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..."

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

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

you kidding me? What's going on?"

it difficult to explain the details to him. She had learned that sometimes, it was better not to let

have everyone's

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

him exactly when everything would

"Rachel! Think it over! It's not safe to live alone with a man, especially given

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

and

shock. "There's no room for me here. I don't think

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

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

that Jack had done what he had done because Eric was trying to use

married Rachel and then treated her

he was not as 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

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

how much that house has cost you? You

finally said what she was thinking. "You're afraid to face

a moment of silence, Eric nodded,

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

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

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

Eric kept silent.

them turned their heads to find

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

to avoid the shock and embarrassment of him popping up in the house one day and learning right then and there

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

came out, Mendes did not forget to inquire about the discussion.

"It's a secret. Shush."

His lips curled in

she hid 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

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

exclaimed in agreement as he nodded repeatedly and vigorously

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

was busy preparing dinner, casually