The bright neon lights of Las Vegas lit up the night as the excitement for the Grand Prix buzzed through the city. It was a spectacle like no other—fast cars, flashing lights, and the energy of the crowds electrifying the streets.
Lando had been preparing for this race for weeks, but this time, it felt different. Lily was by his side, and it was the first time they were attending a Grand Prix together after going public. There were no more secrets. No more sneaking around. And while that brought a lot of attention, it also brought a strange sense of freedom.
They arrived at the paddock together, and from the moment they stepped out of the car, cameras were everywhere. Reporters, fans, and photographers all tried to capture a glimpse of the couple who had shaken the F1 world with their surprise announcement.
Lily looked stunning in a sleek black jumpsuit, her hair tied back in a high ponytail, her face calm despite the chaos around them. She held onto Lando's arm as they made their way through the paddock, her sunglasses shielding her from the flashes, but Lando could feel her grip tighten slightly. He leaned in, his voice low.
"You okay?"
She nodded, offering a small smile. "Yeah. Just... a lot."
He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "You're doing great. Let's just focus on the race."
As they walked past the garages, some of the team members waved and smiled at Lily. She had met most of them before, but now, everything felt a little different. More eyes were on her. More expectations. Still, she handled it with grace.
When they reached the McLaren garage, Lando turned to her. "You can hang out here or go up to the VIP area. Whatever you're comfortable with."
Lily glanced around. She could see the curiosity in people's eyes, the way some fans and reporters were already whispering. But she wasn't about to hide. Not now. She smiled at him. "I'll stay here. I want to be close."
Lando grinned, clearly relieved. "I'm glad."
As they settled in, the pre-race atmosphere buzzed with intensity. The sounds of engines roaring, teams prepping, and the general chaos of the paddock filled the air. Lando disappeared into the garage to get ready for the race, leaving Lily with a few of the McLaren team members. They were kind, offering her drinks and making her feel welcome, but she could still feel the weight of the attention from outside the garage.
She checked her phone, scrolling through a few messages, one from Mia, who sent a selfie of her and a group of friends watching the race from home. "Cheering for Lando! You got this!" Lily smiled at the message and quickly replied.
Just then, the familiar sound of someone approaching made her look up. It was Carlos Sainz, with his usual grin plastered on his face. "Hey, look who's braving the madness!" he teased, giving her a friendly hug.
"Hey, Carlos," Lily greeted warmly. "How are you feeling about the race?"
"Excited. You know Vegas—it's all about showtime." He winked, clearly in high spirits. "But it's good to see you here. You're good luck for Lando."
Lily laughed. "Let's hope so. I'd hate to be bad luck."
Carlos chuckled and waved as he headed off to his own garage. Lily watched as more drivers passed by, many of them giving her friendly waves or quick greetings. She was starting to feel more comfortable, more at ease, even as the cameras outside the garage kept flashing.
Before long, it was time for the race.
The lights went out, and the roar of the engines filled the air as the cars sped down the track. Lily's heart raced with the adrenaline of it all. She wasn't new to racing—she had seen a few races before—but watching Lando on the track, knowing how much it meant to him, was different. It felt personal.
Every time he passed by, her eyes followed his car, holding her breath as the cars weaved and overtook one another under the bright Vegas lights. The city was alive, the track glowing against the dark desert sky, and the intensity of the race was palpable.
Lando was driving brilliantly, and with every lap, Lily found herself cheering him on, nerves and excitement building up. The race was fast-paced, and by the time the final lap approached, Lando was in a fierce battle for the podium.
As the cars crossed the finish line, Lando finished in third, securing a spot on the podium. The McLaren garage erupted into cheers, and Lily found herself caught up in the celebration. She could hardly believe it—his first podium since they had gone public, and in a place as iconic as Las Vegas.
After the race, Lando walked into the garage, drenched in champagne and grinning from ear to ear. He spotted Lily, and without hesitation, pulled her into a hug.
"Third place, not bad, huh?" he said, still catching his breath.
"Not bad at all," Lily replied, smiling up at him. "I'm so proud of you."
He kissed her cheek, his smile widening. "Couldn't have done it without you."
As they left the paddock that night, arm in arm, the bright lights of Las Vegas shone down on them. It was a night neither of them would ever forget—Lando's podium, their first public race together, and the start of something even bigger.
The world might have been watching, but all that mattered to them was that they were in it together.
@Lando.Norris
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the IT girl
RomanceLily Ralph, a 23-year-old Greek model, is strong-willed and independent. Growing up in an abusive household, she developed deep trust issues, making it hard for her to let people in. Despite her tough exterior, there's a vulnerability underneath, on...