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..."

Eric was agitated now. "Jack is playing you for a fool. He's not exactly an angel. Haven't you realized

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

me? What's going

him. She had learned

have everyone's eyes on them all the

so Rachel simply told

him exactly when

it seemed as though bad news just kept piling on. "Rachel! Think it over!

So, are you going to move

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

his shock. "There's no room for me

"There's a

rent right now, it's...quite expensive." Eric struggled to come up with a response. He

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

married Rachel and then treated her

brother-in-law down in a cunning, less obvious way, but failed. Along the

he had somehow brought this upon himself, he had

his back, but he was afraid to be in the same

how much that house has cost you? You don't want to be throwing away that

Rachel finally said what she was

moment of silence, Eric

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

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

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

Eric kept silent.

them turned their heads to find Mendes grinning and waving at

already made up

the shock and embarrassment of him popping up in the house one day and learning right then and there that she was

now than to have to explain it to him

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

"It's a secret. Shush."

he said. His lips curled in

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

said, amused, "Okay, okay. We'll talk again tomorrow, and this time, it'll be

in agreement as he nodded repeatedly and

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

preparing dinner, casually turned around and