91 THIS IS OUR STORY

"Why are they here? They don't deserve to enjoy this," One of the Norfolks reacted in a not-so welcoming manner as Zoe approached them. 

The others agreed with her. Savannah's friends were still behind her and heard their pessimistic remarks. Nella was about to go back after she overheard them. But she stopped when she heard Zoe speak up. 

"I understand where you're coming from. I'm the one who should really drive them out after what they did to me. But come to think of it. They were actually the reason why we're here and having a good time rather than being stuck up in a hotel. Don't you think so?"

The other Norfolks seemed to agree as they didn't utter an unfavorable response after that. Nella cleared her throat and broke her silence. 

"I know we've been mean to Zoe and every one of you out there. We're sorry. We hope you could forgive us." She blurted out and bowed to them. Her other friends did the same. 

Zoe shrugged her shoulders. 'They seem sincere somehow,' she uttered to herself.

She spoke again on behalf of them. "I know you have your doubts. But why don't we give them a chance just this once?" She flashed her sparkling set of white teeth, hoping to gain their favor. 

'Why am I doing this? Am I loving my enemies now?' Her thoughts were contradicting her actions. 

Raigon supported Zoe by talking to those who were at the dinner table. "It's my first time attending this event and I thank you for your warm welcome. I am not familiar with how you do this. But if you called this 'reunion' then you should reunite. You will all soon leave the island anyway and not see each other again. Why not make the most out of it with a cheerful and merry heart?" 

The other Norfolks loosen up as they were reminded that they only have a day to stay and will soon get back to their old lives.

"Mr. Gao and Zoe both have points there," Clay commented. He was the eldest among them. "Let's give them a chance."

As he said that, both Zoe and Raigon's eyes met. Raigon's were pleading as if he's asking her to do the same. 

'Please give me a chance.'

"But," The person who spoke up from the Norfolks Tribe carried on. "Still, they must prove their sincerity."

Zoe tilted her chin up with a defiant look and put her hand on her waist as she stared back at Raigon. She did so as if it was her response back to him.

'Prove you're real first.'

They were adjacent to each other so they could talk with their eyes even if there were people around. Raigon was the first one to break away, still feeling guilty for what he has done.

"For now you can join us and eat," Clay concluded, which were agreed upon by the other Norfolks. Savannah's friends bowed their heads in gratitude. 

At first, they were all quiet. But after a while, opposing walls were broken and they were now talking freely with each other as they eat

"Are you okay? You might choke at this rate!" Kristie offered her a bottle of water.

Zoe just grinned at her as her mouth is full. She was busy ravishing the food that Raigon gave her. She was dizzy from all the small talks a while ago!

As she did so, she didn't realize that Raigon was now beside her. She only noticed when there's another piece of folded banana leaf beside her. 

She glanced to her side and saw Raigon. He was smiling at her timidly. But he still wasn't talking to her.

Zoe blinked her eyes. 'Should you really be this sweet?'

She thought of forgiving him right then and there but she still has a lot of questions. It isn't just the time yet. 

She grabbed on the shredded fish that Raigon gave her and rolled her eyes at him. "Let's talk later," she whispered to him. 

Raigon nodded his head in controlled enthusiasm, cleared his throat, and went back on smiling and nodding at the other Norfolk members. 

Zoe chuckled to herself. 'How could an intimidating man like him turn into a kitten whenever he was with me?'

Still, his identity is still a mystery and it has to be revealed first before she trusts him completely.

She tried to listen to the other Norfolks as they were chatting. They were almost done. It was only she and Savannah''s friends that were eating.

"Why did you guys come here? It's expensive and the games seem frivolous and childish."

"I was caught with Erin's last quote on the invitation. A sweet escape from all the hustles and bustles of life."

"Yeah, me too."

Everyone agreed as they each started sharing their own story after they graduated from high school. 

Clay went first. "My family was well off and going to this tour is like just going to another town. However, my dad was caught in a bribery scandal and things were getting out of hand on our business. My mother had stroke and has been in the hospital for years. My brother was also caught with illegal drugs and money laundering." His voice was faltering as he shared his heart. 

"You're still fortunate somehow that money was not your problem." Nella responded and shared hers in sniffs. "Honestly, I never got to college. I was busy making ends meet for my siblings. My father died and he left us a huge loan. Since I'm just a high school graduate, I couldn't get any decent job up to now. I haven't paid the rent for our apartment for three months and we would soon be on the streets. Fortunately, Savannah gave me a free ticket for this tour and some money for my family that is why I'm here."

Kristie also spoke up. And they were shocked at her predicament. 

"The doctor told me that I have stage 2 cancer and I am now receiving treatments. I wanted to enjoy my days as I have no assurance how long they will be." She told them, still trying to make herself sound cheerful but eventually burst into tears. 

"Shh, it's okay. Everything will be alright," Zoe embraced her and let her cry on her shoulders.

The previous jolly mood of the team became melancholic as one by one, they opened up their regrets and struggles in life. 

Even Savannah's other friends have their own share. Sobs and teary encouragements could be heard from the beach as the hours passed by.