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..."

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

silently, afraid that she was causing him to worry too much. "It's okay.

me? What's going on?" Eric

him. She had learned that sometimes, it was

they would not have everyone's eyes on

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

however, tell him exactly when everything would be

it seemed as though bad news just kept piling on. "Rachel! Think it over! It's not safe to live alone with a

agreement. "That's exactly what I was thinking. So, are

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

shock. "There's no room

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

it's...quite expensive." Eric struggled to come up with a response. He would never want to live with the man who

done what he had done because Eric was trying to

married Rachel

powerful 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 gotten himself seriously

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

to talk about Jack behind his back, but he was afraid to be in the same room with the guy, more so live

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

what she was thinking.

of silence, Eric nodded, clenching his

of Rachel living with that monster. He said, "I find it strange, though, how he's in such a hurry to move

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

It was clear that she did not want to divulge too much.

Eric kept silent.

rattled slightly. Both of them turned their heads to find Mendes grinning

it looked as though Rachel had already made up

had 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 and there that

about it now than to have to explain it

the two of them came out, Mendes did not forget to inquire about the discussion. "What were

"It's a secret. Shush."

he said. His lips curled in

the more curious he grew, it seemed. When Lucas called, Mendes took the phone

listening to him for a time, Lucas finally understood. He said, amused, "Okay, okay. We'll

Mendes exclaimed in agreement as he nodded

"Rachel, whose child is

who was busy preparing dinner, casually turned