Valentino is already gone when I wake up. I get dressed, minutes after, there is a knock on the door.

"Ready to go?"

It's Uncle Flavio and I must say that he cleaned up well, he is wearing a white shirt with jeans and he reeks of aftershave.

"Ready!" I say.

My mouth falls open and stays that way. We are driving up a hill and that's when I get a first glimpse of the massive circuit that is Mugello as it rises from the valley.

"Nothing like the track at home right," Uncle Flavio says, noticing my face glued to the window.

There are only a few cars outside in the massive car park, but that's because it isn't a racing weekend, Valentino is only here to get his photo taken for next season.

I'm eyeing every square inch of the building as I follow Uncle Flavio inside. We enter what I assume is the media center. It's almost at the top of the building so we've got the view of the whole track outside the windows and I am flabbergasted.

"I think they're already down by the track."

We head down to where the garages are and we spott Valentino. He is surrounded by light reflecting parabolas that flick as a team of photographers snaps photos of him in his race suit.

"That's great, just like that, now show us the helmet."

He does what he is told and turns the helmet so that the red sun faces the cameras.

I can't help but to smile, I am so proud.

The team takes a break when Valentino is sent to apply some more powder on his face.

"I think some red lipstick would suit you too." Uncle Flavio jokes. Valentino isn't allowed to move whilst the makeup lady uses a brush to apply the powder on his face. His dimples appear seeing us here and he gives us a slight wave.

I am amazed how professional everything is, there's sponsors overlooking the photoshoot, making sure that their brand gets represented on Valentino's gear and on the other side of the garage is Vale's Moto2 bike, being prepared by the Aprilia mechanics.

Uncle Flavio pats him on the back, "Where is Sophia?"

Valentino points to a bundle of people huddled together. I was sure I knew who Sophia was out of all of them. The posh looking lady in a Hillary Clinton pantsuit. Her nose was pointy like she knew right from wrong and was ready to manage every sticky situation.

Boy was I wrong.

"Flavio!" A voice behind us says.

We turn around and are met by what I swear was the lovechild of Hilda-Maria and Gaia, the two prettiest people I know.

"Sophia! We missed you yesterday!" Uncle Flavio says and gives the short girl a hug. My eyebrow rises at the sight of Uncle Flavio's flustered expression coming out of the hug.

"I had a meeting in Florence, but I heard that everything went well, the sponsors are very pleased with Vale." She smiles.

I can't help but to smile too, it's like her cheerful energy is transmitted to anyone within the range.

Uncle Flavio seems to want to continue the conversation without introducing me, Sophia repeatedly throws me a glance, I can tell that she doesn't want to be rude. Smoothly she cuts him off.

"And who do we have here?"

I don't know why this makes me so shy, she has the same effect on me like she has on Uncle Big Mouth over here.

"I'm..."

"This is Alessia!" Uncle Flavio butts in.

I'm expecting him to continue but he doesn't, I end up just nodding and smiling.

Valentino is done with makeup and takes this time to join us.

"Do they want me to get on the bike now?" He asks, he sounds so eager.

"Yeah in a sec, I think they want to take some shots with you on and next to the bike, then I think we're ready for you to go." Sophia adjusts Valentino's collar then writes something down in the folder she is holding.

"Sophia!" Someone shouts. It's the posh lady with the pointy nose, the one whom I first thought to be Valentino's manager. She gives Sophia a wave.

"They're ready for you now Vale." she smiles, I'm already getting tired of that smile, that perfect smile, almost as perfect as Gaia's, only almost.

I can't help but to feel some type of way when she calls his name, why is she already calling him Vale and not Valentino.

"You're friends and family can come too."

Friends? I almost choke on my own saliva. I am not Valentino's friend, I am his...his...I should say girlfriend but since I'm carrying his child I must be more than that right? Hasn't Valentino told her who I am?

Anyway, we follow them and watch as the crew prepare him for even more photos. I must say, this is the most patient I have ever seen Valentino, but then again he is living his childhood dream.

Finally Valentino takes to the track and the sort of tense ans professional mood in the garage changes, everyone suddenly turns into excited spectators as Vales's Apirilia passes us lap by lap. He even gets a standing ovation returning to the garage, with myself cheering the loudest.

*******

"Why isn't Vale coming with us?" I ask, Uncle Flavio and I are on our way back to the carpark.

"He's got some more signing to do, he'll be back later this evening."

I sigh, "He is really working hard isn't he?"

We get in the car and drive off. Down the hill I watch as mugello is eaten up by the valley and disappears out of sight.

A thought suddenly hits me, "how is Vale gonna get home, are we picking him up again?"

Uncle Flavio shakes his head, "Sophia will probably give him a ride."

"Cool" I mumble. "Sophiaaa" I play around with the name, "she can't be older than twenty-five can't she?"

"Twenty-six actually."

I frown at the boyish smirk that appears on Uncle Flavio's face.

The week goes by and everyday I wake up with the same missing feeling. Valentino already gone, only to return later that evening, exhausted from yet another day of fittings and testing.

I try to suppress the feeling that this might be a glimpse into the life that awaits me in the near future. Me spending all day watching TV, waiting for Valentino to return home so we can talk about his day, cuddle to sleep and then do the same thing the next day.

The weekend rolls around.

Once again I am left alone as Uncle Falvio is to accompany Valentino who is to sign a major contract with another sponsor today. By the fact that Uncle Flavio reeks of aftershave again means that Sophiaaa must be joining them.

"Do you need anything before I go?" He asks out of courtesy.

"No I'm fine thank you."

"Okay, see you later."

I don't like the look of pity he gives me before closing the door. Both him and Valentino have been giving me the same look.

Even though I love being here and love being with Valentino and his family, I really do miss my own. I can't phone home to talk to Etienne, I'm afraid Mama will be the one to pick up and hang up after hearing my voice. I would have a melt down if that were to happen. I have given Alicia the task to phone home from time to time and ask for Etienne, later she reports back to me. She's been telling me that Papa keeps on taking him to the tracks, which means he only goes on the weekends.

"....And after the ceremony, there's this party farewell party at my house, everybody will be there." Alicia says. I can't help but to envy her happiness.

"A farewell party, already?" I mumble.

"Well...graduation is in two weeks, I'll be leaving for Paris right after that, so that I can spend the summer getting used to the country and perhaps pick up the language."

I squint my eyes in agony, Alicia is really moving on without me.

"Alessia, you're still there?"

"Yeah, I'm here." I sigh,

"So how is Mugello, do you like it over there."

"Love it!" My voice is above my natural pitch when I say this.

"Have you guys found a place to live yet?"

"No, I think we'll leave that for later, when it's time."

"Oh, okay."

I can tell that she is picking up on my mood.

"So, will you be going to the graduation ceremony?"

My chuckle is sharp, "No."

"Why not?" I can hear the anger hiding behind her remark.

"Why would I, my family won't be there and besides, I've already passed all of my exams, I'm sure they'll send my diploma in the mail."

"Alessia you are making it really hard for yourself."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I frown.

"I'm just saying that it seems to me that you are digging yourself into a ditch."

"That's a nice quote, where did you learn that?" I say sarcastically.

"Goodbye Alessia." Alicia sighs amused. "Promise me you'll be at my party, it won't be the same without you."

I groan.

"Promise...."

"Fine I promise."

"Great, and bring that skinny boyfriend of yours"