The Race Director's Daughter (Sebastian Vettel)

49. Fight or Flight?

Seb crouched down by the side of the sofa, a damp facecloth in his hand.  He folded it and tenderly held it to Leah's forehead, a worried look on his face.

"Did you call the team doctor Antti?" he asked.

"You know I did Seb, I did it while you carried her inside. He's heading straight over from his hotel."

"You're right, I'm sorry. I'm just freaking out right now." He felt Antti's hand on his shoulder.

"She'll be fine Seb." Seb looked up and smiled at him, thankful for the reassurance.

He looked back at his unconscious girlfriend laid on the sofa. She looked extremely pale. It had been twenty minutes now since she had collapsed into his arms. She'd made a few whimpering noises but had showed no sign of coming around. Maybe he should have made Antti drive them to the nearest hospital.

Leah could feel something cold on her forehead. What was it? Where was she? The last thing she remembered was leaving the Aston Martin motorhome to head back to the car. She groaned and tried to open her eyes.

"Leah, Leah baby, I'm here. It's ok sweetheart. You're safe."

Finally she opened her eyelids and gazed up at the frantic looking German that was staring down at her. She moved her hand to her head and felt a damp flannel there.

She pulled it off and tried to sit up but Seb restrained her.

"Stay laying down. The doctor is on the way. You had me worried. How are you feeling now?"

"I don't really know. A bit spaced out to be honest. What happened?"

Seb looked over at Antti. She didn't remember? Why couldn't she remember? Had she hit her head and he hadn't noticed?

"Can I get some water please? My mouth feels as dry as the Sahara."

"Antti, can you grab her a glass?" Seb asked, unwilling to leave her side.

Antti opened the fridge and took out the jug of cold water that was inside. He poured some into a glass before replacing the jug in the fridge. He carried it over. Seb helped Leah to move so she was propped up on some cushions.

"Thanks Antti," she said as he handed her the glass. She took a long sip of the water. "Seb, what happened?" she repeated.

Seb took her free hand between both of his hands. He didn't want to upset her again but he knew he had to tell her the truth.

"We had just left the motorhome and were heading back to the car park."

"I remember that much. You were in a hurry. I was supposed to be going back with Mike."

Seb groaned. This was his fault. If he'd left her to travel back with Mike as originally planned this wouldn't have happened. "The press, they were waiting. They were shouting all sorts of questions."

Something stirred in Leah's memories. She could almost hear them shouting at her, asking her if she'd lied, if she'd led Aaron on.

A sob rose in her throat. "I remember," she gasped and began shaking like a leaf. Antti quickly grabbed the glass out of her hand, while Seb sat on the edge of the sofa and wrapped his arms around her. "It's ok baby, you're safe here," he whispered, stroking her hair tenderly. "I won't let them near you. I'll protect you. I should have protected you earlier. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault," she sobbed. "How is any of this your fault?"

"I should have left you to leave with Mike," he said, solemnly. "It wouldn't have happened then."