𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀 𝐗 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄!

SPINNIN'
𝟐𝟒. 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫

          The streets of Imola buzzed with energy as Gianna arrived at her hotel early that Saturday morning. The sun was already high, casting a golden glow over the picturesque Italian town. She quickly dropped off her bags in her room, not wanting to waste any time. It had been weeks since she'd attended a race weekend, and though she was eager to see Lando, she knew he'd already be deep into preparations at the track.

After freshening up, she made her way to a quaint café in the heart of town to meet Alex, Charles Leclerc's girlfriend. The two had become fast friends over the past year, often finding comfort in each other's company amidst the chaos of Formula 1.

"Gianna!" Alex waved from a table near the window, her smile bright and welcoming.

"Alex!" Gianna beamed, hugging her before sitting down.

"You look amazing," Alex said, eyeing her effortlessly chic outfit.

"Thanks, you too," Gianna replied, setting her sunglasses on the table. "It's so good to see you. How's the weekend been so far?"

"Busy, as usual," Alex said with a small laugh. "But it's nice being here. Italy always feels... cozy, you know? How about you? It's been a while since you came to a race."

Gianna nodded, stirring her cappuccino. "It has. My schedule's been insane, but I'm glad I made it here. Lando's been so focused lately, I feel like this is the only way to catch up with him."

Alex tilted her head knowingly. "It's hard, isn't it? Balancing everything. But you two seem like you're managing well."

Gianna smiled softly. "We are. It helps that we've been through so much already. But sometimes... it's tough. Seeing him push himself so hard, knowing how much pressure he's under. I just want to be there for him."

"You're doing great," Alex assured her. "Trust me, they notice more than they let on. Just being here means the world to them."

Their conversation drifted to lighter topics as they sipped their drinks, laughing about recent headlines, sharing stories, and enjoying the rare moment of calm. Outside, the bustling energy of the race weekend was a stark contrast to their cozy corner of the café.

As they finished their drinks, Alex glanced at her watch. "We should probably head to the track soon. Qualifying's coming up, and I'm sure Charles and Lando would love to see us before they're swamped."

"Good idea," Gianna said, grabbing her bag. "Let's go cheer them on."

       Gianna walked through the bustling paddock, the vibrant energy of the race weekend surrounding her. She greeted a few familiar faces as she made her way toward the McLaren garage, eager to finally see Lando. After spending the morning catching up with Alex, she was ready to spend a few moments with him before qualifying.

As she stepped into the McLaren garage, the controlled chaos of the team preparing for the session was palpable. Her eyes scanned the room and quickly landed on Lando. He was sitting in his chair, his elbows resting on his knees, staring at the ground with a tense expression. His helmet sat untouched on the table next to him.

One of the team members gestured for her to approach, but as she walked closer, Lando's body language didn't change. She stopped a few feet away, unsure if he'd even noticed her.

"Lando?" she said softly, her voice cutting through the hum of activity around them.

He looked up slowly, his eyes meeting hers, but instead of the warmth she usually saw, his gaze was distant. He gave her a small nod but didn't get up or smile.

"Hey," she tried again, stepping closer. "I just wanted to say hi before quali. How are you feeling?"

He let out a quiet sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm fine, Gianna. Just... I need to focus right now."

The curt tone caught her off guard. "Oh. Of course," she said quickly, taking a step back. "I'll leave you to it, then."

"Thanks," he muttered, his eyes already drifting away from her as he leaned back in his chair.

Feeling a pang of confusion and worry, she nodded and turned to leave, her chest tightening. This wasn't like him—not with her. She understood the pressure he was under, but he'd never shut her out like this before.

As she stepped out of the garage, the lively atmosphere of the paddock felt oddly overwhelming. She wandered for a bit, her thoughts spinning. Was it just the stress of the weekend? Or was something else weighing on him? Whatever it was, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his mood than he was letting on.

       Gianna slipped out of the paddock unnoticed, her mind still swirling with thoughts about Lando. After his distant attitude earlier and the rough qualifying session, she decided it was best to give him some space. She texted him as she started walking to the hotel.

Gianna: I'm heading back to the hotel. I'll see you later. Take your time.

There was no reply, which didn't surprise her, but it still left a faint sting. The late afternoon air was cool, and the walk back wasn't far. She pulled her jacket tighter around herself and kept her head down, trying to push away her worry.

The streets were quiet, with only the occasional sound of a car passing by. As she turned onto a smaller road leading toward the hotel, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was behind her. She glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing unusual—a man walking a bit farther back, his steps steady but unhurried.

She quickened her pace slightly, telling herself it was nothing. Maybe he was just heading in the same direction. Still, the unease began to build as she neared the next turn. She glanced back again, and this time, the man was closer.

Her heart began to race. She picked up her pace, her boots clicking faster against the pavement, her fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. The man matched her speed.

Gianna's breath hitched as she turned the corner, spotting the dim lights of the hotel in the distance. Her relief was short-lived when she heard the man's footsteps pick up behind her.

"Miss," he called out, his voice gruff. "Wait a second."

She ignored him, breaking into a light jog, but the man didn't stop. Instead, his pace quickened, and she could hear the urgency in his footsteps.

"Hey!" His voice was sharper now.

Panic flooded her as she darted toward the hotel, her heart pounding in her chest. She felt a hand graze her arm, and she yanked it away with a gasp, stumbling slightly but managing to stay on her feet.

"Leave me alone!" she shouted, her voice trembling but loud enough to echo in the quiet street.

The hotel was just a few meters away now, the entrance glowing like a beacon of safety. She pushed herself harder, ignoring the burning in her legs, and rushed through the doors, startling the receptionist at the desk.

"Miss, are you okay?" the receptionist asked, concern flashing across her face.

Gianna nodded quickly, glancing over her shoulder. The man had stopped at the edge of the street, watching her for a moment before turning and walking away. Her entire body shook as she leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath.

"Could you... lock the doors, please?" she whispered.

The receptionist nodded, hurrying to secure the entrance. Gianna fumbled for her phone, her fingers trembling as she tried to call Lando, but there was no signal inside the lobby. She sent a hurried text instead.

Gianna: Lando, please come back to the hotel as soon as you can. Something happened.

She stared at the screen, waiting for a response, but none came. Hugging herself tightly, she sank into a nearby chair, trying to steady her breathing. Her fear lingered, but a stronger emotion began to rise in her chest—anger. She was furious at herself for walking alone, furious at the man who had followed her, and maybe, just a little, frustrated with Lando for being unreachable when she needed him most.

Gianna hurried to her hotel room, locking the door behind her with trembling hands. The adrenaline from the encounter had faded, leaving her feeling raw and overwhelmed. She slid down to the floor, pressing her back against the door as tears began to fall.

The scare of what had happened weighed heavily on her chest. She hated feeling this vulnerable, this unsafe. The man's face flashed in her mind, his rough voice calling out to her, and she shuddered.

She grabbed her phone, her hands shaking as she tried Lando again. The call rang once, twice, and then went to voicemail.

"Lando," she whispered into the phone, her voice breaking. "Please call me back. I— I need you." She hung up, her stomach twisting.

She tried calling Alex next, and then Pietra, but neither of them picked up. The emptiness in the room seemed to grow, wrapping around her like a suffocating blanket.

Gianna curled up on the edge of the bed, her knees pulled tightly to her chest as silent tears streamed down her cheeks. She wanted to feel safe, to have someone there to tell her everything was okay, but the night stretched on, and the ache in her chest only deepened.

It was late, and there was still no word from Lando. She tried telling herself that he was probably busy with the team, or with media obligations, but the silence from him stung. A part of her wanted to be angry at him for not being there, but another part just wanted him to walk through the door and hold her.

The minutes ticked by slowly. The hotel room was too quiet, and even the faint hum of the air conditioning did nothing to calm her nerves. She eventually moved to sit by the window, staring out at the lights of Imola below. Her reflection in the glass looked as tired and lost as she felt.

When she finally climbed into bed, she didn't bother turning out the lights. The fear still lingered, and sleep felt impossible. All she could do was lie there, clutching her phone and hoping Lando would come back soon.

Hours later, Gianna woke to the sound of the door unlocking. She sat up abruptly, her heart racing from the combination of leftover fear and anger. Lando stepped into the room, closing the door quietly behind him. He looked exhausted, but she immediately caught the faint scent of alcohol as he walked past her toward the dresser.

"You're back," she said, her voice sharper than she intended.

Lando turned, startled by her tone. "Yeah. It was a long evening with the team."

Gianna crossed her arms, her anger bubbling to the surface. "So long you couldn't pick up your phone? I called you, Lando. Multiple times."

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I know, I saw. I just... I wasn't in the right headspace, Gi. I needed some time." He never called her just Gi.

She got out of bed, her frustration now impossible to contain. "Some time? I was walking back to the hotel alone, and some guy tried to grab me! I called you because I was terrified, and you didn't pick up. And now you walk in here smelling like you've been out drinking?"

His expression shifted, the color draining from his face. "Wait, what? Someone tried to grab you?"

"Yes, Lando!" she snapped, her voice shaking. "And I couldn't reach you. I couldn't reach anyone. I had to deal with it on my own, and you—" She stopped, her voice breaking. "You weren't there."

Lando took a hesitant step toward her, guilt written all over his face. "Gianna, I didn't know. I'm so sorry."

She held up a hand, stopping him. "You didn't know because you didn't pick up your damn phone. You were too busy doing whatever it is you do when you shut everyone out."

His jaw tightened, and he looked down at the floor. "I didn't mean to make you feel like this. I was in a bad place after qualifying, and I— I thought drinking with some of the guys would help me clear my head."

Gianna let out a bitter laugh, wiping at her eyes. "Well, I hope it worked, because while you were 'clearing your head,' I was dealing with one of the scariest moments of my life. Alone."

"Darling..." Lando started, his voice soft, but she shook her head.

"I can't do this, Lando," she said, her voice cracking. "I can't keep being the one who has to understand every time you shut me out. I get that racing is hard, I get that the pressure is insane, but I'm here for you. I've always been here for you. And tonight, when I needed you, you weren't there."

He took another step closer, his eyes filled with regret. "You're right. I screwed up. I wasn't thinking. I— I hate that I let you down."

She stared at him for a moment, her emotions swirling between anger, hurt, and the tiniest flicker of relief that he was here now. "You can't keep shutting me out, Lando. If this is going to work, you have to let me in. All the time, not just when it's convenient."

"I know," he said quickly. "I know, and I'm sorry. I promise I'll do better. I— God, I hate that I wasn't there for you tonight."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Lando reached out, his hand hovering near hers. "Please let me make it up to you, darling."

Gianna stayed where she was, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She shook her head, her voice low and raw. "I can't, Lando. Not tonight. I'm too tired, too angry... and I just... I can't."

Lando's hand dropped to his side, the hope in his eyes dimming. He nodded slowly, his face falling in a way that tugged at her heart despite everything. "I understand," he said quietly.

"No, you don't," she said, her voice trembling. "Because if you did, you wouldn't have done this. You wouldn't have left me to deal with something so awful by myself."

Her words hit him like a slap, and he flinched. "You're right," he murmured. "I don't understand. But I want to. I want to fix this, Gianna. I don't want to keep hurting you."

She looked away, tears welling in her eyes again. "You can't just say that, Lando. Words don't fix this. Actions do."

He took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping. "Then I'll show you. Whatever it takes, I'll show you I can be better. I don't want to lose you, Gianna."

She bit her lip, trying to keep the tears from spilling over. "You already lost me once, Lando. And it feels like you're on your way to doing it again."

He stared at her, the weight of her words pressing down on him. For a moment, he didn't move, didn't speak, as if he was afraid of saying the wrong thing.

Finally, he nodded, his voice breaking as he said, "I'll leave you alone tonight. But I promise, Gi, I'll prove to you that I can do better. That I'm not going to let you down again."

She didn't respond, her silence speaking louder than anything she could have said.

Lando lingered for a moment longer, his eyes filled with regret, before turning and walking toward the bathroom to give her space.

As the door closed behind him, Gianna sank down onto the bed, burying her face in her hands. She wanted to believe him, wanted to believe he could change. But tonight, the hurt felt too big to let go of. And as much as she loved him, she wasn't sure if love alone would be enough.

Gianna did attend the grand prix the next day, Lando finishing sixth. They didn't really speak that day. The couple went straight back to the hotel after Lando finished his work. They had planned to stay in Italy, but they both wanted to go home after this horrible weekend.

When they arrived home late that evening, the house felt eerily quiet, the only sound the faint hum of the heating system as they stepped inside. Gianna barely said a word, keeping her distance from Lando, though the exhaustion in his eyes didn't go unnoticed. She carried her bag upstairs and set it down, heading straight for the bathroom.

Once inside, she locked the door behind her and leaned her back against it, the weight of everything finally catching up to her. The scare from the night before hadn't left her—it lingered in her chest, wrapping tightly around her like an invisible grip she couldn't shake.

She slid down onto the cool tiled floor, hugging her knees to her chest. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she remembered the man's hand reaching for her, the sound of his footsteps behind her, the panic that had frozen her in place before she managed to run. It all came flooding back in vivid detail, and she felt the same overwhelming sense of helplessness she had felt then.

It wasn't Lando she had been angry with, not really. It wasn't his fault that man had followed her, that she had felt so unsafe, so vulnerable. She had taken it out on him because he wasn't there when she needed him most—but deep down, she knew the anger was misplaced. It wasn't Lando who deserved it. It was the man who had dared to make her feel so powerless.

A soft knock on the bathroom door broke through her spiraling thoughts. "Gi?" Lando's voice was tentative, almost a whisper. "Are you okay?"

She didn't respond right away, her throat tightening as she tried to steady her breathing. Finally, she managed to say, "I just need a minute."

"Take all the time you need," he said gently, his tone laced with concern. "I'll be here if you need me."

Gianna rested her forehead on her knees, closing her eyes. She didn't want to shut him out—not when he was trying so hard. But she didn't know how to let him in, not when she was still trying to piece herself back together.

Minutes passed, and the tears gradually subsided. She stood up slowly, splashing cold water on her face to ground herself. Looking in the mirror, she saw the exhaustion etched into her features, but there was also a flicker of resolve.

Unlocking the door, she stepped out and found Lando sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped tightly together as he stared at the floor. He looked up immediately when he heard her, his eyes searching hers.

"Gi..." he began, but she shook her head and walked over to him, placing her hand on his cheek.

"I'm not angry at you," she said softly, her voice hoarse from crying. "I never really was. I was scared, Lando. And I still am."

His expression softened, and he reached up to cover her hand with his own. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there when you needed me," he said, his voice breaking slightly. "I should've been."

She nodded, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I know. But right now, I just need you to be here."

"I'm always gonna be there for you from now on," he promised without hesitation.

Gianna slid into his arms, resting her head on his chest as he held her tightly. For the first time since the night before, she felt the faintest sense of safety begin to creep back in. She wasn't okay yet, not by a long shot, there was one thing she had never told Lando— and she didn't know if she was ever gonna tell after his guilt from this weekend.

#AUTHORSNOTE

Okay, okay, this is a heavy topic for people who may have encountered this, and struggle with it. I just want you to know, it's not your fault.

This topic is going to come up a little in the next part(s), so I wanted to give you the heads up.

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

J