Driver (Sebastian Vettel) - ON HOLD

36.0 - Hoping

When I woke in the morning, I found myself next to Sebastian, his arm was wrapped around me as I had my head on his shoulder. I looked up at him, seeing him next to me made me grateful that he was still here with me, that I had someone who I could be close to whilst working. He looked so calm whilst asleep, so at peace. 

It would be nice to wake up next to someone every morning, it would much better if it was Sebastian. I knew he'd have questions about Lewis, he'd have so many questions. If I'm honest, there is so much about my life that no one knows about. I never wanted to tell people too much, but, things had started to scratch at the surface showing everyone around me some of the truths of my life. 

Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to just lay there and feel comfortable. 

"Megan," I heard Sebastian's voice after a few minutes. His voice was a whisper like he didn't want to wake me if I was sleeping. 

I opened my eyes and looked at him, "Hi."

"How are you feeling?" He didn't try to move away with me, he kept his arm around me as he spoke to me. "Are you feeling better than yesterday?"

Nodding my head, I had to admit that I felt better than the day before. My throat was still sore and painful but my back felt a little better. I wondered if it was the high that the drugs were giving me or if it was the high I felt from where I currently lay. "I better get up," I said in a quiet voice, I didn't want to push myself by talking too loudly. 

Sebastian took his arm away quickly as he moved away from me, almost like he suddenly became aware of where his arm was. "I'll give you some privacy," he told me before he got off the bed and left me alone in my room. 

Once I was fully alone, I then tried to get up. I realised that the good feeling I had was only momentary as I struggled to sit up with the pain in my back keeping me laying down. All I could do was keep trying but in my frustration, I felt tears slip down my cheeks. The pain mixed with the shame I felt made me feel this way. 

Turning over in the bed, I managed to roll over before getting to a position where I could place my feet on the floor. Pushing myself, I let out a small scream as I used the headboard and the side of the mattress to sit up. The pain that rippled through me was horrendous but there was no way I was not going to work. I couldn't miss out on a single day, in this career it was so cutthroat. If I missed one day, I might find myself without a job and if I was honest, I was already on my last chance with recent events. 

I knew today was going to be the start of a long week. 

After taking a deep breath, I got to my feet before I moved towards the bathroom. I used the wall and other objects to help guide myself that way. I was forever grateful that it was a walk-in shower, striping from my clothes slowly I turned the water on and stood under it letting the water free me of some of the pain. 

XOXOX

Karyn met me at the lobby of the hotel, she informed me that due to recent events, we'd be going back to Italy to do some more training if I was up for it. I lied, telling her that I was feeling up for it. The medication I had received at the hospital was helping a little, I just had to make sure I continued to take it to help with the pain. 

Taking a cab to the airport, myself and Karyn knew we'd be meeting Sebastian there. Once we got there, I pushed myself to act normally as I got out of the cab and took my bag from the driver. Karyn paid the man before we walked inside. 

My phone began to ring, I took a few steps away from Karyn as I answered the unknown caller. "Hello?" I said confused, my voice still strained. 

"Is that Megan? Megan Moore?" The voice on the other end of the line sounded posh, almost like it was someone trying to sell me something.

"Yes," I breathed as I stopped by a nearby window. 

"Miss Moore, this is Keeley, your mum's nurse." 

My eyes stared blankly out at the world as I felt a horrible feeling. I knew something was wrong, I was only ever called by these people if there was a problem. "What's wrong?" I asked as I balled my left hand into a fist, my nails digging into the palm of my hand. 

"I'm afraid I have some bad news about your mum," Keeley said. I noticed the sadness in her voice. 

I pushed my nails further into my skin as I leaned my forehead against the window. I didn't care about the passing by cars and people, for a moment it was like I was alone with my phone. "Miss Moore, your mother has had a stroke. I would suggest you come in to see her, she doesn't have long left."

Closing my eyes, I felt tears stream down my cheeks for the second time today. "I understand. I am in Austria at the moment. I will be there as soon as I can, I have to arrange a flight to get home." I opened my eyes, it was crazy that everyone around me was still moving on and doing everything normally, but, I was standing here and receiving some of the most devastating news of my life. I knew my mother wasn't well but she'd always been looked after and I expected she would be okay for her a little longer. 

When I ended the call, I fished through my handbag and pulled out some pain killers, taking two to help with the pain I felt in my back and my mind. All I had to do now was change my plans, I needed to get back home to see my mother.