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..."

what's wrong with you? Why are you two living together all of a sudden?" Eric was agitated now. "Jack is

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

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

it difficult to explain the details to him. She had learned that sometimes, it was better

would not have everyone's eyes on

simply told him that

however, tell him

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

thinking. So, are you going to move in with

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

"There's no room for me here. I

smile remained plastered on Rachel's face. "There's a study downstairs. I think

come up with a response. He would never want to live with the man who almost cut his hand

way even though he knew that Jack had done what he had done because Eric was trying to use Celine to get back

had, after all, married Rachel and then treated her

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

that he had somehow brought this upon himself,

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

how much that house has cost you? You

she was thinking.

moment of silence, Eric nodded, clenching

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

about the deal. Instead, she patted him on the shoulder and said vaguely, "It's just for

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

Eric kept silent.

their heads to find

it looked as though Rachel had already made up her mind, there

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 and there that

preferred to tell him about it now than to have to explain it to him in the case he accidentally

about the

"It's a secret. Shush."

His

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

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

in agreement as he nodded repeatedly and vigorously in his little

child is

busy preparing dinner, casually