Just Another Message Lost in Your Inbox {LN4 FanFiction}

19

S's POV

I follow the blonde woman across the paddock and into an office. She gestures for me to sit down. "Hi, I'm Charlotte. I'm the PR manager for McLaren. This is a serious scandal we're facing, and it could affect Lando's career." My heart drops into my chest. I knew something like this was bound to happen, but I didn't expect it to be so soon.

"Charlotte, if I may," I begin, "Lando and I are just good friends."

"Regardless of what you are, the media doesn't see it that way. They will portray you as someone who's distracting him, and this could put both his career and yours for that matter, in harm's way."

"Geez, do people take F1 that seriously?" Cadey says sarcastically.

"Very seriously, miss. This could reflect badly on your friend, Lando, and on McLaren."

I realize I have no chance of landing that dream marketing job now. "Well done, Skye. You did it again."

I swallow hard and try to muster up the courage to ask, "How can we fix this and make it go away for Lando?"

Charlotte looks at me, then sighs. "Well, unfortunately, there's only one way." My heart sinks because I know exactly what she's going to say. "You and Lando have to end your friendship, and we'll need to convince the media that you're involved in some sort of media campaign."

I have a lightbulb moment. "There's nothing in the article about us holding hands or anything, right? We were only seen together?"

Charlotte looks at me, confused. "Yes, it only states that you two were spotted in NYC together and all the other crap the media likes to make up."

"Well, Lando's currently working on a new helmet design for his race in Abu Dhabi. We could release an article saying there was an issue with the design, and he had to rush to NYC to finalize the new specs. That's why he had to leave so quickly and that's why he was spotted with me. Make up that I am part of the design team."

Charlotte raises an eyebrow. "Everyone knows how Lando is about his helmets, right? This could work."

"This might just work. But, Skye..."

Here it comes.

"I'm afraid to say you'll still need to end things with Lando. You can't be seen together anymore. He has to finish his season. We can't have these types of situations."

On a deeper level, I agree with Charlotte. This is how it has to be.

Moments later, Lando storms through the door. He's just finished his race, and he has a heated conversation with Charlotte. He sits down on the couch, and I look at him.

"Lando, you know there's only one way out of this," I say, trying to keep all my emotions in check.

My heart shatters into pieces as I say it to him. "We have to part ways. They'll put a story together to cover what happened in NYC. Charlotte will fill you in."

His face goes pale. I think we're both feeling the same way at this moment.

"But, Skye..." he replies.

"No, Lando, we both know this is for the best. At least this time, we're doing it on good terms."

He looks at me and agrees. This is probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. It even tops when I ran out on him in Monaco.

I have to keep it together. I can't cry. I have to be strong. For Lando.

I glance at Charlotte. She can see the emotions building in my face.

"I think it's best if you ladies leave now while everyone's at the podium," Charlotte says.

"Cadey, Charlotte, could you give us a minute, please?" I ask politely. They both nod and leave the office.

I walk over to Lando, who's sitting on the couch.

"This is not how it was supposed to be," he says.

"I know. It's hard, but it's for the best," I reassure him.

We both have tears building in our eyes. I move closer to him and embrace him.

He hugs me back so tightly. I break down in his arms, my head buried in the crook of his neck. I sob.

I pull back and wipe away my tears. "I have to go now," I say.

He pulls me back for one last hug and looks me in the eyes. "We will talk soon, I promise."

A knock on the door breaks the moment. Charlotte opens it. "Skye, it's time to go."

I rush out of the office. I hate goodbyes.

Cadey and I get into the car Charlotte arranged for us to leave without being seen. We drive off, and I look back. Lando is running toward the car. He stops and waves his last wave to me.

"Goodbye, Lando," I whisper to myself as a tear rolls down my cheek.