TAKING THE FIRST STEP

Finally, the cab halted at the front gate of the hotel. Zoe stepped out of the vehicle.

"This is it,"

She drew in a deep breath before entering the lobby.

She slipped on a plain boat-neck fitted little black dress.

Her feet were dressed up in black open-toe sandals and her hand was carrying a genuine black leather bag.

Her long, naturally brown hair was loosely curled.

"I hope my modest classic look will not draw

draw any attention since it was my first year attending this annual event."

Her makeup was also lightly done.

She was wearing a light foundation, a little highlighter, and a coral hue for her lips and cheeks.

Even still, her looks didn't escape the scrutiny of those who were loitering around.

Zoe glanced at them at the corner of her eyes.

"I'm familiar with most of them. But the others, I couldn't recall. Or I chose not to."

Her focus was on the present and not in the past. 

She was planning to stay mum unless they will provoke her to action.

"My sleepless nights during college... My efforts to earn a medical degree at the youngest age possible..."

These thoughts came flashing back as she walked down the hallway.

Her lips unconsciously curved upward.

But as she was nearing the entrance, her heart hammered wildly in her chest.

'How will they look at me? Will they regard me as the same old Zoe or the new Zoe that I am now?'

As much as she preferred to appear confident, these thoughts were haunting her mind.

Fortunately, some of them recognized her and welcomed her indoors.

"Oh, Zoe Cheng! Wow, you're looking great,"

One of her batch mates shook her hand.

Some of them were in charge of welcoming guests and giving directions to where the assembly would be held.

"Hurry upstairs to the function room. Everyone's waiting there. They will be thrilled when they see you!"

They gave her a warm smile which eased her apprehension.

She beamed at them even though deep down, she was feeling a sense of uneasiness stirring up inside her.

'Maybe because this was my first time seeing them again,' she concluded.

She was used to speaking publicly during their college days.

She often stood up as a representative of various groups.

But this was different. Her college classmates didn't have any idea who Zoe was before.

These people know her story too well.

"I can do this."

She finally mustered enough confidence to thrust through the door.

As she did so, those within the walls all looked over at her.

There were varied reactions in their faces as Zoe observed.

'Some were pleased and delighted to see me again, thank God.'

And there were those who smirked for her guts to show up today.

If she was the Zoe before, she would already back out.

'Why would I spend my precious moments on this lovely island to be ridiculed by you people who don't even know a thing about what I've been through?'

But she was a different Zoe now.

Their reaction only sparked up the dying fire within her to change her story.

She bowed down to all of them.

"Hello, everyone, I'm glad to see you again."

She smiled confidently, revealing her sparkling set of white teeth.

They may have differing ideas about her sudden appearance, but one thing they have in common.

They were all stunned at her natural beauty, which outshone everyone in the room.

Including Savannah.

"Hey, if it isn't the high and mighty Queen Zoe in the flesh. You are really one of a kind to show up after eight long years. Hell must have given you a break,"

She mocked her openly in front of everybody.

Zoe gritted her teeth. She would not back down from this anymore.

She was about to speak up when Erin interfered and walked to her direction.

"Yes, and we're pleased to see our precious classmate after almost a decade. Are we?"

She smiled at the people around her as she put her arm around Zoe's shoulder.

Zoe's eyes widened at her and whispered through a clenched jaw.

"I can handle myself."

Erin shook her head.

"Not now, dear. You have more important things to attend to."

She motioned her to look at the corner where there were two handsome guys ogling at her.

Raigon and Koby.

"Hi, Zoe," a male voice greeted her from behind.

She turned back to see who it was.

Enzo was smiling at her and brushed his hair.

Zoe froze on her tracks.

She pinched herself to check if she was not having nightmares again.

"Ouch!" She uttered to herself.

'This was not a dream!'

She stared at Erin in bewilderment.

"What were they all doing here?"

Erin just grinned at her from ear to ear.

*********************************

There is always a reason why you meet new people.

Either you need to change your life, or you're the one that'll change theirs.

*********************************