Zoe shrugged her shoulders as she checked herself in the mirror. "So? We're not here for him. We had a satisfying meal, and it's great to be with you again!" She glimpsed at Erin and clasped her hand.

But Erin was thinking otherwise as she sulked her gloomy face in her palms and put her elbow on the table. She let out a deep sigh. "What put flavor in this meal and made it savory is his presence in front of us."

In a flash, she snapped her fingers as she remembered Raigon's last words. "He's coming back, right?"

Zoe twitched her lips and narrowed her eyes. "Expectations hurt." She drawled out every syllable.

She was used to people leaving her that this does not affect her at all. No matter how considerate and thoughtful he may seem, she knew that like the others, he would soon leave. And she has been adapting well. This man is not an exception.

"There you are and your real-talk quotes. Someday you will find someone who will not quit on you no matter what, okay? Hang in there. Besides, I'm here. I'm living proof!" Erin babbled as she stretched her arms open wide to her friend.

She may not have been there during the greatest trials in her life. But she is willing to be available in the upcoming ones.

Zoe chuckled. "Yeah, of course! And I'm thankful." She responded with enthusiasm and hugged Erin.

Erin patted her back. "Enough with the drama. Let's get out of town and take our beauty sleep. It's been a tiring day and your bear hug is crus.h.i.+ng my stiffed bones from the flight. Ouch!"

Zoe loosened her arms around her and smiled at her thoughtfully as she picked up her things. "Let's go?"

They both exited the restaurant to grab a taxi. But since it was already late in the evening, they had a hard time looking for one.

The road was a black velvet ribbon shrouded over the midnight hills. When a car pa.s.sed, its headlights were reflected in the bay that lay over the surface.

"That's strange. There used to be cabs around here even at this hour," Erin scratched her head as she yawned. On the spur of the moment, she felt her eyes grow heavy as the evening breeze lulled her to sleep.

"Maybe it's because it's not a season to have a vacation right now, you know," Zoe reacted. She creased her forehead as she peered into the end of the lane as it disappeared into the horizon where the earth meets the big sky.

"Maybe," Erin agreed. "Why don't we go on that side of the road? Probably there'll be more vehicles there, even a pa.s.sing car where they could hitch." Erin figured as she pointed the lane across the desolate country road.

The other side of the roadway was black during day time but it melted into the darkness of the night. Still, it is better than getting stuck up here and wasting time waiting for an apple to fall from a tree.

"I will not say no to that one. I've had enough of this baggage of yours. Did you put hollow blocks in here?!" Zoe grimaced as she pulled Erin's bag with her long but delicate arms.

Erin fell out at the antics of her friend with her dopey eyes. "Yeah. Blocks and blocks of clothes which I can mix and match for the rest of the week. Especially at the reunion. I even brought some for you! So it's okay if you carry that."

She teased Zoe as she wobbled to the other end of the lane with her mini bag and stilettos.

Zoe crumpled her face as she stared at her friend walking like a drunkard in front of her. She quickened her pace so that she could keep up with her. And as she did so, her eye caught on shadows that were lurking in a dark area at the side street.

She was about to pa.s.s by and ignore it when Erin scurried to her side. She spotted it too. "Did you see that?" She asked her with wide eyes and panted like a scalded cat.

"Yeah, let's go. We have nothing to do with it." Zoe said as she continued to drag the heavy bag and walked ahead. She doesn't like meddling with anyone's business. Unless someone's hurt or needed her help.

"Wait," Erin pulled her off the road. "What if we are here at this moment in time to save someone's skin? Let's check it out. If it's not that alarming, we could always leave."

Zoe contemplated about it. In her mind, she wanted to let it pa.s.s. But Erin's right.

It sounded rational to Zoe so they crept in and peeked at what is happening at that pitch-black alley.

To their horror, one man was with a long hair half updo. He was wearing a white long-sleeved s.h.i.+rt with rolled cuffs and a pair of dark washed jeans.

He was ruthless as he shook another man while grappling the collar of his clothes. The man is also trying hard to get away from his grip as he aimed punches at Raigon's strong arms.

"Red!" Zoe screamed in the intense silence of the night.

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The best way to avoid disappointment is to not expect anything from anyone. - Zoe

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