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.

well. She assumed he wanted them to start over because he fell

he did want them to start

suddenly, he

because he finds me as a more suitable

dinner, Rachel only pretended to eat.

always eager to fall in love. At this point,

she still had a little vanity left and thought Jack was smitten with her. To her defense, she was initially vigilant with his sudden change of heart. Unfortunately, somewhere along the

a splash of cold water

was rather hypocritical, but she had also considered having a relationship with Lucas in

they were just the same, Jack

love and decides to turn to

Is that it?'

You look unhappy." The baritone of his voice reverberated

her lips

like

"It's great."

curt replies warned him. 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

discussed the progress

well, the resort would be completed

nine o’clock. Since Jack did not

were about to leave. The doorman held an umbrella

time, he had

lamented that Eric was not as efficient

so she could formally meet

telling his friends that he and Celine were

change. It was always easy and casual to leave an

if Jack introduced Celine

could not forget what she heard, his words kept

of about it, the sadder she

wanted Jack to tell her

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

Are you uncomfortable?" he asked

the seat and closed her eyes. Jack carefully watched her expression but found nothing

light jumped to green, and he continued

turned sour after she

home, Jack felt Rachel was still behaving differently. He got out of the car and trailed after her.

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

what she was hinting. She did not want him to stay. He would not

you angry?"

I be

his hand across his forehead and said

much better now. There is no need to come every