The Slave of Pleasure
Chapter 78

Rachel As I left Vincenzo's room, I walked down the stairs with a lightness I hadn't felt in a long time. Each step reminded me that we were finally breaking down the invisible barrier between us. After so many truncated conversations, so many looks that said more than words, it was a new feeling to realize that he was truly willing to let me in. I was helping Vincenzo build a bridge between his world and mine, a feat I never would have imagined possible when I agreed to be by his side. As soon as I reached the last step, my cell phone vibrated in my pocket. I looked at the screen, curious to see who it was, and smiled when I realized it was a message from Nancy. That woman had a strong presence in everything she did. When I opened the message, I came across the photo she had taken of me while I was tied to the easel in her store, with an expression somewhere between surprise and irritation. The image made me laugh. Somehow, it captured a side of me that I rarely showed to others—a more relaxed, almost carefree side. I jokingly replied that she could keep the photo, but not to overdo it when she "indulged" in it. Within seconds, she responded with a laughing emoji, accompanied by a cheeky remark, as was typical of her. The exchange distracted me for a moment, pulling me out of the heavy mood I'd been in since Vincenzo's revelations. Nancy was a comic relief and a comforting companion, even from a distance. I pocketed my phone and glanced toward the staircase, waiting for Vincenzo to come down so we could head to the hospital. He'd mentioned that we needed to take care of some things at the office after his appointment, so it would probably be a long day. But I didn't care; all I wanted was to be there for him, offering whatever he needed, whether it was silent support or a constant presence. As I waited, the minutes dragged by, and my mind began to wander. It was funny to think about how I, a stranger, had ended up wrapped up in the layers of secrets and scars of this man who, at first glance, seemed indomitable. I didn't know exactly what the future held for us, but I knew that, one way or another, I wanted to be a point of peace in his life.

Finally, I heard firm footsteps coming down the stairs. Vincenzo appeared, adjusting his cuffs and giving me a small smile. He looked focused, determined. That look he always had, that carried a mix of control and intensity, but now there was something else—a calmness, almost imperceptible, but it was there.

"Ready?" he asked, with a slight nod.

"More than ever," I replied, with a smile that he returned subtly.

We walked together to the car, and he held the door for me to get in. His gesture made me feel cared for, a touch of kindness that he rarely showed. During the drive, silence prevailed, but it was a comfortable silence. Every now and then, he would glance at me from the corner of his eye, and I could tell that, although he maintained his firm posture, there was a weight on his shoulders that seemed to lighten with each kilometer we walked.

When we arrived at the hospital, he took a deep breath before getting out. The environment was cold and impersonal, like all hospitals. Dr. Afonse was already waiting for us in the waiting room, waving warmly to Vincenzo.

I sat next to him while we waited for the call, trying to convey a sense of calm. He looked at me, and for a moment, it seemed like he wanted to say something, but he just smiled slightly. There was no need to speak - we both knew that the simple fact of being there, together, was enough to face whatever came next.

We entered Dr. Afonse's office, and he greeted us with a friendly smile, although his eyes revealed a touch of concern. As we settled in, he commented in a light but sincere tone:

"You gave us quite a scare, Vincenzo."

Vincenzo, as always, responded in his unwavering manner: "It's going to take a lot more than that to bring me down, doctor." He crossed his arms, showing a half smile as if he were oblivious to any weakness. Dr. Afonse smiled back, nodding his head, acknowledging Vincenzo's determination.

"You are, without a doubt, a very strong man, Vincenzo. In every sense," he said, with a slight note of admiration. "But strength is no substitute for care. I need you to continue taking the medication I prescribed for a few more weeks. That way, we can be sure that the episode you had will not happen again."

As I listened to the doctor speak, I felt a chill run down my spine. Seeing Vincenzo in that state had been a shock to me. The thought that he might go through something similar again was terrifying, and I found myself internally hoping that he would follow the instructions to the letter.

Vincenzo nodded without hesitation, accepting Dr. Alfonse's instructions, which was a sign that he was He was also committed to his own health, even if in an almost resigned way. He seemed to understand the importance of following the treatment, and that brought me some relief.

"Great, then," Dr. Afonse continued. "Now, we need to run some tests to make sure everything is in order. Let's go into the next room and do some quick tests."

At first, I was nervous about Vincenzo being alone for the tests. I couldn't help but feel a slight uneasiness, as if I wanted to be by his side to make sure he was okay.

Dr. Afonse must have noticed my apprehensive look, because he turned to me with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Rachel. We'll be back soon and he'll be released then."

I looked at Vincenzo and he looked back at me, his eyes shining with unexpected warmth. "Everything's fine," he said, his voice low and firm. "You don't have to worry anymore."

Those words, simple but loaded with meaning, warmed something inside me. I knew he was trying to reassure me, but at the same time, it was a confirmation that he accepted my support. My smile was involuntary, reflecting both relief and gratitude. He gave me one last look before standing up and following Dr. Afonse into the next room. As soon as the door closed behind them, I took a deep breath and settled into the waiting room chair. The silence around me gave me time to absorb everything that had happened. It seemed surreal that, in such a short time, our dynamic had changed so much. As I waited, I remembered all the moments we had shared since I entered his life. Every step, every conversation-no matter how difficult they had been-had brought me closer to him in a way I never could have imagined at first. He, who had previously seen me almost as an intruder, now allowed me to see him vulnerable, to know his fears and darkest secrets. It made me want to be there for him in every way he would allow. Lost in my thoughts, I heard footsteps outside and soon the door opened. Vincenzo was returning, and his face seemed calmer, although there was still a hint of seriousness. He walked over to me and held out his hand, a silent invitation that I accepted without hesitation.

Dr. Afonse appeared right behind us, accompanying us to the exit. "He's fine. With the care we're taking, I'm sure that the episode we've been through is a thing of the past."

When I heard this, I felt a wave of relief. I looked at Vincenzo and smiled, feeling that we were finally moving towards a more stable phase, where he could gradually leave the past behind. We left together, side by side, ready to face whatever came our way.