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

she was causing him to worry too much. "It's okay. Don't think about it. We're getting divorced

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

him. She had learned

would not have everyone's eyes on them all the

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

not, however, tell him exactly when everything

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

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

with you? You mean live with you and Jack?

"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

come up with a response. He

done what he had done

bastard had, after all, married Rachel and then

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

big deal. Although Eric knew that he had somehow brought this upon himself, he had not meant to in the beginning.

back, but he was afraid to be

to reason out. "Rachel, I already have a place of my own. Do you remember how much that house has

Rachel finally said what she was thinking. "You're afraid to face Jack, aren't

silence, Eric

disapproved of Rachel living with that monster. He said, "I find it strange, though, how

deal. Instead, she patted him

divulge too much. Wrapping

Eric kept silent.

of them turned their heads to find Mendes grinning

it looked as though Rachel had already made up her mind, there was nothing left for Eric

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

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

inquire about the discussion. "What

"It's a secret. Shush."

His lips curled in

curious he grew, it seemed. When Lucas called, Mendes took the phone with him before retreating to a corner and confiding to

"Okay, okay. We'll talk again tomorrow, and this

agreement as he nodded repeatedly and vigorously in his little

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

preparing dinner,