After the Hate Has Gone (Sebastian Vettel)

11. The Morning After

Seb's head was banging as he regained consciousness. He came to the conclusion that he had had far too much to drink the night before. He couldn't even remember leaving the club. He turned over in bed and that's when he realised that he wasn't alone. A blonde woman lay looking at him. To Seb's horror she was naked. What had he done?

"Good morning,"she purred, running her hand up his chest.

"Err good morning...."

"Annaliese. You couldn't remember my name last night either. You kept calling Lottie. I don't mind. It's not as if we will see each other again."

"I am so sorry. I had so much to drink. Did we, you know?" She laughed.

"We got our clothes off and that's as far as it went honey. You seemed to have a few problems down below. So no, we didn't. Can put that right now if you like," she said, her hand slipping down his stomach. He quickly jumped out of bed, his hands covering his genitals.

"I'm sorry, I have to get dressed. I have a flight. It was nice to meet you Annaliese. Take care."

He locked himself in the bathroom. Fuck Seb. What are you doing? he thought to himself. At least he hadn't had sex with her. There was only one woman he wanted to do that with. Shit. Lottie. He hoped she hadn't seen him leave with Annaliese.

                                      ***

Lottie woke up to a tickly feeling on her face. She opened her eyes and saw Daniel tickling her nose with a piece of her hair.

"Good morning Sleeping Beauty." She instantly remembered the night before. She and Daniel had gone back to his suite. They drank some more then he'd started kissing her. One thing had led to another and now she'd woken up naked in his bed.

Did she regret it? Yes and no. Yes because she was never one for casual sex and no because it had been bloody good casual sex. She ran her hand down Daniels chest, letting it come to rest on his abs.

"Good morning." He leant in and kissed her on the mouth, his lips lingering. He sensed her hesitation.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. I just don't usually do this."

"Do what?"

"Casual sex. One night stands."

"Ouch. I'm getting dumped already?" He held his hand to his heart. Lottie laughed.

"You fool. Seriously I really don't usually do this."

" But you made an exception for me? I'm honoured," he said, gently. Lottie felt so bad. Daniel was absolutely gorgeous. And he was a lovely guy.

However, she had no wish to pursue anything with him. She shouldn't have come back with him. She couldn't even blame the drink. She'd been near enough sober when they'd left the club. She knew full well that she'd been reacting to Seb leaving with a woman. It was then she realised that after all these years she still wanted the infuriating man, but she wasn't giving into him. She'd rather be alone than give him the satisfaction.

"Daniel, I'm really sorry. I hope I haven't given the wrong impression. It was fun but it won't happen again." He smiled and tapped her on the nose with his finger.

"Don't worry about it honey. Yeah it was loads of fun. If you change your mind, you know where to find me. No strings attached." She kissed his cheek.

"Thank you."

"It's Seb, isn't it?"

"What?"

"You have a thing for him. No, don't look like that. I saw you keep looking at him at the club last night."

"Doesn't mean a thing Ricciardo." He winked at her.
"I'd better go. Got to get packed. Need to check out within the next hour. Cover your eyes."

" I saw it all last night sweetheart."

"Close your eyes Ricciardo!" He obliged. She jumped out of bed, grabbed her clothes and headed into the bathroom. She had a quick wash, put her clothes back on, borrowed Daniel's comb to make her hair look half way presentable.

When she went back out she found Daniel stood at the breakfast bar wearing just a pair of jogging bottoms. Why couldn't she fancy him? The guy had an amazing body!

"Well, hope you have a good flight. See you around? Thank you for a great night. If you ever want any help making Seb jealous just ask yeah? I put my number in your phone. You really should have a password on it." She laughed.

Daniel walked her to the door. He opened it for her. Then the worst thing that could have happened, happened. The door of the suite opposite opened and who should walk out but Sebastian bloody Vettel.

He looked at her, taking in the fact that she was still wearing her dress from the night before. Then Daniel, being Daniel, lunged forward and planted a kiss right on her lips.

"See you later beautiful. Morning Seb. Great night last night, did you have fun?" Seb grunted and dragged his case out, closing his door behind him.

She had slept with Ricciardo! Seb didn't know whether he was angry or devastated. He had really fucked things up. He should have just told her how he felt, whether she wanted to hear it or not. At least he could have known he had done all he could. Now it was too late.

He felt jealousy rise up inside him. He started marching down the corridor to the elevator. As he stood waiting for it he realised that she was waiting behind him. He totally ignored her. The doors slid open and the both walked in. He hit the button for the ground floor whilst she pressed number 2.

"Sebastian, I can explain."

"It's none of my business."

"But.."

" You can screw your way around the whole paddock for all I care Lottie. I thought you weren't that kind of girl but guess I was wrong."

"Hang on a minute, it was one guy, one night. How does that make me a whore?"

"I never called you a whore."

"You implied it. And what about you with your skanky blonde? I saw you leave with her last night."

" Nothing happened."

"Course it didn't." Seb was just about to retaliate when the elevator doors opened. She stormed out. They slid shut.

"Fuck!" he shouted, slamming his fist into the elevator wall.

                                       ***

Lottie burst into tears as her door closed behind her. Why had she been so stupid? Sebastian was never going to forget this. She couldn't forget the way he had looked at her, with hate in his eyes. She threw all her things in her case. She hated that obnoxious man, hated him! Why was he so judgmental of her? So it was OK for him to go off with a woman? But her and Daniel?

She promised herself that she was just going to ignore Sebastian from then on. She wasn't even going to bait him or try to get revenge on him. Apart from as a subject of her photographs he didn't exist. She knew deep down that wouldn't last long. The man just affected her on a level no one else ever had or ever would .

                                        ***

"Are you ok Seb?" Antti asked as they settled into their seats aboard the plane.

"Just a bit hungover Antti. I'm going to sleep for a bit" Antti looked at his boss, knowing there was more to it than that. He'd seen Seb hungover before and he was definitely acting out of character. He left the matter though. He just hoped that whatever it was was out of his system before Portimao.

Seb shut his eyes and pretended to sleep. He couldn't do with Antti's questions. Truth was he was furious, upset and didn't know what to do. He knew he wanted her. She obviously didn't want him. He got that message loud and clear. So he guessed what he would have to do is let her go. No more pranks. No more petty insults. From now on she was just another team member. And if she was with Ricciardo then he'd just have to deal with it, however much it hurt.