Cold Hearted (Formula One)

7 - Arriving in Brazil

It was Tuesday morning, and the Portelli family had been in the air since Monday night. Therefore, it was understandable that they were rather grouchy coming off the plane.

"Perché ottieni sempre il posto più comodo?" {why do you always get the comfiest seat?} Leandro muttered to Amelia, stretching his back as they walked down the stairs from the plane to the ground.

"Perché ero veloce nell'accompagnare l'aereo, e non ho preso età al telefono ad stupidi amici," {Because I was quick in getting on the plane, and didn't talk for ages on the phone to stupid friends} Amelia said back, shooting glares at her brother.

The argument grew bigger and more heated as, to the family's annoyance, the car that would take them to their hotel was late.

"Voi due! Silenzio!" {you two! Silence!} Leonardo yelled, and the twins became quiet.

Soon enough, the cars came and the family were able to split themselves into the different ones, although Leonardo and Alessandra ensured that Amelia and Leandro weren't together. Instead, Amelia was put with Matteo.

As soon as the car started to drive, Matteo leaned his head back on the seat, messing up his shaggy brown hair.

"It's a shame Lauretta couldn't come," Amelia said, turning her legs to face her brother. He hummed, and closed his eyes.

The two made small talk in their native language, but a few minutes into the conversation the girl's phone buzzed.

'Sebastian: is tomorrow night okay? x'

Matteo opened his eyes and peered down at his sister's phone screen.

"Who's Sebastian? And why is he asking about tomorrow?" he asked, his usually hidden over-protectiveness coming out slightly.

"Sebastian Vettel. He asked me on a date," Amelia replied. Matteo looked at her, raising his eyebrows and smirking slightly.

"You've bagged yourself a date already? And with our new driver?" He asked. Amelia nodded, running a hand through her hair.

"Yeah," she replied shortly. Matteo turned towards her.

"Why do you sound reluctant? He's nice," he said. If he was being honest, out of anyone he could have chosen for his sister, it would have been Sebastian Vettel.

"Exactly, he's nice. I don't usually go for the nice type," Amelia replied, rolling her eyes, hiding the fact that most of her doubts were more to do with the current, Finnish Ferrari driver rather than the new, German one.

"Well, everyone loves him. Dad definitely will approve, and so will the the guys. And it will be so easy to date him, seeing as you're in the same team, in the same industry. Just please, think about it?"

Amelia didn't reply, but picked up her phone again.

'Amelia: tomorrow night is good x'

~~~

A 30 minute car drive and a long checking in process later, the Portelli's were in the lift on the way to the top floor of their hotel for the week. Amelia and Leandro were bickering again, but the family were used to it.

When they reached the top floor, they all separated out - Leonardo and Alessandra into one room, Amelia into another, Leandro and Matteo into the third and Fabio and Nico into the last.

It was midday, and Amelia found herself bored after she had unpacked her belongings. Suddenly, her phone buzzed and she opened it to her text messages.

'Sebastian: is 6 okay for tomorrow? x'
'Amelia: yes... or we could go out for lunch now? I'm bored :( x'
'Sebastian: sure, what hotel are you in? x'
'Amelia: same as yours, I believe x'
'Sebastian: cool, meet me in the foyer in 10? x'
'Amelia: sure x'

The girl put her phone back down and started making some last minute adjustments before she had to go. She re-did her hair, checked her purse and re-applied her lipstick and mascara.

Soon enough, 10 minutes had passed and she left to the foyer, lucky enough not to bump into any family on the way.

When she arrived on the ground floor, in the foyer, she immediately spotted Sebastian on his phone, sat on one of the comfy-looking couches. His eyes looked up for a moment, scanning the room, and a smile grew on his face as he saw Amelia approaching.

"Hello, Liebe," he said as he stood up, placing a kiss on her cheek.

"Ciao," she replied, her cheeks turning slightly rosy, "where shall we go?"

"There's a cafè nearby, we could go there?" he asked.

"You've been doing your research," Amelia said with a laugh.

"Of course," Sebastian replied, before linking his arm with Amelia's and heading out of the door. Directly outside was a white Ferrari, and Sebastian pulled out keys from his pocket.

"You've got a company car already?" Amelia asked, slightly sarcastically, knowing Seb could easily pay for it with his own money.

"Thought I'd try and make a good impression on the team - Christian isnt too happy," he said with a little smirk, opening the passenger door for the girl.

"I can imagine," she said with a little giggle, sliding into the car. Seb quickly got to the driver's seat, and started the car.

"It's only 10 minutes away," he said, and Amelia nodded.

Throughout the journey, the pair didn't talk much, although they recognised that it was a comfortable silence, not an awkward one. Amelia took her time to curiously gaze at the Brazilian surroundings, whereas Seb kept his concentration on the road ahead, whilst also taking a few sneaky glances at the girl next to him.

They arrived at their destination, and took their seats at a cute little table next to the window.

"I'll go and order, what would you like?" Seb asked, pulling out the chair for Amelia to sit on.

"A hot chocolate and a chocolate muffin, please," Amelia said, reaching to her purse to get money. Seb saw this, and quickly walked away before she could give him the money.

Five minutes later, a sheepish Seb came back to a glaring Amelia.

"Take my money," she ordered, holding out a few pound coins.

"Nope," Sebastian said with a cheeky grin, putting the tray in the middle of the table. Amelia rolled her eyes, but let him be, vowing to herself that she would slide the money in his pocket later.

"So, can we still go out tomorrow?" Seb asked, cutting off a bit of his waffle.

"Depends how well you do now," Amelia said airily, taking a sip of her hot chocolate.

"I guess I'll have to try harder to impress then."

Amelia just smiled, before taking a bite out of her chocolate muffin.