Behind the Pit Wall: Jamie Albon's Challenge // Lando Norris // F1

Chapter 6: The Weight of Secrets

Morning sunlight spilled through the hotel curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Jamie stretched lazily as she woke, her body still tired but her mind slowly coming back to life. She let out a soft sigh and swung her legs over the side of the bed. After the emotional rollercoaster of the past few days, she was glad for a little peace this morning. Today would be different—focused, calm, and productive. She needed that.

Jamie stood up and padded into the bathroom, deciding to take her time in the shower. The warm water cascaded down her body, relaxing her tense muscles. She closed her eyes and let herself drift for a moment, enjoying the rare quiet. But as her mind wandered, she felt the sensation of hands brushing over her skin—warm and gentle, sliding down her back. Her eyes snapped open, her heart racing. There was no one there.

She shook her head, embarrassed by her overactive imagination. She was alone in her room, and of course, no one had joined her in the shower. She turned the water to cold in an effort to snap herself out of the strange feeling, letting out a yelp as the icy water hit her skin. The shock was enough to pull her back to reality, and she quickly finished her shower.

Wrapped in a towel, she stood in front of the mirror, taking a deep breath. Today was a new day, and she had work to do. She couldn't let her mind wander too much, especially after everything that had happened with Lando. She slipped into a pair of jeans and a light blouse, her brown hair falling loosely around her shoulders. Jamie smiled faintly at her reflection, her dimples showing when she grinned. Despite the emotional weight she carried, she looked ready to take on the day.

Her tasks were straightforward today: film two videos for TikTok and Instagram and prepare two posts for X. She knew it would be a busy day, but that was exactly what she needed to keep her mind occupied. After a quick check in the mirror, she grabbed her bag and headed downstairs to the buffet for breakfast.

As soon as Jamie entered the restaurant, she spotted two familiar faces sitting at a table near the window. Pierre and Kika were enjoying breakfast together, chatting softly. A smile tugged at Jamie's lips, and she made her way over to them.

"Good morning!" Jamie greeted them with a bright smile.

Kika's face lit up when she saw her. She jumped up from her seat and wrapped Jamie in a warm hug. "Jamie! What are you doing here?"

Jamie chuckled. "Williams and Alpine are staying in the same hotel. I didn't expect to see you guys this early, but it's a nice surprise."

Pierre stood up and gave Jamie a hug as well. "It's been a while, Jamie. Join us?"

"Sure, I'd love to." Jamie headed to the buffet, grabbing a plate of pancakes topped with strawberries and a mug of cocoa before returning to the table. As she sat down, the conversation picked up again, light and easy.

"So, how's everything been with you guys?" Jamie asked, taking a sip of her cocoa.

Kika smiled and pulled out her phone, showing Jamie a picture of a small, fluffy dog. "Meet Simba! We just got him."

Jamie's heart melted instantly. "Oh my god, he's adorable! You brought him with you?"

Pierre nodded proudly. "He's in our room right now. We couldn't leave him behind."

"I'd love to meet him," Jamie said, her face lighting up.

"You can! I'm going to take him for a walk after breakfast. Want to join me?" Kika asked.

Jamie didn't hesitate. "Absolutely."

After they finished eating, Kika and Pierre went back to their room to grab Simba, while Jamie waited in the lobby. When Kika returned with the little dog, Jamie crouched down, extending her hand for Simba to sniff. The dog wagged his tail eagerly and rolled over at Jamie's feet, inviting belly rubs. Jamie giggled as she scratched his tummy.

"He's perfect," Jamie said, standing up. "Let's go."

As they walked around the block, the morning air felt cool and refreshing. The conversation flowed easily between Jamie and Kika, but there was an unspoken tension in the air. Kika eventually broke the silence, her voice gentle but curious.

"So... how's Chris?" Kika asked, glancing at Jamie.

Jamie's smile faltered, and she let out a quiet sigh. She had known this moment would come, but she hadn't been ready to talk about it. "We broke up. Back in December."

Kika stopped walking, her eyes wide in surprise. "Jamie, what happened? You guys seemed so perfect together."

Jamie felt a knot form in her throat as she replayed the painful memory. She motioned toward a nearby bench, and they both sat down. Jamie hesitated for a moment, but then the words came spilling out.

"After the last race of the season, we were supposed to have a nice date. He was supposed to pick me up, but after waiting for hours and not being able to reach him, I got worried. I went to his apartment and found his clothes on the floor, and then... I heard them."

Jamie paused, her voice breaking slightly as she relived the moment. "He was with one of my friends. In bed. When I saw them... I just ran out. I didn't let them explain or say anything. I just... I couldn't stay."

Kika's face was filled with shock and empathy. "Oh my god, Jamie... I had no idea. I'm so sorry."

Jamie nodded, wiping away a tear. "It's still hard to talk about. I haven't even told Alex the whole story. He just knows we broke up, but I didn't tell him why."

"Why haven't you told him?" Kika asked softly.

Jamie sighed. "Because I know Alex. He'd be furious. He'd probably try to punch Chris or do something reckless, and I just don't want to deal with that. It's been hard enough as it is."

Kika hugged Jamie tightly. "You're strong, Jamie. And if you ever want to talk, I'm here."

"Thank you," Jamie whispered, grateful for Kika's support.

After a few more minutes of quiet conversation, they continued their walk with Simba. By the time they returned to the hotel, Jamie felt a little lighter, as if a small part of the burden had been lifted. Talking to Kika had helped more than she expected.

"Thanks for the walk," Jamie said as they parted ways. "I needed that."

Kika smiled warmly. "Anytime, Jamie. I'm always here if you need to talk."

Jamie waved goodbye and made her way toward the track. Her mind was clearer now, focused on the work ahead. She had content to create, videos to film, and posts to plan. It was time to dive into work and leave the emotional baggage behind for a while.

As she approached the paddock, Jamie greeted several familiar faces, exchanging polite smiles and nods. She kept her head down, trying to avoid any unnecessary attention. But just as she neared the entrance to the Williams hospitality, her breath caught in her throat.

Standing just a few meters away, with his back turned to her, was Lando.

Jamie's heart began to race, and she quickly ducked her head, walking faster toward the entrance. She didn't need another confrontation, not today. She wasn't ready to deal with him, not after everything that had happened between them.

Without looking back, Jamie slipped into the Williams hospitality, letting out a small breath of relief once she was safely inside. She found an empty table and immediately began setting up her laptop and camera gear, focusing on her tasks for the day. There was no time to dwell on Lando or anyone else. Right now, her work was the only thing that mattered.