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.

getting along quite well. She assumed he wanted them

to start over, but not

loved was Celine. But suddenly, he changed

me

pretended to eat. She was mostly toying with her

fall in love. At this point, she had to admit it was

with her. To her defense, she was

hearing him was like a splash of cold water on

considered having a relationship with Lucas in case she never fall

just the same, Jack also had his own

love and decides to turn to

Is that it?'

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

her lips

you like the

"It's great."

wrong but found it improper to ask given the occasion. He pushed his anxiety on

the progress

well, the resort would be completed during the second half of the

business until the dinner ended at nine o’clock.

when they were about to leave. The doorman held an umbrella and sent them to the parking

time, he had exchanged phone numbers

that Eric was not as efficient when meeting

dinner so she

of telling his friends that he and Celine were over and

change. It was always easy and casual

wondering if Jack introduced Celine to his friends

could not forget what she heard, his words

thought of about it, the sadder she

Jack to tell her

at the woman sitting beside him just as the dimmed lights of the city swept over her face. He noticed

you uncomfortable?"

her head, not uttering a word. She leaned against the seat

and he continued to drive

reason, her mood had turned sour after she

car and trailed after her. He was hoping to spend the night under the excuse that it would rain

could say anything, Rachel turned to him and said, "Eric is using your room now.

want him to stay. He would not mind if

you angry?"

should I be

his hand across his

better now. There is no need to come