In the scenic south of Italy, political adviser Ana escapes her demanding career for a much-needed vacation. In a quaint village, she meets Lando, a charming and energetic F1 driver who is also seeking respite from his fast-paced life. Their encount...
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AnaVillanueva:taken by the art master herself, @MiaShh ❣️
Ana's POV:
The evening settles in. Mia and I sit cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by pillows, with two half-empty bottles of wine between us. After my confrontation with Lando, I needed a place to breathe—away from everything. Mia was the obvious choice.
"Public relationships can really mess with your head, you know?" Mia says, pouring us another glass of wine. "It's like, suddenly, everyone has an opinion about your life. And the worst part? You don't get to control the narrative. It controls you."
I take a long sip from my glass, nodding slowly. The alcohol has settled into my veins, loosening the tightness that's been sitting in my chest since I got home. But Mia's right. No matter how much I try to keep my life balanced between work and personal, everything feels tangled now.
"I thought I had it all figured out," I admit, my voice softer than usual. "I mean, Lando and I... we are good, you know? Really good. But then something like this happens, and it throws everything off. It's like every time I feel like I'm standing on solid ground, something comes along and makes me question it all."
Mia looks at me, her eyes filled with that familiar concern only a best friend can give. "It's because it's not just about the relationship, Ana. It's about your life, your work, your reputation. When you're dating someone in the public eye, you're not just managing your feelings—you're managing how the world sees you."
I lean back, letting the words sink in. This isn't just about Lando and me, and some photos with Savi. It's about how this entire relationship feels like it's slipping out of my control, dragging me into situations that reflect on my work and reputation—things that I've worked so hard to build.
"I hate that people at work, in Turkey, were whispering behind my back," I mutter, shaking my head. "It felt like I had lost my grip. Like someone out there had some power over me because of this relationship. And I can't have that, Mia. I can't afford that in my position."
Mia takes a long sip, nodding. "I get that. And honestly? It's totally valid. You've worked your ass off to get where you are. You're not just some woman attached to a public figure. You've got a career, a reputation to uphold. I'd feel the same way."
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "I just... I don't want to doubt him. Lando's a good guy, and I know he didn't do anything intentional, but this—this whole situation—it makes me question whether I can really balance this. Can I be with someone who brings all this extra... baggage, even if it's not his fault?"
Mia leans in, her voice firm but gentle. "Ana, you know I'm all for protecting your space, your career. But relationships—real ones—they come with baggage. Every single one. It's never just smooth sailing. But it's about whether or not you're willing to deal with the baggage because you believe it's worth it."
