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..."

now. "Jack is

him to worry too much. "It's okay.

you kidding me? What's going on?" Eric

him. She had learned that sometimes, it was better

have everyone's eyes on them all the

definitely something that Eric would do, so Rachel simply told him that she and Jack were

did not, however, tell him

just kept piling on. "Rachel! Think it over! It's not safe to live alone with

agreement. "That's exactly what I was thinking. So, are you going to move

you and Jack? Be in the same house with

stammered in his shock. "There's no room for me

"There's a study downstairs. I think you would

with a response. He would never want to

though he knew that Jack had done what he had done because Eric

married Rachel and then treated her

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

upon himself, he had not meant to in the beginning. Even so, Jack had

behind his back, but he was afraid to be in the same room with

that house has cost you? You don't want to be throwing away that

said what she was thinking. "You're afraid to face Jack, aren't

moment of silence, Eric nodded, clenching his

disapproved of Rachel living with that monster. He said, "I find it strange, though,

him about the deal. Instead, she patted him on the shoulder

out what Rachel meant. It was clear that she did not want to divulge too much. Wrapping up the conversation, she said, "That's it. In the coming months, if

Eric kept silent.

their heads to find Mendes

already made up her mind, there was nothing left for Eric

wanted to tell him the truth 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

to have

Mendes did not forget to inquire about the discussion. "What were you whispering about?" the boy

"It's a secret. Shush."

he said. His lips

Lucas called, Mendes took the phone with him before retreating to a corner and confiding to him

for a time, Lucas finally understood. He said, amused, "Okay, okay. We'll talk again tomorrow, and this

in agreement as he nodded repeatedly and

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

was busy preparing dinner, casually turned