The Limit (Sebastian Vettel)

65. A Hard Habit To Break

The door to Mattia's suite swung open and Lily smiled nervously at the red haired woman that was stood there looking back at her, an unreadable expression on her face.

"Morning Silvia," she said brightly, faking a cheerfulness that she didn't feel. She had a real bad feeling about what was about to happen.

"Good morning Lily. Come on. Can I get you a coffee?"

"Yes please Silvia." She stepped into the suite and immediately saw Mattia sat on the sofa, a load of paperwork spread across the coffee table in front of him. His hair was messier than usual, as if he'd misplaced his brush.    Lily thought to herself that he looked like he'd stuck his fingers into an electric socket.  

He glanced up. "I'll be with you in a minute," he told her before going back to his paperwork.

Lily stood waiting nervously, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.   She just wanted to get this over and done with.  Perhaps it was about something totally different to what she thought. Perhaps Seb getting summoned by his team principal was just a coincidence.  Deep down though she knew.  Damon had told them what he knew. 

A couple of minutes later Mattia looked up.  "Take a seat Lily."   He began to gather his papers together and put them into a leather satchel that was on the sofa next to him.  Lily sat down on the armchair opposite him.

Silvia emerged from the kitchen and placed a mug of coffee onto a coaster on the table.   Lily thanked her. 

"Lily, I've asked you here because something has been brought to my attention."

"Oh?"

"You and Sebastian."  Yep.  They were screwed. 

"Me and Sebastian?" she said, choosing to play dumb.  

"Yes.  How long has it been going on Lily?"

"How long has what been going on?"

"Don't treat me like an idiot.   I received an email, as did Otmar Szafnauer I believe, informing me that you and Sebastian are in a romantic relationship."

"We are not!" Lily exclaimed.   It was the truth. They were not in a relationship. They were just friends with benefits.

"Do not lie to me!" Lily was surprised by Mattia raising his voice. Why was he so convinced she was lying? He picked his iPad up, tapped on the screen a couple of times and then turned it so Lily could see what was on the screen.

A feeling of dread bubbled up inside her. There was no way she'd be able to get out of this. Damon had really screwed her over.

"Explain this then Lily. Explain why I am now in possession of photographs showing my driver walking hand in hand with a rival driver, explain why there's a photograph of the pair of you kissing."

Lily stared at the photos, totally speechless. She recognised where they'd been taken immediately. Austin. Even if she hadn't recognised the street she and Seb were on, their outfits gave it away. Fuck.

"It's not what you think Mattia," she began.

"What is it then Lily? Tell me."

Lily began to panic. What should she say? If Seb was being questioned by Otmar about the photos, which was almost a certainty, what would he be saying? Friends with benefits? A one night stand? What else did Mattia know? Had Damon told him about Russia too?

"I was drunk. Seb was drunk. There's nothing romantic between us."

"So you're telling me that you're not together?"