The Slave of Pleasure

Rachel

"Will this medicine be just a temporary solution or will it solve everything once and for all?" I asked, unable to hide the anxiety in my voice. The worry was still there, firm, like a shadow that had been with me since all this began. Doctor Afonse smiled in a restrained way, as if he had already expected that question. He leaned forward slightly, looking directly into my eyes before answering.

"Rachel, everything has its time. The human body is complex and needs time to recover properly. The ruptured artery should regenerate within one or two days, depending on the person."

Those words brought an immediate wave of relief. I took a deep breath, absorbing the information. "Two days," I thought, "two days and everything will be back to normal." It wasn't that long a time frame, and I realized that I was being carried away by anxiety. At least, it wouldn't be something that would last weeks or even months.

"I'm glad it won't take long for him to get back to normal," I commented, trying to keep my voice calm. Vincenzo's steady gaze was still on me, but he didn't seem to fully understand the depth of our conversation.

Dr. Afonse nodded and asked the butler to bring some water. The butler, always quick and obedient, quickly left the room to fulfill the request. The silence that followed was brief, but palpable. I could still feel the pressure of the situation, but I was trying not to let it show.

While we waited, the doctor turned his attention to me again, with a look that mixed curiosity and appreciation. "You did very well to call me so quickly, Rachel. You acted with prudence and care, which was essential to ensure that the situation did not worsen."

If before I was trying to disguise my nervousness, now I found myself almost without reaction. I felt my face heat up at the unexpected compliment. I didn't feel confident at all, but somehow, I managed to fool everyone, even the doctor. He continued: "I'm amazed at how confidently you're handling all of this. It's not easy for anyone to act so calmly, especially in situations like this." I smiled, trying to appear calmer than I actually felt. "Thank you, doctor. I think we just do what we can, don't we?" "Absolutely," he replied, bowing his head slightly. "But you've done more than most would. Vincenzo is in good hands." His words, although reassuring, made me reflect on the weight of that situation. I was dealing with something much bigger than I expected, but somehow I was managing to move forward. What I felt for Vincenzo was becoming stronger and more confusing, and at that moment I realized that the simple fact of wanting to see him well was guiding me through all of this. Before the silence could last any longer, the butler returned with the water, interrupting my thoughts. The doctor approached Vincenzo with the glass of water and a pill from the bottle he had taken from his bag. "Take it, you'll feel better," she said firmly, with a hint of kindness in her voice. Vincenzo nodded without saying anything and took the medicine, handing the glass back to me. He lay back on the bed, trying to find a more comfortable position. Meanwhile, the doctor continued with his instructions. "If things get worse, he'll need to go back to the hospital immediately. But I believe this medicine will be enough to stabilize him for now." Those words brought me a moderate relief, but there was still that uncertainty, a residual fear that didn't seem to leave me. Vincenzo was fragile in a way I'd never seen before, and it affected me.

"Thank you, doctor," I said, and the butler, always polite and courteous, thanked me too. The doctor said goodbye to Vincenzo, who was visibly more relaxed. He began to close his eyes, his breathing slowed, and it seemed like the weight of sleep was quickly approaching.

I approached him, almost on impulse. Seeing Vincenzo so vulnerable made me want to stay by his side, as if my presence could guarantee that everything would be okay. But before I could touch him or say anything, the doctor spoke again. "Let him rest, Rachel," he said, his tone soft but firm. He was right, of course. Vincenzo needed rest.

Reluctantly, I looked at Vincenzo once more. He was already almost completely asleep. I sighed and walked away, leaving the room, following the doctor and the butler. We walked down the hall in silence until the doctor stopped at the exit. He turned to me and, with the same professional tone as before, explained what I needed to know.novelbin

"The medicine I gave him is a strong sleeping pill, but it is also a muscle relaxant. It will help relax the tense muscles and, more importantly, it will speed up the healing process of any internal damage, such as the ruptured artery in his case specifically." "The dose I gave him will knock out"It's an African elephant. He'll take a while to wake up, so don't worry. It's part of the healing process," Dr. Afonse said in a relaxed tone.

I nodded, understanding the seriousness and, at the same time, the tranquility that his words brought. Now it made sense why Vincenzo was closing his eyes so quickly. I felt relieved, as if a huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders. "So he'll be okay?" I asked, just to be sure. The doctor smiled briefly.

"Yes, but don't hesitate to call me again if anything changes. He's in good hands, Rachel."

I thanked him again, this time with a renewed sense of security. The doctor said goodbye and left, leaving the butler and me in the hallway. I exchanged a glance with the butler, who seemed to share my silent relief. Everything was under control at least for now.

As I returned my thoughts to Vincenzo's room, I knew that the situation wasn't over yet, but at least he was safer now. The next step would be to wait and watch, hoping he would get back to normal quickly.