The Slave of Pleasure
Chapter 46

Rachel

As I sat at the table, my stomach rumbled with hunger, but it wasn't until I took my first bite that I realized how hungry I really was. The butler had prepared a feast fit for a queen. The delicious smell of fresh bread, fruit, and the strong aroma of coffee enveloped me like a comforting blanket, almost making me forget all the chaos of the last few hours.

Each bite was an explosion of flavors. The fruit was fresh and sweet, the bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The cheese melted in my mouth, and the homemade jams tasted like they were made by angels. It was like I had died and gone straight to heaven. My hunger only amplified the flavor of everything, making each bite more delicious than the last.

As I picked up my cappuccino, the soft aroma of chocolate and hazelnuts rose and flooded my senses. I took the first sip and lost myself in the rich, creamy flavor. This was, without a doubt, the best cappuccino I had ever tasted. The comforting warmth of the drink brought a sense of peace that I didn't even know I needed until that moment.

Between bites, my eyes wandered around the table, taking in every detail. Then, in the center, something caught my eye: a huge chocolate cake. My eyes widened with happiness, and my mouth immediately filled with water. It was as if the cake was there, glowing in a divine light, calling to me.

Without hesitation, I helped myself to a generous slice. As I cut into the cake, the chocolate filling slowly melted and oozed out, creating a scene that was pure perfection. The shiny chocolate spread out, and I felt my heart beat faster with pure joy. I couldn't wait to taste it.

I brought the fork to my mouth, and the rich, intense flavor of the chocolate enveloped me. The cake was soft and moist, and the warm, creamy filling mingled with the batter in a way that felt like a hug in dessert form. I couldn't help but smile as I chewed, and for a moment, all my problems seemed far away. The only thing that mattered was that piece of heaven in the shape of a cake.

That's when, suddenly, I heard the butler's voice. "Do you need anything else, ma'am?" His sudden presence startled me, and I jumped a little in my chair, quickly turning to face him.

However, I wasn't quick enough. My mouth was still full of cake, and I felt chocolate dripping down the corners of my lips. To make matters worse, my hand was dirty with chocolate, and there was probably more of the sweet spread on my face. I tried to wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, but it was too late. The butler looked at me with an expression of contained surprise, but soon smiled discreetly, as if he were a parent watching a child gorging on candy. I, trying to compose myself, just smiled back, a little embarrassed, but too pleased to care about the mess.

With my hands raised and covered in chocolate, I tried in vain to replace a napkin, but the butler, with a calm gesture, told me not to worry. He walked around the table with a calmness that contrasted with my slight fluster. I knew I was all messy, but his gaze was one of pure patience, as if he was used to dealing with situations like this, or maybe he was just enjoying the scene.

"Have you tried the Italian strawberries yet?" he asked, sitting down at the table while I was still trying to deal with my dirty hands. I shook my head, answering no, a little awkwardly. He took a large, shiny strawberry from the tray and, without saying a word, held it out to me. I looked at my hands, still covered in chocolate, and nodded, indicating that he should put the strawberry directly in my mouth.

He smiled, a discreet and affectionate smile, and placed the strawberry in my mouth with surprising delicacy. I closed my eyes and chewed the strawberry slowly, savoring the sweet and sour taste of the fruit that mixed with the still-present flavor of the chocolate. It was a perfect combination, and for a moment, all the chaos of the last few hours disappeared from my mind.

I was completely immersed in the simple pleasure of that moment when, suddenly, I was surprised by a flash. I opened my eyes immediately, with an expression of surprise and a little indignation, still with my mouth full of strawberry and my hands raised. The butler, holding an old camera, laughed softly as he adjusted the focus to take another photo.

"Mr. Vincenzo will give me a raise for this when he wakes up," he said, not hiding the amusement in his voice.

I grimaced, trying to look irritated, but the truth is that the situation was so absurd that I couldn't help but laugh. I felt the heat rising in my face as I tried to hold back the laughter, but it was useless. Soon we were both laughing, and my attempt at looking serious was completely undone.

"You'll pay for it, huh!" I joked, pretending to sound threatening, but I soon burst out laughing.

egg, unable to keep the pose. The butler just smiled more, setting the camera aside, as if he was pleased with his little prank.

It was strange how, in the midst of so much stress, this silly moment brought a sense of relief. I knew that things with Vincenzo were still unresolved, and that much still needed to happen, but for a few minutes, I managed to forget about everything. I was just there, having fun with the butler, eating strawberries and smearing them with chocolate, laughing at a situation that would normally make me completely embarrassed.

When I finally stopped laughing, I wiped my hands with the napkin he brought me, and let out a deep sigh, feeling relief wash over me. The whole situation seemed surreal, but also comforting. The butler, still smiling, got up from the table and bowed slightly.

"Madam, if you need more strawberries... or more photos, just call me," he said, with an amused glint in his eyes.

I laughed again, this time more subdued, and nodded my thanks. I knew that, despite everything, at least that little moment of relaxation would be something to remember fondly.