Stuck in you

When Rachel felt desperate and frightened, someone reached out to rescue her.

A well-known face came to her view. As the image grew more lucid, she recognized the face belonged to Jack. He lifted the heavyweight pressing on her and carried her out of the suffocating space.

She leaned her head on his broad shoulder like a ship finding its anchor. She was set adrift for so long but had finally reached ashore.

The nascent rays of the sun awaited entrance on Rachel’s eyes. Her mind had whirled from her nightmares into the real world. Meanwhile, her eyelids lazily fluttered open. Her eyes were glazed over with the remnants of her dream.

She tried to remember her reverie before it faded and replayed it over. In her sleep, she felt safe when she rested her head on Jack’s shoulder. It had the same feeling when she was in his arms last night.

Had she felt a sense of security with Jack? Her conclusion surprised her.

She couldn’t believe her thoughts. While she was still reeling from her shock, she heard her name bellowed by Jack, waking her up.

Every day, her routine moved like clockwork. She always slept and got up on time until today when someone had to wake her up. A lot about her had changed, she noticed.

She rubbed the remainders of sleep in her eyes and dragged her feet off the bed. She entered the bathroom to wash her face and change her clothes. When she came out, she examined her ankle and found the swelling had reduced a lot. She healed well but still had some pain when walking.

She headed downstairs and went to the dining room. An enormous platter of different food had filled the table, including porridges, cakes, and more.

She could not hide her surprise as she stared at all the dishes laded before her. They were exquisite cuisines from a five-star hotel.

But Rachel became baffled. ‘Is Jack going to feed pigs?’

Right on cue, the man walked out of the kitchen, carrying a bowl and a pair of chopsticks. His eyes dropped to her ankle the minute he saw her. His eyes softened, and the corners of his lips tilted when he noticed the swelling had subsided. "Sit down. We will go to the hospital after breakfast."

He fixed the table and then looked at Rachel. Seeing that she did not move, he called her again, "Do not standstill. Come here."

Pausing a little, she limped towards the table, and then slid on a chair. The rich aroma of the dishes filled her nostrils, the food smelling divine.

Jack followed suit and looked at the table containing breakfast big enough for five or six people.

Her stomach grumbled, seeing all the food. But she did not dare move, not knowing where to start.

"I did not know what you like to eat," he said, "so I asked them to bring all of these here."

He, himself, was stunned when he opened the door and found several people had brought his orders. They entered one after the other, serving the table full.

The person in charge observed the amount of food they prepared. He felt like serving an emperor about to take his breakfast. He asked awkwardly, "Mr. Fu, how many people will be having breakfast?"

Jack was silent and then said, "Two people."

be able to eat all

we remove some?" the man timidly

then again, Jack

there."

was indeed a sumptuous breakfast and had rendered Rachel speechless. "What if we could not

happen again." He bent his

truly behaved?' He seemed different

days together, the more

she saw another

to the hospital after

when her phone chimed, indicating a message had arrived. It was

open, and there displayed was a photo of a villa burning, covered by dark smoke. She instantly recognized it as the home of

report the incident promptly

the chaotic scene in the garden, a window set

information about the incident, including the time and location. In the latter part, it centered

was kicked out of the

also

all of its history and grandeur, was ruined. It could be restored but would need a lot of

finally understood everything that

when one particular photo

she saw a familiar

It was Lucas.

after they had separated at

a corner,

with a mysterious woman in his arms.

seemed to be whispering something to her, judging from the angle. The photo didn’t reveal the woman’s features, but based on the position

is this woman?’ She didn't have

expression on Lucas, nor

is it?’ she wondered

family's villa, he

when they got in the car and was about to leave the villa. His

stopped the car in front of their destination. This time they went to

was wary at first, knowing that all her colleagues

two months. It felt like she had encountered all the bad

could handle her case best. They went straight to the lobby of one of the clinics. Since she was off

She was looking at her

today your off duty?" Cara's voice came

a day off today," she responded with a faint smile on her face, trying to hide the