After the Hate Has Gone (Sebastian Vettel)

6. Fight or Flight

She'd ignored him when he turned up banging on her hotel room door. She knew it was him, the impatient knocking gave it away. This was confirmed when he started speaking through the door.

"Charlotte , I know you're in there. You're going to have to speak to me sooner or later. Please talk to me. I need to know where I stand. Come on please. I have to leave early for my flight."

"Just go away Sebastian," she finally said, sitting on the floor besides the door. "I don't want to talk to you. Not now, and I don't know when I will want to. So please just go. I need time to think."

He smiled to himself. If she wanted time to think then all was not lost. There was still a chance.

"I will go but don't think I'm giving up. You annoy the hell out of me, you drive me crazy. But I want you Lottie. And I'm not giving up. I know you want me too." She went quiet again and by the silence she guessed he had gone.

                                      ***

After arriving back in the U.K. Charlotte spent the day slobbing out on the couch. She couldn't get Sebastian out of her mind. The way he had made her feel from just a kiss. She was confused about her feelings. On one hand she hated the man, he was forever taunting her and driving her mad. On the other hand she fancied the pants off of him. She really didn't know what to do. She knew he had a girlfriend. And she wasn't the type of girl to mess around with other women's men. If he was single, it would be simple. Well, simpler. She figured nothing was ever simple when it involved Sebastian Vettel. Her phone beeped. She didn't recognise the number.

Seb: Hey, it's me, Seb. I got your number from Sophie. I wanted to let you know I meant every word I said. I've had to go to Switzerland. I couldn't leave things with Celestine any longer. Whatever your decision I know I can't stay with her. My feelings for you made me realise that. After that I'm flying to the UK. Please will you see me?

She felt her heart rate increase. He was serious! He was breaking up with Celestine. She still didn't know exactly how she felt about that but it was a start. By the morning she had made up her mind. She would hear what he had to say. She messaged him back.

Lottie: Ok, we can talk. I'm away with my dad for the next week but free after that. Let me know when you're coming.

That afternoon she and her dad headed to the coast. It was a yearly tradition for them. They'd spend a week staying at he seaside in the same little B&B they had stayed in since she was a child. Sebastian was never far from her thoughts. Every time she tried to sleep she saw his eyes. She could almost feel the touch of his lips. How could she go from hate to whatever this was so fast? She was literally craving his touch. She knew when she saw him she'd crumble. He had wormed his way into her very soul.

                                           ***

Seb rang Celestine's doorbell. He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. He felt sick with nerves. Tonight was the night. There was no avoiding it. If he wanted to move things on with Lottie he had to make the break.

She smiled at him as she opened the door. He hated having to hurt her. She did mean so much to him.

"Sebby," she cried, hurling herself into his arms. He hugged her tight. How the hell was he meant to break her heart? He followed her through to the dining room. She'd prepared his favourite meal. He felt like a complete dickhead.

"Cel, we need to talk," he said seriously. Her face showed confusion.

"Sebby, I know we do but please can we eat first."

He nodded. They ate in silence. An awkwardness had sprung up between them. She cleared the plates from the table. He followed her and helped wash up. They went into the lounge and sat down on the sofa.

"Cel.." he began.

"No Seb, please. Let me go first. I know things haven't been great between us. Partly my fault. Partly yours. But I want you to know I love you and I need you. Seb, I didn't mean for this to happen. It's a shock. Seb, I'm pregnant. "

Seb felt as if someone had punched him in the gut. Pregnant? How could he leave her now? He wasn't that much of a dickhead. A baby? His child. Whatever his feelings towards Celestine, she was carrying his flesh and blood. He knew then that he would have to give Charlotte up. It wasn't fair on either woman.

"Say something Seb. What did you want to talk about?"

"Nothing important, come here. " She shuffled over into his arms.

"I'm here. It's all OK. We are going to be a family. Marry me Cel," he asked her, but inside he was screaming, feeling trapped.

                                 ***

Charlotte had been home for five days now and not heard a thing from Sebastian. She wondered if he was still coming. She was tempted to message him. After all, she did have his number now. She didn't want to seem desperate though, even though she was. Desperate to see him. Desperate to taste his lips.

She switched on her laptop and paid a few bills online. Then she quickly glanced at Twitter. She scrolled through all the poiness posts. And then she saw a post that shook her to her core.

Vettel to marry childhood sweetheart.

She read through the article. Sebastian had been spotted out dining with Celestine and she'd been photographed wearing a diamond on her ring finger. After a lot of questions from the media a statement had confirmed their engagement.

Bastard! Charlotte thought through her tears. It was a game all along. His idea of a sick joke. Leading her on, kissing her. Letting her think she meant something to him. She didn't think he could sink that low. How could she face him now? How could she work alongside him? He didn't even have the decency to tell her himself.

She threw a cushion across the room in frustration. She had been right in the first place. She hated him! She didn't know how long she had laid there but eventually she picked her phone up and dialled a number.

It rang several times before it was answered.

"Hey Lottie. What's up?"

" I know I said no. But is it too late to change my mind Ben? I want to take the job."

                                    ***

Seb arrived at the paddock in Belgium. He was feeling really guilty. He should have told Charlotte himself. Truth was he was a coward. He knew she would have heard about his engagement by now. It was all over the Internet.

He looked around for her. He needed to talk to her, to explain. But he couldn't see her anywhere. He headed to the garage to see if she was there. To his surprise he saw the familiar face of Brian, the old team photographer.

" Hello again Seb," he greeted him. " Bet you thought you'd seen the last of me."

"Hey Brian," Seb said, confused. "Great to see you, but where's Charlotte?"

"Did you not hear? I've been drafted in until Christian can find a new photographer. She quit over the summer, some new job prospect in the States."

Seb felt sick. No, he really had lost the chance to explain. She must hate him. He'd driven her away. Forget her Seb, he tried to tell himself. You have Cel and the baby. But he knew it wouldn't be that easy. Lottie was unforgettable.

                                     ***

Charlotte exited the airport terminal and saw Ben waiting for her. She ran into his arms. He sensed something different about her.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing that can't be fixed," she answered.

He threw his arm around her shoulders and they headed out into the Florida sun.