The Unexpected

Chapter 21: Dinner

When we finished our work day, Lando and I went back to the hotel and we started getting ready to go to the driver's dinner. I decided to curl my hair and did a natural makeup look. When finished  putting on my dress, I asked Lando to help me put a necklace on. "I'm gonna be so jealous at any guy who looks your way tonight, you're absolutely breathtaking" "That's ok with me because what matters most is your mine and I'm yours, Lan. Plus if that's the case I should've gone insane by now because of how many girls try to throw themselves onto you" he finished putting my necklace on and gave me a nice warm kiss by my neck.

When we arrived at the restaurant, we gave the valet our keys and walked in together. The restaurant had been shut down for the public, and we made our way outside to their patio area. They had the outdoor seating completely turned around, there were fairy lights everywhere, and regular tables were put inside. 

Out on the patio side everyone started talking to Lando, there were a lot of people there I didn't know since team principles where there too and whole bunch of important people. I stuck with Lando the whole time until some point Kelly and Lily, along with a few other wags I didn't know, came by. "Hey Bri" "Hey guys" Lando looked at me understandingly and excused himself, going to go talk to other drivers, so I could talk to my friends.

We all talked for a while, when Kelly and Lily decided to head inside the restaurant to get some appetizers and drinks, they asked me to come with. Agreeing to go, I told them that I have to stop by the bathroom and touch up my makeup. They gave me nod when we were inside so I went to the lady's room to touch up.  When I was finished fixing some smeared mascara, I opened my phone and saw the latest Daily Mail post "Bria Riccairdo shown cheating on latest boyfriend Lando Norris with fellow Australian diver and ex Eric Atwood" they showed pictures from the night we had in Austin, and him hugging me when I was crying a few nights ago. I was furious at this. I started seeing red in utter disbelief, they even stated that my brother was taking Eric's side, as they showed Daniel's insta post from the lunch they had together.

I didn't know what to do I was so out of it from anger, lucky for me Kelly came by to check up on me, since I was in the bathroom for so long.  As soon as she saw me she she new something had happened "Oh Bri what's wrong?" "look" I showed her the post. "Did you actually cheat?" "No I'd never, I don't get why they post stuff like this." "It's because it's the Daily Mail, they stir up drama all the time, don't worry about it. Lando has to know you're telling the truth. There's no need to be worried, you're going to go walk out right now with your chin up and act as if they never even posted that. Mk? You hear me Bri? You will go out there right now and prove them wrong"

So that's exactly what I did, I walked out with Lily and Kelly at my side for support, acting as if nothing was going on, holding a drink in my hand. I had gotten a few side eyes, which made me assume people saw the "news". I made my way up to where my brother was standing, and casually dragged him out of conversation. "Daniel, look have you seen what they posted about me? They accused me of cheating on Lando and they used your post as evidence!" "Bri I'm so sorry I wouldn't have posted that, it's not true though everyone knows that, try and find Lando to talk to him about it"

I walked around searching for Lan everywhere only I couldn't see him. Out of options as too where he could be, I went down to the valet and asked if Lando had left. The valet told me he had left like ten minutes ago looking really frustrated. Guess he saw the article.

I tried calling over and over again and texting frantically yet he wouldn't answer. Shit I screwed up badly! I should have never agreed to get drinks with Eric! Unwillingly tears started flooding down my face. 

I called a cab and got to his hotel, I was starting to shake from nerves. I went to Landon's room hoping he was there, but he wasn't answering the door. I decided to go down to the front desk and ask for a keycard saying I'd lost mine, knowing they'd give me, since they'd seen me walk in with Lando several times. With the keycard now in hand, I went back upstairs and unlocked Lando's door. When I opened the door, there he was looking at me like I'd hurt him so badly, my heart shattered at the sight.

"How could you Bri?" "Lando I didn't cheat on you, you know the Daily Mail lies all the time"
"I want to believe you, I really do but you lied to me, you looked me in the eyes and lied to me"
"What are you talking about?" "You told me you were old friends Bria, but y'all were dating, and the pictures Bria how do you explain those" "We just went out for drinks nothing else"  "Then why was he hugging you two nights ago?" "Because I was crying Lando, he was just trying to comfort me" "Bria please I don't want to see you right now!" "Lando you don't mean that" "I do Bria, I'm begging you, I'm trying really hard to keep my cool right now, I don't want to scream at you so please leave. " we both started to shed tears, why couldn't he just believe me. After a while, he saw I wasn't going to leave so he stormed out instead, slightly slamming the door behind him.

What was I going to do, how can I fix this?