Stuck in you

Rachel was already near the balcony when she hesitated. She was about to excuse herself and ask for help, but she heard a man talking in clipped sentences. His faint voice was carried across the foyer by the night wind.

He struck her as familiar. Her head tipped to the side, trying to put a face to the voice.

As luck would have it, the corridor was overlaid with plush carpet cushioning her steps.

The people did not notice her. Confusion turned into delight when she realized to whom the masculine voice belonged to. It was from Jack! She was elated and took a step forward.

"How come you suddenly fell in love with her?"

Rachel froze. She recognized that the second voice belonged to Brad. From her location, it was impossible not to listen. "I think she is the right one," Jack said after a few seconds.

"The right one? You mean as a wife?"

She eavesdropped like a thief, despite the instincts that warned her against spying. Rachel stood still and barely breathed. She was looking forward to his response.

'Jack thinks I am a suitable wife? Does he have a crush on me?' Everything around her moved in slow motion, as though the passing of time was suspended.

'Just like I have a crush on him?'

All she could hear was her heart pounding.

Her palms were already sweating when Jack finally spoke. "Let's go back. She's taking too long, I will see what she's up to."

In a daze, Rachel turned swiftly and scurried for the hallway.

But she didn't go too far. She retreated to a corner and then walked out as if she just arrived.

"There you are! I thought you were lost." Jack moved closer to her, relief evident on his face.

As expected, she bumped into them. "I almost got lost. This place is like a maze."

He reached over and took her hand, but Rachel's head was elsewhere. She didn't pull away and let him hold her close.

"It's okay since you are unfamiliar with this place. I almost got lost myself the first time."

"She's here. Let's go back." Brad turned and headed for their room.

A small smile curved Rachel's lips; they talked as if they came out to find her. She pretended not to know and let Jack guide her back.

The others were still at the table when they returned. Eric was now seated between Michael and Marcus, talking excitedly.

Jack and Brad quickly caught up with the discussion. Once in a while, Jack would still affectionately place food on Rachel's bowl.

Rachel furtively watched the man beside her. She raised her chopsticks and looked at her bowl, but did not eat. Somehow, the meal in front of her was no longer appealing.

When she realized how foolish she was, she lost her appetite.

behavior lately, she thought they were getting along quite well. She assumed he wanted them to start over because

want them to start

loved was Celine. But suddenly,

he finds me as a more suitable

eat. She was mostly toying with her food, feeling a little

eager to fall in love. At this point,

thought Jack was smitten with her. To her defense, she was initially vigilant with his sudden change of heart. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way, she became attracted

him was like a splash of cold water on

a

were just the same, Jack

the triviality of love and decides to turn to

Is that it?'

miss Rachel's change in behavior. "What happened? You look unhappy." The baritone of his voice

her lips to mask

like

"It's great."

He sensed there might be something wrong but found it improper to ask given the occasion. He pushed his anxiety on the backseat and took a mental note to ask her

discussed the

went well, the resort would be completed during the

nine o’clock. Since Jack did not drink, he drove for

leave. The doorman held an umbrella and sent them to the parking

a short time, he

was not as efficient when meeting

the dinner so she could

that he and Celine were over

to change. It was always easy and casual to leave

the other hand, was wondering if Jack introduced Celine to his

not forget what she heard, his words

more she thought of about it, the sadder she

wanted Jack to tell her that he fell in love

the beat of the rain against the windows. He turned to glance at the woman sitting beside him just as the dimmed

Are you uncomfortable?" he asked

against the seat and closed her

and

after she left for the

out of the car and trailed after her. He was hoping to spend

anything, Rachel turned to him and said, "Eric is using your room now. It is too late to clean another

not want him to stay. He would not mind if it was any other day, but tonight,

you angry?" he

I

voice sounded harsh. He did not know what went wrong. He rubbed his hand across

There is no need to come