The Race Director's Daughter (Sebastian Vettel)

16. Dinner For Four

Leah, Tamara and Jenna laughed together as they made their way down to the hotel restaurant for dinner.  

"So Bella was trying so hard to get Carlos's attention and he totally aired her!" Jenna told them. "He must have had enough of her. I can't blame him really. She is something else."

They crossed the lobby and entered the restaurant.  Tamara headed towards a small table in the corner. 

"Actually ladies, I asked someone to join us.  I hope you don't mind."

They both stopped and looked at Leah as if they didn't recognise her.   "That is ok right? I'm sorry, I guess I should have asked first."

"Leah, it's totally fine, just unexpected," Tamara said. 

"I did not know you knew anyone else.  It's not Bella is it?"   Jenna asked. Leah shook her head. 

"No it's just...he asked me to dinner, but I'd already made plans with you,  so I asked him to join us," she spat out rapidly.  

"Hey, slow down girl," Tamara said.  "Who?"

"Seb."  A look of panic came over Leah's face. "Oh my God. What have I done?"

A smug smile came across Tamara's face. "Ha, I knew you were interested in him."

"You've invited Sebastian Vettel to have dinner with us? Who are you and what have you done with the real Leah?" Jenna asked. 

"I think I made a mistake.   It's too late to text him and cancel.  Shit. What do I do?"

Tamara put a hand on the small of Leah's back and guided her to a large rectangular table.  She pointed to a chair.  "Sit.  First of all,  you enjoy the evening.  Get to know him.   You already fancy him.  He fancies you.   So we leave the seat opposite you free.   That way you can look at each other as you talk."

"But..."

Jenna sat on the chair next to Leah and Tamara sat opposite Jenna. 

"Then make sure you don't order anything messy.  It would be so embarrassing if you dropped it all down yourself. And lastly, you have Sebastian Vettel's number? Since when?"

"Since this afternoon.  I bumped into him on the way back from lunch.   I was stroking Formulino and he came over."

"How do you do it Leah?" Jenna asked.  "You've not been here long and you already have two drivers interested in you."

"I did not want them to be!  I've tried to deter them."   Leah began to feel a little upset.  Did Jenna think she was deliberately trying to get the drivers' attention?

"Leah, relax.  I didn't mean it like that.  I was just joking.   You're so lucky.  Daniel and Seb are such nice guys.  You could do worse."

"Nothing is going to happen.  I just...I just want to be friends, that's all."

"Leah, don't lie.  It may be true about Daniel, but Seb, come on...how could anyone resist him?  The rose.  The gift today. The fact that you asked him to join us."

"Tamara, I'm not ready for anything."

"What happened to you?" Jenna asked kindly. 

Leah ran her fingers through her hair, which she'd left hanging loose.  It had been so long since she'd spoken about the rape.  It was a subject that was never brought up at home.   She knew how hard it was for her Dad to be reminded of what had happened.  She would always be his little princess and it had almost destroyed him.

"Back when I was nineteen I had a friend, a best friend.   His name was Aaron."   Her  voice began to shake. 

"Leah, you don't have to do this," Tamara said.