Lando Norris has known Stephania Anderson almost his whole life, but the childhood friends had a rough falling out when she started dating his then teammate. Now four years later, he finds himself back in her life and he has to deal with the feelin...
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51. I'll be around
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Thursday: Media day in Zandvoort
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Yesterday, Stephania arrived in Zandvoort, Netherlands, with Lando by her side. They had taken a flight together, and his presence had been a comfort, helping to soothe her nerves—not just her anxiety about flying, but also the apprehension she felt about returning to work. The summer break had been a much-needed escape, allowing her to step away from the pressures of her job as a Formula 1 journalist for Viaplay, but now it was over. Today marked her first day back on the paddock, and it was media day, a whirlwind of interviews and press conferences.
The sun was already high in the sky as she walked through the paddock, her media pass swinging from her neck. She had a full schedule ahead of her: interviews with team principals about the upgrades they were bringing in for the second half of the season, chats with drivers she'd grown close to over the summer, and reconnecting with colleagues. But despite the excitement of being back, a heavy tension lingered in the air around her.
Stephania couldn't ignore the anxiety that coiled in her stomach. It wasn't just about the workload or the pressure of getting back into the groove of reporting; it was about seeing him—Carlos. Her toxic ex-boyfriend, who had made her life so difficult before she finally gathered the strength to leave. It had been five months since she'd seen him, five months of healing, of rediscovering herself. But now, she would have to face him again, in the very environment where their relationship had first crumbled.
As she moved through the paddock, she could feel the eyes on her. Whispers followed her like shadows, some curious, others judgmental. The online rumors about her and Lando had spread like wildfire, and it seemed that everyone was eager to know the truth. Her colleagues, her friends—everyone had questions. Stephania had prepared herself as best as she could, speaking with the Public Relations officers at Viaplay and her manager, but the reality of the situation was overwhelming. She wasn't sure she was ready for the onslaught of curiosity, the probing questions that would no doubt come her way.
Lando had been a rock for her, grounding her during the flight and offering a quiet support that she desperately needed. But now, as she stepped into the paddock alone, she felt the full weight of her situation. She could see the glances from other journalists, the subtle nods of acknowledgment, and the not-so-subtle stares from others. The paddock was like a small town; everyone knew everyone, and gossip spread quickly. She could almost hear the questions forming in their minds: Are the rumors true? What's going on between her and Lando? How will she handle seeing Carlos again?
Stephania took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as she walked toward the media center. She had always prided herself on being professional, on not letting her personal life interfere with her work. But today, that line felt blurred. The anticipation of facing Carlos, of being asked about Lando, of having to navigate the complexities of her personal and professional life in front of the world—it was all so much.
