Stuck in you

Jack's eyes darkened, and a strange look flashed across them before disappearing.

He asked in a deliberately casual voice, "Where is your mother now?"

"She's in Germany. She said she is going to Czech Republic for a while and make a wish in the Old Town Square in Prague." Eric opened one of the bags he brought with him and showed it to Jack. "I told her that these things can be bought online now, but she wouldn't believe me."

There were two boxes of chocolate. Jack picked up a piece and put it into his mouth. "This is authentic," he commented.

"That's right. One piece is enough for you. Give the rest to Rachel, okay?" Eric added childishly.

Jack chuckled and reluctantly shook his head. A second later, the corners of his mouth tightened into a straight line and his eyebrows drew together in a frown.

When Rachel returned from Andy's house, she found Jack acting a strangely absent. She had to ask him a question multiple times before she managed to get a response from him.

Confused, she took out a bowl of bone soup she made in the afternoon from the kitchen, sat down beside him, and asked, "Jack, what happened? Why do you look a little distracted?"

Jack looked up at her with an indescribable emotion in his eyes, but then he finally he shook his head and said, "It's nothing."

Rachel frowned slightly. Just now, the look in Jack's eyes made her feel like his odd demeanor tonight had something to do with her. She was about to ask more questions when he stood up, hands rubbing at his temples, and said, "I'm a little tired, I think I'll go lie down for a while. I'll be in my room if you need me."

She wanted to tell him about Andy, but something in his voice stopped her. Staring at his back, Rachel could only murmur an "okay."

She finished the bowl of soup that she had prepared for him.

The next day, Rachel had just arrived at the hospital and donned her white coat when she received a call from Bill. The man, who had just flown back, stated his intention to have Andy examined at the hospital and asked her if she could go with them.

Rachel hesitated for a long time without saying a word.

Bill explained, "Rachel, don't worry. I don't mean anything else by asking you. You are a doctor, and you know these tests well. It will be more reassuring to have you accompany us. You know how important Andy is to me.

But if you feel embarrassed about it, then that's okay. I can take Andy there on my own."

Rachel finally said, "It's not a big deal. I just have to endorse

is afraid that many of his acquaintances might see him.

provincial hospital. The staff

take her shift and hurried out. She drove to the provincial hospital and met up with the

uneasy. He reached out to take Rachel's hand as soon as he saw her and said, "Rachel, I think I'd rather not be examined. What if it turns out that

and then lowered her head and patted the elder man's hand reassuringly. "Andy, we won't know your health condition until we have a check-up. Then, we can address what's bothering you through medication or other ways once we find out. If we don't address it, it will only get worse. You don't want Bill

don't know how to wash clothes and cook, and you know I

for Bill when he

other. He put their hands together, sighed, and said in a hopeful tone, "I'm going to leave one day. At that time, Bill only has you as his friend, Rachel. Can you help me look

speak out about his feelings. Rachel, I'm afraid I'll forget everything soon, so I must tell you this now while

She opened her mouth

"Andy, don't

don't know much about it, I still know what my condition is. Once Alzheimer's disease starts, it's difficult to control. Anyway, I'm so old that one of my feet are already in

about." Bill raised his head to hold

tone made the

said, "Rachel, Bill is usually smiling, but he's going through a tough time and is not

say anything, Bill had already taken Andy by the shoulders and steered him to face the consulting room. He changed the topic and said, "It's your turn soon. We'll talk about these things once

Bill. She really didn't know how

she couldn't say no to him. After all,

of the consulting room. The nurse told him that the doctor left due to

an hour seemed to be

sat in the waiting area without saying a word. It

his hands and said, "I

up and said,

"No need. I remember the way to the toilet. Isn't it right around

also spoke up to placate Bill.

of sight. Then, he unwillingly withdrew his gaze and said, "Although Andy is my butler, he has always been more like my grandfather, so I can't let

oddly nasal quality of his voice betrayed his agitation. He lowered his head, as if to hide