Fernando and his nephew had just about packed up everything in the little workspace, loading it into the back of their car. On his return to collect the last of his sewing kit, the tailor was met by Alessia who stood waiting outside of the small barrack.

"You're leaving?" She said, arms crossed.

"Ah, Miss Diallo, what a surprise. Or should I say miss Rossi now, seemingly I never caught your real name."

"I wanted to tell you about Valentino, I really did." She cried.

"But....?"

"I was working for Biaggi at the time, just imagine how that'd go."

"I can imagine." Said the tailor, the stern look on his face forced Alessia to shift her gaze onto her feet.

"What's your reason for leaving, wasn't this what you wanted?" She mumbled from below, her head still bowed down towards the ground.

"I wanted to work for a sensible man, with sensible people, since I got either, I'm out."

Alessia looked up to see the tailor grab his last items and go. "W...what do you mean?" She said, rushing after him.

"It seems like Biaggi is a fool and so is my nephew, but since I can't abandon my family I'm taking him with me back to the shop where I'll teach him more of the trade. That should get my sister off my back." He sighed at the last part.

"I didn't know you had a sister." Alessia said timidly.

"There's a lot about me that you don't know Miss Diallo."

Alessia lunged forward, temporarily blocking his way. "That's because you don't tell me anything."

"I'll say, Mrs Rossi. Of all people you are not the one to tell me." The tailor took offense.

"I never kept anything important from you."

"I doubt that." He snorted. "We could have tailored for Rossi rather than that fool Biaggi, but I guess he only needed one, you."

"You don't understand, Sir." Alessia pleaded in slight desperation. "No one knew about Valentino and I, I was desperate for that not to come out. We have known each other since we were children, his family is my family and together we have a daughter that I would do anything to protect from the public, however with Valentino traveling, I found it hard to keep it together by myself."

There was an interruption as her voice broke, still the tailor indicated that he was listening.

"I needed you. I needed something that was my own. But I also wanted my family to be together, so...."

".....You took the job for Biaggi." Fernando nods understandingly. "I don't blame you, Miss Diallo. I am afraid that I have no idea how to repay you for what has occurred. My only resolution is to conclude my employment with a predator like Max Biaggi, who I suspected found out about your relationship with Rossi and either threatened you or shamed you. Since you never told me what occurred between the two of you" he folds his arms. " I am simply left in the dark."

Alessia is reluctant. Her lips trembled as the words came out. She tells him about the night at the shop, Biaggi's last visit. How he touched her against her will. The tailor remained composed until the very moment Alessia couldn't hold back the tears, that's when he leaped forward and did something he had never thought of doing to an employee, he embraced her. Her little figure shivered in his arms. He became well aware of the young girl he thought to be his equal.

"I'm sorry." She muttered against his Sylvester shirt, he would later come to regret this hug.

"Does Valentino know?" He asked, pulling her arms length.

"Only that Biaggi did something, that is why he punched him and got himself a race ban. I'm afraid if I tell him more..."

"I understand the tailor's nod." He dries her tears and demands a smile. "There there, all is well.

"Uncle Nando?" From behind the barrack the young man with his trimmed mustache appeared.

"Alessia, meet my nephew...."

"Pleasure, Gregorio. We've already met." The young man said, still he insisted on shaking her hand.

"The car is ready, are we leaving?"

"We are, I just wanted to ask Alessia for a quick favour."

"You do?"

"Yes. You know how big of a Val...."

"Wait wait..." Alessia interrupted, putting a hand to where his mouth was. "You were never a fan of Valentino, you are the one who's been bashing me every race weekend."

"Fine." The tailor sighed. " You got me. For my nephew you then, he came here with nothing, let him leave with the experience of having met a decent MotoGP rider."

"Decent, really." She chuckled. "Alright, come with me."

*****

Back home, in the depths of Valentino's childhood bedroom, the couple laid on their backs, still exhilarated from what they had just done. Valentino had been exhausted after his hectic weekend. Putting Esmeralda to bed, he stumbled into his bedroom where he was met by a breathtaking sight, Alessia with only a towel covering her wet glistering body. Now they laid next to each other, chest rising with their heavy breathing. Coming down from the high, Valentino pulls her towards him, their bodies now wrapped in a spoon. She buckles when he goes to plant soft kisses on the sensitive part of her neck. He'll be ready for round two if he gets to rest a bit.

"Vale?" He hears her say from the otherside.

"Hmm?" He murmured, feeling himself harden against her, soon he'll be ready.

"Is Uccio ever planning on going home?" She thinks of the man snoring out in the living room.

"Please don't mention Uccio right now." Valentino sighs, feeling himself go soft. Alessia turns around. "What?" She smiled unaware of his inner battle. He stroked her hair. "Nothing."

"Are you still thinking about the race? You did good Vale."

"Thank you." He laughed.

"I mean it." She nudges him underneath the covers.

"How about you?" He asked. "Could you go through with a race weekend every other week?"

"No." She shook her head. Instantly his face mellowed. "But we will definitely be there whenever it's convenient for everyone. I enjoyed seeing you so happy and excited."

"I was happy and excited because you were there meeting my team."

"And I'll meet them again." She said, lifting his chin. "Many more times."

Valentino nods. "I was wrong about that guy you worked for, Fernado? He seemed nice even though he dressed funny." It had been a brief encounter, Fernado remained composed, kept his posture as he pretended not to care. His nephew on the other hand, almost tackled Valentino at the first sight of him.

"He is nice, I'll miss him very much?"

"Is he going away somewhere?"

"No, not far. I just won't see him as often."

"Oh, okay."

Alessia goes to trace her finger alongside Valentino's jawline. He watched as her eyes traveled with the movement. When she stopped to rest one finger on his bottom lip, he smiled.

"What?" She smiled, batting her eyelashes in the dark.

"Nothing." He whispered.