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 thought they were getting along quite well. She assumed he wanted them to start over because he fell

did want them to start over, but not because

Celine. But suddenly, he changed his mind and chased

because he finds me as

to eat.

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

with her. To her defense, she

was like a splash

considered having a relationship with Lucas in case she never fall in

they were just the same, Jack also had his

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

Is that it?'

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

lightly moved her lips to mask her expression.

you like the

"It's great."

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

discussed the

If everything went well, the resort would be completed during the second half of the

the dinner ended at nine o’clock. Since Jack did not drink, he drove

to leave. The doorman

such a short time, he had exchanged phone

not as efficient when meeting

to the dinner so

way of telling his friends that he and Celine were over and he would start anew with

It was always easy and casual to leave an old

hand, was wondering if Jack introduced Celine

she heard, his words kept echoing inside her

thought of about it, the sadder she

Jack to tell her that he fell in love with

beat of the rain against the windows. He turned to glance at the woman sitting beside him just as the dimmed lights of the city swept over her face. He noticed that she was not in a

wrong? Are you uncomfortable?" he

the seat

green, and he continued to drive ahead in

mood had turned sour after

they reached home, Jack felt Rachel was still behaving differently. He got out of the car and trailed after her. He was hoping to spend the night under

turned to him and said, "Eric is using your room now.

not mind if it was any other day, but tonight, Rachel was upset,

you angry?" he asked

should I

know what went wrong. He rubbed his hand across his forehead and said helplessly,

better now. There is no need to come