1. The Start of Something New

                                    

                                          
Charlotte opened the back door of her car.  The first thing she was going to do when she started getting paid was to get a new car.  This one was fifteen years old and had just about had it.  Sometimes she thought that it was just the rust holding it together.  
She put her camera equipment on the back seat and jumped behind the wheel.  She quickly checked her make-up in the rear view mirror.  It would have to do.  Her hair was scraped back into a messy bun.  She didn't have time for anything else.  
It was her first official day at Red Bull Racing.  She had been in several times since accepting the job offer.  She had spent time with Brian, the photographer whose job she was taking over.  He had shown her around and told her nearly everything she needed to know.  She had even met Mark Webber, one of the drivers, who had given her an autographed cap for her dad when she had mentioned he was  a fan.  
Luckily she hadn't bumped into Sebastian Vettel again yet.  She knew it was only a matter of time.  In fact, that day had arrived now.  She was heading in to take photographs of the new car and of the drivers before this afternoon's launch.  It didn't take long to reach the factory, just a short 20 minute drive. She parked up, grabbed her gear and headed inside. Brian was waiting for her in the cafeteria. Today was her last day with him. From then she would be on her own. 
"Good morning," he greeted her, cheerfully.  "Are you ready for the madness to commence?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," she replied, nerves kicking in. She really hoped that Sebastian didn't remember their altercation. And if he did remember it that he didn't recognise her. She was wearing her hair different and had dispensed with her glasses in favour of contact lenses. She was also dressed in the Red Bull team shirt Christian's assistant, Sophie, had given her. She was sure he wouldn't recognise her, after all four months had passed.  She was a nobody and he was the Red Bull hero, now a triple world champion. Yeah, she was pretty sure he wouldn't recognise her.
                                     ***
He noticed her as soon as he entered the canteen. She wasn't wearing glasses but he was certain it was her. It had been four months since their encounter but her image was fresh in his mind. 
That was all he needed. He didn't like launches as it was. He hated the cameras and all the questions. To him it was all about the racing, not all the glitz and glamour that came with it.  He glanced at her again. She was stood with the photographer, Brian.   Maybe she was just covering the launch for the local paper. That theory went out the window as he took in the Red Bull shirt she was wearing. 
"Eyes off, you've got a girlfriend," his team mate, Mark Webber said, appearing by Seb's left shoulder. 
"Please credit me with some taste. Not my type at all," he denied, maybe a bit too fiercely. " Who is she anyway? Brian's new assistant?" 
"Seb, get with it. Brian's retiring. Today's his last day. You signed the card and donated to his present." Seb shrugged. He had so many things thrust in front of him by his press officer, Britta, that he forgot what he'd done and what he hadn't done. 
"Well, he is, and that my dear Sebastian is Charlotte, our new team photographer." 
Seb's hope that he wouldn't see much of the girl was dashed. He was going to be seeing an awful lot of her. He rolled his eyes.
"Is she old enough?" he spat out. "She looks like she should still be at school."
"Not sure how old she is but not that much younger than you kid."
" Yeah, alright old man." Mark ruffled Seb's hair, knowing it would annoy his younger team mate. He walked off laughing. He got the feeling that Seb wasn't as disinterested in the new photographer as he made out. This was going to be an interesting season.
                                      ***
Charlotte pointed her camera at the RB9, taking shots from lots of different angles. She may not be a big fan of Formula 1 but she appreciated the beauty before her. Maybe she would get back into it once she started attending the race weekends. 
"Charlotte!" called Christian Horner from across the room. She looked over and he beckoned her to him. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the scowling, blonde driver stood next to him. She took one more shot of the car, then headed over.
"Hi, how are you getting on?" Christian asked her.
"All good so far, thank you Mr Horner." 
"Please, call me Christian. We are not formal here.  I know you've met Mark already. This here is our other driver, and current world champion, Sebastian Vettel.  Seb, this is Charlotte, our new team photographer." 
"Triple world champion Christian, get it right," laughed Sebastian, the smug look on his face already annoying Charlotte.  He held his hand out. "Pleased to meet you, Charlotte, " he said in a tone that suggested that was anything but the truth.  She ignored his hand. 
"The pleasure's all mine," she said, sarcasm evident.  Christian gave them both a  questioning look. 
"Is there a problem?"
"Not at all," said Seb. "As long as your new photographer can bite her fiery tongue."
"None, as long as your driver can look where he's going when he opens doors." Christian laughed. 
"I see you two HAVE met before."
"Briefly," answered Seb. Charlotte just nodded. 
Christian called feel the tension between the two of them. He hoped it wasn't going to be a problem. 
                                         ***
Charlotte picked up her equipment bag and said goodbye to Brian. She thanked him for all his help and wished him the best for his retirement. She headed out of the building and across the car park to her car. She was halfway across when someone fell into step besides her.
"I think the words you were looking for were 'sorry for biting your head off Seb, it was very rude of me, please forgive me'."  Oh not him, anyone but him, she thought. She walked on, ignoring him.
"Are you always this rude?"
"No, just to you Sebastian," she flung at him. 
"Please, call me Seb. Everyone else does. "
"No thank you Sebastian.  Or would you prefer Mr Vettel?  I prefer to be formal." 
"I was wondering something about you, so thought I'd just ask."
"What's that?"  They reached her car. She opened the back and put her stuff on the seat.
"How did you manage to get this job? You don't look old enough to be experienced enough. Or did Christian hire you for other skills?"
"I don't like what you're implying. Can you possibly be any more insulting? For your information, I'm 23, nearly 24. And I can assure you I have all the right qualifications. As for other skills? That's something you will never find out." He grabbed her arm as she went to climb into the car.
"Believe me love, I have no interest in your other skills." His actions contradicted his words however as his eyes fell to look at her generous breasts. She yanked her arm away.
"Mr Vettel, I would appreciate it if you refrain from touching me in future."  He laughed at her reaction. 
"You know, I think you'd like it," he said, his voice lowering as he looked at her intensely.
"Not in this lifetime," she retorted,   sliding behind the wheel. Seb had to quickly jump out of the way as she slammed the door shut. She drove off without looking back. Seb stood watching her turn out of the car park. Damn, she was fiery.  He thought to himself that she would be an animal in his bed. 
"Fuck that," he said. A woman like that was not worth the hassle. He scowled and headed back inside.