|Love 4 Apex| Lando Norris

🏎 38 - Season of Possibilities

The early morning light seeped through the windows of the Mercedes training center in Brackley, casting long shadows across the sleek gym floor. Rose stood in front of a row of mirrors, catching a glimpse of herself as she steadied her breath. Her hair was pulled back, face flushed from the warm-up, and her focus sharpened by the weight of everything she'd been carrying.

Liam, Rose's trainer handed her a towel, nodding approvingly. "Feeling ready for Bahrain?"

Rose dabbed her forehead, smiling. "More than ready. Bahrain's going to set the tone—this season feels like it's full of opportunities."

"Good," Liam replied. "Just don't push too hard. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint."

She smirked. "Toto would be the first to remind me, believe me."

Liam chuckled. "He'd probably put you on double paperwork duty if you overdid it on track."

Rose laughed, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "This is it, Liam. I'm not holding back."

He grinned, leaning back with an easygoing smile. "Just don't forget us little people when you're up there breaking records, alright?"

They shared a quiet moment, both understanding the gravity of what was ahead. Mercedes was looking unstoppable, and with her and Lewis leading the charge, this season was shaping up to be historic.

The gym had emptied out, leaving Rose alone in the peaceful quiet, her pulse finally beginning to settle. As she sat on the bench, stretching out her sore muscles, her phone buzzed beside her, lighting up with Franco's name. A smile spread across her face as she picked it up.

"Hey, you," she greeted, her voice soft but bright.

"Hola, champ," Franco replied, sounding relaxed. "Ready to conquer Bahrain?"

"Oh, more than ready," she said, her tone playful. "But I have to ask... how are things going over there at McLaren? Have you and Lando killed each other yet?"

Franco laughed, the sound warm and familiar. "Not yet, but it's only a matter of time, right? We're definitely testing each other's patience."

She chuckled, picturing him at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, with Lando, surrounded by the buzz and intensity of the factory. "I can only imagine. So, what's it like working with him as a teammate?"

"Honestly?" Franco paused, then continued with a hint of amusement. "It's intense. We both want to be on top, and neither of us is backing down. But I think that's a good thing. He pushes me, I push him. Keeps things interesting."

Rose smirked. "Interesting? That's one way to put it. I've known him forever, and he can be... competitive, to say the least."

"Oh, I know," Franco replied with a laugh. "Let's just say the McLaren garage is definitely going to be lively this season. But hey, if we both end up on the podium with you... that could be one for the books."

She grinned. "Can't wait to see that. Just don't let him get too far under your skin, alright?"

"Don't worry, Rose. I've got it covered," Franco assured her. "Besides, I'm saving my best battles for you."

"Good," she replied, her voice softening. "Because I wouldn't have it any other way."

A comfortable silence settled between them, both feeling the unspoken connection that lingered even in the quiet moments. Finally, Franco's voice broke through, softer than before.

"You know... I miss you," he said quietly, the sincerity in his voice unmistakable. "I want to see you so badly."

Rose hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor as she processed his words. "Yeah... me too," she murmured, her tone gentle but not quite able to match the depth of his sentiment. "It's just... it's difficult right now, with our pre-season schedules. There's so much going on."