Chapter 148

The door creaked open, and I heard Nancy’s voice echoing down the hallway before she even stepped into the room. “Rachel? Vicenzo? Are you two still in here?” Her voice was light, almost teasing, but there was a faint undertone of something else—curiosity, maybe even a hint of jealousy. My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively pulled the sheets up to cover myself, suddenly all too aware of how exposed I was.
Vicenzo, however, didn’t seem fazed. He sat on the edge of the bed, utterly unselfconscious, his muscular frame on full display. I felt a blush creep up my cheeks as I realized he was still completely nude. How could I have forgotten? My mind raced, trying to find a way to diffuse the situation, but before I could say anything, Nancy stepped into the room.
Her eyes flicked between us for a moment, and then she let out a soft laugh. “Well, I see you two were… busy,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “If you wanted privacy that badly, you could’ve just said something. Or, you know, invited me to join.”
My face burned hotter, and I clutched the sheets tighter, feeling both embarrassed and strangely defensive. “Nancy!” I hissed, my voice a mix of reproach and mortification. I shot a quick glance at Vicenzo, who was still sitting there, completely at ease, as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
He finally seemed to notice my discomfort and looked down at himself. “Ah,” he said simply, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Forgot about that.” He stood up, his movements unhurried, and made his way to the closet, pulling out a change of clothes. The sight of him, so confident and unashamed, sent a shiver down my spine, but I quickly pushed the feeling aside.
I swear it was not premeditated.
Nancy had just left the room saying she was going to get something in the kitchen - what exactly none of us remember more. I only know that as soon as the door closed behind her, the silence hooked, and Vincenzo's gaze found mine. That exchange of glances was all that was enough.
Minutes later, we were in bed. And I didn't even have time to rationalize. It was just I wish, instinct… that heat that always took over when we were alone. Or, in that case, when we thought we were.
The door was suddenly opened.
The noise was so loud that I jumped, tangling in the sheet with almost acrobatic speed. My heart fired, and a wave of heat went up my body, leaving my cheeks on fire. The fright was so great that, by A second, I thought I had passed out myself and awakened again.
And there she was. Nancy.
With a box of juice in a hand, the look at both of us, and that carefree expression of the usual - as if to see us in bed was as trivial as taking a gut from the drawer.
She stopped at the door, raised an eyebrow and said, with the greatest naturalness in the world:
\- Hey… but you don't waste time, huh?
My soul came out of the body and returned. I wanted to disappear. Hide me in a hole. Or turn a pillow and camouflage me on the bed. Anything. Vincenzo, of course, remained motionless, just watching the scene with that discreet smile in the corner of his lips. Silent, quiet, as if nothing extraordinary is happening.
Nancy, on the other hand, took two steps into the room as If I had all the right in the world to be there - and technically, I had, since she was staying with us. But still!
"Relax, Rachel," she continued, rolling her eyes and giving a sip in the juice as if it were wine at an elegant dinner. "You're at home, right?" I just thought I would take more than that ...
I only managed to release an indefinite sound between a nervous laugh and a pure moan shame.
"Nancy, for God's sake," I muttered, pulling the sheet to his neck.
She laughed, turned and left, leaving the door open and my dignity behind.
Vincenzo did not say a word. He just ran his hand slowly behind my back and smiled.
And I there, wondering why, exactly, I was still surprised by Nancy. 
“Nancy,” I said, my voice firm now. “Could you… give us a moment?”
She raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest. “I just got here,” she said, her tone light but with a hint of challenge. “You want me to leave already?”
“Yes,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just for a minute. Please.”
Nancy rolled her eyes but turned on her heel and walked out of the room, muttering something under her breath that I couldn’t quite catch. As soon the door clicked shut, I exhaled sharply, my shoulders slumping in relief.
But then I realized I still needed clothes. I was in Vicenzo’s room, and all my things were back in my own space. “Nancy!” I called after her, my voice echoing down the hallway. She turned back, poking her head into the room.
“Make up your mind,” she said, her tone teasing but with a hint of exasperation. “Do you want me to go or stay?”
“Go to my room,” I said quickly. “And grab me some clothes. Clean ones, preferably.”
“Preferably?” she asked, a laugh in her voice. “You’re not picky, are you?”
I shot her a look, and she chuckled, holding up her hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. Clean clothes it is.” She turned and disappeared down the hall, leaving me alone with Vicenzo once more.
He had finished dressing by then, and he turned to me, his expression serious. “Rachel,” he said, his voice low and filled with an intensity that made my breath catch. “We need to talk. Alone.”
I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. “I agree,” I said softly. “There’s so much we need to say.”
He ran a hand through his dark hair, his eyes shadowed with something I couldn’t quite place. “But first,” he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion, “I need to sleep. Just for a little while. I haven’t been able to rest properly for… a long time.”
I felt a pang of sympathy for him, and I reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “Of course,” I said gently. “You should rest. I’ll stay with you, if you want.”
But he shook his head, his expression softening. “I want you here,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “But I need some time alone to think. There’s… so much I need to process. About Veronica. About everything that happened while I was inside. About us.”
I swallowed hard, nodding even as my heart ached with the weight of his words. “Okay,” I said softly. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
He gave me a small, grateful smile, and I felt a lump form in my throat. “Thank you, Rachel,” he said quietly.
I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do, until he gestured toward the door. “Go,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. “I’ll come find you when I’m ready.”
I nodded again, my steps slow and reluctant as I made my way to the door. Just before I left, I turned back to him, my heart swelling with emotion. “I love you, Vicenzo,” I said softly, the words feeling both familiar and foreign on my tongue.
He didn’t say anything in return, but the small, almost imperceptible smile that crossed his face was enough. I closed the door behind me, leaning against it for a moment as I tried to steady my breathing.
My mind was a whirlwind of emotions—relief, longing, uncertainty, and something else I couldn’t quite name. I knew there was so much left unsaid between us, so many questions that needed answers. But for now, I would wait. I owed him that much.
As I walked down the hallway toward my own room, I couldn’t help the feeling that our story was far from over. And whatever was coming next, I knew it would change everything.