Shopping with Fabio is interesting. He has an expensive taste and he can afford it.
He takes me to some amazing stores, but also way out of my prize range. He wants to pay for everything, but I don't want that. I have a couple of new shirts and now he has some shopping assistant running around for jeans and dresses.
"Fabio can we please stop? I don't really feel comfortable", I ask, sitting down next to him in some tight jeans.
"What's wrong, Ma Chérie?"
"I feel like some labrat. And all those dresses are way too short. Can't we just go to some cheap store?", I complain. I know I am a little snobby, but this is so not what I'm used to.
"Yeah sure. But atleast let me buy something for you here. I know you liked that blue dress"
"Yes, that dress was stunning. But not for me. It was way too tight and too expensive", I say, "it's so sweet you want to buy something for me. But I don't feel comfortable right now"
"Okay, go change. We'll go somewhere else", he smiles.
I change back in my own clothes and we go to some more affordable shops.
I walk through one of the shops, finding all kind of cute shirts, jeans and dresses. I have some skinny jeans, I'm very proud of that and some flared ones. The shirts and dresses aren't very tight. Not yet. I don't want men looking at my chest and I don't feel confident about my belly yet. I know it's flat, I know I can pull off tight shirts, I just don't want to yet.
Fabio doesn't question me, but he is honest about my choices. He tells me what he likes and doesn't like and when it's definitely too big. I have the urge to look for a large or extra large instead of a small.
I show him everything though. Also the things I feel uncomfortable in. Except one outfit I really like. That's a little surprise.
It's a type of jeans I saw Francesca, Rossi's girlfriend, wear once. With a black lace crop top. Something I know Fabio will love. But I don't dare to wear it right now. Let alone in public. But maybe if we someday get together.
We eventually leave with a full bag of clothes. Fabio pays, but I'm okay with it now. This whole bag is a little over â¬100. The dress he wanted to buy for me was almost â¬500.
"Thank you for this", I tell him when we are back home. Well home.. Fabio's home. I kiss his cheek softly before taking it upstairs.
It's only 10.30 now, so Fabio has a little time before Riccardo will be here.
I take my laptop back downstairs to sit at the kitchen table. When I'm around the corner I see Fabio sitting on the couch with my journal in hand. I quickly go back upstairs. I am completely fine with him reading it, but I don't want to be there when he does. I don't want to see his reactions.
I sit down on the bed in the guestroom and pull out my psychology book and turn on the laptop. I keep myself busy with reading the things I need to read. But don't really register anything I read.
A knock interrupts my thoughts. The door opens and Fabio slowly steps in, the journal in hand. "Thank you for letting me read this. I have been reading it when you were asleep last night and just now. It really helps understanding things"
He hands me the journal and sits down next to me.
"You never told me what happened that day you called me. When you couldn't get a hold on Tom", I stay quiet. I didn't tell him because I couldn't. "I can't imagine you've been through that. And at the same time it all makes sense. The way you came to Jerez. The clothes you wore, the way you sold your apartment and your car and basicly all your belongings", his voice is sad, his eyes have tears in them. I hug him tight.
"It's okay now. I'm getting better"
"Yes, you are. I saw it today and I'm so proud"
His hands slowly cup my face and he looks deeply in my eyes for a few moments, before kissing me. His lips softly touch mine and it's different from any other kiss we shared. It's full of pride, full of love? I can't really tell, but it's my favourite yet.
We are interrupted by the buzzer on the front door.
"Come", Fabio takes my hand and walks downstairs to the front door.
He let's go off my hand and opens the door.
"Hey! Brother", he greets Riccardo with a men hug.
"Did you already meet Julie?", He asks looking at me. I'm a little shy in front of the two riders.
"Yeah, she did my check up", he walks to me and hugs me, "Hi". It's uncomfortable but I don't think Riccardo notices. Fabio does though.
"She's staying here for a few days. I'll show you a room, I need to change as well"
I make some tea in the kitchen and take it upstairs with me. They will probably leave soon, but until then I want to give them some privacy.
Fabio's room is closed, he's still changing. I'm blushing thinking about him changing. Fabio in just boxers, without a shirt, his necklace hanging around his neck. His tattoos. It's a true sight to see.
"You okay?", I hear suddenly. I almost drop my tea in surprise. "You look all flustered"
"I'm fine", I look down. I can't look at him without blushing even more.
He walks towards me, tilting my chin up, so he can look me in the eyes. He has a cheeky grin on his face. "What were you thinking?"
I blush, knowing I got caught. "I'll tell you tonight", I try to be a little flirty. He approvingly nods his head and pecks my lips once.
"Can I have dinner ready at a certain time? Or are you going to eat somewhere?"
"We'll probably be back around five. But you don't have to cook. I'll cook when we're back", he tells me. "If anything is wrong, please call. And if you want to go anywhere, you know where the credit card and car keys are right?"
I nod, "I know, but I'm not just gonna use your stuff"
He kisses my forehead one last time before walking out again.
The afternoon goes by slowly. I've done some studying for the course and a lot of assignments. I don't know, some of it is a bit much. I feel like I'm in therapy.
At 3.30 we have our online meeting with the clinica mobile. We talk about the weekend. About points to improve. And we all get some race footage from separate riders. That way we can analyse the movements and see if there will be any upcoming injuries or overworked muscles we need to be attentive about.
I get all the vr46 academy riders. Which I'm very happy about. And Matteo asked me to look at Fabio as well. He could use some extra eyes, he told me and I gladly accept.
We almost immediately get them in our mailbox. A new meeting is set for next week. And Matteo and I set an extra meeting for next Friday to discuss Fabio's riding. It sounds a little weird to be saying it like this. But I think this is a great way to get on top of any injuries.
I hook my laptop onto Fabio's television and start watching his riding first. I have a notebook and pen on my lap, to write some details. The footage is amazing. They have the back few of the whole race, next to the normal camera point of view. So you see two things at the same time. I sometimes pause or watch a lap again. He rode amazing. He reacted quickly on all the things happening in front of him. But you can see he's working a lot with his arms. I think that's a thing to keep in mind, that way we can take extra care for his muscles in his arms to prevent injuries. When I'm halfway through Fabio and Riccardo come back inside. I pause the footage again.
"Hey! How were the mountains?", I ask, looking at two sweaty men.
"It was good. There's still some snow. What are you watching?", Riccardo asks me. Fabio looks at the television as well.
"Where did you get this footage?", He asks, looking at himself. "I don't even have that"
"We had a meeting with the clinica mobile and we are all reviewing riders. That way we can prevent injuries", I close my notebook. I don't think they should know what I wrote down as weak points. If riders know those points and know where the first place they can get injured is, they are gonna ride different. And riding differently isn't necessarily a bad thing, but they will be tense in the wrong places and that's never a good thing.
"What did you write down?", Fabio looks at the notebook.
"I'm not gonna share. Although I really think you did an amazing job. I see some improvements. But I'm not gonna tell you what I think about possible injuries and muscle strain"
"Why not?", Riccardo asks, looking interested.
"Because if I will, it will get in your head. You will ride tense and you will definitely injure yourself. You don't need to know those things. Maybe you'll never get any injuries at those places. But we can keep a close eye when you come for your checkup or treatment. Just to be sure", I explain. I turn off the television and stand up.
"Makes sense. Do you have my tape as well? Or only Fabio's?"
"No, sorry. I only have the vr46 academy riders. And Fabio's because Matteo asked my point of view on his riding"
"Matteo is reviewing me? Why not you?", Fabio looks not that pleased.
"Because we all took a few riders. And you know Matteo is a skilled physical therapist. I'm sure he has some insights I didn't see or think of", I tell him again. "But this isn't something I can talk to you about, because you're not supposed to know"
"What if you two go freshen up and I will make dinner?", I try to change the subject.
Riccardo is already on the stairs, shouting a "Thank you". Fabio lingers, looking at me.
"What's up?", I walk to the kitchen, getting everything ready.
"You know you don't have to do this, right?", He follows me into the kitchen. His voice is a little hesitant. I nod.
"Okay. Ehm can we maybe talk tonight?", he's a little distant from me and I don't know why. Maybe because of Riccardo or he just isn't really feeling it anymore.
"Yes, of course. Now go, I'll be fine down here. I'll shout when dinner's ready", I assure him. He walks upstairs and I can't help but wonder what changed. Is it because of the tape? Because I didn't want to share details? Or because I said I saw improvements? Or did something else happen today?
I don't know, but I have a bad feeling in my gut.