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..."

all of a sudden?" Eric was agitated now. "Jack is playing you for a fool. He's not exactly an

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

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

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

would not have everyone's eyes on them all the

would do, so Rachel simply told him that she and Jack

not, however, tell him exactly when everything would

though bad news just kept piling on. "Rachel! Think it over! It's not safe to live alone with a man, especially given your

was thinking. So, are you going to

you and Jack? Be

"There's no room for me

a

rent right now, it's...quite expensive." Eric struggled to come up with a response. He

felt this way even though he knew that Jack had done what he had done because Eric was trying to use

had, after all, married Rachel and

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

no longer a big deal. Although Eric knew that he had somehow brought this upon himself, he had not meant to in the beginning. Even so, Jack had dealt with him so

continue to talk about Jack behind his back, but he was afraid

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

excuses, Rachel finally said what she was

of silence,

that monster. He said, "I find it strange,

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

was clear that she did not want to divulge too much. Wrapping up the conversation, she said, "That's it. In

Eric kept silent.

floor-to-ceiling windows rattled slightly. Both of them turned their heads to find Mendes grinning

made up

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

him about it now than to have to explain it to him in the

the

"It's a secret. Shush."

His lips curled in

it seemed. When Lucas called, Mendes took the phone with him before retreating to

finally understood. He said, amused, "Okay, okay. We'll talk again tomorrow, and this time, it'll be our secret. We won't

Yeah!" Mendes exclaimed in agreement as he

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

who was busy preparing dinner, casually turned around and