The F1 season had been relentless—a whirlwind of Grand Prix weekends that pushed Rose to her limits. After her hard-fought battle at Silverstone, she managed a strong P3 finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix, standing alongside Max and Lewis on the podium. It was a satisfying result, but her luck took a turn at Spa. Despite an impressive qualifying performance, a car issue saw her drop to P7, adding to the season's emotional rollercoaster. The highs and lows had taken their toll, and the mid-season break couldn't have come at a better time.
Back-to-back races had left Rose both physically and mentally drained. Returning to Monaco felt like a chance to reset—a rare reprieve in an otherwise demanding season. She'd moved there just last year, largely at Lando's insistence, and while the luxury and breathtaking views were undeniable, what truly made it feel like home was knowing Lando was nearby. His presence brought a sense of familiarity and comfort that made the fast-paced world of Formula 1 feel a little less overwhelming.
As the plane cut through the clouds, she found herself staring out at the horizon, her mind wandering to the people who kept her grounded. Lando, of course, was the first to come to mind, and she tried calling him, only for it to ring through to voicemail. A little annoyed—especially since they usually spent their breaks together—she scrolled through her contacts and landed on Max Fewtrell's name. If anyone could lift her spirits, it was him.
As the call connected, she felt a small sense of relief hearing Max's upbeat tone. She wanted to catch up, but more importantly, she hoped he had some news about Lando and what he might be planning during the break.
"Look who's calling me," Max said, his tone light and playful. "What is it? You finally remembered your old mate exists?"
Rose rolled her eyes, shifting in her seat. "Oh, stop being dramatic. I'm just bored on this flight back to Monaco and thought I'd check in on my second-favorite pest."
"Second favorite? Ouch. Who's the first, then?"
"Lando," she said with a smirk. "But he didn't answer his phone, so you win by default."
"Typical," Max said, chuckling. "What's the plan for the break? Monaco treating you alright?"
"Yeah, heading back now," Rose replied. "I thought you might know what Lando's up to these days. He's been impossible to get hold of."
"Ah, you know Lando," Max said with a laugh. "Probably off staring at himself in a mirror or something."
Rose laughed, shaking her head. "That checks out. What's he actually doing, though?"
"Well, he's been spending a lot of time with Magui lately," Max said casually, though there was a distinct hint of pride in his tone. "Not official or anything, but there's definitely something going on there. And, if I'm being honest, I may have had a hand in putting them together."
Rose raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, I know. Lando already told me you were behind it. Didn't realize you were moonlighting as Cupid these days. You should find me someone too."
Max chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Oh, I'd need to start charging for my services if I took you on. Do you know how complicated Rose Page is to handle? I'd need hazard pay."
Rose laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, come on, I'm not that difficult."
"Sure, Ro, keep telling yourself that," Max teased. "I'd have to find someone who can keep up with you on track and deal with your competitive streak. That's no easy task, you know."
Rose smirked, leaning back in her seat. "There's got to be someone out there who can handle me, right?"
Max chuckled, his tone turning mischievous. "Alright, if I'm being honest... the only one I can think of is Lando."
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Love 4 Apex | Lando Norris
Fanfiction"What if we're better as a team?" Lando asked, his gaze softening. "We're better as rivals," Rose replied, her heart pulling her in two directions. In this world of speed ambition friendship and love, every race could change everything-on and off th...