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..."

a sudden?" Eric was agitated now. "Jack is playing you for a fool. He's not exactly an angel. Haven't you realized that

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

kidding me? What's going on?" Eric

to him. She had learned that sometimes, it was better

would not have everyone's

that Eric would do, so Rachel simply told him that she

tell him exactly when

over! It's not safe to

exactly what I was thinking. So, are you going to

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

in his shock. "There's no room

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

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

Jack had done what he had done because Eric was trying

after all, married Rachel and then treated her

as Jack was, had planned to bring his brother-in-law down in a cunning,

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

he was afraid to be in the same

have a place of my own. Do you remember how much that house has cost you? You don't want

his excuses, Rachel finally said what she was thinking.

moment of silence, Eric nodded, clenching his

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

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

his brains, trying to figure out what Rachel meant. It was clear that she did not want to divulge too much. Wrapping up the

Eric kept silent.

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

made up her mind, there was nothing left for Eric

the shock and embarrassment of

ahead, she had preferred to tell him about it now than to have to

the discussion. "What were you whispering

"It's a secret. Shush."

His lips curled in

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

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

he

child is

was busy preparing dinner, casually turned around and