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.

his behavior lately, she thought they were getting along quite well. She

start over, but not because he

loved was Celine. But suddenly, he changed his

it because he finds me as a

dinner, Rachel only pretended to eat. She was mostly toying with her food,

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

and thought Jack was smitten with her. To her defense, she was initially vigilant with his sudden change of heart.

like a splash

also considered having a relationship with

same,

fed up with the triviality of love and decides to turn to his nominal wife

Is that it?'

not miss Rachel's change in behavior. "What happened? You

her lips to mask her

like

"It's great."

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

the progress

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

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

leave. The doorman held an umbrella and sent

short time, he had exchanged phone numbers with Michael

was not as efficient when meeting

so she

friends that he and Celine were

and natural to change. It was always easy

was wondering if

what she heard, his words kept echoing

she thought of about it, the sadder she

desperately wanted Jack to tell her that he fell in

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

you

She leaned against the seat and closed her eyes. Jack carefully watched her expression

light jumped to green, and he continued to

some reason, her mood had turned sour after she left for the washroom.

out of the car and trailed after

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

stay. He would not mind if it was any other day, but tonight, Rachel was upset,

angry?"

I be

He rubbed his hand

better now. There is no need to