𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄!

𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍'
𝟐𝟑. 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠

It had been a week since Gianna moved into Lando's apartment in Monaco, and though the sleek, modern space felt a bit surreal at first, she was starting to settle in. The light poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, offering stunning views of the Mediterranean that she still couldn't quite get over. With Lando away in Miami for the race weekend, the apartment felt quiet—too quiet—so she decided to liven things up by inviting Aurelia and Callum over.

Aurelia arrived first, as vibrant and animated as always. "Alright, let's see this palace of yours," she said, stepping into the living room with a wide grin.

Gianna laughed, closing the door behind her. "It's not a palace."

"It's practically one," Aurelia argued, spinning around to take in the space. "How do you not feel like you're living in a Bond movie?"

Callum showed up not long after, his typical laid-back energy balancing out Aurelia's excitement. "I was going to say I was jealous, but I can't even hate on this place. It's insane," he said, dropping his bag onto the kitchen counter as he looked around. "You're officially living the Monaco dream, G."

Gianna shrugged, a little bashful under their teasing. "I mean, it's just temporary. But it's nice. And Lando's been amazing about it."

"Yeah, yeah," Aurelia waved her off, plopping down on the plush couch. "Temporary or not, I'm stealing your life."

The three of them spent the next hour exploring the apartment, with Gianna showing them the terrace, the cozy guest bedroom, and Lando's small but immaculate collection of helmets displayed in his office. Aurelia and Callum were full of questions—about the space, about Monaco, and, of course, about Lando.

"So, how's it been living together?" Callum asked, leaning against the kitchen island as Gianna poured them all glasses of wine.

"Surprisingly smooth," she admitted, handing him a glass. "I mean, we've barely had time to really settle in together with his schedule and my tour just ending, but it's been... really nice. Easy, even."

Aurelia raised her eyebrows. "Easy? That's rare. But I guess it helps when he's Lando Norris and has the personality of a golden retriever."

Gianna laughed, taking a sip of her wine. "Yeah, that definitely helps."

They moved back into the living room, settling onto the couch as they caught up on everything that had happened in the past few weeks. Callum shared stories from a recent shoot he'd worked on, Aurelia updated them on her latest auditions, and Gianna recounted her last show in London and the whirlwind of moving into Monaco.

"I have to admit, I wasn't sure about you leaving London," Aurelia said, leaning back against the couch. "But seeing you here, you seem... happy. Like, genuinely happy."

"I think I am," Gianna said softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It's a little scary, you know? Leaving everything behind, starting fresh. But it feels right."

"And Lando?" Callum asked, his tone gentle.

She smiled wider, a light blush dusting her cheeks. "He makes it all feel worth it. He's just... he's my safe place, you know?"

Aurelia sighed dramatically. "Alright, now you're making me cry. This is unfair."

They all laughed, the conversation flowing easily as the evening went on. By the time the sun set, the apartment was filled with the warmth of their laughter and stories, making it feel less like a quiet, unfamiliar space and more like home.

As they finished off the wine, Callum nudged Gianna with a grin. "Alright, so when are we officially celebrating the move? Monaco style?"

Gianna chuckled, shaking her head. "Give me a little time to actually unpack first. Then we'll plan something."

"Deal," Aurelia said, raising her glass. "To new beginnings. And to Gianna's very glamorous Monaco life."

They clinked their glasses together, and for the first time since she'd arrived in Monaco, Gianna felt completely at ease.

After spending the evening at a charming little restaurant near the harbor, Gianna, Aurelia, and Callum had enjoyed a night filled with laughter, good food, and wine. As they walked back, the streets of Monaco glowed softly under the warm streetlights. Her friends hugged her goodbye outside their hotel, promising to meet again soon before disappearing inside.

Gianna headed home, feeling the cool breeze against her skin as she made her way back to the apartment. The quiet of the space greeted her as she stepped inside, the dimmed lights casting a warm glow over the modern interiors.

She changed into an oversized hoodie—one of Lando's—and a pair of cozy shorts. Gianna was settled comfortably on the couch, her legs tucked under the blanket as the Miami Grand Prix kicked off. The engines roared to life, and her excitement bubbled as the cars sped into the first corner. Lando was starting in third, and she couldn't take her eyes off the screen as he defended his position with a smooth move.

"Come on, darling," she murmured to herself, clutching the edge of her blanket.

The race was intense from the start. Lando was battling fiercely, holding his place while closing the gap to second. The commentators buzzed with excitement, highlighting his impressive pace and strategy. Gianna smiled to herself every time they mentioned his name, pride warming her chest.

But then, on Lap 22, everything changed.

The cameras cut to Lando's car going wide into a turn, his rear tires losing grip as he tried to overtake. Before she could process what was happening, the car spun and collided lightly with the barrier. Her heart leaped into her throat as the commentators' tone turned serious.

"And that's Norris into the barrier! A tricky corner, and he's out of the race," one of them announced.

The camera zoomed in on his car, the front wing damaged and the car stationary. Gianna froze, gripping the blanket tightly as she watched him climb out of the car. He moved slower than usual, holding his arm as he waved briefly to the crowd.

The broadcast quickly reported that Lando was being taken to the medical center for precautionary checks, but it did little to ease the knot in her stomach.

Her phone buzzed on the table, but she didn't even look at it. Her eyes remained glued to the screen, watching every update, every replay of the incident.

"Oh god." she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

A text finally came through from Max, and she grabbed her phone immediately, her hands shaking. He was there that weekend.

Max: He's fine, just precautionary checks. Don't worry, G.

Her shoulders sagged with a mix of relief and lingering worry. Fine or not, she hated seeing him like that, and the fact that she couldn't be there made her stomach twist.

Gripping her phone tightly, she texted Lando.

Gianna: I saw the crash. Are you okay? Please let me know as soon as you can. I'm worried.

The rest of the race became a blur. She barely noticed what was happening on the screen, her focus entirely on her phone, waiting for any update. Every minute felt like an hour, her mind racing with possibilities.

Finally, her phone buzzed again after an hour, and she scrambled to open the message.

Lando: I'm okay, darling. Promise. Just bruised. I'll call you soon.

Her breath hitched at the familiar term of endearment, and she closed her eyes briefly, relief washing over her.

Gianna: I'm so glad you're okay.

For now, she sat back on the couch, her worry ebbing slightly but not disappearing entirely. She kept glancing at the screen, waiting for the post-race interviews, hoping to see him smiling and joking with the media like he always did. Until then, she'd wait, trying to calm the rapid beat of her heart.

         Gianna was lying in bed, her hair loosely tied back, the soft glow of her bedside lamp illuminating the pages of the book she was trying to read. But her mind kept drifting back to Lando. She couldn't stop replaying the crash in her head—the way his car spun out, how he held his arm as he got out. Even though she knew he was okay, her chest still felt tight with lingering worry.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, and Lando's name lit up the screen. She immediately set the book down, grabbing her phone to answer the FaceTime call.

The screen flickered to life, showing Lando sitting in the back of a car, his cap pulled low and a faint smile on his lips. The sight of him made her heart ache, even as relief flooded through her.

"Hey, darling," he said, his voice soft but a little tired.

"Lando," she breathed, sitting up a little straighter. "Are you okay? You really scared me earlier."

He gave her a small, apologetic smile, his free hand rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm sorry. It wasn't as bad as it looked, I promise. Just bruised my arm a bit, but nothing serious."

Her eyes searched his face, noting the faint exhaustion in his expression. "You're sure?"

"I'm sure," he reassured her, his voice gentle. "They wouldn't let me leave if I wasn't fine. The doctors were thorough—too thorough, if you ask me." He tried to laugh, but she could see the faint wince that followed.

"You're on your way to the airport?" she asked, her fingers absentmindedly fidgeting with the corner of her blanket.

"Yeah," he said, glancing out the window. "Told the team I needed to get home. I didn't feel like staying here any longer than I had to."

Gianna smiled softly at that. "I'm glad you're coming back. I'll feel better once you're here."

His eyes softened as he looked at her through the screen. "I missed you today. Wished you were there. Might've made the whole thing a bit less... crap."

"You're leading the championship, Lando," she said gently. "One bad race doesn't change that. And you've been amazing this season."

His lips curved into a small smile, the kind that told her he appreciated her words even if he didn't entirely believe them. "You always know how to make me feel better, don't you?"

"It's my job," she teased lightly, her smile growing.

They stayed quiet for a moment, just looking at each other. The sound of the car rumbling in the background was the only noise, but it felt strangely comforting.

"I'll be home tomorrow morning," he said finally. "Don't bother getting up early, though. I'll let myself in."

She shook her head. "I'll be up. You'll need coffee or breakfast or something."

He chuckled softly. "What would I do without you?"

"You'd survive," she teased. "Barely."

He smirked at that, but his expression grew softer again. "I'll call you when I land, okay?"

"Okay," she murmured. "Be safe, Lando."

"Always," he promised, his voice tender. "Goodnight, darling."

"Goodnight," she replied, her heart feeling a little lighter as the call ended.

She placed her phone back on the nightstand, exhaling deeply as she leaned back against the pillows. Knowing he was on his way home made her feel better, but she still couldn't wait to see him in person, to hug him and know for certain that he was really okay. Until then, she'd try to sleep, though she already knew she'd probably be counting down the hours until he walked through the door.

Gianna stirred awake to the faint sound of the front door clicking shut. For a moment, she blinked at the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, her mind hazy from sleep. Then it hit her. Lando.

She quickly pushed the blanket aside and slipped out of bed, her feet padding softly against the floor as she made her way to the living room.

There he was, standing by the doorway, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder, still dressed in the clothes he'd traveled in. His cap was pulled low over his face, but when he looked up and saw her, the exhaustion in his features softened into a warm smile.

"Morning, darling," he said, his voice low and familiar.

She didn't say anything at first, just crossed the room to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug. He dropped his bag immediately, his arms coming around her waist as he buried his face in her shoulder.

"You're really here," she murmured against his chest, her voice barely audible.

"I told you I'd be," he replied softly, his hold on her tightening slightly. "Missed you."

She pulled back just enough to look up at him, her hands resting on his shoulders. "You look exhausted."

"Didn't sleep much," he admitted, his thumb brushing against her waist absentmindedly. "Just wanted to get home."

Her brows furrowed slightly, concern flashing in her eyes. "You should've rested more."

"I'll rest now," he promised, leaning down to press a light kiss to her forehead. "Now that I'm with you."

She sighed, her hands sliding down to take his. "Come on, let's get you something to eat, and then you're going straight to bed."

He chuckled softly but let her lead him toward the kitchen. "Yes, ma'am."

As they moved through the house, the tension from the past day seemed to fade, replaced by the quiet comfort of being together again. And though he was clearly tired, there was a peacefulness in his expression now, one that made Gianna's heart feel a little lighter.

Lando had stretched out on the couch, a blanket draped over him as the soft hum of a movie filled the living room. He looked peaceful, his head resting against the cushions, eyes fluttering shut now and then as the exhaustion from his trip caught up with him.

Gianna smiled to herself as she walked past him, carrying her notebook and her guitar toward the spare room they had converted into a small music space. She didn't want to disturb him—he clearly needed the rest.

Settling into the chair by the window, she strummed her guitar softly, letting the notes carry through the quiet. She jotted down lyrics in her notebook, trying to piece together a melody that had been floating in her head for weeks.

Her fingers moved instinctively over the strings, and as she sang softly to herself, she felt the weight of the past few days melt away. It was always like this—music grounding her, giving her a place to process everything, from the worry she felt watching Lando crash to the relief of having him back home.

After a while, she looked up and realized the door had creaked open slightly. There, leaning against the frame, was Lando. His hair was slightly disheveled from resting, and he had a sleepy look on his face, but there was a softness in his gaze as he watched her.

"You're supposed to be resting," she teased gently, setting the guitar aside.

"I was," he replied, his voice low and a little raspy. "But I could hear you playing from the couch. Wanted to come listen."

She gave him a small smile, patting the seat next to her. "You should've stayed lying down."

He walked over anyway, sinking into the chair beside her. "I'll rest later. This is better."

Gianna raised an eyebrow. "Watching me mess up a melody is better?"

"You're not messing up," he said simply, his tone so matter-of-fact that it made her laugh softly.

She picked up her guitar again and played a few more chords, the sound filling the room. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Yeah," he said, leaning back in the chair, his eyes never leaving her. "But you still like me."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. "I must be crazy."

He chuckled, and for a moment, they just sat there, the quiet of the house wrapping around them like a warm blanket.

"Play something for me," he murmured after a while, his voice softer now.

She hesitated, glancing at him. "What do you want to hear?"

"Something that makes you happy," he said, his gaze steady.

She thought for a moment before nodding and starting to play again, her fingers moving confidently over the strings. As her voice filled the room, Lando leaned his head back and closed his eyes, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

By the time she finished, she looked over to find him half-asleep again, his breathing deep and even. She set the guitar down quietly, leaning over to press a light kiss to his temple before slipping out of the room to let him rest again, feeling more at peace than she had in days.

Gianna settled onto the couch, tucking her legs under her as she opened her book. The words blurred together on the page, her attention drifting away almost immediately. Instead, her thoughts circled back to the gnawing feeling that had been with her ever since Lando's crash the day before.

She let out a quiet sigh, her fingers tracing the edge of the book as she stared absently at the flickering shadows cast by the TV. No matter how much she tried to focus on the story, her mind kept pulling her back to the image of his car spinning off the track, the sudden stop, the uncertainty in the moments that followed.

She hated feeling like that—helpless, stuck on the outside with no control. Watching from afar while the person she loved most put himself in danger every time he got in that car.

It wasn't like she hadn't known what she was getting into with Lando. Racing was his life, his passion, and she'd always admired his drive. But being in love with someone who risked everything for his dream wasn't easy. The worry was always there, lingering in the back of her mind, but yesterday had brought it all to the surface in a way that left her feeling raw and vulnerable.

She closed her book with a soft thud, leaning her head back against the couch. It wasn't fair to him or to herself to dwell on the what-ifs. Lando had been doing this for years; he knew the risks better than anyone. And yet, it didn't make the fear any less real.

Gianna's gaze drifted toward the music room, where he was still resting. She thought about how peaceful he had looked earlier, how he had come to sit with her just to listen to her play. She wanted to hold onto moments like that—the quiet, ordinary ones that reminded her why they worked so well together, despite everything.

Her heart clenched at the thought of losing him, but she knew she couldn't let that fear consume her. If she wanted to be with him—and she did, more than anything—she had to learn to live with the risks, to trust that he would do everything he could to come back to her safe.

Still, the thought of that worry settling back in every race weekend made her stomach twist. She rubbed her temples, trying to push the thoughts away.

The sound of soft footsteps pulled her out of her reverie, and she glanced up to see Lando shuffling out of the music room, his hair slightly messy and a sleepy look on his face.

"Thought you were resting," she said gently, her voice steady despite the storm in her head.

"I was," he murmured, sitting down beside her and pulling the blanket off the back of the couch to drape over his lap. "But I couldn't sleep anymore."

She smiled faintly, scooting closer so that their legs brushed. "You should've stayed lying down. You need the rest."

"I can rest here," he said simply, reaching for her hand and intertwining their fingers. He didn't say anything else, just gave her hand a light squeeze as if he knew exactly what was on her mind.

Gianna's chest tightened, but she leaned into him slightly, resting her head on his shoulder. For now, she'd let herself hold onto this moment, letting his warmth and steady presence soothe the edges of her fear.

#AUTHORSNOTE

I am trying to find a big plottwist in this story, but I have to find the right one lmao, sorry if this feels like a filler chapter, I don't really like this one but we need some moments between them

Thanks for reading and don't be a silent reader, I love to read your thoughts!

J