Chapter 22

After a long day I shut the door to my apartment and drag my suitcase into my room. Leaving it there to unpack later. Flopping back onto my bed I unlock my phone, checking it for the first time since before the race, which was two days ago. I scroll through all the congratulation messages from family and friends but stop at one.

James Well done yesterday. Call me when you see this.

Instantly my stomach churns. My mind jumps to the worst possible outcome of the call I am about to make. I press the call button and place the phone to my ear. Hoping for the best.

Hey Hannah congratulations on your first podium. That was a great race.

Thanks James. That means a lot. What's up?

Listen Hannah. I wanted to wait till after the race to tell you this.

No, please don't say what I think you are about to say.

I'm sorry Hannah. But dad passed away on Saturday afternoon. I didn't want to tell you right away because I wanted you to focus on the race.

I put the phone on the bed as the tears begin to fill my eyes before eventually streaming down my face. "I can't believe this." I say softly and the tears fall faster. The sobs start to shake my body and I lie down onto bed. My limbs go numb as I let the tears dampen the duvet underneath me.

After a short while I hear a small knock on the door. Without any energy to answer it, I ignore it. I hear the door unlock. "Hannah?" Comes the familiar voice of my best friend. "In here." I whisper hoarsely. Tayla walks into my bed room. I can see the pity and pain on her face which just makes me burst out into tears again. "Hey, James messaged me." She asks softly. "He is gone. I can't believe he is really gone." I cry as she rushes over next to me and sits on the bed, rubbing my back. I sit up and wrap her in a hug, needing the comfort of my best friend. "It's going to be ok. It's all going to be ok." She says, soothingly.

After a while of me crying I begin to feel drained and eventually the tears begin the dry up. "Would you like some tea?" She asks and I nod and I move to the top of my bed, sitting against the headboard. Tayla returns with a tea cup and hands it to me. I thank her and she sits next to me on the bed, turning on Netflix, trying to cheer me up.

I must have fallen asleep, because I woke up to and empty room. I get out of bed and walk through to the living room. I see it is completely dark outside. I spot a small note on the kitchen counter.

Han I'll be back in the morning for breakfast. Be strong. Love you Tayla

A small smile crossed my face. The time on the microwave reads 05:35. Wow it's early. I make myself a small cup of tea before sitting down on the couch. I open Twitter and scroll through my time line. Many people congratulating me. I see edits of Lando and I kissing on the podium which makes me smile. I love going through edits on twitter and liking them. I scroll more, liking really nice tweets and retweeting memes and edits. They always cheer me up. My fans are so talented. I scroll across some photos of Lando and I on the podium I download them.

Tears begins to roll down my cheek and there is one person I need with me right now.

Hey babe. What's up?

I'm sorry I woke you up. I just really need you here right now.

Are you crying? I'm on my way. I'll be there in half an hour.

Thank you Lan

Of course baby. Anything for you. I'll be there soon. Ok.

Ok bye Lan

Goodby baby

Lando hangs up and I decide to make myself a cup of tea before settling down on the couch.

A knock echoes from the door and I jump up. Knowing who it is. I swing the door open and dive straight into his arms. "Whoa! Han. Are you ok? What's going on." He asks softly. I begin to cry into his shoulder. "Hey hey hey. Come let's go inside. Then we can talk." He says, lifting me up. I wrap my arms around his neck. He sits down on the couch with me still in his arms.

"Thank you for coming. I really needed you." I whisper into his neck. "I'm always here for you Hannah. You know that. Do you want to talk about it?" He questions and I move off of his lap and sit next to him. I look into Lando's eyes and mine instantly fill with tears. "My dad passed away." I say softly before completely breaking down. "Oh my god, babe. Come here." He says and wraps his arms around me. I feel a little bit better.

"You didn't even tell me he was sick." Lando says softly. "Sorry, The weekend was busy, that's why I was late to Monaco. I flew back to South Africa for about a day and a half to be with my family and then the press and prep for the race and I barley had time to breathe. I'm sorry." I say taking a deep breath. "Babe, you have nothing to be sorry about. It's completely understandable. Just know I'm always here for you." He says, resting his chin on the top of my head.