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.

causing him to worry too much.

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

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

not have everyone's eyes on them all the

Rachel simply told him that she and Jack were going

not, however, tell him exactly when everything would

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

So, are

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

"There's no room for me

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

now, it's...quite expensive." Eric struggled to come up with a response. He would never want to live with the man who almost cut his hand and

Jack had done what he had done because Eric was trying

all, married Rachel and then

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 almost

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

back, but he was afraid to be in the

reason out. "Rachel, I already have a place of my own. Do you remember how much that house has cost you? You don't

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

of silence, Eric nodded, clenching his

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

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

Eric kept silent.

rattled slightly. Both of them turned their heads to find Mendes grinning and waving at

as though Rachel had already made up her

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

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

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

"It's a secret. Shush."

he said. His

curious he grew, it seemed. When Lucas called, Mendes took the phone with

said, amused, "Okay, okay. We'll talk again

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

asked, "Rachel, whose child is he? Why do I feel like I've met him

dinner, casually turned around and said,