The Solution (2nd Edition)

Chapter 8 - *Blood Is Thicker* - Sarah

After landing, we disembarked, and headed for the arrivals queue. But as we got closer to the front, everyone heard a sudden disturbance and most looked back trying to pinpoint the commotion. Too short to witness anything, I nudged Chon. "What can you see?"

    "Sarah, I'm not tall enough to get a clear idea, either," he conceded. To be fair, Chon had already craned his neck as much as he could. Naturally, I looked at Mikey next who was quick to stop me in my tracks.

   "Hermione, I'm too short-sighted to see that far ahead. And yes, iLenses are magical, but they can't filter out every Muggle - not with the limited range.

    "Chon, straddle me for a boost instead and I'll tip onto my toes."

    My love interest leapt at the chance and after seconds of vantage scouting, whispered something to me and Mikey. "Ut-oh..."

    "Chon, what's going on?" I hissed impatiently.

    Trying to maintain calm, Mikey gave me a fleeting glance while steadying Chon. Then he grumbled two words. "Sarah, patience."

    Seconds later Chon looked down at us and shared what he was witnessing up ahead. "It's Xen. His plane was clearly faster than ours. Security is almost there, but for now, his goons are trying to protect him."

    "Trying to protect him from who?" I quizzed.

    "From a rude old lady who judged us earlier," Chon explained.

    As my senior slumped off Mikey, I tried to reassure him. "Chon, security will diffuse the situation."

    Unfortunately, they didn't gag the old traditionalist and her voice rocked the open space. "You're a whore, Xen Lai, a whore!"

    Once again, I looked at Chon, and his posture sank.

    Defiantly, the woman's verbal attack got persistently louder, until someone silenced her. Although we still couldn't see, whispers from in front suggested a plump man, maybe the woman's husband, had been the equalizer. As things calmed down Xen also took the opportunity to flee and was whisked through customs with military precision. In that moment, all three of us realized his and Chon's rendezvous was inevitable. Trying to remain positive, I patted Chon's shoulder, as did Mikey. Eventually we took our turn at the customs desk and once through, made our excuses. "Chon, I'm gunna drag Sarah to the food court before we drop," Mikey stated. He also pretended to wobble, maybe insinuating we were close to fainting.

    "Mikey, no need to haul me," I said, while avoiding Xen who approached. "Thanks to the awful plane food I shunned, I'm famished, and right behind you! Chon, we won't be long, but if we are, it's because we'll get the luggage." As we departed, Chon buffered his lips and I felt terrible. I didn't want to abandon him like Michelle told us she had. However, I didn't want to add to the awkward atmosphere. So, as a means of subliminal support, I mind-messaged Chon.

    'Look, despite how Mikey and I feel about him, sort it out. He's your brother, blood is thicker than water, and you two at odds isn't what your bāba would've wanted.'

    Chon acknowledged me with a slow and endearing nod. Thereafter, he turned in Xen's direction, and sauntered forwards...