CALL YOUR MOM | ln4

seventeen.

{ jonesy }

"Why are you going in again? I didn't think you had any photoshoots that needed to be done."

My phone was tucked between my cheek and my shoulder as I walked into the MTC, waved to Marta, and made my way upstairs. "I'm not totally sure? I just received notice from Charlotte that I was needd for a meeting."

"Who is Charlotte again?" Ruthie was on her lunch break at work and had claimed she wanted 'all the tea.' I had been informed of this meeting when I woke up this morning and told Charlotte the earliest I could come in was around 11:30 – I had other things I had to do this morning.

"She's Lando's PR manager."

"And why does she want a meeting with you?"

I laughed, walking into the hallway that the conference room was in. "I just told you I didn't know, but I need to go, I'm almost at the room and don't want to be rude."

"I expect a full debrief tonight!"

Nothing much else was said before we ended the call, we just exchanged our usual 'i love you's and then went about our day. I, however, grew extremely nervous. I hate meetings. They make me anxious.

I knocked on the door once I stepped in front of it. A quiet 'come in' could be heard and I followed directions. Upon entering the room, I noticed Charlotte sitting on one side of the table and an angry-looking Lando on the other.

Is it only going to be the three of us?

"What's going on, Char?" I asked, suddenly confused as to why I was needed here. If Lando did something that needs a meeting with his PR Manager, why was I here? I'm just a photographer.

Charlotte shook her head, "Sit, please, Jonesy."

Without another question, I did. I sat down directly next to Lando who just happened to be refusing to look at me. Or at least that's how it seemed.

"Taking the fun out of my win, Charlotte." Lando mumbled.

I didn't miss the glare she sent his way, "I asked you to come in today, Jonesy, because of what happened in Miami."

Miami?

"What happened in Miami?" For the life of me, I couldn't pinpoint anything alarming. All that was noteworthy that happened was Lando winning his first GP.

Lando's fist hitting the table startled me, grabbing my attention. His eyes were now on me. "Our fucking hug. That's it, that's what they're pissed about."

Our hug? I'm confused, "What's wrong with Lando hugging me?" I mean, we're friends, we've known each other since childhood. What's wrong with a hug?

Charlotte was rubbing her temples when I looked at her, obviously not happy with either of us. "Nothing per se, but pictures were taken by the press and there were murmurings of how questionable it looked that he was hugging an employee like that."

Ouch.

Why does everyone seem to use my job as an insult these days?

"She's my friend, Charlotte. Let it be."

I looked to Lando and then to Charlotte. "So, why was I brought in?"

"You were both brought in for us to set some ground rules. It's fine that you're friends, but we need to limit the PDA while in public. To keep things professional."

Lando scoffed but didn't speak. So I did.

"What does that mean?"

Charlotte pulled out a tablet, tapping away on it. I wonder if she had written notes down on it. "I know you two both thrive on physical touch, but let's keep it to a minimum. And no public outings just the two of you and–"