Altair 1: Karma

Melting Snow: Hades 2

Dolent

It's been months since Aoife left me. After the day Aoife left me, I hired an investigator to find her father's house in Abra, luckily, he got it in a day. Unfortunately, I didn't find Aoife there. I mustered up the courage to ask Kiel, her brother but he didn't know where she was.

Days passed, during their father's burial and funeral, I always came by hoping that I would see Aoife and apologize but I lost. She didn't show up, even just her shadow.

Eres' told me that she named our daughter Dawn Stormy Hernandez, she didn't let my child carry my family name even Eres told her. He's a useless jerk! He let her niece carry her sister-in-law’s surname instead of mine. Tsk.

Nang mabalitaan kong lumabas na ng kwarto nya si Azi, agad-agad akong nag-book ng flight pauwing Madrid with high hopes that she will help me. However, as she always said, expect the unexpected.

As soon as I got home, father immediately intervened. He forbade me to ask Azi for help as she was just recovering. I grit my teeth because of  annoyance. I need to find my wife and daughter as soon as possible. They need me, especially my daughter.

Binagsak ko ang katawan sa couch. I really miss my radiant wife. I wanna hug her and have her by my side. I want my daughter in my arms. Itinuon ko ang aking dalawang braso sa hita habang nakapatong naman ang baba ko sa pinagsamang kamao. I swear Aoife, when I find you again, you’ll never escape from my grasp.

“What’s with the long face bro?”  Aris asked as he entered the bar. I looked at him. He's choosing a wine from the wine cellar.

“How’s Azi?” I asked out of concern. I don't care about anything right now except to find my wife and daughter. And, only Azi can do that. She's known for her intelligent skills. She knows everything as if she's the creator of the world.

I'm as greedy as it may seem but, I have a reason for this.

“She’s still unstable. The doctor says it would be great for her if she confined herself more in her room and went out every morning.” he answered while opening the wine he chose.

“If you're thinking of asking her to lend you a hand to find your family,” he paused and looked at me with darting eyes as if he would kill me. “I dare you not. Let her rest and recover, bedsides it's not her problem in the first place.” he shrugged.

He's right, I can't let Azi suffer from lending a hand to me once more. I was the one who triggered her trauma in the first place. I'm her brother, I'm the eldest, I need to be the one who can protect them not me who they need to protect. I'm not a coward. I'm Hades Karma Altair for a reason.

“How’s the Philippines?” Aris asked.

We're currently at the bar having a chat when Azi and Eres enter. They went to the Philippines to meet the investors. They are the ones I asked for, because I got work to do here.

“Nothing’s new.” bored na sagot ni Eres habang papalapit samin habang si Azi naman ay umupo na sa couch.

“Is there any news?” I asked as I sip my brandy.

Azi sighed deeply before she answered. “Nothing.” walang ganang tugon ni Azi. “I can't find them. It's so hard.” reklamo pa nito.

I don't ask for Azi's help but she is doing this as a favor.

I remembered when she went furious at me because she learned that Aoife left me with my daughter. She said to me that I just let a precious crystal gem get lost. And she's right, I'm a jerk for letting it go.

I can't even use my card as an elderly to Azi, especially when she gets mad. She's the shield that protects this family and we're all just hiding in her shadow. However, she always uses her heiress’ card to command us, her brothers, when it is really in need and if the situation requires an approach of an heiress.