The Limit (Sebastian Vettel)

4. The Christmas Party

Lily gazed around her in awe as she entered the majestic looking ballroom. It had been decorated in red, white and silver, with a giant Christmas tree, each with twinkling white fairy lights,  in each corner.  Ferrari had really pushed the boat out for their Christmas party. She glanced at the man who was by her side. He looked at her, smiling.

"Would you like a drink babe?" he asked her.  She smiled at him and nodded, inside she was already regretting inviting him.  She hated being called babe. 

Ignoring his offered hand, she began to walk further into the room, looking for a familiar face, anyone she could talk to so she wasn't alone with her date. The only one she spotted was one of the two people she didn't want to see. Damon.  Spotting his sister, he gave her a small, sarcastic wave. He received a glare in return.

She picked up a glass of champagne from a tray a waitress was circulating the room with.  She thanked her and drained half the glass in one sip.

"You're keen," said her date, Dino, or was it Gino? She couldn't remember his name, all she knew was that he was a  mechanic for Ferrari. She'd asked him on the spur of the moment after bumping into him in the staff canteen a few weeks earlier.  She hadn't wanted to turn up alone, especially not when he would be there. Would he be bringing a date?  Stupid question. Of course he would. He probably had a little black book filled with names to pick from.  

She made her way over to an empty table and sat down.   Dino/Gino sat next to her. He was sitting a little too close for her liking.  She moved her chair to the right, creating a gap between their thighs. 

"So how are you spending Christmas?" he asked her. 

"I'm going back to England to spend it with my brother."

"Damon right?"

"No, my other brother, the nice one."   Dino/Gino gave a snort of laughter. 

"I didn't want to say, but yeah, Damon is a bit of a..."

"Bellend?"  He snorted again.  Groaning inwardly, Lily once again began to regret inviting him to be her date.  In fact if she'd had her way she wouldn't have even come herself.   She didn't celebrate Christmas.  She hadn't since her father had died.   All it was was another day without him.    She hadn't lied about returning to England though.   She and Joel would hang out, he'd cook one of his speciality curries, they'd play some PlayStation, watch a movie or two and get blind drunk.   That was how they marked the festive season.  

The truth was she was only here because she'd been told she had to be.  All drivers, even FDA members, would be in attendance.  

"I'm kind of surprised that Damon got a seat in Formula 1 to be honest," Dino/Gino continued. "Charles, I'm not surprised by. I wouldn't be surprised if he's driving for us in a year or two. Alfa is a nice little stepping stone for him."

"Damon got in because of his name," Lily replied bluntly. She knew she sounded bitchy, but it was the truth. "Alfa wanted him for publicity. Taking on two rookies though....a mistake if you ask me."

"It's good for you though? You lucked into his Prema seat." Lily stared daggers at him. She stood up and picked up her champagne glass. She'd rather be alone than listen to this moron for a second longer.

"I didn't luck into it. I earned that seat. Now if you'll excuse me, you're boring me." She walked off, leaving Dino/Gino sat with his mouth gaping open.

Storming over to the bar Lily's anger grew. Who the hell did he think he was? Lucked into the seat? She earned it with blood, sweat and tears. She'd given everything to prove herself worthy, and she'd succeeded.