68 CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

"Yes?" Zoe pivoted back.

She knows Raigon has been calling her for the umpteenth time.

But she's not in the mood to talk back to him right now.

"Finally, I thought you're mad at me,"

Raigon smiled, revealing his dimpled cheeks.

'That will not work for me this time,'

Zoe muttered to herself as she crossed her arm.

"Why would I be angry at you? Do you think there is a reason I should?"

Zoe asked irritatingly.

She wants to keep her calm.

But her being naturally ill-tempered is escaping through her sarcastic question.

"Actually, no,"

Raigon replied while scratching his head.

'Does he really have no idea? Or is it me who has the problem?'

She reflected on her own question.

'Why would I fuss up when he chose to talk with another woman the moment we see each other again? We were not a couple for me to react this way!'

Realizing how unreasonable she was, she turned her back and was about to walk away.

"I have to go."

But Raigon stopped her.

"Wait, I have something to tell you."

Zoe faced him again with furrowed eyebrows.

"What is it?"

He stared at her with those soft but dark blue eyes.

He paused for a few seconds before opening his lips to speak his mind when Erin butted in and poked his back.

"Excuse me."

He shifted his stance so he could see her.

Erin folded her palm together and apologized to Zoe. Then she explained herself.

"I'm sorry for interrupting. Believe me, I am. But we're about to start. Sorry, Zoe."

She bowed to her.

Zoe nodded, showing that she agreed to whatever her plan is.

Erin beamed and guided Raigon to the stage.

'What could it be?'

Zoe thought as she searched for a place where she could seat herself.

They finished with the afternoon meal. They were now waiting for the orientation.

She looked around and saw the usual group she often saw during their high school days.

'As usual, I'm all alone.'

If she was Zoe, back then, she would feel sorry for herself. But she is not the same Zoe anymore.

She's more than happy not to be bothered by anyone nor bother anyone herself.

"Greetings, everyone! Our rundown will start in five minutes. Please settle down. Thank you."

Everybody found their own place. But still, the talks didn't die out.

'They must have missed each other.'

Zoe grunted in a contemptuous sigh.

"Good afternoon, Brightstars! Who's done belching?"

Erin initiated at the microphone, which made the crowd laugh and cheer on.

"Who's now ready for some action?"

She fueled them as she imitated the voice of wrestling announcers.

"A woo! A woo!"

The people hooted in agreement.

"She was perfect at this,"

Zoe smiled approvingly at her friend.

"You said it right,"

A masculine voice almost whispered in her ears. Zoe jerked up in surprise.

"Got you there!"

Enzo laughed and pointed gun at her with his two hands.

He seated himself beside Zoe and listened with her through the instructions.

"If you're familiar with the Survivor Challenges, you will know how this will work. Our participants will be called castaways. And they will be marooned in an isolated location. They must provide food, water, fire, and shelter for themselves so that they could survive. We would improvise, of course, since this is only a game."

"Not only that. They would also compete in matches for rewards and immunity from elimination. The castaways will be progressively eliminated from the game. Their fellow-castaways would vote them out until only one remain. Finally, he or she would be awarded the grand prize and named the "Survivor King or Queen."

The crowd murmured loudly and tried to guess who it would be.

"We will also be observed by our own council, our dean, Mr. Qigang, our class adviser, Mr. Fu..."

Both of them straightened up.

Everyone gave them a round of applause.

"And one special guest from the land of Lord Howe, Mr. Gao."

She introduced Raigon. He rose up and bowed in front of them in a princely manner.

The ladies' eyes bulged out in admiration as they giggled while clapping their hands in flattery.

"We will also be guided by our well-known LHI tour guide, Koby Nevin, throughout this journey."

Koby waved his hand at them and gave a quick bow.

The women are now torn who to show their appreciation for as their eyes danced back and forth between the two gorgeous men in front of them.

"I encourage everybody to participate. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have fun and enjoy ourselves in this remote land. If you feel that you are adept and want to take part in this challenge, please stand up and fill out this form. Thank you very much!"

Erin concluded and exited the stage. The council followed her.

All of their batch mates didn't waste their time.

One by one, they get to their feet like mushrooms.

"Have you heard of the reward? $100,000! I wonder who will be the Survivor King or Queen."

Now there was a long line waiting to put their name and be hailed the Survivor King or Queen.

Zoe was just staring at them as they signed and went to the location site.

She has no emotion on her face. 

'Will she sign up or not?'

Enzo was staring at her, trying to get a clue of what was on her mind.

There was only one left in the line when Enzo blurted out.

"I think that's ridiculous. Who would join that kind of competition?"

He smirked as he waved his hand.

Zoe slowly picked herself up and went to the table and signed up.

"Of course it's those who wanted to grow while having fun,"

He shifted gear as he ran behind Zoe and signed up himself.

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We don't grow when things are easy.

We grow when we face challenges.

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