The Limit (Sebastian Vettel)

50. Face To Face

A/N: so you may remember me asking if I should keep The Limit as one story or split into two. This would have been the final chapter of Book 1 if I'd chosen to split it. But I didn't. So it continues....

Lily sat huddled up on the backseat of the car that had been sent to collect her, Joel and Luca from the airport.   Joel was sat next to her, and Luca was up front with the driver.

She fiddled with the light blue medical mask that she was wearing.  She hated it with a vengeance, but she tolerated it as the wearing of masks was compulsory, and it was enabling the season to finally get under way.

Nearly two months had passed since the news had been leaked that she'd signed to drive for Ferrari, nearly two months without hearing a word from Seb. 

When she'd seen that Ferrari had announced her signing she'd desperately tried to call him, but every time, after just one ring, she'd been diverted to voicemail.   She'd suspected straight away that he'd blocked her, so to test her theory she'd called him on Joel's phone.   It had rang and rang.  He still hadn't answered but she hadn't been diverted to voicemail after just one ring.   Yep, he'd definitely blocked her.

Once she'd established that, she'd rang Mattia demanding to know why the announcement had been made early and without consulting her. He'd been very apologetic, stating that a disgruntled ex employee with a grudge against Seb was responsible. He wouldn't name anyone but Lily had a good feeling that she knew who. Sofia. Who else would want to get revenge on Seb?

Now arriving in Austria, she hoped that now Seb had had time to calm down he'd let her explain.   She deserved a chance to defend herself.  Yes, she'd taken his seat, but she hadn't wanted him to find out the way he had done.  He had to understand.  She'd done what was best for her career.  It didn't mean she didn't care about him. 

They soon arrived at the hotel.  The driver helped them to unload their luggage and they made their way inside to check in.

The lobby was nearly empty, no one was stood around talking like they usually did.   Lily walked up to the reception.  A large perspex screen had been erected to separate the receptionista from the guests. 

She gave their names, and after giving a few more details was given the three keycards.  She handed one each to Luca and Joel. 

They made their way over to the elevator, and once in it Luca pressed the number two, Joel the number three and Lily number six. 

One by one they exited and finally Lily found herself opening the door to her room.  She hoped the bed was comfortable.  This was going to be her home for nearly two weeks, so she'd need to sleep well. 

Once she'd shut the door behind her she pulled her mask off and sighed.  She'd have to stay here now until the result of the Covid test she'd taken at the airport came back.   Once proved negative she'd be able to head out for exercise, and then in two days it would
be media day. 

The usual press conference format had been scrapped because of Covid.  Teams had to stay in their own "bubbles" so therefore she and Kevin would be interviewed together. 

It was going to be extremely difficult to talk to Seb with the bubbles, but she was hoping at some point she'd be able to get hold of him. The sooner she spoke to him, the sooner they could sort things out.

Her stomach gave a loud rumble. She realised she hadn't eaten since that morning when she'd had a slice of toast and a banana.

She picked up the menu that had been left on her bedside table and browsed through it.

The restaurant wasn't open as it was running on reduced hours because of Covid, but room service was available.

After choosing what she wanted, she phoned the order through and then began to unpack.