Wild Young Miss: Mister, Let's Kiss!

After Zoey and Ivan catch up with each other, they join the group. They tied Ryan up with his floatie in a chair. The situation calmed down as the party had settled into a discussion about what happened during this year.

Surely, what happened back then was everyone's turning point. Yet, as they talked about it, a similar relieved and peaceful smile was plastered on their lips. 

Except for one person. Angelo.

"Are we not having dinner?" Zoey inquired, resting her head on Matthew's shoulder. She looked up to see his flustered cheek before he gazed down.

"Are you hungry?" He asked, caressing her jaw as she pouted.

"Mhm. Cora hasn't come out yet. Zion went out to get her." 

"Let's go then. Paul hasn't been here as well." Matthew beckoned as he gazed at the people around. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

By the looks of it, the rest in here wouldn't want to eat. Hence, he excused himself.

"We'll be having dinner. We'll be back when the bonfire is all set up." But his words only passed from one ear to the other as they didn't even mind him.

Yet, Matthew chuckled and turned his head to Zoey. "They had a few drinks."

"What a bunch of drunkards." Zoey mumbled.

Matthew then helped her up. Holding her head as they discreetly left the table. As they did, Ivan also got up from his seat.

"You'll eat? I'm starving!" He exclaimed. Ivan had only drunk a little, unlike the other four.

"Sure." Zoey nodded and the three of them entered the mansion.

Zoey and Matthew walked holding hands. Meanwhile, Ivan walked behind them. Upon entering the mansion, Paul was sitting in the lobby with his phone.

"Yo! Paul!" Ivan immediately called, which caught Paul's attention.

Paul only nodded before he slowly stood up. "Off to eat?" he asked.

Ivan nodded as he rushed to Paul's side. Without further ado, Ivan hooked his arm over Paul's shoulder.

"You're still working, huh? How are you supposed to get girls if you're too focused on your work?" Ivan teased while Paul kept his face blank. "Sadly, this island is exclusive to the Xis. There are no girls in bikinis around!"

"Exactly my point." Paul cast Ivan a side eye. "There's nothing else to do here. No girls in bikinis as well. How else do you think I'll get a girl?"

Paul's voice was laced with sarcasm. But, Ivan dragged him along as the two bickered.

"We should set Paul up with girls. He's getting grumpier every day." Zoey whispered at Matthew as she watched the two walking ahead of them.

"Let's get wild, boys… he just said that just so the two would leave him alone, huh?" Matthew murmured and shook his head.

At this point, Matthew and Zoey had lost all hope for Paul's lovelife. If the man could marry his work, he'd surely marry it in a heartbeat.

But, Zoey and Matthew had promised to focus on their lives this time around. Hence, they weren't meddling with their friend's lives and let them make decisions for themselves.

*****

*knock knock*

Zion knocked in front of Cora's room. Hearing no response from the inside, he spoke.

"Cora, are you planning to lock yourself up the whole time?"

Yet, no answer. Zion could not help but let out a sigh.

"Even if you don't feel comfortable with him around, can you pretend everything is alright for Zoey?" 

Still no answer. 

"I will come back. We're having dinner. Just come if you feel hungry." Zion gave up and turned around. 

However, just as he turned around, he heard the door behind him creak open. Zion stopped and slowly turned around.

His brows furrowed upon seeing that Cora was just staring at him from the small gap of the door. 

"Cora," Zion's voice softened and sighed. "Have you been crying?"

"No, I'm not." Cora denied.

"Then, open the door." Zion ordered.

Cora took a while before she slowly opened the door for him. To Zion's surprise, Cora seemed like she didn't really cry. However, the gloom from her room was just too strong; he was nearly blown away.

Still, Zion was relieved that she wasn't sulking or sobbing her heart out.

"I just finished writing and told my readers I won't be updating for a week." Cora explained. "But I'm actually hungry."

Hearing her remarks, Zion smiled and chuckled. "Then, join us."

But Cora's expression was reluctant. "Will he be there?"

"Uh… they were drinking when I left them. So, I don't know." Zion shrugged.

"Ohh…" Cora nodded as she bit her lower lip. "Then, I'll eat later."

"For how long will you stay like this?" Unexpectedly, Zion's voice grew colder. "If you're really sorry to him, the best way to say it is to show him your break up didn't ruin you."

Cora remained silent as she looked down on her feet. After seeing him earlier, she knew she'd lose her mind and act like she would regret later. Hence, she didn't want to embarrass herself even more.

"It's been a year, Cora. Isn't it time for you two to talk things out? I don't mean you two trying to get back together. What I'm saying is for the two of you to have a closure -- a real and peaceful closure." Zion expressed as he patted Cora's head.

She's always like this. If Zion was outspoken before, they could've been together. However, they already missed that chance and are just good friends now. So, as her friend, Zion was speaking out of what's best for Ivan and Cora.

Both of them had a special place in his heart. Zion didn't want the two of them hurting each other more and living in the past forever.

Zion and Zoey had promised that to each other. Thus, Zion wanted the people close to him to look forward to the future and live in the present without regret.

Slowly, Cora raised her head and sported a subtle smile. "I still love him, though."

"And you're afraid that he might not feel the same?"

"No." Cora shook her head. "I'm afraid he still feels the same, and I'd hurt him again."

"Silly." Zion chuckled. "Worry about that later. Come. I'm really starving."

Zion didn't wait for Cora as he grabbed her wrist and dragged her with him. He's not playing cupid or anything of the sort. 

Zion… he was just doing what he thought best for everyone -- especially for Zoey as both Ivan and Cora were important people in her heart.