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.

She assumed he

he did want them to start

was Celine. But suddenly, he changed his mind

finds me

of the dinner, Rachel only pretended to eat. She

always eager to fall in love. At

thought Jack was smitten with her. To her defense, she was initially

was like a splash of cold water on

was rather hypocritical, but she had also considered having a relationship with Lucas in case she never fall

they were just the same,

the triviality of love and decides

Is that it?'

in behavior. "What happened? You look unhappy." The baritone of his voice reverberated through

her lips to mask

you like

"It's great."

to ask given the occasion. He pushed his anxiety on

the progress of

project was on-going. If everything went well, the resort would be completed during the second half of

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

fell just when they were about to leave. The doorman held an

behavior changed. In such a short time,

not as efficient when

dinner so she could formally meet

telling his friends that he and Celine were over and

and natural to change. It was always easy and casual to

other hand, was wondering if Jack introduced Celine

what she heard, his words kept

she thought of about it, the sadder she

her that he fell

the woman sitting beside him just as the dimmed lights of the

Are you

head, not uttering a word. She leaned against the seat and closed her eyes. Jack carefully watched

to green, and he continued to drive ahead in

mood had turned sour after she left for the washroom.

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

him and said, "Eric is using your room now. It is too

He would not mind if it was any other day, but tonight,

you angry?"

should I

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

is much better now. There is