"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...
After that heartfelt conversation, Rose and Lando made a mutual decision—they would be together, but only in the discreet shadows, away from prying eyes. They knew the risks; with both of them so deeply embedded in the world of Formula 1, their relationship could easily become a distraction, or worse, a target for the relentless media frenzy. The headlines would practically write themselves: "Lando Norris' Championship Compromised by Rose Page?" or "Rose Page and Her McLaren Affairs". It would only fuel the gossip—first with Franco, and now Lando, both teammates fighting for the championship. The tabloids would feast on it, twisting every glance, every interaction into a narrative that had nothing to do with the truth.
The summer break became their escape. With the season paused, they found refuge away from the cameras, traveling discreetly with Max and Pietra. Max, being Lando's closest friend and one of the few in the know, was more than willing to cover for them. Together, they spent the break doing indoor activities—movie marathons, cooking dinners, and even sneaking in private games of table tennis that often ended in fits of laughter.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Every moment together was precious, stolen from the pressures of the championship battle. Lando cherished the quiet mornings with Rose wrapped in his arms, the world outside forgotten. For once, there was no need to pretend, no need to hide—just them, in their own little bubble.
But as the end of the summer break approached, reality loomed. They knew they had to return to the circuit, where everything would become complicated again. They agreed to keep their relationship as low-key as possible, sharing their secret only with a handful of trusted team members at McLaren and Mercedes, and no one else.
"Franco can't find out," Rose said quietly one evening as they sat together on a secluded balcony, the golden light of the setting sun casting a warm glow over them. "Not now, not with everything that's happening."
Lando nodded, his fingers gently entwining with hers. "I know," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's better this way... at least for now."
Rose looked down, squeezing his hand. "We need to protect this. The season's already intense, and adding more tension... it just wouldn't be fair to anyone."
Reality came crashing back at Zandvoort, the first race after the summer break. With Max Verstappen still holding a solid lead in the championship, every point was crucial for Lando. McLaren needed to stay ahead, and Lando was determined to close the gap.
For Lando and Rose, stepping back into the paddock felt like entering another world—one where their secret had to be hidden beneath layers of professionalism. They fell back into their routines, careful not to give anyone a reason to suspect that anything had changed between them. Their touches were brief, their conversations measured, every glance rehearsed to seem casual.
Despite their best efforts, the cracks in their façade were beginning to show. Franco, ever observant, first noticed how Lando's shoulders seemed to relax in Rose's presence, how her laughter seemed to melt away his tension. But little by little, he began to pick up on other signs — the way their gazes lingered just a fraction too long, the quiet understanding that seemed to pass between them, and the way Lando's lips would curve into a soft smile whenever she was nearby. For someone who knew them both so well, these changes, though subtle, were hard to miss.
