23 I WILL ALWAYS COME BACK

"Here," Raigon offered her a plate full of bearded mussels.

Zoe was speechless. No one has ever done that for her in the past. Not even Erin and Cayden, who was closest to her.

A warm, gushy feeling rushed through her blood as she saw that grand gesture. It made her feel special and cared for.

"Are you still craving for more?" The strange man with the dimpled cheeks continued to ask her as he got some more mussels to unbeard.

"Umm.." She hesitated and glanced at Erin who responded by blinking her eyes animatedly at a rapid rate, motioning her to accept his offer.

Zoe winced back at her. She does not like what she is experiencing, and she doesn't want it to linger on. However, Erin has a contrasting scheme in mind.

She gave her the evil eye as she spoke to Raigon. "Please, please. With all means,"

Raigon nodded in obedience as he cleaned more mussels for Zoe to eat.

"I remembered what Zoe told me in the old days. That if ever she will be given a chance to settle in an exclusive place her entire life, she wanted it to be near the ocean. So she could devour all the sea animals that she wants." Erin gossiped on Zoe with a cupped hand as if she was not visible to the naked eye.

"Really?" Raigon chuckled and glimpsed at Zoe with a twinkle in his eyes.

'Live with me and I will give you the perfect taste of seafood at its finest all the days of your life.' He whispered under his breath.

As if Zoe understood what that stare meant, her face turned beetle red as if it just came out from a heated oven.

Not knowing what to do, she blamed her friend who is provoking him to be that way.

"Erin!!!" She glared at her with flared nostrils. "Yeah, I'm really glad that I had this time off. Thanks, friend." She said as she clasped her forearm.

"So you're only having a vacation on this island?" Raigon furrowed his eyebrows and rubbed his chin. "How long will you be here?"

He has been contemplating to ask but he wanted the two to be comfortable with him first.

"We're just waiting for the reunion which would be held here. After that, we'll probably be heading back to our country. So that will be..." Zoe then consulted Erin, asking her for help. She didn't know the exact date of the event.

"One more week left." Erin reacted in response to her.

Raigon's shoulder stooped as he answered, "I see," with a flat and monotone voice.

Gloom replaced his enthusiasm upon hearing that information. He heaved out a deep sigh as he glanced away to distract himself.

As Raigon continued to scan the room, his attentive eyes detected a shadow. He was watching them in secret behind the glass walls.

At that angle, he could see that he was wearing a black jacket with casual jeans and a lowered cap to cover his face.

Raigon shifted his gaze away at lightning speed so he would not pick on.

"Excuse me for a minute, miladies." He gave Zoe and Erin one of his beguiling smiles. He stood up in an easygoing manner as not to arouse suspicion to whoever was snooping on them.

At the speed of light, he routed to where the scout is as he located him earlier when he was inside the restaurant.

But when he got there, he was nowhere to be seen. Not even a trace was left behind.

'Is he from Terra or this land? What could be his motive? Is he spying on me or Zoe? Is he intending to harm her?' He gritted his teeth and clenched his hand as he returned to his seat.

"I thought you're not coming back," Zoe stuttered as she explained herself with wide eyes. She froze from wiping her lips with the table napkin.

She looked like a thief caught in the act. The kitchen utensils in front of her were as clean as before they placed the food in them.

"No worries, miladies. I am full and I'm here to enjoy the scenic view with a coffee."

"But I hope that you know," He added with a pause. He then stared at Zoe with the sincerest intentions before ending his sentence. "I will always come back".

As soon as he left those words, in the corner of his eyes he saw the man appeared again in the same position he was in a while ago. He was like a ghost playing with him. This time, he bolted out of the door in a twinkle of an eye.

Zoe and Erin exchanged surprised looks and blurted out at the same time, "What was that?!"