❝wow… are you always this harsh, lee?❜❜ 
❝just an observation, norris.❜❜

kattylee posted on their story • 10 minutes ago

kattylee
♫ Coschie • YOSHIMITSU

kattylee Spent time in Miami with my beloved @wuyixing 💗
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MIAMI WAS A HAVEN WHERE THE TROPICAL AND URBAN WORLDS CROSSED, A CITYSCAPE THAT FELT UNREAL AND SERENE WHERE THE SUN KISSING THE BEACHES’ TIDES. With being a journalist in the F1 journalism industry, Katrina Lee earned the privilege to be able to travel around the world and explore these places. From breathtaking sights, luxurious hotels and meeting new people, she could never be more greatful or proud enough to achieve this job. 

But as Katrina kicked off her heeled boots and laid back on her bed, exhaustion was really hitting her. Miami was quite chilly during the night, the relief of embracing her hotel room's warmth gave as much satisfaction as touching papers still warm from the printer. 

Yes, weird comparison, but it's what Katrina liked. 

It wasn’t such a good idea to spend hours exploring the city with her friend after a full day at work, the pain lingering in Katrina's legs was the sharp reminder to the girl to never do this again.

Normally, Katrina still would've been hunched up working away on her laptop until one in the morning. She usually had the willpower fueled with espresso shots and a few cans of Red Bulls to push through; however, she promised Yixing to break this bad habit and return to a more normal sleeping schedule. So opening her laptop was out of the question.

Though, she did have one important thing to do. 

landonorris & kattylee

kattylee

Hey it's Katrina Lee

Hopefully you didn't forget about erlier?

This user can't receive messages unless they follow you.
Request pending. 

“Oh, right.” Katrina groaned to herself. She forgot about this, and figured she'd have to wait until tomorrow to be able to talk to Lando—and she wasn’t exactly the patient kind. She rolled on her stomach across the bed, staring at the DM for a moment. She was hoping waiting would just magically do the trick, tapping the side of her phone with her index finger. 

Lando Norris accepted your request
Lando Norris liked your post 
Lando Norris liked your story

Oh. How convenient. Katrina thought to herself as she watched the notifications pop on her lock screen. He's up at this hour too? 

landonorris

Hey hey heyyy !!!!!!

Ofc I wouldn’t forget

After all I'm a man of my word 😉

kattylee 

Yeah sure

Wait I thought you’d have to talk to your PR manager about this first?

landonorris 

Uhh tbh icba 

I see you’re friends with her anyways, I didn’t know !!!!

You could’ve told me me it would’ve made things easier 😔

kattylee

Didn’t think it mattered

We just happen to be friends

landonorris 

Oh

Fair enough

Wasn’t going to tell Yixing until tomorrow anyways

Sooo where and when are we meeting?

kattylee 

Wait what?

landonorris 

????

Wow Katrina thought you were keen to interview me

Are you picking another driver over me? 🥹

kattylee 

Don’t even

I just 

Haven’t found the right place to interview you yet

landonorris

. 

You forgot

Didn’t you?

kattylee 

I swear to God Norris

landonorris 

Easyyy

I'm just having a laugh sweetheart!

Doesn’t Talk That Talk have meeting rooms you can use???

kattylee 

Checking right now

Nope they’re all booked

It’s race week so no wonder

landonorris

Well my only free day is Thursday tomorrow I'm afraid

Told you i’m a busy man 😖

kattylee 

Oh God

Okay okay give me a second

wuyixing & kattylee

kattylee

Yixing please help me

wuyixing

katrina

it’s nearly midnight 

kattylee 

So why are you up as well

Okay that’s besides the point

It's important this time I swear 🥹

wuyixing 

😒

it better be i’m about to knock myself out

kattylee

Okay so

When I was on the way to meet you I bumped into Lando Norris on the way and I managed to get an interview with him

wuyixing 

i

WHAT

oh my god i need to speak with that bastard tomorrow 

and you didn’t choose to tell me this the whole time we were out????

kattylee 

Uh

It slipped out of my mind by then to be honest

wuyixing 

.

so you forgot

katrinaaaaa 😔

kattylee 

Yixinggggg 😔

wuyixing

okay okay

tell me what’s the matter then

kattylee

The thing is I can only do the interview tomorrow and the meeting rooms are all booked in the office

I need a place where I won’t draw any attention to us and practical enough

Please help me 🥹

wuyixing 

hmm

well

i can only think of one place really

Clatters of dishes were faintly heard beyond the double doors of the kitchen; the source of the aroma wafting within the restaurant, rich in garlic, ginger and soy sauce essence. It was a friendly atmosphere as you could hear the hearty shouts and laughter and of chefs and waiters speaking between English and Mandarin, the pings of bells announcing the preparation of a meal.

It was an extremely underrated diner tucked in a narrow alleyway of Miami streets, the faint flicker of the neon red and yellow sign struggling to catch the eye of any potential customers. It was no ideal place for someone with a high status or refined tastes. 

But, for Katrina? It was just perfect.

God bless you, Yixing.

“Hello! I’m Lorenzo, your waiter for tonight. How many I serve you?”

If anyone were to look at Katrina and Lando at a first glance right now, you would have assumed they were on a date. The journalist’s mind ran with many thoughts stumbling over each other–this was one of them. Though she was sure no one had followed them, and no one else in the restaurant seemed to recognize them. 

“A large portion of spring rolls for now, thanks!” Lando grinned, sending off the waiter to relay the boy's order. 

Whether or not Katrina was overthinking the situation, she had decided to meet the driver in a Chinese restaurant located in an alleyway for the promised one-on-one interview. No one would pick such a place to meet a Formula One driver, but it's all Katrina could make do whilst avoiding anyone recognizing Mclaren's It Boy. 

“I'm glad we've finally managed to situate this, Mr. Norris.” Katrina nodded as she propped herself to sit up straight on the padded chair. She laid her eyes on Lando sitting opposite to her, expecting him to be just as engaged as she was. 

But what more should she expect from a guy who's wearing his sunglasses indoors. 

“Please, none of that Mr. Norris stuff.” The British driver grunted, his eyes not peeled away from the menu in his hands. “You can just call me Lando, alright? I’m not fond of formal crap, it’s not like we're in a press conference.” The boy shrugged, clearly distracted as a series of oohs left his lips as he read the meals off the menu

“Don't you want to order something? The spring rolls look banging!”

“Uh… no, I’m not hungry.” Katrina rolled her eyes, positive the boy was so engulfed into the Chinese menu to even notice. “By the way, I'm not addressing you as Mr. Norris for the sake of being formal. We're both working adults in the Formula One industry, I'm just being professional.”

“Professional?” Lando repeated, finally looking up from the menu to look straight at the girl. A twinge of a small smile appeared on his face. “You wanna talk about professionalism? You've literally taken me to an alleyway Chinese diner for this little interview. That's not exactly screaming ‘high-brow’, sweetheart.” 

Katrina stared at the tanned boy as he leaned back on his seat with a smug smile, an expression formed filled with unbearable pride that sickened the girl as her jaw tightened.

“It's only because I don't want your delirious fans mobbing us.” Katrina said through gritted teeth. 

“Fair point.” Lando just merely chuckled as he sat back with his arms folded. “Go on then Lee, do your thing.”

Katrina sighed as she opened the recording app on her phone before placing it on the table, pushing up her glasses. This wasn’t the girl’s first interview. She's managed to build up the simple skills and a natural flow when asking questions overtime. But with Lando’s overbearing arrogance getting on the girl’s nerves, it was harder to keep her focus.

“During your rookie years, you’ve helped McLaren secure third in Constructor’s Championship back in 2020.” Katrina began, her voice sharp and clear, “Critics couldn’t seem to help but admire your skills in adaptability from weather conditions and consistency in delivering points during Mclaren’s lowest. Many do say it’s an impressive history for your past years in F1–” 

“Hold on, hold on.” Lando suddenly interrupted, the girl refraining from letting out an annoyed sigh. “This is all from my rookie years. I suspect there’s a ‘but’ coming in?”

A sly smile was suddenly teasing to appear on Katrina’s face, tilting her head. “However, you still haven't won a championship—regarding the fact it’s your fifth season in Formula One.”

The British driver froze at the sudden fact check, the smirk on his face began to falter. It was as if someone had shot him in the chest as he began to tuck his tongue in annoyance. Katrina simply couldn’t control the smile that was slowly becoming more slightly prominent on her face. 

“Wow… are you always this harsh, Lee?” Lando chuckled weakly. 

“It’s just an observation, Norris.” 

“Just an observation, huh?” The driver echoed, sighing as he finally removed his sunglasses. “You know there’s great drivers who haven’t won a championship? Mark Webber? Stirling Moss?”

“Personally, I wouldn’t categorise you with them… if that’s what you’re implying.” Katrina said dryly. 

Lando was left sitting in silence once again, feeling uneasy from the awkwardness of Katrina's words left hanging in the air. He opened his mouth to speak, to only just close it, clearly hesitating on his words. 

“You've really done a deep dive into my F1 career, huh?” The boy could finally muster up words, “Surely you’ve seen me on the track?”

“Seven pole positions," Katrina recited slowly, "fifteen podiums and three wins.”

“... But?”

“But your personal statistics aren’t winning in this context.” Katrina finished off, “and definitely not a championship.”

“Alright.” Lando sighs heavily, “so now you’re saying I have an ego?”

Katrina had to bite her tongue to tame any spiteful words to pour out before she could respond.

“Your words Norris, not mine.” 

Lando could only stare at the girl in disbelief as she smiled innocently back at him. That smile was sugar coating over those soul crushing words that were fighting against his pride. He's never had someone talk to him like this before. 

Though, as much as the boy was getting frustrated… he couldn't help but be amused at being challenged this way, even if the tension between the two was thick enough to cut with a knife.

“You know... you’re quite something.” Lando says eventually, “how come you work under a gossip outlet?”

“Baby steps.” Katrina shrugs, folding her arms, “especially after what happened at the press conference yesterday, I’m working my way up with everything I got. I'm not working with Talk That Talk forever.”

Lando hums in interest, “Even so, most journalists I talk to don’t have the guts to call me out like that.”

“I’m not most journalists, Norris.” 

“One large portion of spring rolls?”

Katrina and Lando turned their heads in unison to face the owner of the cheerful voice that had broken their awkward silence. It was their waiter, Lorenzo, presenting a serving tray holding a plate full of spring rolls as a small friendly smile was worn on his face. It didn't take him a second to sense the heavy air between the journalist and driver to think he was interrupting something. 

“Oh- oh gosh, am I barging in on something? It looks really important…”

“Nah mate, you're all good.” Lando says, giving Lorenzo a reassuring nod, “perfectly good timing actually.” he adds sheepishly. 

Katrina couldn't help but scoff, watching the British driver’s expression light up as Lorenzo put down his plate of spring rolls, the tension finally eased as soon as he took a bite. 

“Man, what did I say? Banging!” Lando grinned, dipping the spring rolls into chilli sauce, humming happily as he ate. 

“Hold on– just how many spring rolls did you order?” Katrina suddenly chirped up, releasing how huge the portion was. Lando raised a brow as he silently counted the spring rolls. 

“Fourteen… uh, seventeen?” The boy responded with his mouth still full. He feigned an offended gesture once he noticed the look on Katrina's face, “I deserve a bit of a cheat meal–there's vegetables in this actually, see! It's healthy!”

Katrina couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, shaking her head. “Alright alright, enjoy your spring rolls, but I’m still not done with us.” 

“What, you’re going to throw more stats at me?” The boy grumbles as he attempts to use chopsticks, fumbling with them.

“Well… I’m not exactly here to just discuss personal stats.” Katrina says slowly, finally approaching the topic that was the most important. Lando could only raise a brow in confusion.

“So why are we discussing stats? For the shits and giggles?” He replies bluntly.

Katrina sat unfazed as she adjusted her spectacles. “From what I’ve seen, athletes appear to be more engaged talking about their achievements rather than themselves.” 

“Hey, I’ll gladly talk about myself. Favourite colour? Hey, I’m a Scorpio!” Lando replies with a condescending cheery tone. He seemed to know where this conversation was going, and he wasn’t liking it. He did give Katrina this opportunity for a one on one interview, but now he was really beginning to take things back as his mood begaan to shift.

“Well great!” The girl matches his tone in slight pettiness. “Then I’d like the answer to my question back in the press conference, then we can finally end this interview.”

Lando's tightened expression, his eyes narrowed as they pierced Katrina. She didn't react or her expression faltering in the slightest, a raised brow implementing to the driver that he knew exactly what she was referring too.

“We broke up bare time ago, I thought that was enough for people to hear.” Lando says through a sigh, not having to name any names, “I don’t know why that’s resurfacing, it’s not recent news.”

“What is recent is the fact you guys have been seen together.” Katrina says sharply, “after the Chinese Grand Prix.”

Lando froze, his demeanor stiffened as his eyes drew away from hers, avoiding eye contact. Katrina scoffed as she shook her head. It was as if she had caught the boy red-handed, and she was more than sure judging from his reaction.

Typical man.

“It’s either fixing an old relationship or a quick hook up,” Katrina continues, seeing the boy wasn’t in a responsive state. “And judging from your long series of many flings you’ve been seen with, it’s hard to tell. You have these girls at your disposal and you can’t make your mind up. People want to know if you’re going to keep this act going on or take the season seriously.”

A flicker of frustration crosses Lando’s face, yet his body language tells otherwise, shifting uncomfortably on his seat. Katrina didn’t let up, her gaze still dictated on him with a raised brow, yet expecting an answer out of him. 

“Okay,” Lando groaned, “I ran into her back in the hotel I was staying at and we talked. You’re really reading too much into this Lee.”

“Reading too much? I’m doing my job, Norris.” Katrina sighs, running her hand through her hair, “what did you expect me to do in an interview you insisted on doing?”

“Feels more like an ambush than an interview honestly.” Lando muttered as he shoved another roll in his mouth.

“An ambush?” Katrina repeated with a small laugh in disbelief, “you consider that an ambush, or you’re incapable of handling the truth? Do you even care about how you’re perceived? You do everything in the public eye, but you start running when it’s thrown right at you?”

“Everywhere I go is considered in the public eye.” Lando shot. His voice was sharp, catching Katrina off-guard. “Let me be real for a second sweetheart. I had to learn the hard way that everything you do, everything you say is taken into record and people talk and talk. They’ll just talk no matter what.”

Katrina swallowed, the hardened tone laced in the boy’s words thickened the air between them. She felt like she was put in the spot, not expecting this level of intensity in the driver’s response. Lando hummed as it was his turn to wait for a response, a wave of triumph washing over him as he saw the girl’s lost expression staring at him.

“So, what do I do?” Lando continued with a shrug, leaning back on his seat as a small knowing smirk appeared on his face.

“I give them something worth talking about.” 

. 🌺 യ 🥥 ✹ ₊ ˚ ˏˏ CHRIS SPEAKS ⨟ this felt a bit short but hope you enjoyed it regardless !!