the IT girl

Escape to Hawaii

The warm breeze brushed against Lily's skin as she stepped off the private jet, her sunglasses shielding her eyes from the bright Hawaiian sun. The palm trees swayed lazily in the distance, the sound of the ocean faint but soothing. She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of saltwater and fresh air. This place felt like paradise—far from the flashing cameras, the chaos of runways, and the constant pressure of their high-profile lives.

Lando followed behind, his own sunglasses perched atop his head, his casual demeanor relaxed in a way that she hadn't seen in weeks. "I think we're going to like it here," he said with a smile, walking up beside her and taking her hand.

They had both needed this getaway. After weeks of back-to-back races, media interviews, and runway shows, their lives had been a whirlwind. Hawaii was their escape, a place where they could just be Lando and Lily—no titles, no pressure, no expectations.

"I think you're right," Lily replied, squeezing his hand as they walked toward the car waiting to take them to the resort. It felt surreal to be here with him, away from everything. The tropical paradise was like a world of its own, one where they could just exist together without the noise of the outside world.

As they arrived at their beachfront villa, Lily couldn't help but smile. The view was breathtaking—white sand stretching for miles, the crystal-clear ocean sparkling under the sun. Inside, the villa was a perfect blend of luxury and comfort, but it was the outdoor area that caught her attention. A private pool, a hammock swaying between two palm trees, and the ocean just a few steps away.

"Okay, this is perfect," Lando said, dropping his bags and kicking off his shoes. "No race cars, no schedules. Just us."

Lily laughed, shaking her head. "You really needed this, huh?"

He grinned, walking over to the pool and dipping his toes in the water. "You have no idea. Don't get me wrong, I love racing, but sometimes... I just need to hit pause. And what better way to do that than with you?"

Lily joined him by the pool, her heart softening. Being with Lando was easy, even when the world seemed overwhelming. Here, in this little pocket of paradise, everything felt simpler. She sat down at the edge of the pool, letting her feet dangle in the cool water. "You're right. This is what we both needed."

For the next few days, they lived like they were the only two people in the world. They spent mornings lounging by the pool, sipping on fresh coconut water, and sharing stories about their lives—stories that had nothing to do with Formula 1 or the fashion industry. In the afternoons, they explored the island together, hiking through lush jungles, discovering hidden waterfalls, and swimming in secluded coves. And in the evenings, they sat on the beach, watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange.

One afternoon, as they walked along the beach, Lily turned to Lando, her expression softer than usual. "You know, I'm not used to this. Just... being with someone and not feeling like I need to be on guard."

Lando stopped, looking at her with a gentle smile. "You don't have to be on guard with me, Lily. I know your past, and I get it. But I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here because I want to be, and because I care about you. That's not going to change."

Lily's heart fluttered, but the lingering fears from her past were still there. She wanted to believe him—she did believe him—but trusting someone fully wasn't easy for her. Yet, being here with Lando, away from the world, made her feel like maybe, just maybe, she could.

"I know," she whispered, her gaze falling to the sand beneath her feet. "It's just... hard sometimes."

Lando stepped closer, lifting her chin gently so their eyes met. "We'll take it one day at a time. No rush, no pressure. Just us, okay?"

She nodded, grateful for his patience. "Okay."

They continued their walk, the sound of the waves crashing gently against the shore. It was moments like this that made Lily feel like she could finally breathe, like she could let go of the weight she'd been carrying for so long. And Lando—he was a part of that feeling. He didn't push her, didn't expect her to be anything other than herself.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow across the water, Lando stopped and pulled her into his arms. "You know, I'm glad we came here. I needed this, but more than that, I think we needed this."

Lily looked up at him, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. "Yeah, I think we did too."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms as the sky darkened, the world around them falling into a peaceful silence. In that moment, everything else faded away—the chaos, the pressure, the uncertainty of their future. All that mattered was now.