The Slave of Pleasure
Chapter 40

Rchael

The butler knocked softly on the door, balancing two teacups on a tray, and entered the room. He placed the cups in a small compartment next to Vincenzo's bed. Vincenzo, still lying down, nodded slightly in thanks. He seemed to be trying to maintain his posture, but it was clear that he was still weak. As soon as the butler finished, I closed the door behind us, and he remained there, which surprised me a little.

"You are now dismissed," Vincenzo said, his voice firm but a little tired.

However, the butler, instead of leaving, stood still and calmly replied, "My services for today are already finished, sir." The atmosphere in the room grew somewhat tense, and before Vincenzo could retort, the butler continued, interrupting any reaction Vincenzo might have had. "Do you remember that day when your grandmother spilled tea on me? She almost hired me with a higher salary just because she felt guilty."

I, watching the scene, was somewhat confused, not understanding what exactly he was referring to. I looked at Vincenzo, waiting for him to clarify. Silence took over the room for a few seconds. Vincenzo, who had previously seemed uncomfortable, became serious, as if trying to search through the memories the butler mentioned. After a few moments of hesitation, an almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips. He really did remember.

"Ah, yes," he said, his voice relaxing. "It was on her birthday, wasn't it? We were in the garden. She was so embarrassed that she promised to double her salary."

I continued to watch, intrigued by the sudden change in Vincenzo's behavior. He seemed relieved to remember something so trivial and familiar. The butler, in turn, smiled back, pleased with the memory.

"That day was memorable...and I should have accepted," the butler said, smiling. "And, in a way, sir, moments like these show us that even the simplest things can become great...memories."

I was still trying to process all of that. It was strange to see Vincenzo, usually so serious and focused, involved in such a nostalgic exchange. That smile, although discreet, was something I hadn't expected from him at that moment. Vincenzo always had an attitude of detachment, almost as if he was never affected by anything around him. But there he was, smiling at an old memory.

The tension I had been feeling a few minutes ago dissolved a little. It was as if, suddenly, everything had become lighter, even if for a brief moment. The butler seemed to notice this too. "Sir, I will stay close by until Dr. Afolse arrives. If you need anything, I will be at your disposal."

Vincenzo, who had previously insisted on dismissing him, now simply nodded, accepting the butler's presence in the room. I, on the other hand, still felt that something was coming, but I tried to hold on to this moment of relief. If Vincenzo was okay for now, then I would try to stay too.

The butler walked away a little, remaining silent in the corner of the room. Vincenzo turned his attention to me, his gaze serious again. "You seem calmer now," he commented, his tone suggestive.

I smiled nervously, but I tried not to show the confused emotions that were inside me.

Little by little, I began to feel a slight calm taking over me. The butler's presence in the room, discreet but firm, was a sign that we were not alone in this delicate moment. He was clearly trying to help Vincenzo recover his memories, and apparently, it was working. Seeing Vincenzo remember that day with Nona brought temporary relief, but I knew that the situation still required caution.

As Vincenzo sipped the tea the butler had brought, I watched his behavior, looking for signs of recovery. He seemed more relaxed, but I needed to confirm if his memories were really returning. "Do you remember Doctor Alfonse?" I asked, trying not to sound too anxious, but the truth was that I was about to collapse from nervousness. Vincenzo looked up from his cup and looked at me with a confused expression. "What kind of question is that, Rachel? Of course I remember. When is he coming? Is it you who needs him? Are you okay?" I was surprised by his answer, but I quickly realized that although Vincenzo now remembered who Doctor Alfonse was, he still had no idea that it was for him that the doctor was coming. A momentary relief passed through me when I saw that at least part of his memories were returning. However, the concern immediately returned. How could I explain without alarming him more than he already was? Before I could think of an answer, the mansion's doorbell rang. The butler, who had been attentive the whole time, quickly left to answer the door. My heart began to beat faster. Doctor Afonse had arrived. Finally, someone who could assess the situation professionally. I knew that with him here, things might start to make more sense.

Vincenzo continued to watch me with that same confused expression, as if he was trying to decipher something about me that he couldn't understand. "Rachel?" he asked, his voice low but filled with a concern he wasn't used to showing. "Are you really okay? You seem... distracted."

I took a deep breath, forcing a smile that, although fragile, was the best I could offer at that moment. "It's okay, Vincenzo. I just want to make sure that you're really okay. Doctor Afonse will be here in a few moments, and he'll examine you." He took another sip of his tea, still not fully understanding the gravity of the situation. But for some reason, the concern he showed me touched me in a way I hadn't expected. Vincenzo rarely showed this kind of attention to others. He was always so sure of himself, so controlling of everything that belonged to him. Seeing him confused, trying to protect me while he was the one who needed care, warmed my heart.

The bedroom door was opened softly, and the butler entered again. "Dr. Afonse has arrived, sir. He is waiting to see you."

Vincenzo let out a sigh, as if the situation was finally being resolved. I, on the other hand, knew that this was just the beginning of a series of discoveries that we needed to face together. "Bring him here, Vincenzo is not in a condition to come down," I ordered, "immediately, ma'am," the butler obeyed, making Vincenzo look at me with eyes of admiration and arrogance, even if in a very subtle way.