Alessia was surprised haven even gotten an invitation to the party, It wasn't some blow out extravagant party, Kevin Schwants had invited them to his home, an intimate environment with only his closest people present. Would anyone care that she was Valenitno's girlfriend? Didn't seem like it.

"I'm gonna get some air." Alessia says. The lovely home was located on a remote ranch in the country.

"We just got here." Valentino frowns.

"And now I'm getting some fresh air." She was gone before he could protest.

This was her plan he was convinced, somehow he was already being avenged for having brought her tonight. Three knocks, it had taken him three rounds of knocking on the bathroom door to get her out of there. Valentino had to borrow the Borellis bathroom when he went over to leave Esmeralda. And to top it off, of course she had to step out looking gorgeous, with her naked back exposed in the black dress she wore over her long legs.

He had watched her slowly move across the living room floor, heels clicking as she did.

"Aren't you gonna use the bathroom?" she dared asking him.

"How am I looking man? Think I'm going to get some tonight?" Uccio catches his reflection in a tinted window and begins pruning his appearance.

"You look good man." watching his own reflection, Valentino rubs his sore neck.

Uccio chuckles, "She still got you on that couch eh?"

"It's been a week." He cries.

"Hang in there bro. In the meantime, help me find a thick thighed thundercat that I can bring home tonight."

"In that case, the forest is that way," Valentino laughs.

*******

Alessia's plan was simple, she was gonna ride it out in the lovely garden, although it was quite difficult riding it out in her red bottoms.

"So when are you gonna dump him already."

She sighs. "We have a family together Alicia, this isn't some silly high school crush."

The signal was bad out there, it took her a minute to get a hold of her friend.

"But like I said, you are bending over backwards for this guy, when was the last time he did that for you."

"Alicia, you are supposed to make me feel better, remember?"

Alessia moves through the garden, the moonlight illuminating her path, only now does she realise that the dress the tailor lend her shimmered with the light.

"What is he doing now?"

Alessia overlooks the lit up house on the hill. "I dunno signing autographs to some kids."

"See, I'm telling you, this new found fame of his is getting to his head, the relationship is bound to turn toxic."

"I dunno Alicia, at home he is still the same Valentino."

"Right, but that's because of your living situation, wait until the money flows and you guys get one of those mansions, he'll lose his mind forsure."

"Don't you've schoolwork or something, some dress to design?"

"Hey, you called me." Alicia chuckles.

"I know and I am starting to regret it."

Following the path, Alessia ended up on a hill overlooking the surrounding fields, in the midst, a lake, reflecting the dancing. moon.

"What about those grid girls I've seen surrounding him on the TV."

"What about them?" She laughs, at this point Alicia might as well start her own helpline, the term help being promoted loosely.

"Doesn't that bother you?"

"I'm shocked to hear that you actually watch the races."

"Ha ha." Alicia scolds.

A flash of his shadow appeard behind her, making turn around abruptly.

"The dinner is ready." Valentino notifies, he had been watching her from afar, hoping that she would return by herself.

"In a minute." She mumbles, putting the phone back on.

Valentino feels his teeth crush against his jaw. He taps her lightly on the shoulder. "Come on Lessy, we don't want to keep them waiting."

"Fine." She sighs and hangs up the phone.

The dinner is served in three courses, shellfish being it's main. Despite Mr Schwants peculiar taste, Alessia enjoys the meal. Naturally she doesn't take part in any of the conversation around the table, it's about the MotoGP season, cars and the ranch. She finds her gaze wandering around the room, the kids table, that's where she felt that she could belong, they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

"You two are so young, where did you meet?" A lady in red said, making Alessia's attention returned to the conversations around the table.

"We grew up together." Valentino says.

There are Oh's and ah's from the people around the table, making Alessia feel like a little child.

"Yeah, Alessia used to ride motocross with me."

"She did?" Sophia is heard saying from the other end, "Impressive."

Alessia's cheeks blossomed.

"Sophia rode in the women's series before working in MotoGP." Kevin Schwantz says proudly. "How far did you go in the sport Alessia?"

"Around the track." she squeals. She wasn't meant to be funny , however everyone ends up laughing, including Uccio whose whole meal is showing in his mouth.

"It must be tough following Valentino around the world at such a young age." Kevin Schwants wife is speaking. "I remember when I first met Kevin, my family thought I was crazy."

"No, they thought I was crazy." Kevin says, pointing to himself and pulling a funny face. "We had Sophia whilst Kevin was still racing and I remember thinking my life was a traveling circus." Again, laughter roams the table, however, Alessia doesn't move a muscle.

"Anyway, it is easier when you're in love, isn't it?"

"Must be easier now that you're working in the paddock?" Alessia's new found smile lightens as she looks at Sophia. "I hear you were Max Biaggi's personal assistant."

Another wave of Oh's and ah's go around the table.

"Personal tailor." Alessia is quick to correct.

"Max Biaggi?" Kevin frowns and looks at Valentino whose jaw has been flexing all evening. "You think you'll get him this season Rossi, he is really putting pressure on you isn't he?"

"On and off track." Someone chuckles.

At one point during that evening, Alessia finds herself in the bathroom, backed up against the marmor wall. She watches the water run into the sink. Traveling circus must have been the words that hit home. A quick wipe of the face and she was ready to take part again. Stepping out of the bathroom she glady finds tonight's company preparing to leave.

Sophia approaches just as Alessia was about to head out.

"I'm glad you came." She smiles.

"You are?"

"Yes, I get to finally meet you in a less professional setting."

Alessia nods, but holds her guard.

"I am glad you and Valentino are trying to make this work, this Biaggi situation could get ugly though, considering the media have them against one another."

Alessia sighs, "I'm just doing what is best for my family, apparently yours can relate."

There is a pause. "I understand." Sophia's smile seems genuine. "Just be careful." She winks, before disappearing out of sight..

"Just be careful." Alessia impersonation is bad.

Valentino and Uccio were waiting for her by the gates and Uccio has got a friend with him, a red haired girl, who looked to be stumbling in her heels.

"So, we're heading for this bar in town, we'll drop you off on the way." Valentino says.

Alessia pushes past him, "I'm coming with."

"You are?" Valentino looks to Uccio who shrugs his shoulders in confusion.

"Do you have a problem with that?" After tonight, Alessia has become aware of all the piled up emotions and agnst, they were catching up to her. She figures one drink or two could keep them away a little longer.

Valentino takes his time gazing at her up and down, "Not at all." He smirks.

*******

The "bar" turned out to be a club. Alessia has forgotten if she even liked the club scene, it was so long ago. She imagined that if she would have gone to fashion school in Paris, Alicia and her would have probably gone to town every weekend. Now she is a stay at home mother, a 21 year old stay at home mother.

"Shots!" Uccio shouts over the music. Him and Valentino head for the bar, leaving Alessia with the red haired stranger.

"So your Valentino Rossi's girlfriend, that's so cool." She slurs on her words, already cooked up from the dinner.

"I love him!" She goes on to say.

Alessia rests her chin in her hand "Me too."

Returning with a tray of drinks Uccio ends up beside his date and Valentino squeezes in beside Alessia, resting his arm behind her back without actually touching her. She wished he would, this was the most intimate encounter they had had this past few days and like a magnet she immediately felt the pull between them.

"I'm glad you came." He leans in to say. Under the flashing lights Valenitno's eyes have become hypnotizing. Alessia tries to stare at something else, not to fall under his spell. Her gaze goes back to his right cheek where the mark from her slap has become visible under the rainbow lights. It's without knowledge that her finger travels to his face, gently stroking his cheek.

"I deserved it." He smiles.

Alessia goes to shake her head and before she can apologize Uccio raises the tray.

"Shooots!" He yell.

Considering that Uccio's red haired friend tosses back each shot as if it was the elixir of life, Alessia does the same, not wanting to fall behind. Soon her throat is filled with the fiery flames of hell and her brain seems to have grown wings and flown away.

The amount of alcohol she drinks makes the night forgettable. All she knows is two things, she has gotten a head start from all of the emotions, the angst, and Uccio's red haired friend is apparently her new best friend.

"We have to get Esmeralda." Alessia words are followed by a drunk hiccup.

"We'll get her tomorrow." Valentino groans as he carries her up the last flight of stairs. Stumbling through the door, a drunk Alessia immediately steps out of her dress, letting it slide down her legs. She navigates the way to the bathroom where she ends up staring in the mirror for ten minutes.

"Do you feel sick?" Valentino appears in the doorway, in his arms Alessia's black dress.

She goes to hold her head to stop the room from spinning.

"Come here." As smooth a sailor Valentino goes to scoop her up in his arms, carrying her to the bedroom. Before reaching the bed he stops to put her down.

"Do you want a shirt?"

Alessia nods and is left swaying as he goes to grab one of his t-shirts. He gets the shirt over her head before her hands go to stop him.

"My bra."

It is with slow motions he goes to undo her bra, considering their recent distance it suddenly feels like the very first time.

"You like what you see?" She chuckles, he is caught staring.

With the shirt on, he unfolds the duvet and helps her settle in. Before he makes himself comfortable on the couch, he stops in the doorway, pillow and blanket in his hands.

"I'll try not to get so distracted during the next Grand Prix." He mumbles, before closing the door behind him.

Alessia is quick on her feet and reopens the door to catch Valentino on the way to the couch.

"Can you stop being an idiot now so we can get this over with, I don't like sleeping alone." Her legs seemed to be floating on air because her balance was so off.

Valentino smirks looking over his shoulder. "You are the one who is being an idiot."

"Fine". The door vibrates as it slams shut against the frame.

She is making all kinds of noises crawling back to bed, topping it off with a loud scream into the pillow. It takes a minute for her to relax again.

Alessia contemplates crying, but she's done enough of that this past week, maybe if she called Alicia.... She pauses mid air of stretching for the phone. Light from the living room enters, as Valentino slips through the door.

Quiet, she follows his every move until he gets into bed.

"Idiot." She chuckles, tucking herself underneath the covers.

"You're the idiot."