The Slave of Pleasure
Chapter 45

Rachel

I was fast asleep in the armchair next to Vincenzo, my body exhausted and my mind overwhelmed by the flood of emotions and thoughts of the last few hours. Sleep was not restorative, it was an involuntary refuge from everything I felt. There, in the back of my mind, there were no clear dreams or comforting images. It was as if I were trapped in a vacuum, where memories and fears echoed indistinctly, but never fully formed. A feeling of restlessness, as if even in sleep I was struggling to maintain control.

Yet, between these layers of uncertainty, something began to change. Little by little, amidst the whirlwind of thoughts, a scene began to form. I imagined Vincenzo waking up, his eyes slowly opening, as if time had stopped just so he could return to me. In my mind, he seemed more lucid, more himself. He looked at me with that intensity he always had, that same expression that used to make me feel safe. That look of someone who always knows what to do, even in the most difficult situations.

That vision brought unexpected relief. The fear that had been suffocating me since it all began seemed to dissipate, even if only for a moment. In that dream or daydream - I'm not sure which it was - Vincenzo was fine, and that was enough to calm my heart. My breathing, previously tense and choppy, calmed down, following the slow and steady rhythm of my thoughts.

And then, little by little, I began to wake up. First, I felt my fingers moving slightly. Then, an involuntary sigh escaped my lips, and finally, my eyes opened. The soft light of the room filled my vision, bringing me back to reality, although for a few seconds I was still torn between the dream and the real world.

I blinked a few times, trying to focus on the details around me until my eyes adjusted to the image I most wanted to see: Vincenzo. He was still there, lying down, breathing calmly and regularly. My heart, which had been racing moments before, was now beating more slowly. Even though he wasn't awake like in my daydream, seeing him so serene brought me indescribable relief.

I moved a little closer, observing every detail of his face. His rhythmic breathing, the slight movement of his chest rising and falling. I wanted so much for him to open his eyes at that moment, to tell me that everything was okay, but at the same time, I knew that he needed to rest. Every second of sleep was important for his recovery.

The doctor's words echoed in my mind, reminding me that Vincenzo's body was healing, that he needed time, and I needed patience. Still, my heart, which had been in a knot of anguish before, was beginning to unravel. There was a calmness that I hadn't felt since it all began. A small but firm certainty that he was going to be okay.

I looked at him with a shy smile and my eyes filled with tears, but this time, they were of relief. Even though I didn't know what the future would bring, at that moment, with Vincenzo resting beside me, I finally felt at peace. And that, for now, was all I needed.

I quickly wiped away the tears, trying to shake off the emotional weight that still hung over me. I looked at Vincenzo one last time before getting up from the armchair. He was in a deep sleep, his face serene, as if everything was fine. But I knew that the healing process was far from over. Even so, the sight of him so peaceful gave me strength.

I adjusted the blanket over his body, making sure he was comfortable and warm. The small gestures were the only thing I could do for him at the moment, and it gave me a sense of control amidst the chaos. Once I had him properly covered, I walked to the bedroom windows and opened them a little, allowing the fresh morning air to enter. The day outside looked promising, which contrasted with the weight I felt in my chest. I took a deep breath, letting the fresh air give me a sense of renewal.

Before leaving the room, I glanced at Vincenzo once more, almost expecting him to suddenly wake up and call me. But he was still fast asleep. I sighed, closing the door quietly behind me, intending to let him rest as much as possible. I went straight to my room. I needed to pull myself together, brush my teeth and take a nice shower. The tension that had built up over the last few hours seemed to have clung to my skin, and the hot water would be the relief I so desperately needed. In the shower, I let the water run down my body, washing away my worries and exhaustion, albeit temporarily. For a brief moment, everything seemed normal, and it helped me clear my thoughts. After getting ready, I put on some comfortable clothes and got ready to go downstairs. As I went downstairs, I felt my stomach growl. I was starving, and it was only then that I realized that I was starving.

and that I had barely eaten since all this had begun. Emotional exhaustion was consuming me, but now physical fatigue was also beginning to take its toll.

When I reached the kitchen, I was greeted by an unexpected sight. The butler had prepared a small banquet: fresh fruit, breads, cheeses, jams, juices... all perfectly laid out on the table. He was standing, awaiting my arrival, and greeted me with a respectful smile.

"Good morning, madam. Cappuccino?" He offered with impeccable courtesy.

I smiled, surprised and grateful. "Good morning, yes, please."

I sat down at the table, feeling a wave of relief at the sight of all that food. As the butler prepared the cappuccino, my thoughts briefly returned to Vincenzo. Even though I was worried about him, being away from the room for a few minutes, taking care of myself, helped me maintain my balance.

The smell of fresh coffee soon filled the room, and the butler placed the cup in front of me with a delicacy that made me smile again. I allowed myself to relax for the first time in a long time, enjoying the calm of the moment. "Thank you for all this," I said, looking at him sincerely.

"It's a pleasure, ma'am. If you need anything else, I'll be right by," he replied with his usual kindness.

As I began to eat, I realized how important this small moment of normalcy was to me. I needed to be strong to take care of Vincenzo, and that included taking care of myself.