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..."

with you? Why are you two living together all of a sudden?" Eric was agitated now.

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

kidding me? What's going on?"

found it difficult to explain the details to him. She had learned that sometimes, it was

not have everyone's eyes on

that Eric would do, so Rachel simply told

however, tell him exactly when everything would

over! It's not safe to live alone with a man, especially

in agreement. "That's exactly what I was thinking. So, are you going to move in with us to

live with you and Jack? Be in the same

stammered in his shock. "There's no room for me

a study downstairs. I think you would find

He would never want to live with the man who almost cut

had done what he had done because Eric was trying to use Celine to

after all, married Rachel and

Jack was, had planned to bring his brother-in-law down in a cunning, less obvious way, but

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

about Jack behind his back, but he was afraid to be in the

of my own. Do you remember how much that house has cost

she was thinking. "You're afraid

silence, Eric nodded, clenching

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

she patted him on the shoulder and said vaguely, "It's

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

Eric kept silent.

them turned their heads to find Mendes grinning and

though Rachel had already made up her mind, there was nothing left for Eric 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 she was living with

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

about the discussion. "What were you

"It's a secret. Shush."

said. His lips curled in

When Lucas called, Mendes took the phone with him before retreating to a corner and

time, Lucas finally understood. He said, amused, "Okay, okay. We'll talk again tomorrow,

Yeah!" Mendes exclaimed in agreement as he nodded repeatedly and

child is he? Why do I

was busy preparing dinner,