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..."

was agitated now. "Jack is playing you for a

that she was causing him to worry too much. "It's okay. Don't think

What's going on?" Eric

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

not have everyone's

something that Eric would do, so Rachel simply told him

tell him exactly when everything

kept piling on. "Rachel! Think it over! It's not

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

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

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

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

response. He would never want to live with

this way even though he knew that Jack had done what he

after all, married Rachel and then

was not as powerful as Jack was, had planned to bring his brother-in-law down in a cunning, less obvious way, but

he had somehow brought this upon himself, he had not meant to in the beginning. Even so, Jack had dealt with

but he was afraid to be in the same room

remember how much that house has cost you? You don't want to be throwing away that kind of money. Besides, this place is too far from where I

his excuses, Rachel finally said what she was thinking. "You're afraid to face Jack,

a moment of silence, Eric nodded, clenching

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

couldn't tell him about the deal. Instead, she patted him on the

divulge too much. Wrapping up the conversation, she said, "That's it. In the coming months, if you want

Eric kept silent.

windows rattled slightly. Both of them turned their heads to

Rachel had already made up her mind, there was

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

about it now than to have to explain it to him in

to inquire about the discussion. "What were you whispering about?" the boy asked,

"It's a secret. Shush."

he said. His

hid things from him, the more curious he grew, it seemed. When Lucas called, Mendes took the phone

We'll talk again tomorrow, and this time, it'll be

exclaimed in agreement as he nodded repeatedly

little boy. Confused, he asked, "Rachel, whose child is

dinner,