REMEMBER THE NAME

2019:15

A/N bit of a longer chapter to make up for the sad news, but I'm not going to be able to post as often - maybe once or twice a week - because I'm stressed to the max with assignments unfortunately 😢

"Thank you for meeting with us." Toto welcomes Franz as he enters the hotel conference room, the two men shaking each other's hand before Franz shakes Sophie's.

"I understand you want to go over some parts of the contract?" Franz sits opposite Toto, placing his arms on the sides of the chair and smiling across.

"Yes, I understand that Sophie briefly discussed what she would be looking for and after reviewing the contract we have two more propositions." Toto explains, pulling out the annotated contract and turning it to Franz, allowing him to have a read over it.

"You want to keep your PR manager but not the race engineer. Was that their personal decision or yours?" Franz looks towards Sophie who was sitting on Toto's right hand side.

"Mine. I've developed a strong relationship with Debbie where she has proved herself to be extremely helpful and understanding of my situations. However I haven't bonded that well with my race engineer. I would like this new opportunity to try working with a different race engineer." She calmly explains, to which Franz just nods his head. "And the other issue is pay?" He directs his attention towards Toto.

"Yes." Toto crosses his arms and leans back. "You have offered her $1 million, but for her level of skill and what she can bring to the team we would expect no less than $3 million."

"$3 million for someone who has been at the back of the grid and no where near gaining points?" Franz looks comically at Toto.

"I explained my situation." Sophie interjects powerfully. "My position on the grid is through no choice of my own."

"That doesn't prove that you would be able to gain the points." Franz explains to her.

"Then I have another idea." Both Franz and Toto look towards her as though she is crazy - which she probably is. "I can't defy Williams team orders without the safety net of this contract. However we'll add another condition and that is the contract can be terminated at your discretion if I do not score at least one point for Williams. That allows me this weekend to defy team orders and aim towards the points without the worry that I don't have a seat for next year."

"What are you doing." Toto angrily whispers towards her.

She looks across making eye contact. "Taking a risk." She replies strongly, not letting her face show the fear she was hiding.

"That's a big risk to take." Franz acknowledges.

"I'm all in. Make the offer including my terms, and include your own safety net, but I can assure you that you won't need to use it." She crosses her arms.

Franz ponders for a moment before looking across to Toto. "Are you agreeing with this?"

The Austrian looks to be in a tough place before looking towards his stepdaughter. "Are you sure you can do this?"

"Positive." She smiles happy that she's been listened to.

Toto let's out a huff before turning to Franz. "We agree to these terms. If you can get the contract then organised and sent to me for review tomorrow, we'll be happy to sign on Saturday."

Sophie had found her way out.

—

Sophie left the meeting absolutely exhausted, and made her way up to her room. It was coming up to 6 o'clock so she knew she would have to get changed and get ready for dinner, opting for either just eating at the hotel or ordering in room service.