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..."

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

silently, afraid that 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

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

would not have everyone's eyes on them all the

so Rachel simply told him

him exactly when everything would be

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

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

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

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

smile remained plastered on Rachel's face. "There's a

He would never want to

knew that Jack had done what he had done because Eric was

had, after all, married Rachel and then treated her poorly

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

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

afraid to be in the same room

house has cost you? You don't want to be

Rachel finally said what she was

a moment of silence, Eric nodded, clenching

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

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

brains, trying to figure out what Rachel meant. It was clear that she did not want to divulge too much. Wrapping up the conversation, she said,

Eric kept silent.

windows rattled slightly. Both of them turned their

already made up her mind, there was nothing left

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

had preferred to tell him 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 you whispering about?" the

"It's a secret. Shush."

said. His

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

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

he nodded repeatedly and vigorously in his little

the little boy. Confused, he asked, "Rachel, whose child is he? Why do I

who was busy preparing dinner,