Stuck in you

Eric was suspicious when he heard that Jack and Rachel were going to be living together.

He put the rag down and grabbed Rachel's hand, leading her to the balcony.

Mendes, being a child, didn't know what was happening. This seemingly secret conference confused and intrigued him.

His interest grew when he saw Eric suddenly pulling Rachel into the balcony.

As much as he was curious, he was nervous, too. He promptly followed them and asked anxiously, "Where are you going?"

Rachel patted Eric on the arm, a signal for him to wait. She stopped walking and turned around. "We just need to talk. Can you stay here while we do that? We won't be long."

Mendes frowned and asked, "Can't I come with you?"

It was difficult to refuse the request of a child who was as cute as a bun, but Rachel immediately responded, "No."

Eric felt sorry for the little boy. He had thought that she would let Mendes come. He was only a child, after all.

"Stay here and wait for me, okay? We just have to talk for a bit in the balcony, and I'll be back before you know it." Although Rachel had not given in to the boy's request, she continued to talk to him patiently.

He was too young to understand what she meant. Even so, he didn't like that she was acting so secretive.

He only wanted to be part of things.

Mendes looked at Eric and then at Rachel as the two were about to leave. Pouting, he said reluctantly, "Okay, you go ahead."

Rachel was amused by the fact that the child was clearly hurt. "Be a good boy and wait for me. It'll only be a moment, sweetie."

Mendes looked at her with a hint of reluctance in his eyes. It could be difficult at times to convince a little child, but although he pouted, at least he was reasonable.

Lowering his voice, Eric asked, "How long will he be staying here?"

"Someone's picking him up tomorrow night." Lucas had already returned, and he had called Rachel earlier to let her know that he was going to pick up Mendes the following night.

Although she liked Mendes, Rachel no longer wished for him to stay any longer than he was scheduled to.

Honestly, if anything happened to the child, it would be difficult to explain things to his parents.

They hadn't shown up so far, though.

When Eric heard her response, he blurted out, "So let me get this straight. You will be left alone with Jack then?"

"Yes..."

was agitated now. "Jack is

to worry too much. "It's okay. Don't think about it. We're getting divorced

you kidding me? What's going on?"

details to him. She had learned that sometimes, it was better not to let people know

would not have everyone's eyes

Eric would do, so Rachel simply told him that she

tell him exactly when

on. "Rachel! Think it over! It's not safe to live alone with a man,

exactly what I was thinking. So, are you going to move

mean live with you and Jack? Be in the same house with that

in his shock. "There's no room for

a study downstairs. I think you

rent right now, it's...quite expensive." Eric struggled to come up with a response. He would never want to live with the man who almost cut

he knew that Jack had done what he had done

married Rachel and then

Jack was, had planned to bring his brother-in-law down in a cunning, less obvious way, but failed.

this upon himself, he had not meant

behind his back, but he was afraid to be

my own. Do you remember how much that house has cost

excuses, Rachel finally said what she was thinking. "You're afraid

moment of silence, Eric nodded,

that monster. He said, "I find it strange, though, how he's

tell him about the deal. Instead, she patted him on the shoulder and said vaguely, "It's just for show. Don't

too much. Wrapping up the conversation, she said, "That's it. In the

Eric kept silent.

of them turned their heads

made up her mind, there was nothing left

him the truth without telling him too much. She wanted to avoid the shock and embarrassment of him popping up in the house

about it now than to have to explain it

them came out, Mendes did not forget to inquire about the discussion. "What were you whispering about?" the boy asked, his eyes bright with

"It's a secret. Shush."

he said. His

When Lucas called, Mendes took the phone with him before retreating

understood. He said, amused, "Okay, okay. We'll talk again tomorrow, and this time, it'll be our secret. We

he nodded repeatedly and vigorously

boy. Confused, he asked, "Rachel, whose child is he? Why do I feel

was busy preparing dinner,