Dear Lando - Book Two

16 ♡ Around The World

Around The World By Daft Punk

hour zero

Carlos and Gianna had gotten on the plane first, so Lana instinctively chose a seat on the opposite side of the plane for some peace of mind. She had no interest in spending the next fourteen hours within earshot of them.

Lana settled into her seat by the window, glancing out at the plane's wing as she tried to get comfortable. Lando dropped his carry-on into the overhead bin before sliding into the seat beside her. He glanced around, subtly checking where the others had ended up. Carlos and Gianna were a few rows back, Azalea and Max across the aisle, deep in conversation.

Without missing a beat, he leaned in closer than he ever had before, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why were you with Az?"

Lana, caught off guard by his sudden proximity, jumped slightly in her seat. She squinted at him before whispering back sharply, "She found me at the coffee cart."

The others bustled around the cabin as Lando kept his gaze locked on her, his tone blunt. "What did you talk about?"

Lana gave him a look. "This is the most you've talked to me, and it's about my conversation with her?"

Lando didn't flinch, only raising an eyebrow—a clear sign that he was waiting for an answer.

She sighed, rolling her eyes slightly. "Fine. Not that it's any of your business, but we talked about you." She sat back in her seat, crossing her arms, feeling a small sense of triumph.

Lando's eyes widened a little as he leaned in further. "Go on."

"She was just curious why we showed up together. Had to catch her up on everything," Lana said nonchalantly, her attention shifting to her phone, deliberately tuning him out. The ball was in his court now, but she wasn't about to give him anymore without him asking for it.

Before Lando could press for more information, Daniel plopped into the seat across from them and leaned into the pair, "Is it just me, or is there a lot of tension on this plane?"

Lana and Lando both turned their attention to the Aussie and titled their heads in unison. 

"Gee, didn't notice anything there, Ric," Lana replied, faking dumb. 

"You gotta pay more attention little Leclerc," Daniel oblivious as ever replied as he leaned back and popped his headphones in. 

hour four

The cabin was dimly lit, with most passengers either asleep or immersed in their own world with headphones and screens. Lana, who had tried to relax in her seat, was busy scrolling through her phone when she noticed Lando stirring beside her.

Without a word, he unbuckled his seatbelt and got up. "Bathroom," he muttered, giving her a quick glance before heading toward the aisle.

Lana nodded absently, assuming she'd have a few peaceful moments to herself. But as soon as Lando disappeared from sight, she felt a shift. Out of the corner of her eye, Carlos stood up, casually making his way toward her.

Before she could process it, Carlos slid into Lando's seat, resting his arm on the armrest with a smirk that made her stomach twist uncomfortably.

"Hey," he greeted casually, his voice low but sharp enough to slice through the quiet.

Lana shifted in her seat, "Carlos..." she greeted, her voice betraying her discomfort.

He leaned back, scanning her face for a moment before asking bluntly, "So, you and Lando, huh?"