the IT girl

Uncharted Waters

After their quiet morning in the hotel, Lando and Lily prepared to face the world once again. As they packed their bags to leave Las Vegas, both of them knew things wouldn't go back to the way they were before. The media frenzy had reached its peak, and no matter how hard they tried to keep their relationship private, it was out there now—fully exposed for the world to see.

They were heading back to Europe, where the next race would be held. But before that, there was a small window of time to breathe. A week where they could step away from the chaos, or at least try to.

Lily hadn't been home to Greece in a while, and with their schedules aligning for the first time in months, she had suggested they take a short trip. Lando, who had never been to Greece outside of race-related events, was excited at the prospect of exploring a new place with her.

As they boarded the private jet to Athens, Lily sat by the window, her mind drifting back to her childhood. It had been years since she'd left Greece, and though her career had taken her all over the world, something about returning home made her feel both anxious and comforted. She hadn't told Lando much about her past, and a part of her was afraid of opening up old wounds.

"You're quiet," Lando said, nudging her gently as the plane took off.

Lily gave him a small smile. "Just thinking."

"About?"

"Greece. My family. It's been a long time since I've been back."

Lando sensed there was more to it, but he didn't press her. He knew that when she was ready, she would tell him. "Well, I'm excited to see it. You can be my tour guide."

She chuckled softly. "I don't know how good of a guide I'll be, but I'll try."

The flight to Athens was uneventful, and when they landed, the warm Mediterranean air greeted them like an old friend. Lily inhaled deeply, the familiar scents of the city washing over her. Lando looked around, taking in the views, the bustling streets, and the rich history that seemed to seep from every corner.

They made their way to a small, secluded villa on the outskirts of the city, far from the paparazzi and the crowds. The property was surrounded by olive trees and overlooked the sea, offering a sense of peace neither of them had felt in a long time.

Lily stepped out onto the balcony, gazing at the water, her thoughts swirling. Lando joined her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

"This place is beautiful," he said softly, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"It is," she agreed, though her voice was distant.

He could sense the change in her demeanor and gently turned her around to face him. "What's going on, Lily? You've been off ever since we got here."

She sighed, leaning against the railing. "Coming back here just... it brings up a lot of memories."

"Bad ones?"

She nodded, her eyes downcast. "Yeah. I didn't have the easiest childhood. My parents... it was tough. A lot of fighting. A lot of... things I've tried to forget."

Lando's expression softened as he took her hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"I never really talk about it," she admitted. "It's hard to explain. I left as soon as I could, threw myself into my career, and tried to move on. But being back here... it's like I'm a kid again, dealing with things I thought I'd buried."

Lando stayed quiet, letting her speak. He knew how difficult it was for her to open up, and he didn't want to push.

"I want to show you the Greece I love," she continued, her voice trembling slightly. "But there's a part of me that's still stuck here, still hurt by everything that happened. It's hard to separate the good from the bad sometimes."

Lando pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly. "We don't have to do anything you're not ready for. If you want to leave, we can leave."

"No," Lily said, pulling back and shaking her head. "I want to be here. I need to be here. I just... need a little time to adjust."

"Take all the time you need," Lando reassured her, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm here for you, no matter what."

She smiled up at him, feeling a weight lift from her chest. For the first time in a long time, she wasn't carrying her burden alone.

The next day, they spent time exploring Athens. Lando was fascinated by the ancient ruins and rich history of the city, while Lily found comfort in the familiar streets and sounds. She showed him the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and some of her favorite spots around the city.

As they walked through the bustling markets, hand in hand, the tension from the day before began to fade. Lando made jokes, lightening the mood, and Lily found herself laughing more than she had in weeks.

They stopped at a small café, where Lily ordered traditional Greek coffee and pastries for them. As they sat down at a table overlooking the busy street, Lando leaned back in his chair, soaking in the atmosphere.

"This place is amazing," he said, taking a sip of his coffee. "I can see why you love it here."

Lily smiled, watching him enjoy the food and the culture. "There's something about Greece that's always felt like home, no matter what."

"Well, I'm glad I get to experience it with you."

As the sun set over the city, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, they made their way back to the villa. The day had been a peaceful reprieve from the whirlwind of their lives, and for the first time in a while, Lily felt like she could breathe.

As they settled in for the night, Lily curled up next to Lando on the couch, her head resting on his shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered.

"For what?"

"For being here. For understanding."

Lando kissed the top of her head, his voice soft. "Always."