Chapter 30: Death unites

It didn't take long for Rachael to find where Chloe was. She sat on the deck of the house, throwing stones erratically. Rachael was grateful Chloe wasn't crying anymore because she might not be able to bear it. Slowly, she ambled towards Chloe who knew she had been standing there all this while but didn't turn around. "How are you feeling?" Rachael asked even though that question was as ridiculous as it sounded. Chloe just lost someone who stood as a mother figure in her life. The only thing she ought to feel was emptiness and void.

Rachael settled beside Chloe and tapped her lightly on the shoulders. "It's going to be okay"

Chloe took some time for the statement to sink in and it finally did, she spoke. "Is it?"

"I hope so. You know mum isn't going to be happy if you just sit here and continuously bawl your eyes out"

"Doesn't seem like you took your advice" Chloe said regarding Rachael's puffy red eyes and messed up hair.

"I couldn't help it. She was like" Rachael bit her salty lips. "The best mother ever. So strong. I've never seen anyone fight as she did"

"I wish she had more time to spend with us."

"She once told me “death doesn't separate, it unites. It's life itself that separates” while crying I remembered that and it gave me a little hope. I think you should hold onto it for now" Rachael spoke softly and silence followed for a while. Chloe resumed her stone-throwing while Rachael sat there, staring blankly into space. They both didn't know what else to say. It seemed like all that needed to be said was already said.

"I want to join the navy" Chloe blurted out.

"You still want to go?"

"I don't see anything that's stopping me. Mum was the only reason I didn't go years back and now she's" she paused as sadness overtook the zeal in her eyes. "Now she's dead, I want to go on with the initial motive"

Rachael took a deep breath. The determination in Chloe's eyes wasn't going to change with any form of convincing. Apparent her mind had already been made up. "You have thought this through well?"

"I have had this in mind for a very long Rachael. Trust me, I have done more than just think"

"When do you want to enroll?"

"Next week"

"That's fast"

"I know"

"Have you made arrangements?"

"It's not a big deal to enroll. Once I'm done with it, I'll be going to boot camp"

Rachael covered her mouth with both her hands as she stared at Chloe. "God I'm gonna miss you," she said with a slight smile.

"Training takes only 10 weeks"

"10 weeks isn't only. That sounds like forever"

Chole snickered. "At least I would be out of the way"

Rachael furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "What do you mean? "

"I mean you and Xavier. I know everything that goes on between the two of you" she said and watched as Rachael's cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

*Of course she knew, Chloe wasn't born yesterday*

"Is it that obvious?"Rachael asked.

"How you stutter when he asks you a simple question. How you he looks at you at dinner? At first, I was stunned at his generosity when he asked us to have dinner with him, but when I saw the keen attention he had for you, it suddenly hit me"

"Wait he looks at me during dinner?" now she was interested in the conversation.

"Rachael" Chloe snapped playfully at her. "This just confirms it. Why do you care if he looks at you?"Chloe grinned, placing her palm on her cheek, gazing at Rachael with keen interest.

"Fine" Rachael bowed her head as she blushed. "But I don't think he feels the way I do. He is always so uptight and it can get frustrating"

"Hmmm" Rachael humphed in. "He is strict alright, but still doesn't make him less human"

"I know," said Rachael as she placed her both hands on the deck and relaxed her. They both stayed quiet, staring at the beautiful sunset.

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

"Xavier is searching for you. He will kill you if you step foot in San Diego" Claudia said applying lipstick to her make-up with her eyes transfixed on the mirror.

Magnus snickered "I didn't know you cared about me that much?"

"I'm just saying.... "

He didn't let her finish her statement before cutting her off. "Keep your opinion to yourself, Claudia. You are just concerned about him. You are scared I will not hesitate to kill him if I was given the chance"

Claudia didn't say anything. He just read her mind like a book. She feared Magnus and the things he was competent to perpetrate. Xavier was powerful and all, but Magnus was like a green snake on green grass_too corny and swift too_ He was the kind of man, no one ever saw coming.

Claudia still loved Xavier and the last thing she wanted for the man she loved was death

"I'm not saying it because of him and you know it"

"Do I" Magnus narrowed his hooded eyes at her. "What you have to say isn't going to stop him from killing him. My father had a dispute with his father and he failed to kill Collin before he had Xavier. Now that my father is dead, I'll gladly make him proud in his grave"

"So this is all about pleasing your father?"

"And my strong detest for him"

"His confraternity doing better than yours isn't something to be angry about"

Magnus slapped the mirror out of her hand in outrage and was about to hit her, but she was quick to lean away from him. "Watch your mouth woman," he said in a deadly whisper. Claudia only nodded in shakily. "Your opinion doesn't count here" he added sternly and leaned back on his chair.