Chapter Text
Taylor takes a deep breath to compose herself and looks into Fernando’s eyes, her voice tinged with both frustration and determination.
"Fernando, it's my manager," she says, her tone filled with exasperation. "She just informed me that those sneaky paparazzi have already leaked pictures of us on our date at the restaurant. Can you believe it? We can't even have a private moment without the whole world watching."
Fernando smirks, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, Taylor, looks like we're more famous than we thought!" he chuckles. "But you know what they say, any publicity is good publicity. Besides, we both knew that this was bound to happen sooner or later. We can't control the paparazzi or people's opinions, so let's focus on enjoying our time together."
Taylor nods, a mix of relief and annoyance evident on her face. "You're right, Fernando. We can't let these intrusive pictures ruin what we have. We're stronger than that. Let's embrace our connection and show the world that their judgment won't define us."
With renewed resolve, Taylor sends a quick reply to her manager, brushing off the leak as just another day in the life of a celebrity.
As Fernando scrolls through the tweets discussing their leaked pictures, he can't help but let out a booming laugh. Taylor looks at him, surprised, but soon finds herself caught up in his infectious amusement. Despite the incessant messages from her furious manager, Taylor's laughter becomes uncontrollable.
"Ah, the internet never disappoints," Fernando says between chuckles, shaking his head in amusement. "These tweets are hilarious! Who knew our little date would cause such a stir?"
Taylor, wiping away tears of laughter, manages to compose herself enough to reply, "I can't believe how quickly memes and jokes are being made. They're so creative!"
He grins mischievously and adds, "Well, Tree Paine may be furious, but there's no denying that this will certainly get people talking. And isn't that what happens when two forces of nature collide?"
Taylor nods, a mixture of excitement and trepidation in her eyes. Deep down, she knows her manager has a point about potential damage to her image. But in this moment, the thrill of living life on her own terms and embracing the unexpected outweighs her concerns.
Taking a deep breath, Taylor reaches for her phone and finally silences the ongoing flurry of manager messages. Ignoring the warnings and finger-wagging from her team, she turns to Fernando with a determined smile.
"Hey, Fernando, you remember when you used to reply to every single tweet I posted? Were you just trying to get my attention or were you being your usual mischievous self?"
Fernando’s eyes widen with a mix of surprise and embarrassment as a blush creeps up his cheeks. He sheepishly scratches his head and chuckles, "Well, I can't deny that I was drawn to your wit and charm. I guess you could say it was a subtle way of trying to catch your attention. But hey, I had no idea it would lead us to this amazing moment!"
She giggles, delighted by Fernando’s candid response. "Oh, so you were laying the groundwork by trolling me on social media, huh? Sneaky move, Mr. Alonso."
Fernando leans back, crossing his arms with a smirk. "Well, it worked, didn't it? Look where we are now, Taylor Swift, sharing jokes and enjoying this incredible date. And I must say, your witty comebacks always intrigued me. I knew there was something more beneath those lyrics."
Taylor raises an eyebrow, a teasing glimmer in her eyes. "Ah, so I've always been a mystery to you, haven't I? Well, it seems we have a lot more to uncover about each other."
Their conversation soon takes on a playful tone as they exchange witty and light-hearted teasing remarks. They delve into each other's quirks, preferences, and funny anecdotes, finding joy in discovering the person behind the public personas.
As the teasing and joking between Taylor and Fernando continues, Fernando takes it one step further and playfully asks, "So, Taylor, what's the deal with your taste in men? I mean, with a string of failed relationships, maybe you need some advice from a guy who knows a thing or two about racing at 300 km/h."
Taylor's smile fades just a bit, and a hint of irritation flashes across her face. She crosses her arms and leans back, mock annoyance evident in her voice. "Oh, really? Mr. Alonso thinks he can lecture me about relationships?"
Fernando quickly realizes that he might have crossed a line and hastens to rectify it. "Hey, hey, I was just kidding! I know relationships are complex, and I'm sorry if my joke came off as insensitive. Let's not take this too seriously. Besides, I'm the last person to give advice on love."
Taylor's initial annoyance dissipates, and she can't help but chuckle at Fernando’s awkward attempt to fix the situation. She relaxes her shoulders and grins at him, still unable to mask her amusement. "Alright, I'll let you off the hook this time. But be careful."
Fernando gasps dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. "Oh no, I wouldn't survive that! Promise me you won't turn our playful banter into chart-topping hits."
Taylor raises an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. "Can't make any promises, Fernando. Inspiration strikes at the most unexpected times."
Their banter seamlessly continues, bringing warmth and levity to their interaction. As they delve deeper into their conversation, Fernando suddenly interjects with a hint of surprise, "You know, Taylor, I have to admit something. I actually enjoy your music."
Taylor's eyes widen in surprise, a mixture of amusement and disbelief coloring her reaction. "Oh really? You? A fan of my music?"
Fernando nods earnestly, a genuine smile playing on his lips. "Absolutely! Your music has this way of capturing emotions and telling stories that I find captivating. Even my teammates have some of your songs on their playlists, believe it or not."
Taylor's initial surprise turns into genuine delight. She blushes slightly and thanks Fernando for his kind words. For a moment, the glitz and glamour of their respective lives fade away, leaving just the two of them, connecting on a human level.
In that moment, they both realize that beyond their fame and accomplishments, they are just two individuals with their own quirks, vulnerabilities, and surprising interests. And in this newfound connection, something special begins to blossom.
Taylor's smirk widens as she eyes Fernando mischievously. "Alright, sir, let's put your claim to the test. I'm going to ask you some fire questions about my music. Let's see if you really know what you're talking about."
Fernando leans back, a confident grin spreading across his face. "Bring it on, Taylor. I'm ready for this challenge. I'll prove to you that I'm not just blowing hot air."
The air crackles with anticipation as Taylor pauses momentarily, relishing the suspense. Both of them can feel the energy building between them, fueling their playful competition.
At this moment, nothing else matters but the challenge they've set for each other.