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.

of his behavior lately, she thought they were getting along quite well. She assumed he wanted them to start over because he fell in love with

did want them to start over, but not because

Celine. But suddenly, he changed his

me as a more

to eat. She was mostly toying with her food,

At this point, she had to admit it

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

having a relationship with Lucas in

just the same, Jack also had

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

Is that it?'

not miss Rachel's change in behavior. "What happened? You look unhappy." The baritone

lips to mask her expression.

like the

"It's great."

wrong but found it improper to ask given the occasion. He pushed his anxiety on the backseat and took a mental note to ask

that moment, Brad discussed the progress of the Pearl

resort would be

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

The doorman held an umbrella

In such a short time,

was not as efficient when meeting

to the dinner so she could formally

his friends that he and Celine were over and he would start anew

change. It was always easy and casual to leave

on the other hand, was wondering if Jack introduced

what she heard, his words kept echoing inside her

of about it,

tell her that he fell in love with

to glance at the woman sitting beside him just

Are you uncomfortable?"

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

jumped to green, and he continued to drive ahead

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

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

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

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

angry?"

I be

He rubbed his hand across his forehead

better now. There is no need to come