Driver (Sebastian Vettel) - ON HOLD

4.0 - German Language

MEGAN MOORE

When I arrived at work I was a good twenty minutes early, I had drunk three coffees on the way in. I hoped that at some point I would feel like a decent human, for now, to make myself look good I would have to use a bit of makeup from the car. Reaching for the bag on the back seat I stretched to grab it before managing to pull it close and into the front with me. 

I opened it before looking in it, I hoped there was something that I could use to cover up the bags under my eyes and the paleness of my skin. I pulled out my concealer and covering the bags under my eyes, I hoped it wasn't too obvious that I had been out drinking last night. Using some eyeliner and colour I worked on my eyes before chucking the bag onto the back seat, the contents falling out of the bag and falling onto the floor. 

The clock on the dashboard told me that I was due to start work within a few minutes, ignoring the mess I left my vehicle grabbing my holdall from the boot before heading into the building. The receptionist was a different person this time, a young male who didn't speak as I entered the double doors. I walked straight through and to the room where Charles told me we would all be meeting in the morning. 

Maurizio was already seated in there waiting, he was alone. "You're nice and early this morning," he noted with a smile on his face. "I can't believe you made it before all the boys."

"Maybe there has been an accident," I shrugged as I tried to think of why people might be late. I sat down on a large leather computer chair which was situated around the table.

The door was pushed open with some force before Sebastian flounced into the room. He reminded me of Lewis when he lost a race that could have easily won, of myself when I had been given some bad news. 

"Ich brauche das heute nicht!" His voice was loud and angry as he sat in the chair next to me and looked across the table at his boss. 

I looked at Maurizio hoping he'd help me out with the translation, he didn't make eye contact with me, instead, he looked at Sebastian. "Megan here is only fluent in English."

"Sie muss dann lernen" I knew that tone of voice it was irritated and snappy. I used it quite a lot when I was angry, the problem was I didn't understand German one little bit. Sebastian turned his head to me, "If you are going to be working with me then you better brush up on your German."

If only it was that easy at my age, I had studied French at school for five years but I had to admit I wasn't into it, therefore, I didn't learn much but the very basics, saying hello, goodbye and asking what time the swimming pool opens or where it was, not that I have ever been swimming in France. I had spent a year abroad in Italy on a student exchange, my Italian was pretty fluent but it wasn't German. 

"I can do that," I said simply. I didn't want to upset anyone, he was already in a bad mood so I was just going to be casual. Behind my eyes, there was a hangover-like-headache so I knew I had to keep cool and normal, I didn't want to give my problems away. 

Sebastian looked at Maurizio, "What's the point of this meeting?"

Maurizio pushed forward a thin folder, "I have arranged for you two to head to our test facility in Maranello." 

I watched with wide eyes as Sebastian flipped the folder open and in the first clear wallet was two plane tickets. "Why?"

"I thought it would do you two some good to go there to get to know each other's driving styles," Maurizio answered with a smile. "Here you are surrounded by everyone, Charles and Mark, the bigger team. In Italy, it will give you the chance to not worry about anyone else."

Looking at the tickets from my seat I was shocked at the price on them, I shouldn't have been really, I had worked in this industry with other companies, then again we didn't go abroad for training. "When do we leave?" I asked as I looked up at the grey-haired boss. 

"The flight is at the end of the week, it should give you both time to get any affairs here in order before heading off." He held his hands together in front of him on the table, "You'll be there for four weeks. We have paid for accommodation and you'll be provided with hire cars and extra money for your needs."

I had to admit, I wasn't going to complain, this was a luxury not many people were given and I wasn't going to waste this chance. 

"This is amazing," I smiled. If I could have jumped up on the table I would have, but I knew I had to compose myself and casual. "This is a great opportunity-"

"Is this really necessary?" Sebastian butted in asking our boss. 

Well, someone isn't excited to be jetting off to drive. It was something he did for a living, heading out to Italy to do it with me shouldn't have been too much different. 

Maurizio looked at me, "You have some paperwork to get in order for the trip. If you head to the reception desk George will help you through it. After it's sorted the rest of the week is yours to get your stuff in order, to pack and prepare for Italy. The flight is Friday at 9 am," he waved his hand in the direction of the door, "Enjoy your time away, Megan."

XOXOX

Telling my mother that I was off to Italy was a painful process, she begged me not to go but I knew I had to continue on with my job. She knew that my job took me away from home for months at a time, she just didn't want to accept it. I promised her I would call for every other day and sort everything out before I left, after all, it was only a month. I neglected to tell her that I would return home for around a week before setting off to actually start the F1 season in Australia.

Once I left her home I made a call and arranged a visit to see my sister, I couldn't see her till Thursday afternoon, she would be one of the last people I saw in this country before heading to Italy. I had to see her though, I knew if I didn't she would be worried. 

Now all I had to do was tell Alice, Matt and Lewis that I was jetting off for the four weeks. When I got home the first thing I did was send each of them a text asking to see them all tonight at 8. I could cook some dinner, get a few drinks flowing and then tell them all with no judgement and not having to repeat myself, easy.

Between now and then all I needed to do was get some shopping in so I could cook tonight, get a few bottles of wine, grab a shower and even get a nap in there. Planning it was easy, following it through thought could prove difficult.

Translations

Ich brauche das heute nicht  - I don't need this today

Sie muss dann lernen - She needs to learn then