32. Fight Fire With Fire

                                    

                                          
Lottie:  Seb, I've just arrived downstairs. What number are we in?
Seb: 620 liebling.  Can't wait to see you.
Lottie stepped into the elevator with the rest of her group.  They'd been teasing her most of the way to Russia, saying that she was moving in higher circles now and would have to leave the minion gang.  She knew they were only joking.  They'd all told her how pleased they were for her and Seb.  Joel had taken great pleasure telling everyone that he'd caught them snogging months ago. Her argument that she wasn't actually dating Seb then was dismissed.  
"Snogging is snogging," Joel had declared.  The rest of the group got out of the elevator on floors 2 and 3, leaving Lottie alone.  She was excited to see Seb.  He'd arrived here yesterday, after heading straight here from Switzerland.  He hadn't said anything about how he had got on with his lawyer.  Lottie was getting stressed out with everything.  She'd been reading comments on Social Media, which probably wasn't the smartest thing she could have done but she wanted to see if people were believing the bullshit Celestine had come out with.  Most people had seen it for what it was but there had been some spiteful comments.  A lot of them had been aimed at her.  Saying it had to be a publicity stunt as Seb wouldn't date someone as plain and fat as her.  Good job Lottie was comfortable with her body.  A size 12 was hardly fat.  Just because she was no size 8 like Celestine.  Why did people have to be so vile?  
She exited the elevator and made her way down the corridor until she came across 620.  She tapped on the door.  It soon opened and she saw Seb's grinning face peering out at her. He took her case off of her and pulled it into the suite.
"Hey, so good to see you," he said, pulling her into his arms.
"You too. So what happened? What did the lawyer say?"  
"Well as I thought,  not a lot they can do. Can sue her for libel but it's really just my word against hers."
"So she just gets away with it?"
"That's about the sum of it. Well that's what she thinks. I'm not taking this Lottie."
"Seb, what are you going to do?" Lottie asked him, worried by the look on his face.
"I'm going to release a statement of my own. I'm going to fight fire with fire." Lottie was shocked.
"Seb, this is not you. You are one of the kindest, fairest men I have ever known. Why get dragged into a war of words with your ex wife? You've never been one for airing your dirty laundry in public. Why start now?"
"Does this not bother you? People are saying we are not genuine. That we are just a publicity stunt for the team."
"Seb, no, because I won't let it. We know the truth. The people that matter know the truth. We're happy."
"I'm just so angry baby." She kissed his cheek.
"I know you are. That's letting her win. Please don't play her games. Promise me Seb. " He looked away. "Seb?"
"It's too late. Britta's releasing my statement as we speak." Lottie pulled away from him and walked into the bedroom. "Lottie, don't walk away."  She spun round and glared at him.
"So you think you can order me around but can't even consult me on this statement,  which as it involves me too, I think you bloody should have."  
He went to take her hand but she was so mad at him she snatched it out of the way.
"Liebling, I'm sorry ok. I was just so mad."
"Sorry doesn't cut it. This is just going to bring more attention on you. On us. If you'd have left it it would have blown over. I can't believe you sometimes."
"Really? Then why are you even with me then?" he spat.
"Grow up Seb. You know I love you but you've really let yourself down here."
"I thought you'd have my back."
"You know what? I'm done arguing." She grabbed her handbag and headed for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Out."  She stormed out, letting the door swing shut behind her.  Seb swore and kicked the nearest object which happened to be his trainers. He'd fucked up. He knew  she was right to be cross. He still thought he'd done the right thing but he should have spoken to her first.  He picked up his phone to call her. He noticed Britta had messaged. 
Britta: OK Seb, statement has been put out. Just want to go on record as saying that it's a bad idea. 
Even Britta thought he was wrong. Was he? For the first time he began to second guess his decision. Too late now though. He'd have to live with it. 
                                     ***
Lottie rode the elevator down to the lobby. Once there she texted Sophie.
Lottie: Sophie, are you free? I've had a fight with Seb. Could do with a girly chat x
While she waited for a reply she decided to see what Seb's statement said.  Finding it online she began to read.
Sebastian Vettel: I would like to respond to the allegations recently made by my former wife Celestine in the press last week. I'd like to clarify that I did not have an affair with Lottie at Red Bull. 
Also her account of our marriage was greatly exagerrated.  She has told a lot of lies.  I gave everything I had to our marriage, only to receive nothing back. I admit I made some mistakes, but none to the extent that she makes out. 
I don't know what she hopes to achieve by this but I have been in touch with my lawyers and she will be hearing from them.  Any more lies from here and I will take legal action. 
And finally I would like to state that my relationship with Lottie Lawson is not a publicity stunt. We are very much in love and although I am normally a very private person I cannot allow Celestine to try and come between me and Lottie . I will not be speaking any more on this subject. I just wanted to set the record straight. 
Lottie shook her head. She hoped he hadn't made things worse. Her phone rang and she answered it without looking.
"Hello?"
"Liebling, please come back. I'm sorry." 
She really wasn't in the mood for this. He thought he could just say sorry and she'd go running back. 
Nope, not happening.  She disconnected the call. She would go back when she was ready.  Her phone beeped 
Sophie: Come to my room honey. 209. Joel's out with the lads exploring. We can have a chat xx
Seb was furious. She'd hung up on him! What the hell? Well, screw her then if she wanted to be like that. He flopped down onto the bed. Fuck Celestine. Why was she doing it? He looked at his phone. He tapped out a message. 
Seb: Lottie , please. I am sorry ok. I don't like arguing with you.  Please come back so we can talk about it. I will listen. I promise. 
I love you xx
Lottie: I'm with Sophie. I'll see you later
Yeah, she was really pissed off. He had a lot of grovelling to do.
                                       **^
When Lottie arrived back at their suit she found Seb fast asleep. She'd stayed out til late. She had calmed down mostly.  She was still mad at him but kind of understood why he'd done it.  
She undressed and put on a baggy t-shirt to sleep in. She slid in besides Seb and snuggled up to him. He half woke up.  He took her in his arms. 
"Love you" he mumbled.
"Love you too," Lottie replied.