« so american »

𝕗𝕚𝕧𝕖

{ riley's version }

_

The next morning went the same. Get up, rush up and down stairs, Izzy picking me up and the endless rambling until we got to the building, straight to my office. But after that, there wasn't anything familiar.

"Good morning, Riles."

I looked up, hearing the familiar voice and damning nickname. "Hello, Lando."

"Do you drink coffee?"

"I prefer tea."

He chuckled. "I don't think I've ever heard an American say that."

"There are Americans that like tea, Mr. Norris."

"Call me Lando, please. I am not old enough for Mr. Norris and I don't think I ever will be."

I nodded as I went back to my report. But after a moment of him not leaving from his leaned position against my doorframe, I glanced back up at him.

"Can I help you with something or is summer break so boring that you would rather watch me finish a report?"

"What kind of tea do you like?"

"Grey."

He nodded. "Take anything special with it?"

"Milk and two spoons of sugar. Can I ask why this is important?"

I paused my report as I watched him hold out a mug. It had the McLaren logo on it, along with that damned nickname printed on the side. He had a smirk as I met his eyes again.

"You got me a mug?"

"And now that I know how you take your tea, it will be there for you each morning."

"That's awfully nice. What do you want in return?"

He shrugged. "Can't I just be nice to you?"

"No. No one is nice without a reason."

"It's a smart idea to be on the good side of the media team. I have already set up good relationships with the photographers and Izzy, you are next on my list."

I nodded, taking a moment to look at him. His hair was all ruffled like he had tried to run his hands through it before coming over here. The soft blue of his sweater matched the dark color of his jeans. His outfit alone had to cost more than anything I ever owned but then again, he was one of the richest athletes out there. And somehow, we had unintentionally matched. My blue blazer covered the soft white body suit and dark dress pants. He seemed to notice it as well.

"Are you stalking my outfits, Riles?"

"No, these just happened to be the first things I grabbed this morning."

He raised a skeptical eyebrow. I knew it was teasing but I was starting to find it pressing the wrong nerves. I don't know why but I really just wished to get my work done. Maybe it was still the nerves of not meeting expectations or maybe it was because there was supposed to be some level of professionalism around the workplace.