenge to balance everything.

With a final glance at myself in the mirror, I grabbed my bag and keys, stepping out of my house leaving Lando a message that I've left for my appointment. The crisp morning air was refreshing, and I took a deep breath as I walked to my car. The drive to the doctor's office was quiet, and I used the time to clear my mind and focus on the tasks ahead.

The appointment itself was straightforward, though it left me with a lot to think about. I tried to push the worries to the back of my mind as I drove to the McLaren Technology Centre. I arrived with just enough time to grab a quick coffee before diving into a packed schedule of meetings and preparations.

Throughout the day, I found myself reflecting on the morning and the time spent with Lando. There was a certain comfort in our routine, even as I juggled my responsibilities. The gentle way he had held me, the conversations we had, and the way he made me feel made it all worth it, despite the pressures we faced.

As I settled into my workday, I couldn't help but look forward to seeing him again, even if only for a brief moment amidst the whirlwind of our professional lives.

The day had dragged on with the usual flurry of meetings and paperwork. By lunchtime, I was eager for a break and decided to head to the cafeteria for a quick bite. I grabbed a tray and went through the line, selecting a sandwich and a salad, my mind already on the pile of work waiting for me back at my office.

When I entered the cafeteria, I scanned the room for a place to sit and froze momentarily when I saw Lando at a table across the room. He was sat with Olivia, the new PR model. They were deep in conversation, their body language open and relaxed. I had hoped to catch a brief moment with Lando, but it seemed he was in the middle of something.

As I approached my the table, Olivia noticed me and gave me a tight smile, which felt more like a rehearsed gesture than a genuine expression. Lando looked up from his plate, and his eyes met mine. 

For a brief moment, there was a flicker of something—an acknowledgment, perhaps—but Olivia seemed to catch it too. Her hand moved subtly to Lando's arm, caressing it in a way that felt both familiar and unsettling.

I watched as Olivia leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a flirtatious murmur. Her eyes locked on Lando's with an intensity that was impossible to ignore. Lando seemed to respond with polite but distant smiles, his attention clearly divided between her and whatever was on his mind.