That weekend...

chapter ten

Third person POV

Lando had a week off between Monaco and Canada, he so badly wanted to be lazy and eat what he wanted but he had to spend the week at the MTC and travelling in and out of London with his team which he didn't mind as they all got along so well. He and Alexandrina spoke on the phone often and he was pleased with her taste in memes as it matched his. Lando knew Drina helps out at her parents art gallery during the day so they mostly communicated from the afternoon onwards.

As lando sat watching raindrops race down the train window he couldn't help wanting to time travel back to last weekend in Monaco. The train carriage was filled with mclaren employees, the team had important business in London and would be spending three days in the city, although one of those days was a free day where they could hang around the city.

Carlos sat across from Lando next to him was his engineer Tom and next to Lando was Joel. Noise paraded through the carriage; Randy typing away at his laptop, Charlotte and Lucinda talking about how Carlos walks too fast whilst Helen said Lando walked too slow, Coxy and Kyle argued if Pepsi was better than coke etc.

 What would've happened if Lance never threw that party?  Lando thought, man I owe him one.

As the cross country train slowly halted at the platform, the hustle and bustle of St. Pancras station was unbelievable. The group was destined to split up and some were going to get lost. Lando knew that London was Drina's turf and couldn't help but imagine running into her here. As the team disembarked off the train Lando and Carlos were told not to answer any questions if they saw any media personnel, but they were allowed to take pictures with fans. Carlos slowed his pace so Lando could catch up with him and the two walked through the station admiring its beauty. They had both been here many many times before but London just seemed to have that effect on people. The hotel was across the road ; The St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, once again it was very grand for Lando's taste however this time he began to ease into the idea of luxury although it was probably the tiredness kicking in.

The two drivers would be sharing a suite. The living area was surrounded by baby blue walls and supported by dark wood floor which was protected by a mink rug. A white winding staircase hugged the west wall and led up to the bedroom. two double beds were against the back wall, one on each side and the room was connected to a single large bath suite. Lando raced Carlos up the stairs and they dove onto the beds. Their breathless laughter filled the room. They took turns going into the bathroom to get changed into clothes that didn't have Mclaren branding all over them and after decided to binge watch tv on the glossy flat screen that waited downstairs.

"Someones more smiley than usual.." Carlos poked, "Care to share?"

"Nope I don't think I will," Lando teased with a smug look upon his face

"Ay Lando, come onnn tell me what happened with Drina"

After a few moments Lando replied; "We kissed, and we both really like each other but we want to take it slow and get to know each other,"

"YOU KISSED HER AND YOU DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING!" Carlos was so happy it was almost like he was kissed. But he was ecstatic for his little friend, like a proud big brother. Lando looked down and smiled at the scarf tied around his wrist, he smiled because he was happy he didn't have to pretend to be someone he isn't for someone to like him for once, he smiled because he found someone so genuine and someone he had so much in common with.

***

Meanwhile in a different part of the city in an upscale, proper but fascinating art gallery, Alexandrina sat behind her desk talking to colleagues and clients all over the world. To her right sat Adriana who also happened to be on the phone to someone back in Berlin, her home town. Various art lovers walked in and out of the gallery all day. After lunch Drina's colleague Xavier excitedly rushed through the double glass door entrance of the gallery. He set a giant parcel down on her desk.