The Slave of Pleasure
Chapter 55

Rachel

The nurse looked at me expectantly, her eyes shining with excitement, as if she was waiting for confirmation that I would accept her insane proposal. I didn't know what to say. My mind was in a mess, and I was still trying to process her sudden change in behavior. But the reality was that I valued Vincenzo's health. If this crazy woman could, in fact, help confirm that he was recovering well, then, as reluctant as I was, I had to allow it. Any real help was welcome.

I sighed, feeling the weight of the decision, and shook my head in disbelief at what I was about to do. "I can't believe I'm going to do this...", I muttered, more to myself than to her.

Before I could react, the nurse jumped up and down with joy and, in a quick movement, jumped into my arms, giving me a strong and unexpected hug. Her touch was warm and, somehow, comforting, but I was completely unresponsive. I didn't expect that sudden display of affection.

"Oh, we're going to be friends forever!" she exclaimed, still hugging me tightly. I tried to process what was happening, but the nurse already seemed to be in another world. "I just need to get my medical kit before I go," she added cheerfully, as if it were a simple trip to the park.

"Wait..." I began, trying to regain control of the situation. "It's late, it's already dark. We'd need to go to your infirmary to get what you need... I don't know if that's a good idea." I tried to make excuses, hoping she'd give up on the idea of going to Vincenzo's mansion. Anything to avoid bringing that woman close to him, at least until I was sure of her intentions.

As I spoke, the nurse began to walk calmly behind the store counter. She moved with an annoying calmness, as if she already knew I would eventually give in. I continued talking, listing all the reasons why it would be complicated to take her to the mansion at that moment, but she just nodded in agreement, pretending to listen to me. Suddenly, she picked up a nursing bag from behind the counter and put it down with a smile on her face, as if everything was already sorted. I remained silent for a few seconds, watching the scene in disbelief. "You... are unbelievable," I finally said, exhausted from trying to resist. She smiled happily, as if she were receiving a compliment, and I didn't know whether to laugh at the situation or start preparing myself for the chaos that would follow. With no further objections I could make, I just looked at the nurse once more, still in disbelief at everything that was happening. I shook my head in denial, sighed and headed for the door. The nurse, in turn, turned to the assistant, saying in a casual tone: "Take care of the store for me today, okay? Tonight is all on you." The assistant nodded, not saying a word, as I tried to process the frantic, chaotic pace of the last few minutes. The nurse began to follow me, and I, still dazed, muttered, "Oh, right... we have to take the easel with us."

She smiled amusedly and asked, "Do you really want to walk through the front door carrying that thing that immediately gives away how it's going to be used?" Her tone was light, as if it were the most ridiculous idea in the world—and, come to think of it, it was. I nodded, acknowledging that, as crazy as it was, she had a point.

Still, I was amazed at her ability to be so unhinged and yet so sensible when she wanted to be. I looked at her, trying to make sense of this contradiction, and she explained, "We deliver the store's items as discreetly as possible. After all, these tastes aren't very popular... or well-liked by most people, to be honest."

I rolled my eyes and replied with restrained anger: "Yeah... I can imagine why!"

For a moment, her expression turned serious. I was surprised, thinking that maybe I had crossed the line. But then she smiled again and said: "I'll make it up to you, relax. I'll give you a good discount on the easel, and all the extras that come with it will be on the store's account... as an apology."

I looked at her, expecting to detect some irony or malice in her eyes, but I saw nothing but sincerity. That disarmed me for a few seconds. "You're so weird," I blurted out without thinking, "and Vincenzo is stupidly rich, he doesn't need to give any kind of discount, that's his job, and I know that every penny counts... and you didn't say anything about extras, what do you mean?"

She just laughed lightly, ignoring the observation and the question I had asked, and replied with unexpected wisdom: "Different things aren't always bad, you know? Sometimes...it's just weird at first, and then...you can't see it anymore." see without."

I let out a small smile, not wanting to admit that, in some bizarre way, she was winning me over. But I quickly tried to hide it, turning my face away. "Let's go!" I said firmly, trying to regain control of the situation.

As we walked out of the store, the feeling of entering an increasingly surreal reality wouldn't leave me. But at the same time, something about that night-about that strange nurse was making me reflect. Maybe, just maybe, I needed to stop resisting everything that was different so much. But that was a lesson I wasn't ready to admit yet.

As I walked beside the nurse, I realized how this whole situation in the store was making me more and more like Vincenzo. I was facing challenges with determination, keeping my emotions under control as much as possible and focusing on solving problems. It made me happy and proud, as if I was finally learning to deal with life the way he does. And strangely, it was making me feel more alive than ever.

The nurse continued walking beside me, with the same lightness as before, as if nothing was happening. And me? I just wanted to get to Vincenzo's mansion and see for myself that he was okay.