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..."

together all of a sudden?" Eric was agitated now. "Jack is

she was causing him to worry too much. "It's okay.

me? What's going

to explain the details to him. She had learned

they would not have everyone's eyes on

Rachel simply told him that she

however, tell him exactly when

on. "Rachel! Think it over! It's not safe to live

So, are you going to

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

in his shock. "There's no room for

face. "There's a study downstairs. I think

place I 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 his hand and threatened

done what he had done because Eric was trying to use Celine to get back at

married Rachel and then treated

had planned to bring his brother-in-law down

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

but he was afraid to

best to reason out. "Rachel, I already have a place of my own. Do you remember how much that house has cost you? You don't want to be throwing away that kind

what she

of silence,

Rachel living with that monster. He said, "I find

couldn't tell him about the deal. Instead, she patted him on

not want to divulge too much. Wrapping

Eric kept silent.

rattled slightly. Both of them turned their heads to

it looked as though Rachel had already made up her mind, there was nothing left for

tell him the truth without telling him too much. She wanted to avoid the shock and embarrassment of him

now than to have to explain it to him in the

inquire about the discussion. "What were you whispering about?" the boy asked,

"It's a secret. Shush."

His lips curled in

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

He said, amused, "Okay, okay. We'll talk again

exclaimed in agreement as he nodded repeatedly and

Confused, he asked, "Rachel, whose child is he?

who was busy preparing dinner, casually turned around