34 GOOD OR BAD CONCEPT?

"Are you seriously considering all that?" Zoe blurted out in wide-eyed astonishment at Erin as soon as Veronica was out of their radius.

It's not that she didn't believe in Veronica. But the intricate details of the program itself that itched her.

"Why not?" Erin replied in a nonchalant attitude as they walk to the elevator that will usher them to the floor where their place was.

"It's frivolous," she merely commented, feeling sorry for her dear friend to criticize her creative plans like that.

But she didn't dote on her to continue being absorbed with those childish concepts.

To her dismay, Erin reacted differently. "Which is more fun! It will be just like when we were living in high school. And this island will be precisely a sweet escape from all the hustle and bustle of our ordinary hectic lives!"

She gleamed with that dreamy gaze again, even clasping her eager hands together. If she would instantly lift up one of her feet backward in the air, she will really exist in a high school musical theatre.

"I would feel more comfortable if I stay in my hotel room for the entire day. I'll just drop by at the restaurant for the grand dinner." Her rosy lips twitched upward as she satisfactorily resolved her dire situation within the earshot of Erin.

"Uh, uh, uh," Erin gently waved her forefinger at Zoe. "You willingly promised me, remember?" She made a triumphant grin and enclosed her victorious arm with hers.

Upon hearing what she said, she recalled their discussion over the phone a few days ago. 

"You didn't tell me there will be team building. And survivor king or queen? You naturally know I hate those kinds of stuff." She lightly nudged her away. Just thinking about it made her feel horrible.

It's not due to the social activity itself but her terrible memories during their school years every time they would have an organized event. Erin hasn't experienced it because she's one of the cool and popular. But she knew. The Orphan Zoe knew.

She was thinking of a simple dinner reunion where she would just show up and escape afterward.

"Come on, it will be different this time around," Erin responded as if she examined her thoughts. She clung back to her and subtly reminded her of whom she is right now.

"You forgot that you were the high and mighty Zoe now. You have accomplished a mighty lot in just a few years' time. They will not respond to you as they did in the past." Erin enthusiastically encouraged her as they moved out of the express elevator.

Erin instantly drew in a long deep breath as soon as she entered her space. "Finally! Some proper rest!"

She intentionally let herself dropped on the adjacent bed from Zoe. She wiggled her tired feet to remove her high heels and let them dangle above the floor.

"Hey, what about Red? Do you think he's all right even after we willingly left him like that?" She blurted out of nowhere as she peeked through her folded arms while still flat on the extensive bed.

"Maybe," Zoe shrugged. 'I wonder how he is,' she whispered under her breath as she recalled him walking with a limp with a bandaged arm. 'Did he go to a local hospital or did he return to where he was staying? I should've asked for his number next time.'

"He's a mature man. Why did you ask?" She nonchalantly replied, not causing a hint to Erin that she was genuinely worried about him or she would tease her again.

She grabbed a cotton ball to cleanse her face with a cleanser, so she could have a midnight bath before she slumped down.

"I'm just wondering if he's alone or has a companion to help him while he was having a vacation on this island." Erin pondered aloud as she twisted and lied on her back.

She suddenly felt remorseful for forsaking him behind. "What caused you to think he was enjoying a vacation? He may be a local villager here, for all we know."

Erin grabbed a plump pillow, propped up her shapely head, and looked wistfully at her. "I have been here on this lovely island many times. And I haven't seen him before. He didn't look like one of the villagers here. And his accent is unique."

Zoe furrowed her prominent brows and thought carefully about it too. "Where in the world did that man came from?"