Life in the Fastlane (Sebastian Vettel)

34. Hunter's Fall

Mollie stood outside the press conference room. She was trying to control her breathing. On the walk from the car park it had felt like everyone was looking at her. Was he one of them?

Had she made a mistake coming back? She pulled the peak of her cap further down so it cast a shadow over her face.

"Are you ok?" Alex Albon asked her. She nodded at him and said yes. It was a lie. She was far from ok. She was living on the edge and one push would send her falling. And Daniel Hunter would more than likely be the one to help her fall.

"Alex, Mollie, come on through," Daniel Harrison called. Mollie headed towards the door, nodding at Charles LeClerc and Mick Schumacher who were just exiting it.

She strode to the chair nearest the door and sat down. She tried to make herself as small as she could.

The press conference started off ok. There were just questions about her goals for the weekend and about whether she'd signed for the next season or not.

Obviously the journalists had been briefed not to bring up the events of Austin.

She began to relax. She even had some lighthearted banter with Alex. Then it happened.

Daniel Hunter stood up.

"Mollie, are you sure you're in a fit state of mind to be driving so soon after what you claimed happened in Austin?"

She get nauseous. "What do you mean claimed?"

"What were you even doing in an alleyway?"

"How is that anything to do with you? I'm here to answer questions about the race."

"How is your mental health Mollie?"

She put her hands on her head. "Please stop."

Hunter smirked at her and continued. "Word is that you're going to be replaced by Will Barnes at the end of the season. Is that correct?"

"Lay off her Hunter," Alex said. He lay his hand on her arm. "Mollie, are you ok?"

She stood up. "I have to go." She ran out of the room and straight past Luca and Daniel who were outside.

Daniel was concerned as he'd noticed how upset she was. He slipped his phone out of his pocket and called Seb. Seb thanked him and said he'd go and find her.

He found her in her driver's room. Matthew had told him to go and look there.

He took her into his arms. "This was a dumb idea. I broke at the first hurdle."

"You'll be fine in the car. It's just Hunter. He's a twat. All the other journos are respecting you. Ignore him."

She soon felt a little better after some Seb hugs. Then it was time for Seb to go and do his own press conference. They arranged to meet outside Thorne later to travel back to the hotel.

***

Mollie exited Thorne hospitality and saw Seb leaning against one of the palm trees waiting for her. He smiled and held his hand out. She took it and they headed towards the car park. When they got there Seb cursed.

"I've forgotten the bloody key. Wait there. I will be back in a few minutes."

Mollie nodded. It was safe. There were plenty of people around. In fact she started chatting to Esteban Ocon, who was parked next to them.

After he'd driven off she wondered where Seb had got to. He should be back by now.

"Lost your boyfriend Rashford? Bit careless of you."

For fuck's sake. Hunter. What did he want?

"Just leave me alone Hunter," she said wearily. He took a few steps closer. Mollie began to feel nervous.

"Or what? You know I got a warning earlier because of your little performance? Storming out of the press conference like a baby."

"Look I don't know what your problem is with me, but I'm so fed up of your snide comments. Please can you not just give it a rest?"

"Never Princess. You don't belong here and you know it."

"That's not for you to say."

"Isn't it?"

"Carry on Hunter and I'll report you. You'll be banned from the races."

"Report me for what? I only ask the questions the others don't have the balls to ask."

He raised a hand and brushed a bit of Mollie's hair off of her face. She felt her blood run cold. Where was Seb? Her heart rate increased.

She pulled back out of Hunter's reach. He laughed.

"What's wrong Mollie? Scared of your body's reaction to me? I won't lie, I wouldn't turn down a night in bed with you. You're a sexy little bitch. How about it?"

"Go fuck yourself."

"There's that dirty little mouth. That could be put to such better uses."

Mollie started shaking. Hunter had never said these type of things to her before. Could it be.... was this him? Was this the man that had been tormenting her?

"Hey, get the fuck away from her Hunter!" Seb appeared, grabbing Hunter's shoulder and yanking him away from Mollie.

"Watch where you put your hands Vettel!"

"You watch where you put yours! I saw you touch Mollie's face. Now I have my suspicions that I can't prove but if I find out you're the bastard that attacked her I will kill you."

"Talk is cheap."

"You'll find out how serious I am if you go near her again."

Hunter laughed as he walked away. Mollie fell into Seb's arms. "It's ok baby. He's gone. And I think we need to put in a complaint about him. He's gone too far. I'm sorry I took so long. I was talking to Alex. He was telling me about how disgusted he was with how Hunter spoke to you today. Enough is enough. It's time to act."

Mollie nodded. He was right. Enough was enough.

***

The news broke the following day that Daniel Hunter had been suspended from attending races for the rest of the season, pending an investigation into his inappropriate questions and threatening behaviour.

No one was sad to see the back of him. Mollie certainly felt a bit lighter when she heard the news. If it was him that had been sending her letters and attacked her then at least she'd be safe at the circuits now.

This had been a long time coming. She wished she'd spoken out earlier but Formula 1had been letting him get away with the inappropriate questions for so long. They could have spoken to him about it before now too.

Still it was what it was and now he was gone. For now anyway.

Mollie headed to her room to get changed for FP1. Time to get back on track and get her head in the game.