Daime's Arrival [1]

"I never knew that I would meet you here in the Philippines after you moved away. Well, you did tell me before that you are moving away but in some country down south of Asia.

I was skeptical at first, but I know that you won't lie to me after everything that had happened to us.

Between me and my grandmother, I still have the power to escape. But when you told me that you are leaving the country, I had to start planning my escape again. 

When I say again, I do meant again."

Aiden frowns at the thought of Primo escaping again. He remembers Daime telling him that Primo goes back to Switzerland after getting more buff and bulk than his other cousins.

Aiden thought that Daime is joking at that time. But he didn't know that it is somewhat true after Primo had just said his side of the story. 

"I went back home to Switzerland after meeting Daime in the Philippines and made sure that Grandma would be satisfy on my visit, in hopes that she might change her mind of bringing Daime to this country just to spy on me.

But during my visit, one of my cousins, Bran, tells me that the reason why Daime is in the Philippines is to find the hidden gem of the Matautia Clan group and not me. 

But this little dipshit has other reasons as to why he went here in the Philippines."

Primo looks at Daime with a glare as Daime sighs and laughs at his older cousin.

"Well, Grandmama's reason to bring me here is to find the gem but my own personal reason is to find you."

Aiden does not know what to expect when he heard about the hidden gem of the Matautia Clan group. He doesn't know that there is something like that exists inside of his own family.

He smiles at Daime and Primo as the two talk about their plans for tonight. But Aiden is much more interested at what Primo's reaction when Daime arrives to the Philippines.

"I was kind of expecting it because of my other cousin, Natalie."

Aiden frowns his brows when he hears the familiar name. Based on Aiden's reaction, Primo can say that Aiden do not recall meeting his lawyer of a cousin.

He wants to help him but Aiden suddenly perks up and asks about Natalie and why her name sounds really familiar.

"Yup, she is the lawyer that you met earlier."

Aiden nods his head in understanding and waits for Primo's next statement as he learns more about the two before answering them about their question from days ago. 

"Okay, let me tell you my side of the story about my reaction when I found out that I need to go to the Philippines on my own."

***

It has been years when Primo escaped Switzerland. Many of us had dreamt of escaping Grandmama's clutches but none were successful. Alex had died and Primo is not there when it happened. 

But we all know that he heard about it and I am pretty sure that he is mad about it. I sigh as I walk along the hallways of the mansion. Everyone is on guard in case someone would try to escape like Primo. 

My mother is with Grandmama right now and I think they are talking about me transferring to another country and study there. It has been a plan for almost years now but since Primo hasn't been found, they postponed it.

My father is waiting for me outside of the conference room. I bow at him and he only smiles at me. My father and I were never close since he rarely shows any emotions and sympathy towards his kids.

It could also the reason why I am mostly close to my cousins rather than my family. My sister is not here and my brother is busy working his ass off so I am the only one who they give a hard time choosing which country to study.

Finally, the deliberation is done and Grandmama finally found a university is the South Eastern border of Asia, Philippines. I didn't know a country with that name exists. 

But when I looked at the map of the world, I see it there, looking so small compared to China. I sigh and nod at Grandmama, whose lips were in thin line. Seeing this, I know that she is mad about something.

The reason could be because it has been five or six years since she had seen Primo. For such a missing person, those years were too much. Those years made him sound like he is dead or something.

I sigh and walk back to my room. It looks like I need to pack all of my things that I need to survive Philippines. My mother already gave me the bank account that I will use in the country. 

I am packing up my clothes in the trolley when one of my cousins knocks on the door. I look up and see Drax at the doorway, leaning by the door frame and looking straight into my eyes.

Second generation Santoros are really scary. Their presence were intimidating and they look like they are about to kill someone when they are around. Drax is one of those people.

I stare at Drax for longer a second when he suddenly came forward and leans down on me. He stares to my eyes and sighs, whispering an important information that I did not expected.

"Just act normal when you are at the airport. Grandmama would say goodbye to you there. Don't tell this to anybody, understood?"

I could only nod because I am scared of him. Messing with one of the oldest generation of Santoros is never in my bucket list. Primo is scary enough to keep me in place. 

It was dinner time when Grandmama gave me the passport and the plane ticket to Philippines. She gave me all sorts of information and things that might help them to find Primo. 

I am the first person to go to the Philippines, to study and to find the at the same time.

She is expecting too much from me and I don't want to disappoint her.

Morning came and I immediately put everything in the car while my other cousins starting to wake up to bid farewell to me. I ended up sleeping last night while thinking of the things I need to do when I reached the Philippines.

My mother kisses me on the cheeks and my father gives me a hug. Grandmama nods at them and my cousins bid farewell to me. I wave them goodbye and we are on our way.

The car ride to the airport is quiet and eerie. I am waiting for further instruction from Grandmama regarding about Primo but she didn't say anything at all. Airport is just a kilometer away when she suddenly clears her throat.

"You don't have to find the gem in the Philippines since we don't have any connections to that country. But if you know anyone that could help us, please convince them to do so.

We need to find the gem as soon as possible. Do you understand, Slyvystre?"

I nod at her as the driver opens the door of the airport. She kisses me on the cheeks and bids her farewell. I bow at her and I am on my way to the Philippines, where the man that they are looking for is waiting for my arrival.

Thirteen hours in and the plane lands in the Philippines soil. I am exhausted because of the long hour flight and the plane food was really tacky. I can't believe that I have the stomach to eat that food.

I sigh as I walk down the plane and into the tunnel towards the door of the airport. I went pass the immigration office and the baggage lounge and currently waiting for the person that will pick me up.

Out in the distance of the crowd, I see large flashcard with my name on it. I follow the sign until the end of the line were the gates will be opened for me enter the parking lot. 

I look at the man who is holding the sign and asks me to follow him to the car. I follow quietly while pulling the trolley from behind and carrying my large backpack.

When we reached the car parked under a small tree, the man removes his black mask and faces me. I see those ocean blue eyes and long lashes. My eyes widen in surprise and I almost exclaim when I see him.

There standing in front of me is the man that everyone thinks is dead after a very long time of escaping and hiding from Grandmama. With a smile on his face, he looks up to me and chuckles.

"Welcome to the Philippines, Daime."