The Slave of Pleasure
Chapter 108

Rachel

When we got home, the delicious aroma of home-cooked food filled the air, making us smile instantly. My mother was really outdoing herself. It was incredible how even after so many years, she knew how to prepare exactly what I loved the most. As soon as we entered, she welcomed us with a warm smile and a tight hug.

"Are you ready for a dinner worthy of a welcome?" she asked, guiding us to the dining room, where the table was already decorated and covered with dishes that reminded me of my childhood.

I smiled, feeling a mixture of nostalgia and gratitude.

"Mom, you really did a great job!" I exclaimed, pulling up a chair.

Nancy, of course, didn't miss the opportunity to compliment us.

"Wow, Mrs. Rosa! Now I understand why Rachel always talks so much about your food, this place looks like something from a restaurant!" Nancy said, making my mother laugh and blush slightly.

Sitting at the table, we soon began to serve ourselves. There was a fragrant lasagna, my mother's lasagna was more than just food; it was a manifestation of her love and care in the form of a dish. As soon as I walked into the kitchen, the warm and welcoming aroma of the homemade sauce enveloped me, bringing back all the memories of my childhood. The top layer was golden and slightly crispy, with the cheese melted and full of tiny bubbles that revealed the exact cooking point that only she could achieve.

As she cut into the first slice, the creamy filling began to reveal itself, with perfectly distributed layers of meat, cheese, and pasta that melted smoothly. The tomato sauce had just the right touch of acidity and sweetness, with hints of fresh basil and garlic that perfumed the entire dish. Each bite was a blend of textures and flavors; the cheese stretched, the seasoned and succulent meat melted in your mouth, and the pasta was light and tender, as if it were embracing all the ingredients.

It was impossible not to feel that immediate, almost childlike comfort, a kind of security that can only be found at home. That lasagna was just like my mother-warm, cozy, and perfect in every detail.

Fresh salad and freshly baked bread. With every bite, I felt the comfort of being back home, and Nancy's enthusiasm was contagious.

"Tell me, Nancy, what did you think of our little town?" my mother asked, as she helped herself to a little more lasagna.

Nancy gestured excitedly, almost knocking over the glass of juice next to her.

"I loved it! I found everything so cozy and charming. It made me think about opening a little shop here someday, to bring a little of my style here, you know? Something kind of... eccentric," she said, winking at me.

My mother laughed, perhaps not quite understanding, but appreciating Nancy's enthusiasm. I just watched, happy to see the two of them getting along so well. The conversation flowed in a light and relaxed manner, passing through funny stories of the day, memories of my childhood and even Nancy's plan to open a "curiosity shop". I found myself laughing non-stop at the detailed and amusing descriptions she gave of how she envisioned this future venture. After dinner, the three of us cleared the table, and Nancy and I said goodbye to my mother, who wished us good night with a smile. We went up to my room, and as soon as I closed the door, Nancy sighed and threw herself on the bed, looking at me with a mischievous smile.

"Oh, Rachel... Your mother is a sweetheart! I think I want to adopt her," she said, eliciting a laugh from me.

"I'll have to fight you for custody of her then," I replied, pulling the pillow from under her head and patting it lightly.

Nancy laughed and settled herself in bed, watching me closely as I sat down next to her. She seemed to notice something in my face, perhaps a trace of uneasiness that I was trying to hide. And then she asked: "So, Rachel... When are you going to return to Vincenzo's arms?"

I remained silent, surprised that she had mentioned it so directly. It seemed that, somehow, she knew that this concern was on my mind.

"Nancy, I... I really don't know. So much happened in Italy, things that were far beyond what I could have imagined." The words came out almost in a whisper, as if saying it out loud made everything even more real. She nodded, looking at me with an understanding expression.

"I can see that you are torn. I'm just saying that it seems to me that it's only a matter of time before you go back to him," she said, with that casual conviction that only Nancy could have, as if she were encouraging me to accept something she already knew I wanted.

I sighed and looked at my hands. Vincenzo was a constant presence in my thoughts, and the fact that he had come looking for me again, even from a distance, moved me deeply. But at the same time, I knew that going back meant facing a recent past full of things that had gone too far.

Veronica... She went too far. Vin Vincenzo being involved in this worries me. I fear what might happen to him if he actually goes through with his plan to bring her to justice," I confessed, feeling a little relieved to be able to vent to Nancy. She approached me and put her hand on my shoulder.

"I understand, Rachel. This situation isn't easy at all... but I think he knows what he's doing. Vincenzo doesn't seem like the type to take risks without having a well-thought-out plan. And if he's doing this for you, that says a lot, don't you think?" She looked at me encouragingly, with that reassuring smile.

I thought about her words, letting myself be enveloped by that bittersweet feeling of hope and fear that always arose when I thought about Vincenzo. Nancy was right about one thing: Vincenzo wasn't someone who made rash decisions. But the danger was real, and just imagining all the things that could go wrong made my chest tighten.

We talked about it for a while longer, until Nancy started to yawn, and soon sleep took over her. I lay there, lying in the darkness, still thinking about all the words we had said. Anxiety made my thoughts not stop, but after a long time, I finally fell asleep.

I didn't know how much time had passed, but suddenly I felt someone shaking me lightly. My eyes opened, and I saw Nancy sitting next to me, holding my cell phone. She was looking at the screen with a serious and worried expression. "Rachel... you need to see this," she said, with a tone that instantly alerted me.

Still drowsy, I sat up and looked at the cell phone in her hands. My heart raced, and my instinct told me that something serious had happened.