Flight Attendant - Lando norris fanfic

10 - A Confusing Connection

February 2025

The days after my last encounter with Lando were a haze of emotions that I struggled to keep in check. I'd spent so much time trying to distance myself from him, convinced that it was the right thing to do, that I hadn't realized how much it would hurt to actually lose him. The pain of it gnawed at me, making it hard to focus on anything else. I tried to tell myself that it was for the best, that I was protecting myself and my career, but the hollow feeling in my chest told me otherwise.

Work was my only refuge. Throwing myself into my duties helped keep my mind occupied, at least for a while. But even then, Lando was always there, lurking in the back of my thoughts, no matter how much I tried to push him away.

When I saw Oscar's name on the flight manifest for my next assignment, my heart sank. He was Lando's teammate and a new client for the airline, which meant there was a chance I'd be seeing Lando again, despite my best efforts to avoid him.

The flight was uneventful, but Oscar's presence was a constant reminder of everything I was trying to forget. He was charming and friendly, easy to talk to, and his youthful energy was contagious. But there was a weight behind his smile that I couldn't quite place, something that hinted at the pressures of his life as a Formula 1 driver.

As we prepared to land, Oscar lingered in the galley, striking up a conversation with me.

"So, Cordelia," he began, his tone casual but curious. "You've been flying with Lando for a while now, haven't you?"

I nodded, trying to keep my response neutral. "Yes, I've had the pleasure of working with him a few times."

Oscar leaned against the counter, his expression thoughtful. "He talks about you, you know."

My heart skipped a beat, but I forced myself to remain calm. "Does he?"

"Yeah," Oscar said, his smile softening. "He's usually pretty guarded, but he mentioned how professional you are. How much he respects you."

The words sent a pang of guilt through me. I had pushed Lando away, convinced that it was the right thing to do, but hearing that he still respected me, even after everything, made me question my decision all over again.

"Oscar, can I ask you something?" I said, my voice quieter than I intended.

"Of course," he replied, his gaze attentive.

"What's it like for him? Being in the spotlight all the time?" I asked, hoping to understand more about the man I had tried so hard to distance myself from.

Oscar's expression grew serious. "It's tough, to be honest. People see the fame and the money, and they think it's all fun and games, but it's a lot of pressure. Lando's got a lot on his shoulders. He's expected to perform, to win, to be perfect all the time. And on top of that, everyone's watching, judging."

He paused, as if choosing his next words carefully. "He doesn't let many people in, you know? He's good at putting on a show, but underneath it all, he's just trying to figure it out like the rest of us."

I looked at Oscar, feeling a mixture of emotions that I couldn't quite sort out. Lando had always seemed so confident, so in control, but hearing this side of him made him seem more human, more vulnerable. It was a side I hadn't allowed myself to see before, too caught up in my own fears to consider what he might be going through.

Oscar must have sensed my internal struggle because he gave me a small, understanding smile. "He likes you, Cordelia. More than I think even he realizes. But I get it—you've got your reasons for keeping your distance. All that its been said about him, not everything is true. He is a good guy"

His words hung in the air between us, heavy with implication. I wanted to deny it, to say that he was wrong, but the truth was, I didn't know what to feel anymore. I had been so focused on protecting myself that I hadn't stopped to consider what I might be missing out on.

As we touched down and began to disembark, Oscar gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Just something to think about," he said with a wink before heading off down the aisle.

I watched him go, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. Oscar's words had struck a chord, opening up a part of me that I had been trying to keep locked away. The truth was, I was drawn to Lando in ways I couldn't deny, both physically and emotionally. But that attraction terrified me because I knew what could happen if I let my guard down.

The memory of Ibiza still haunted me, the way Aaron Miller had made me feel, the violation of my trust and my body. The fear of that happening again, of getting too close to someone and being hurt, was a constant shadow over everything I did. It was easier to keep people at a distance, to control the situation, rather than risk being vulnerable.

But now, with Lando, things were different. He wasn't like Aaron. He wasn't a predator waiting to pounce. He was just a man, flawed and struggling, just like me. And that realization made it even harder to resist the pull I felt toward him.

Days turned into weeks, and I found myself thinking about Lando more and more. I replayed our conversations, the way he looked at me, the way he made me feel seen, really seen, in a way that I hadn't experienced in a long time. The more I tried to push those thoughts away, the stronger they became, until I could no longer deny that I was losing the battle with myself.

It was during one of those sleepless nights, lying in bed and staring at the ceiling, that I made a decision. I couldn't keep running from my feelings, from him. If I kept shutting people out, I would end up alone, haunted by my fears for the rest of my life. I needed to take a chance, to see where this connection with Lando could lead, even if it terrified me.

The next morning, as I sat in my kitchen with a cup of coffee, I pulled out my phone and stared at the message thread with Lando. His last message, sent weeks ago was still there, unanswered. He had tried so hard to reach out, to understand, and I had shut him down at every turn. But I couldn't do that anymore.

Taking a deep breath, I typed out a message before I could talk myself out of it.

Me: I've thought about it. I'd like to have a chat—if the offer still stands.

I hit send before I could second-guess myself, my heart pounding in my chest. The anxiety was still there, a constant hum in the background, but for the first time in weeks, I felt a flicker of hope.

It was time to face my fears, to see where this confusing, complicated connection with Lando might take me. And for better or worse, I was ready to find out.