After the Hate Has Gone (Sebastian Vettel)

15. Payback

Seb sat at the table watching Lottie from across the room.  She hadn't spotted him yet.  She was chatting to a couple of Lance's crew.  He was plotting.  Plotting on how to get his own back for the pool incident. 

Trouble was he was struggling to think of anything that would be worth doing.  It had to be good. Salt in her drink? Nope, she never left it unattended for long enough.  He'd done cream cake in the face.  Silly string in her bag? Hmm, that would depend on finding any silly string in Baku.  Ice down her back?  Not harsh enough.  He decided he needed some help.  He sent a text.

Sebastian:  I need your help mate.  Want to get my own back on that girl that pushed me in the pool in Bahrain but I don't know how. Any ideas??

Kimi: She's a chick. She's bound to be scared of mice or spiders.

Sebastian: Isn't that a bit cruel?

Kimi: Depends how much you want to get your own back.

Sebastian: Knowing my luck she won't even be scared of them. 

Kimi:  Leave it with me.  I'll get back you you if I think of anything

Kimi: Actually got an idea.  Can't beat a good old jump scare.  Has she got a room where she keeps her camera stuff?

Sebastian: Yeah.  I think I know where you're heading here.  I like your thinking Raikkonen.

Kimi: Meet me after the Press conference.  I have an idea.

Sebastian: Sure thing.

Seb cast his eyes back to her. She had noticed him now, and was giving him evils across the room.  He couldn't really blame her.  He had been a bit childish really over the Daniel thing.  He knew there was nothing going on between them but it had just wound him up.

He raised his hand and waved to her.  She turned her head away, ignoring him.  Who was being childish now?  He grinned as he thought of his upcoming revenge.  It was going to be sweet.

***

Kimi was waiting outside Alfa Romeo hospitality for him once he'd gotten out of the press vonference.  He had a carrier bag in his hand.  Seb looked at it questioningly.

"Ok so I thought this was still laying around in the motor home. One of the mechanics brought it to Imola. They pulled a prank on Antonio's PR Officer.  It's just been laying there ever since."  He pulled out a rubber Werewolf mask.  Seb started laughing.

"That is perfect.  Now I've just got to find the right time."  He walked off with a big grin on his face.  When he arrived back at his driver's room Antti asked him why he was so cheerful.  "Payback, Antti.  Payback."

***

He didn't get the chance on Friday.  Saturday was going to be his best opportunity.  She always packed up about two hours after Qualifying.  He decided he was going to sneak off about 10 minutes before her on the pretext of going to the toilet.  He would quickly get the mask out of his room and hide in her cabin.  He'd have no problem getting in.  He's managed to 'borrow' the spare key out of Sophie's cabin.  He laughed to himself, like a child.  This was going to be so funny.

***

Qualifying had gone pretty well really, Lottie thought to herself.  Sebastian had qualified fifth on the grid and Lance in seventh.  The team were making progress. Their laptimes were gettting closer to the top teams all the time.

Soon they'd be able to challenge for podiums. She took a swig of water out of her bottle.  Then she went out the back of the garage to take photos of the drivers as they gave their interviews to the media.  After he had finished, Seb jogged over to her.

"You alright?"

"Oh, you're talking to me now."

"Yeah, I was being stupid, I'm sorry ok? Forgive me?"  He flashed her one of his famous, cheeky grins.  She just couldn't stay angry at him.

"Ok, but next time I won't. "

"Next time I see him kiss you I will carry you out of there and kiss you myself," he snarled. She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Bit Neanderthal of you."

"You love it."  She laughed, enjoying the banter. 

"Wouldn't say that. Sometime a girl just likes to be wined and dined, not carried off by a caveman."

"And what would you say if I asked you out for dinner?"

"I'd wonder what you were plotting."  He put an innocent expression on his face.

"How could you say that? I'm deeply offended."

"Sure you are Vettel."  He laughed.  "By the way, well done on quali. Not bad at all."

"Thanks, was so close to fourth so I'm a bit frustrated. Nine thousandths!"

"It'll come. You're getting closer every race now."

"Yeah I guess. Anyway, I really need to go.  Call of nature."

"Too much information.  See you later."  He ran off and began preparing to put his plan into action.  Lottie shot a more pics around the paddock.  Then she decided it was time to pack up for the day.  She headed back to her cabin.  She opened the door and a figure in a mask jumped out at her, roaring, frightening the life out of her. She screamed and fell over backwards onto her bottom. 

She realised almost straight away who it was.  Even if the hysterical laughter hadn't given it away there was only one  person it could be.  Furiously she stood up and chased after the rapidly fleeing German.

"I hate you Vettel!!" she screamed after him.  Everyone nearby was watching and laughing.  Seb was crying with laughter when he reached the safety of his room.  He locked the door behind him.  He could outwait her.  She had a bus to catch.  He was in no rush.  She started hammering on his door with her fist.

"Just you wait Vettel. I will get you back you moron!"

"You deserved that!" he called back.

"Come out and face me you coward!"

"I may be a coward but I'm not stupid."

"You sure about that?"  

"Got you didn't I?" 

"Fine, you hide, you snivelling little toad.  You'll keep."   It all went silent.  Had she really gone?  He didn't trust her as far as he could throw her.  He waited ten more minutes, the he texted Britta to ask her if Lottie was lurking outside.

Britta:  Not that I can see.  I heard what you did.  When are you going to grow up Sebastian? Just ask the girl out and be done with it.

Sebastian:  But it's so much fun taunting her!

Britta: Man Child

Sebastian:  But you still love me.

Britta:  I sometimes wonder.

Sat in hospitality Britta shook her head.  When was Sebastian going to start acting his age?  She had known him long enough and it was obvious that he had it bad for the girl.  Maybe one day he would man up and do something about it.  She watched as Lottie entered the room.  Britta thought she was a lovely girl and a perfect match for Seb.  That's if they could be stopped from killing each other first!