Ride or Die | Lando Norris (ENGLISH)

31

The Silverstone Grand Prix weekend came sooner than I expected. I was running from session to session, trying to take advantage of every opportunity I could get, so I didn't even have time to even talk to my mother, let alone visit her. Fortunately, we saw each other in the paddock. Amelie was unusually quiet after our last conversation. I knew she had a lot on her mind, especially finishing her studies and looking for a new place, so I expected her to contact me herself when she had a moment. Pietra and Max lived in their bubble, going from doctor to doctor to make sure Pietra's pregnancy was going well. Everyone lived their own lives, so I was looking forward to a few days spent with my loved ones.

– Mel, isn't that Amelie? – Pietra asked quietly as we entered the McLaren garage with her, Max and the Norris family. I frowned and directed my gaze in the direction where the Brazilian woman was pointing.

A short, long-haired blonde walked alone towards the Ferrari garage. Her loose hair bounced sideways with each strong step she took. She was dressed in a black dress that reached halfway down her slim thighs, with a beige jacket over it, and her legs were decorated with black leather high-heeled boots that perfectly matched her tiny black Dior handbag and matching black sunglasses. It was definitely Amelie.

– What is she doing here? – I mumbled more to myself than to the rest.

What could Amelie be doing in the paddock on qualifying day? Where did she get the paddock passes anyway? And how did she even know that the Grand Prix was at Silverstone that weekend? I had to find out everything.

– I'll be right back – I said, keeping my eyes on Greener, who suddenly stopped in her tracks, typing something on her phone.

I moved towards the blonde, but on the way I was accosted by Lily and Kelly, who had no plans to leave me soon. They asked me about everything. Especially about Lando and my new modeling career. I didn't tell them much about Lando, but I did brag about my achievements at the agency. The girls were very impressed by my flourishing career, but were disappointed that we saw each other so rarely.

– Girls, it was great seeing you again, but I have to take care of something quickly – I sighed, reluctantly ending the conversation. Amelie disappeared from my sight. But I would have given both my hands cut off that she was in the Ferrari garage. On Carlos' side.

– Let's meet again for coffee! – Kelly called after me as I quickly walked towards the red garage. Some people around me looked at me curiously as the sound of my black high heels echoed on the ground. I was wearing a white set, consisting of wide suit trousers and a shirt loosely tied around my stomach, which exposed my tanned cleavage. I had a black purse on my shoulder. My hair was tied up in a high ponytail that swayed from side to side with every step I took.

– Charles! – I squealed when the brunette turned out to be the only familiar face in the garage.

The blue-eyed boy almost jumped at my desperate voice, looking behind him. I moved closer to him as his eyes scanned my body.

– You look stunning, Mel – he said, his eyes never leaving my body. I felt my cheeks turn colors.

– Have you seen Amelie? – I asked, ignoring his compliment, but I quickly remembered that he hadn't even met her, so he probably didn't know who she was talking about. – A short blonde, wearing a beige jacket, a black dress and black boots – I explained, showing with my hand the length of the short dress, which was almost covered by the oversize jacket.

– Ah, I saw her with Carlos – his face lit up in understanding and he smiled softly at me.

So that's where she got her paddock passes.

– Do you know where they might be? – I muttered immediately, and Charles directed me to Carlos's driver's room, which I entered without knocking.

I saw Carlos in his overalls, standing in front of Amelie, who was sitting on a tiny couch with her legs crossed. Carlos chuckled loudly as Amelie looked at him with a wide smile. They both looked confused in my direction.

– What is going on here? – I asked nervously as Carlos zipped his jumpsuit all the way up, glancing at his watch.

– It's time for me, qualifying starts soon. Nice to see you again, Mel – Sainz muttered quickly, charming me with his forced smile, and then left the room under the blonde's killing gaze.

– So? – I waved my hand in the air, wanting Amelie to answer my question.

– He invited me to a race, nothing more – she rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by my inquiries.

But what can I do, I was just worried about her. I wanted the best for her, and Carlos Sainz was definitely not that.

– Amelie, I feel like you're not telling me something – I murmured in disappointment.

– And have you told me about what's going on between you and Lando? You went to Monaco and didn't talk to me for about a month, as if I never existed! I must have guessed that something was up, because you had me in high regard – she growled, getting up from her seat. – At least I'm honest with you, Mel. You can't do it even with yourself – she said more calmly, still avoiding my eyes.

– I'm just worried about you, Ams – I whispered, feeling tears welling up in my eyes.

– You don't have to, Mels – she swallowed, smiling at me sadly, and just walked out of Carlos' room, leaving me alone there.

I felt nauseous as tears rolled down my cheeks. I was fed up with all this. Amelie was right. I was a complete idiot for not telling her anything, so why did I expect her to confess to me every little detail about her life? Oh, I felt like a terrible friend.

– Pull yourself together – I muttered to myself, wiping the tears from my cheeks. I took a few deep breaths and left the room, going straight to the McLaren garage, where my mother, my brother, Pietra, Max and the Norris family were watching qualifying.

I grabbed a pair of headphones and went out to join the others. Everyone was on tenterhooks watching the qualifying session from the balcony above the garage.

– How's he doing? – I asked confidently, standing next to my younger brother, who immediately snuggled into my side, not taking his eyes off the cars on the track.

– Lando has a chance for pole position! – Max shouted excitedly, almost jumping over the railing.

– I'm so proud of him – Cisca said with emotion as my mother put her arm around her. Adam, Flo and younger Cisca stared at the track in disbelief, waiting for Lando's second pole position.

– Lando... P2! My congratulations! – Norris' engineer said proudly, making Lando chuckle out loud.

– Wohoooo! Let's fucking go! May tomorrow stay the same! – he replied with enthusiasm, parking his car at number 2. Oscar also did great, winning P3.

I smiled to myself, happy for him. After all, it's his home race.

***

– Ugh, I'm exhausted – I muttered, plopping down on Norris's huge bed in his hotel room.

– What should I say? – he laughed, throwing at me his smelly green sweatshirt that he wore all day.

– Take a shower, please – I grimaced, taking off me his neon hoodie, which fell somewhere on the floor.

– Only if you wash my back – he waggled his eyebrows as he pulled his white T-shirt over his head, standing in front of me in just black jeans.

He was in a great mood, you couldn't help but notice it, and I wasn't going to ruin it by telling him I still hadn't gotten my period. I had to get it within a few days.

– I won't wash your back because you didn't tell me about Carlos's relationship with Amelie – I snapped, raising myself on my elbows to have a better view of his hands that were undoing the belt of his pants.

– How was I supposed to know she didn't tell you about it? Anyway, I wasn't interested in it – he shrugged nonchalantly, opening his zipper.

Oh.

– Go! – I rolled my eyes and threw a pillow at him. I knew what he wanted to achieve. And if I had allowed him to continue, I would definitely have ended up in the shower with him, and we would have dinner together at a nearby restaurant with my mother and his family.

The green-eyed man laughed loudly and disappeared behind the bathroom door. I loved his laugh. Especially when he was completely honest.