The Slave of Pleasure
Chapter 39

Rachel

I was on edge. So much had happened in such a short space of time that it felt impossible to maintain my sanity. First, the humiliation at the hospital, the nurses laughing and taking pictures of us as if we were a spectacle. Then, the paparazzi bombarding us with questions and incessant flashes. Now, to make matters worse, Vincenzo was dealing with memory loss that clearly indicated something much more serious.

My mind was full of information, all spinning nonstop. I felt the weight of each one, like bricks being piled on top of my head. Each situation seemed more surreal than the last. Vincenzo, who had always been so strong, was now vulnerable in a way I had never imagined. It scared me more than I cared to admit. And no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the image of his bloody nose out of my head. This wasn't normal. None of this was.

For a moment, I felt like I was on the verge of a breakdown. My mind screamed, wanting to give in to despair. What was I supposed to do? How was I supposed to deal with all of this? I wasn't a doctor, I didn't know how to really help. I just knew that Vincenzo needed me now, maybe more than ever.

It was then that I remembered how he always dealt with situations like this. Vincenzo acted as if nothing was happening. Even in the worst moments, he maintained a facade of calm and absolute control, as if he was always several steps ahead of everyone. That was his trademark.

I needed to do the same. If there was one thing I had learned throughout my time with him, it was that the way you face chaos makes all the difference. Even if inside I was in pieces, on the outside I had to show control, confidence. That's what he would do. And I would do it too.

I took a deep breath, feeling the air fill my lungs, as if I was trying to push the fear and confusion away. It wouldn't be easy, but I couldn't let how terrified I was show. I needed to be strong, for his sake.

I looked at Vincenzo. He was lying on the bed, his eyes closed, perhaps trying to organize his thoughts. His face still showed signs of fatigue, and his bruised ribs made it difficult for me to move. He was a strong, resilient man, but right now he looked a little broken, mentally helpless. I knew I couldn't let him see my concern. Not now.

"Everything's going to be okay," I muttered to myself, though it was more of an attempt to convince myself than anything else.

I had to keep going. I had to stay focused. That was what Vincenzo would do, and that was what I would do too, no matter what. That was the only way to survive the chaos we were facing. And I would do whatever it took to keep things under control. Even if, inside, everything was falling apart.

I took a deep breath, trying to gather all my strength and maintain an appearance of calm that, honestly, would scare me if I were in front of a mirror. The environment around me seemed like a nightmare, but I had to act as if everything was under control. Vincenzo needed me.

When the phone rang, my heart raced. It was the butler, and I knew I needed to know what his answer was about the doctor. Before Vincenzo could answer, I picked up the phone, an almost instinctive impulse. He looked at me with confusion, and I quickly told him that the call was for me. I tried to hide my nervousness, speaking loudly so that he could hear too.

"Hello! Is this about tea?" I asked in an overly cheerful tone, trying to ease the tension that hung in the air.

The butler, always professional, calmly replied that Dr. Afonse was already on his way and would be here in a few minutes. He also informed me that he was taking the tea to Vincenzo's room and that he would stay with me to watch Vincenzo until the doctor arrived.

A sense of relief washed over me. This meant that help was on the way, that we were not alone in this chaos. But at the same time, the worry was growing. I had to keep Vincenzo focused and comfortable, even though uncertainty still surrounded us.

I hung up the phone and looked at Vincenzo, trying to force a smile that wasn't entirely genuine. He still looked confused, like the pieces of the puzzle weren't fitting together. His searching gaze was searching for answers in my expression, and I had to be careful.

"The butler will be here soon," I said, trying to sound light. "And the tea is on its way. Don't worry, everything is under control."

He arched an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. I could feel the tension in the air, like every word I said was being weighed by an invisible scale.

"What are you really doing, Rachel?" he asked, his voice a mix of confusion and skepticism.

The pressure was building. I had to be convincing, so instead of panicking, I decided to face it head on.with humor.

"Just making sure you don't become such a demanding boss and complain about the tea, Vincenzo. You know how butlers are."

He let out a soft laugh, but it soon turned into a pained expression as he shifted in bed. It reminded me of the fragility of the situation. Humor wasn't just a distraction tool; it was also a way to connect us even more. I needed to keep the situation the way it was until Dr. Afonse arrived.

Vincenzo shook his head, his expression now calmer, but the worry was still there, lurking. He was trying to read me, as he always did, and I knew I couldn't hide the intensity of what we were facing for much longer. But for now, while we waited for Dr. Afonse, I would commit to being his safe haven.

"Stay with me, okay?" I asked, and he nodded in confusion, his eyes already starting to shine with a mix of tiredness and pain. That situation was strangely allowing me to get even closer to him, in a way that I thought wouldn't be possible for a long time.