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..."

you? Why are you two living together all of a sudden?" Eric was agitated now. "Jack is playing you

causing him to worry too much. "It's

divorced? Are you kidding me? What's going on?"

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

have everyone's eyes on them

do, so Rachel simply told

him exactly when

Eric, it seemed as though bad news just kept piling on. "Rachel! Think it over! It's not safe to live

"That's exactly what I was thinking. So, are you

with you and Jack? Be in

in his shock. "There's no room for me here. I don't

a

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

that Jack had done what he had done because Eric was trying to use Celine to get

after all, married Rachel

that he was not as powerful as Jack was, had planned to bring his brother-in-law down in a cunning, less obvious way, but failed. Along the way, he had almost gotten himself seriously

Eric knew that he had somehow brought this upon himself, he

could continue to talk about Jack behind his back, but he was afraid to be in the same room with the guy, more so

place of my own. Do you remember how much that house has cost you? You don't want to be throwing away that kind of money. Besides, this place is too far from where I

hearing his excuses, Rachel finally said what she was

a moment of silence, Eric nodded, clenching

monster. He said, "I find it

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

clear that she did not want to divulge too much.

Eric kept silent.

their heads

as though Rachel had already made up her mind, there was nothing

without telling him too much. She wanted to avoid the shock and embarrassment of him popping up in the house one day and learning right then

him about it now than to have to explain

not forget to inquire about the discussion. "What were you whispering about?" the boy asked, his eyes

"It's a secret. Shush."

said. His lips

him, the more curious he grew, it seemed. When Lucas called, Mendes took the phone with him before retreating to a corner and

to him for a time, Lucas finally understood. He said, amused, "Okay, okay. We'll

exclaimed in agreement as he nodded repeatedly and vigorously in his

the little boy. Confused, he asked, "Rachel, whose child is he? Why

dinner, casually