The Slave of Pleasure
Chapter 86

Rachel

The discomfort he felt in his belly seemed to increase every second. The idea that Veronica could bring complications to what Vincenzo and I were building made me anxious, but I knew I needed to think calmly and, above all, strategically. I took a deep breath and decided that in order to act correctly, I needed to start thinking how Vincenzo himself would do in such a situation. He was always cold, calculating and never let anyone see his weaknesses. Then, as he climbed the stairs, I made a decision: instead of following him to the room, as we used to do after such intense nights, he said aloud that he was not feeling well and that I would sleep in my own room that night.

Vincenzo stopped briefly, looked at me over his shoulder and, without asking many questions, nodded. He was too perceptive to ignore the difference in my attitude, but at the same time controlled enough not to show. He just said a few words to the butler, asking him to answer me in what I needed, and continued on his way to his room. This behavior only reinforced what I already knew about him: Vincenzo trusted self -control, reserve emotions.

As soon as he disappeared into the hall, I climbed the stairs quickly, leaving behind any hesitation. If I would have to deal with Veronica's presence, I would need information. And I knew exactly who I could count on to get them. Nancy!

Upon entering my room, I took my cell phone and threw myself on the bed, quickly opening the contact list. My fingers trembled slightly as Nancy dials. She was the friend who knew almost everything about me and, even at a distance, always supported me. Also, Nancy seemed to have a special talent to replace out everything about anyone. If there was someone who could help me understand who was Veronica and what she meant for Vincenzo, it was her.

The so-called played a few times until Nancy answered, the lively and curious voice as always:

- Rachel! What a surprise! I was already thinking you had forgotten myself for good, friend.

I let out a nervous laugh, trying to disguise the tension that consumed me.

"Nancy, I need your favor... and it's a little urgent."

On the other end of the line, I noticed your posture change instantly. Nancy was the person who would never ask me unnecessary questions, but also the friend who knew when something was wrong just by the tone of my voice. - Of course, say. Who do I have to investigate? She played, but with a touch of seriousness.

I explained what had happened, summarizing everything I knew about Veronica and her sudden appearance in the mansion. Nancy listened carefully, interspersing sounds of surprise and indignation as I reported the details. "So, do you need to know more about her?" Asked Nancy, directly as always.

- Yes, but... I want to understand not only who she is. I want to understand what it represents for Vincenzo. She was once a girlfriend, Nancy, but he seemed more affected than he would like to admit. And this feeling that she didn't overcome the end makes me nervous.

Nancy took a deep breath, and I heard the sound of keys in the background, as if they were already looking for something.

- I'll see what I can replace out. Rest assured, Rach. This Veronica will not go around like a shadow of the past that can harm your future with it if it depends on me.

I smiled, feeling a relief mixed with the anxiety that still consumed me.

- Thank you, Nancy. Same. I just... I just needed some base to deal with it.

She laughed softly, comforting.

"You know I'm your partner for all hours, Rach." I will gather all the information and send you as soon as I have something concrete. Meanwhile, it relaxes and does not let this woman intimidate you.

I agreed, ending the connection with a feeling of renewed hope. I knew that with Nancy beside me, I could at least understand better what was coming. And if Veronica was really someone who intended to stay, at least I wouldn't be unprepared.

When I turned off my cell phone, I wished Nancy a last good night, feeling a brief relief to know that she was with me in this situation. The room seemed to be plunged into unrealistic calm, but my mind was still boiling with questions and assumptions, each trying to decipher what Veronica meant for Vincenzo and the impact she would have on our relationship. I knew I needed to calm down, and I took a deep breath several times, trying to dissipate anxiety.

What made me most depressed was the memory of what could have been that night if it was not appeared. We were about to connect in a way that I would never have imagined, a time to deepen our bond. But her arrival made everything look fragile, as if something I had invested so much could be torn from me at any moment.

It was no use torture me with it now. As difficult asI was, I needed to accept that at the moment there was nothing I could do to prevent Veronica from entering Vincenzo's life - and consequently in mine as well. He needed to be patient and deal with what he came.

I was about to lie down when I heard a soft knock on the door. I got up, intrigued, and opened the door to replace the butler holding a glass of warm milk.

"I thought this could help Miss rest," he said, offering me the glass with his typical calm expression.

I thanked, accepting the milk and trying to ignore the anguish that still insisted on throbbing at the bottom of my stomach. I took the milk in quick sips, feeling the heat of the liquid wrap me and calm down. After returning the glass to the butler and thank you once again, I turned back to the bedroom, wishing the sleep would come fast.

I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, which looked much darker and oppressive that night. I tried to ward off the image of Veronica, but it was as if her presence was recorded somewhere in my mind, threatening my dreams and my peace. Everything about her bothered me: her posture, her look of superiority, and especially the way Vincenzo reacted to her. He didn't seem shaken, but that drop of sweat I realized on his forehead revealed the opposite. Vincenzo was not someone who lost control, so why did a woman of the past still affect him like this?

These thoughts were repeated in my mind as an endless cycle, until finally, I felt the tiredness wrap me and my eyes begin to weigh. I knew that the next few days could be complicated, that Veronica could try to interfere in every possible way. However, if she thought she would intimidate me, she was wrong. I was not just a woman willing to stay with Vincenzo; I was someone determined to protect what we were building.

I took a deep breath one last time before finally letting go take me. Tomorrow, when he woke up, he would have a new perspective and perhaps Nancy's help would already bring information that would make me more clear about how to act. And despite the uncertainty, I was ready to face what I needed to keep Vincenzo by my side.

Whatever Veronica represented, I was willing to face.