Private Life is a happy life

21- Long Way Home

LUCY POV

I woke up and felt refreshed, this time away from everything was just what I needed.

The events of yesterday replaying in my head, with no way of making heads or tails of it. Everything George said, everything with Lando. I went downstairs, the sun was gleaming, no one was up so I decided to jump in the shower.

I got out, put the shirt and joggers on from Lando and sat outside to let my hair dry in the sun, I took my cigs with me, realizing I hadn't had one since the bust up with Max the other morning. I needed one though, I made myself some bagels and a coffee, and sat on the edge of the pool, dangling my feet.

"Good Morning." I heard as I lit my cigarette, it was Max, I didn't even need to turn. "Morning Maxie." I took a drag. "I erm I've got you something." I looks at him and he was holding a phone in a box, "Because I broke yours, I also got you a new number, it's a Monaco one." He sat next to me. "No way! Thank you so much!" I gave him a hug. "Ive fully charged it for you, but I know how much you like photography, so I got the Pro for you." He smiled. "This is perfect thank you Max, I'll pay you back as soon as I can." "Don't be silly, it's a present, for breaking your other one." He looked down. "Max, my old phone was the 10, it's worth about 10% of this one." He just shrugged. "Thank you."

"Ready for our flight?" He asked. "Our flight? I thought it was just me and Lando?" I was so confused. "No, it's all of us." I raised my eyebrow, "Yes even George." I sighed. "Fine" I rolled my eyes.

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We all got on Lando's plane, seen as we all needed to come back here anyway, there was no point taking separate planes.

"Right can everyone send me their numbers please, I've only just been able to set my phone up." I read my number out and one by one I had 5 separate pings. I saved everyone's numbers. "Right got them all saved." I said as I laughed. Max looked at me, "Oh god, please tell me it's not something stupid." I laughed. "Would you all like to know?" "YES!" I got back in unison.

"Right. I've got, Maxie, Charlie, Smooth Operator, Lanny and Lanky." "Clearly I'm Lanky." Laughed Lando. "Shut up." I nudged him. We all sat down, I pulled a book up on my phone while Lando read over my shoulder. About 2 hours in, he fell asleep on my shoulder, as I finished the book, so I took a photo of him and set it as his contact. I looked round and everyone but me and George was asleep, which I'm guessing he noticed very quickly as he asked if he could speak with me. I decided to hear him out and say my piece.

He pointed his head in the way of the bedroom because it was quiet, so I followed him.

We sat on the bed, "What is it George?" He looked like he hadn't slept since last night. "Look, I know you overheard my call, but it wasn't about you." "Then who was it about George? Last I heard, I'm the only Lu that you've slept with." My patience was already thin. "It was my ex, I slept with her the night before I met you, she found about you hanging around with us, she's put 2 and 2 together and threatened to tell the media about me and you. I was telling my PR team that it was her I slept with once and regretted it, not you, how could I ever regret sleeping with you?"

He looked like he was going to cry, "so you wanted to protect your reputation, I get it." I went to stand up, he grabbed my arm and held me there. "What part of that, made you think it was my reputation I wanted to protect? I wanted to protect you, you have enough shit going on without that looming, or it getting back to Dylan. I don't want you to be more miserable at my hands. I don't care about my reputation, I care about you and making your life easier." I was stunned. I had no idea he felt this way.

"What? Why my reputation? You're the celebrity with a reputation, I'm just a lass you met barely a week ago, why would you care about me or my image?" He went pale. "Because, I think I love you." "W-what?" "I'm serious Lu, you're all I've been able to think about since that night in the club, you're so head strong and you never let anything effect you, you make the breaks between races more enjoyable. You're absolutely stunning, you're not just after anyone for money, you're a hard worker and want to make your own way and you're not afraid to step up to anyone, even Max."

I didn't know what to say, I just looked at him in disbelief. "George...I" He stopped me. "You don't have to say anything, I just wanted to tell you but I also got you a present, I know you can't be bought and I don't want to buy you." He reached into his bag and handed me a book. "Charles Dickens' first edition A Christmas Carol! No way! Georgie thank you!" I gave him a hug, that was one hell of an apology. "I'm glad you like it, it wasn't cheap and it was very hard to get my hands on. Now let's go back out before they wake up." I nodded.

I got back to my seat, waking Lando up as I passed by him, "go anywhere nice?" He said. "No, just the bathroom." He nodded and closed his eyes again, laying his head on my shoulder.

I was halfway through my book, when the pilot announced the decent. Everyone was awake and talking so we all sat ready to deboard the plane. We were in Monaco, it's even more beautiful than I imagined.