champagne problems
pairing: lando norris x fem!reader
word count: 3.2k
summary: you catch lando’s eye at an art auction in monaco, so he challenges you to a friendly competition for one of the paintings. little does he know, you’d stop at nothing to get it. inspired by this request.
warnings: swearing, alcohol, illegal things vaguely mentioned, gossip girl au
a/n: thank you to @monzaaasharl for letting me use the request! based on events from gossip girl s6 ep6 but can be read without seeing the show! it is mentioned the reader is chuck’s stepsister, à la serena van der woodsen 🥂
lando norris masterlist
The reception was glamorous. Everything you would expect at an event like this, in a place of this caliber. Monaco was one of a kind that way; tuxedos were tailored to perfection and designer gowns flooded the room. The people adorning them certainly had the bank accounts to match.
For you, these scenes and crowds weren’t out of the ordinary. You’d been a part of them for many years at home in New York City. Sometimes alongside your mother at parties where her husband, and one of the city’s richest businessmen, commanded everyone’s attention.
The name Bart Bass spoke for itself, for better and for worse. You could only be so lucky that you were a teenager when your mother married him years ago.
Your step brother Chuck was not as lucky, being the one and only son of Bart’s. Under the weight of the Bass name, he could only hope to change the legacy that had been left for him. One that wasn’t tainted by duplicity and deceit.
If you could help him change that even a little bit, you would. It wasn’t a lonely effort either. Your entire friend group seemed to stick together in defining moments like these. When Chuck discovered a trail that would lead to the exposure of his father’s illegal business practices, there was no hesitation in your offer to help.
Bart often got away with any and everything, always facing little to no consequences for his wrongdoings. Paying off associates or officials using tens of millions in hush money was hardly a dent in the bank to someone like him.
Tonight, all of that could change. The justice you were looking for was right here in Monaco; a thin piece of microfilm enclosed in the back of a 1998 Richard Phillips painting being auctioned off tonight. Titled— The Spectrum.
On the film were numbers, nearly too small to see with the naked eye, that directly incriminate Bart in an illegal business deal. With a favorable social status and a hefty trust fund in your name, your logic tells you that it’s crazy to get wrapped up in all this knowing that if Bart finds out, he would likely turn your mother against you.
But your conscience reminds you just how many lies and just how much loss your family has endured at the hands of Bart Bass.
The soft touch of Nate’s hand on your shoulder interrupts your daydreamy stare into a flute of champagne. He’s out of breath and looks slightly panicked.
“Bart knows we’re here for the painting.”
“What?!”
“But Chuck’s following Bart’s guys, he won’t let them get near it.”
“The bidding starts in 10 minutes!”
“He won’t get here in time, it’s up to us. Think you can handle it?”
You give your best friend a knowing smirk, one that he returns.
“I know I can. These people may be rich as hell but Chuck would give his right arm for that microfilm. I won’t back down to anyone who bids on it.”
Your eyes flicker over to the painting, before they lock with a pair of blue ones across the gallery. He offers a subtle smile before turning his attention back to the painting. Whoever he was, he seemed to be a little too interested in the piece for your liking.
In a room full of deep pockets you knew you wouldn’t win a bidding war without a fight, but the challenge made it all the more entertaining. You turned to Nate, whose phone started ringing with a call from Chuck.
His eyes searched yours for reassurance and promise that you’d execute the plan.
You smiled at him, embracing your inner confidence mixed with a little liquid courage. “Answer him, I’ll take care of this.”
He nods, chuckling slightly as he follows your line of sight to the man admiring the painting. “Good luck.”
-
Lando fixated on the beautiful hues of The Spectrum. Though he can admit that the art doesn’t hold a candle to the woman that caught his eye across the room. He couldn’t tell if he was blinded by her smile or the sparkle of her dress, catching subtle glimpses of her throughout the evening.
His trance was broken by the soft clicks of stilettos inching closer and closer towards him, though the sounds were muffled over chattering guests and classical music.
“Beautiful, isn’t it? No wonder you’ve had your eyes on it all night.”
Lando’s head turned towards the woman’s voice, cheeks warming as he recognized you instantly. He wondered if you had been noticing him too, or at least knew who he was. Lando smirks and takes a subtle step closer to you.
If you weren’t about to psych him out of bidding on the painting, you’d be enamored by the scent of his cologne.
“Can’t help it, I’m naturally drawn to beautiful things.”
“Well, I guess you’re in the right place because this room is full of them.”
“That it is.” He teases, holding your eye contact while taking a sip of his drink.
“It’s almost impossible to find something I like best, but I think this one will blend in perfectly with the rest of my collection. Do you collect?”
“Art? No, I don’t collect art.”
“Then what is it you collect…?” Your sentence fizzles, realizing you hadn’t exchanged names.
“Lando.”
“Okay Lando, what is it you collect?”
He raises his eyebrows, almost surprised at the question, but chooses to be coy.
“Cars.”
“So then what brings you to an art auction?”
He shrugs in response. “Is it my turn to ask questions…?”
“Y/n.”
“Y/n, what brings you to this auction?”
“I already said, my collection.” You smile, matching his coyness. If he wanted to be short and sweet, two could play at that game.
“Which is…?”
“In my apartment. In New York.”
“Wow, long way from home. You wouldn’t happen to be in need of someone to show you around, would you?”
“Not really, I’m just here for the painting.”
“Maybe you came for the painting, but I could give you a reason to stay.”
You roll your eyes at his flirty attempts, ultimately brushing him off. “And what reason would that be? A private tour of your car collection?”
“You’d be surprised. What happens if I decide to take home the Richard Phillips myself?”
“You mean if you’re able to outbid me for it?”
“Trust me, I’ll be fine.” Lando assures. “I promise I’ll let you come over and see it.”
“No need. The painting is what brought me here, remember? There’s no way I’m leaving without it.”
Maybe it was the competitor in him, (it probably was), but seeing you get more and more eager about the work of art fueled something inside of him. Sure, the gentlemanly thing to do would be to step aside and let you have it. But where was the fun in that?
“You mean the painting that you only noticed about 5 minutes ago? If I didn’t know any better I’d think you were using it as a cover to come over and talk to me.”
“Forgive me for sounding rude but… who are you?”
“I don’t just collect cars, Y/n. I‘m a Formula One driver.”
Your unimpressed stare makes him feel like an idiot, once he quickly realizes that maybe you really don’t have an ulterior motive.
“In any case, The Spectrum will look much better decorating the halls of my apartment than it will look collecting dust in your bachelor pad. It’s not like you’ll even be at home to enjoy it.”
“We’ll see about that-” Lando continues, before the bid caller starts introducing the pieces of art, the Richard Phillips being the crown jewel of them all.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if we’re ready to begin, I’d like to start the bidding for the Richard Phillips at $500,000.”
Lando raises his bidding paddle immediately, quick reflexes and all. “500.”
“I hear $500,000, going once..”
“520!” You respond, before lowering your voice so only Lando can hear your next statement. “You may be an athlete but I promise this is a race you won’t be winning.”
“Lucky for you, I’m up for the challenge.” He teases, raising his bidding paddle once more. “540!”
“560!” You announce with confidence, eyes shooting daggers at the man beside you.
Another guest made a bid for 570, prompting Lando to bid 580.
“580!” The announcer calls. “Do I have 600?”
“$750,000!” You shout, turning heads.
Oddly enough, your bid inspires others to chime in also. There had to be something about what they wanted to prove to everyone else in the room— there was always someone richer in Monaco.
Lando certainly looks at you in disbelief, wondering how far you’ll take this. “Oh, now you’re just showing off. You only want the damn thing because I do anyway!”
“Oh please, don’t flatter yourself. This doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
“Then why do you want it so bad?”
“It would be a nice treat for my family and I, that’s all.” Your eyes flicker around the room to the other bidding paddles, the number climbing quickly. “What’s it to you? Why do you want it so bad?”
Lando shrugs, raising his paddle to bid $920,000. “It’s for a good cause.”
“920… Going once, going twice…”
“1 million dollars!” You shout, looking around the room, daring anyone to exceed your bid.
Lando’s mouth hangs open and for a second he almost wants to challenge it.
But then he imagines the heart attack it would likely give his business manager to see a surprise million-dollar charge to his account.
“What?” You question him insincerely. “It’s for a good cause.”
“1 million dollars! Going once, going twice…. Sold to the lady in silver!”
You smile graciously at the applause from the crowd. After all, this was a victory for the charity of the evening. Little did they know you just secured a victory of your own.
Lando sighs. “Well, congratulations. I’m sure your husband will be thrilled.”
“Husband? What are you talking about?”
“That man you’ve been whispering with all night. You said the painting was for your family?”
“Who, Nate?” Your face scrunches up in perplexity, following Lando’s line of sight towards the back of the room where Nate is standing with Chuck, clapping and beaming with pride that everything went according to plan, the painting is yours now.
“Yeah, whatever his name is.”
“We’ve been friends since we were kids. And if you must know, I’m not married.”
Lando chuckles, part amused and part embarrassed that he jumped to conclusions. He reminds himself that he needs to stop doing that.
“And he didn’t send you over here to flirt with me in hopes that I wouldn’t outbid you?”
“He didn’t put me up to anything, I am way above those childish antics! And I’d hardly call any of that flirting.”
“Whatever it was, I guess it worked, didn’t it?”
You smile at him, contemplating your answer. “I suppose. If it makes you feel any better, I promise I have only good intentions.”
“Well either way, I still have to find my mum a new birthday present.” He grumbles, taking a swig of his drink.
Your smile falters and you give his arm a nudge, taken aback by his confession. “The painting was for your mother? Why didn’t you say that?!”
“I’m not sure if anyone’s ever told you this, Y/n, but you’re not that easy to negotiate with.”
“I’ve been told. But for the record, neither are you.”
“If it were me, I wouldn’t have given up the painting. So I don’t hold it against you.” Lando concedes, but starts eyeing you suspiciously. “Although… I still don’t know your motive. I mean all of that drama simply for your art collection which is 4,000 miles across the Atlantic? I don’t believe it. So tell me, Y/n, what’s your motive?”
Lando chuckles at the stone cold stare you give him in return. “It’s only fair, Y/n, I told you mine.”
“Are we in first grade or something?”
By the look he’s giving you, it’s obvious that he’s actually dead serious.
At which you sigh, surrendering to the man’s relentless attempts to get a real answer out of you. Moments prior you did the same to him, except it’s not as fun when the tables are turned.
“The Richard Phillips painting, it belongs to my mother.”
Lando’s eyes widen in disbelief, like a deer in headlights. “You bid a million dollars on a painting you might as well already own?! Fucking hell, why on Earth woul-”
Abruptly, you take him by the arm and escort him away from the main crowd, an action that shocks you both.
But the last thing you needed was for him to blabber out all of your secrets, draw attention to you both and blow your cover in this crowded room.
“Long story short, my stepfather has been involved in some…not exactly legal business practices. And I’m not talking about some common white collar crimes, he makes Madoff look like a fucking Saint. He’s been hiding his proof in the back of that Richard Phillips painting, sort of in plain sight to throw the scent off. My mom’s had that painting in the apartment as long as I’ve been alive. By the time I found out the evidence was in there she had already sold it. My stepbrother tracked it down, and here I am.”
Lando looks like he doesn’t know what to say, equal parts confused and concerned for what kind of danger you might be in or just how deep this all goes.
“There’s not enough time in the world to explain everything but just know that he’s hurt a lot of people, not only my family and I. He deserves what’s coming to him and it starts with what’s hidden behind that painting.”
His heart softens at the look of purpose and conviction in your eyes, understanding that whatever this is, it’s bigger than you and him.
“Well if he’s facing your wrath, I should probably be wishing him the best of luck. Whatever the consequences to his actions, the U.S. government is no match for you.”
At that you let out a laugh, one that’s genuine and full of heart. You can’t even remember the last time someone made you laugh like that, and it was refreshing.
“That’s very sweet, Lando, even if you didn’t intend it that way. I just hope I’m not going to all of this trouble for nothing. I don’t want it to be in vain.”
“It won’t be, you’ll see.”
“How could you be so sure?”
“Just a hunch.” He muses sarcastically, feigning uncertainty.
For the first time tonight you feel appreciative towards him, to the kindness and listening ear he’s giving you, a total stranger until about 20 minutes ago.
The irony wasn’t lost on you that while he was bidding on the art for a gift to his mother, you were bidding on it to repossess evidence that would send your stepfather to prison for the rest of his life, likely devastating your own mother in the process.
“Let me help with your mother’s birthday gift. Please?”
He raises his eyebrows at your sudden offer, wondering how or why you would be interested.
“You don’t need to do that. Aren’t you a little busy with your own family?”
“Somewhat. That doesn’t mean I can’t make it up to you.”
“You won the painting fair and square, Y/n.”
“Please?” You nearly begged, widening your eyes.
Lando sighs jokingly as a way of admitting defeat. “We really are in first grade.”
“See, I knew you’d come around! Art Basel will be in Miami soon, I’ll stay for the whole week if I have to. Surely I can find some amazing pieces for your mother there, I might even find another Richard Phillips painting!”
“I don’t dare underestimate you again.” He quips, raising his glass to you. “I have no doubt that we will find something.”
“We?”
“I’m a Formula One driver, remember? We’ve been racing in Miami for a couple years now, I hope you’re prepared to stay there for the weekend.”
You roll your eyes at his bargain, of course he already has plans laid out for you. “You’re as persuasive as you are slick, Lando.”
“Is that a yes?”
“It’s not a no.”
“You’re as sharp as you are stubborn, Y/n.”
“You haven’t seen the worst of me yet.”
He laughs, impressed at how you manage to stay one step ahead of his banter. “Just promise me one thing?”
You humor him with an unsure look, knowing you would accept his terms anyway. “What’s that?”
“Don’t get into anymore bidding wars with handsome strangers.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because it’s our thing.”
“Okay, Lando. I think I can agree to that.” You muse, holding out your pinky for him, the two of you subconsciously moving closer into each other’s space. “From here on out, bidding wars will be our thing.”
Lando accepts, but decides to challenge you further. “I’m no lawyer, but I don’t think pinky promises are binding, Y/n.”
You nod slowly in acknowledgement, realizing just how close the two of you are standing now, and how intensely he seems to be focusing on the beautiful features of yours he’s had yet to see up close.
Now that you think of it, you haven’t had a chance to take a good look at him either. His eyes are as captivating as his smart aleck wit that’s been keeping you on your toes from the moment you two spoke.
And in a split second, you forget all that was stopping you from noticing what drew you in to Lando to begin with. Your lips collide with his, the stress and tension you’ve been carrying melting away into the kiss, and he’s certainly eager enough to take it on for you.
Mesmerized by each other, you then forget how the hell you both ended up here, tucked away in a dark room from the art you were just competing for.
Until you do remember that you are still proving a point after all, breaking away from the kiss just a moment too soon and smirking in his face.
“How’s that for binding, Lando?”
He appears amazed, out of breath and slightly shocked that you went there. You, however, were carrying on with ease, your thumb brushing over his lips at the faint stain of your lipstick on him.
“Close enough.” Lando coaxes, this time bringing his thumb to brush against your cheek delicately.
His fingertips may as well have been on fire by the way his touch made you feel red hot, and yours to him. Instead of backing away from the burn, Lando leaned in, giving into temptation and meeting your lips once again.
💌: this is my first time writing for lando! likes, reblogs, comments & feedback is greatly appreciated! thanks for reading <3
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