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."

not even be able to eat

some?" the

then again, Jack had no

Put them there." He dismissed,

and had rendered Rachel speechless. "What if we could not finish all of these? Are we

He bent his head and glanced at the

truly behaved?' He seemed different from the cold

the more

signed the divorce, she saw another version

to the hospital

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

photo of a villa burning, covered by dark smoke. She instantly

report the

the garden, a window set ablaze, and a

including the time and location. In the latter part, it centered on the internal conflict

he was kicked out

also

of its history and grandeur, was ruined. It could be restored but

finally understood everything that occurred last night. It was motivated

through the gallery when one particular photo caught her

saw a

It was Lucas.

after they had separated

a corner, Rachel

a mysterious woman in his arms. His face held an anxious and

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

woman?’ She didn't have a

seen that kind of expression on Lucas, nor had she seen him

it?’ she wondered

they arrived at the Ying family's villa, he had gone for the rest of the

the car and was about to leave the villa. His concerned eyes made her think he had

of their destination. This time they went to the

that

very unlucky during the past two months. It felt like she had encountered all

could handle her case best. They went straight to the lobby of one of

while Jack took a number. She

Cara's voice came above her head. "Hey, what happened with your

ankle, that is why I took a day off today," she responded with a faint smile on her face, trying