The Slave of Pleasure
Chapter 103

Rachel

The plane flew over vast landscapes, and Nancy and I were settled into our seats, ready to enjoy every second of this trip. It was the first time in a long time that I felt so light, with one less weight on my shoulders. Nancy, as always, made everything seem like an unexpected and engaging adventure.

When the flight attendant started to pass by with the food cart, Nancy was the first to lean over and ask excitedly, "What are the dessert options?" She looked at me, blinking as if we were two children ready to gorge ourselves on sweets. "There's chocolate pudding, lemon mousse, and some fruit tarts," the flight attendant replied, trying to hide her laughter at Nancy's enthusiasm. Nancy turned to me, a smile from ear to ear. "I think we should try them all."

I rolled my eyes, but the laugh escaped. "Nancy, you know we're not ten anymore, right? We don't have to eat dessert like it's the end of the world."

She picked up the tray with two different desserts and winked at me. "Rachel, the secret to happiness is never saying no to something sweet." She offered me a spoonful of lemon mousse, and the creamy, smooth flavor made me realize that maybe she was right. We savored each dessert and commented on the flavor, laughing at our own expressions of surprise at how good it was.

Between laughs, a waiter passed by offering drinks, and Nancy almost choked on her pudding when she ordered an orange juice. The flight attendant looked at us with that look of someone who knew we were having too much fun, but that only made us laugh louder.

After a few hours of flying, we finally had our first connecting stop in a country we had never set foot in before. We had little time before our next flight, so of course Nancy decided it would be the perfect time to explore as much of the airport as possible.

"Come on, Rachel! Let's see what there is to buy here!" she exclaimed, pulling me by the arm. Suddenly, we were immersed in souvenir shops, filled with colorful products and mementos that I knew she wouldn't even use later. She tried on oversized hats, ridiculous sunglasses, and even a T-shirt with the name of the country we were flying over, posing for selfies with each one. When we finally found a chocolate shop, Nancy seemed to have found paradise. "Rachel, you have to try this chocolate. It's a life-changing experience," she said, handing me a piece. I accepted, and as I chewed the sweet treat, the intense flavor actually made me smile in a way I hadn't in a long time. Nancy approached me with a conspiratorial expression. "I'm sure this chocolate will cure any sadness." We started to accumulate bags and small treats, a memento of each stop we made. Nancy insisted on buying keychains and themed socks, while I just watched, laughing at her excitement. Back on the plane, Nancy remained determined to make every second memorable. When the lights dimmed to let the passengers rest, she pulled out a blanket and draped it over the two of us.

"Now, it's time for a movie marathon!" she announced enthusiastically. We grabbed our headphones and chose a comedy. We laughed together at the scenes, and at one point she even spilled some juice on her shirt from laughing so hard. At one point, she turned to me with a serious look and whispered, as if revealing an important secret: "Rachel, I know you think I'm a little crazy, but let me tell you something. This is our time, okay? Let's forget about this and just... be happy." I felt a twinge of excitement at this, and I couldn't help but smile genuinely at her. "You're right, Nancy. Today we're just going to live."

As the plane crossed different time zones, the flight attendants continued to serve us meals. At one of these meals, Nancy made a point of ordering the special dish, saying it was so she could "try something new." When the food arrived, she eyed it suspiciously.

"What's that again?" she whispered to me.

"I think it's some kind of exotic fish," I replied, trying to hold back a laugh.

She took a cautious bite and made a funny face. "Oh, Rachel, it seems I've gone too far on my culinary adventure." But instead of giving up, she ate the entire plate, insisting that she "didn't want to offend the chef."

On a second connecting stop, we managed to replace a small café in the airport, where we sat down to drink some local coffee. Nancy kept looking around, as if determined not to miss out on any of the experience. "Have you ever thought about what it would be like if we lived each day like tourists, enjoying everything, without worrying about anything?" she asked, as she sipped her coffee.

"I think we'd get tired after a while, Nancy. But you remind me how much fun it can be," I replied.

We got back on the flight with our hearts full. full of new laughter and memories. When the pilot finally announced that we were nearing our destination, I felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. It was the first time I had been home in a long time, and the idea was strange and comforting at the same time. Nancy, on the other hand, seemed more excited than ever. She turned to me with a mischievous smile. "When we meet your mother, I promise to be super polite." I laughed, imagining Nancy trying to contain her energy. "Just... maybe... you don't have to be polite all the time. My mother will like you just the way you are. But maybe you should hold back a little on that habit of trying everything and striking up conversations with everyone." Nancy feigned an offended look. "Rachel, I am the epitome of serenity!" As the plane began to land, Nancy grabbed my hand, and we looked out the window. The sky was starting to lighten, and the landscape below was familiar and comforting. Nancy gave my hand a light squeeze and smiled. "We're ready for this new phase."

I took a deep breath, letting her words sink in. For the first time in a long time, the idea of going home didn't seem so daunting. And knowing that I had a friend like Nancy by my side made it all the more special.

The plane touched down gently, and we both let out a sigh of relief. It was the beginning of a new chapter, and with Nancy by my side, I knew there would be adventures and laughter to fill every moment.