1954, Port of Manila, PHILIPPINES

As the ship docked, Zephyr took his final look at his dictionary. A man approached him looking at his book.

“Whatcha readin’, buddy?”

“It’s a dictionary. Haven’t been here for a long time so I’m familiarizing myself again with the language.”

“How long have you been abroad?”

“A while,” Zephyr smiled. He couldn’t say he was gone for around three hundred fifty-something years. That would be weird to say to a random man who was just trying to make small talk.

People started going down the ship and Zephyr tipped his hat to the man and went his way. He looked around in the terminal for his name and saw a scrawny young man with an upside down placard that seemed to spell “Amihan”. He sighed as he walked towards him. “I see you didn’t get my letter.”

“Oh sorry, sir. I’m looking for someone else.”

Zephyr gave a frustrated squint at him but decided to let it go. “It’s me, I’m Amihan. But I prefer you use my new name, Zephyr Hahn.”

The young man seemed to process it then finally realize it was him. “I’m so sorry! When I received a letter from Zephyr Hahn I thought the mail just got mixed up. And I assumed you’d be…”

He eyed Zephyr head to toe but didn’t continue with his sentence. He continued to welcome him with a handshake. “I’m Lucas Kasay, the secretary.”

“I see. I didn’t expect the Secretary, himself, to meet me. I-”

“Oh no, I’m not the Secretary. I’m the Secretary’s secretary. Sir Solano Martin is the secretary. I should probably just introduce myself as Lucas.” he said, sheepishly.

They walked to a shiny black sedan which Lucas drove. Zephyr did not think he was old enough to drive. And his driving skills did not seem on par with someone old enough to drive. As they drove through Manila Bay, he heard shouts of words from other drivers that were definitely not in the dictionary he was reading. “Stop the car, Lucas. I’m driving.”

“But how will you know-”

“Just tell me where the Esperanza house is as I drive.”

Once he was driving, Zephyr felt at ease. 

“You drive well for a…uh, how old are you?” said Lucas.

“I stopped counting years ago, but I’m around four hundred?”

“Oh yeah,” said Lucas. There was an awkward quietness for a while until Lucas spoke another word.  “Sophie’s house is kinda a long drive. It’s the next city from here.”

“Of course, yes, the girl. Tell me more about her.”

“Ah, you were summoned by her family to be her guardian. Since you’re, well, immortal-”

“I know that. I meant, tell me more about what she’s like.”

“Oh!” Lucas brightened. “Well, she’s very beautiful, and kind. I like it when she dresses in lilac. It suits her very well. And she has this look when she talks-”

Zephyr laughed. Of course, Lucas was a young man. “You seem to have a crush on her.”

Lucas looked flustered. “Well, she’s getting married to the biggest mafia don in this country so it kinda won’t work out. Anyway, she doesn’t like me that way.”

“Hey, Zephyr?” said in a small voice. Although Zephyr was focused on the road, he felt Lucas’  gaze. “You’ll protect her right?”

“Lucas,” Zephyr sighed. “You just told me that I’m gonna be her guardian. Forever.”

────── ⋆⋅ 𖤓 ⋅⋆ ──────

ESPERANZA HOUSE, Makati

The rest of the journey was filled with Lucas’ tireless chatter. Young people have so much energy, Zephyr thought. Zephyr himself didn’t look an age over someone in their mid twenties, but that was because he was cursed with immortality at that age. 

He thought he’d never see his family again. Especially since they were the ones that cursed him. But when he received the letter in America from a family named “Esperanza” claiming they were the descendants and that they needed him, he felt intrigued.

They entered the estate and parked the car in front. He was greeted by a maid who led him to the lounge area and he saw that Lucas followed along after locking the car. The maid said they’d bring the family in, shortly. Zephyr was not anxious but he wondered if they’d look like him or his family centuries ago. 

Inside walked an older woman with a beautiful younger lady. The matriarch and her daughter didn’t have his tan skin or wide nose. He was disappointed to see more colonial features on both of them. He felt as if his family was truly gone. 

A smaller figure entered the room. She walked, hunched, and slowed. She moved in an almost sickly manner. Her youth was taken away by her assumed illness. But she smiled at him. And in her, Zephyr saw his cousin. She still had the same mestiza features that the matriarch and daughter had but she had the smile, the same brightness, as his cousin did. 

Zephyr saw Lucas brighten as well. “Hi, Sophie.” he said, trying to contain his happiness.

The sickly lady waved at him. “It’s nice to see you again, Lucas.” she said. She then looked at Zephyr with her kind smile. “Hello, how would you like me to call you? You must be the guardian my mother was talking about.”

That was Sophie? She was plainer than how Lucas said she would be but she did look kind. 

“My name is Zephyr Hahn. I’m your ancestor from let’s say around four centuries ago. I’ll make sure to be ready at your side at all times.”

Sophie nodded. “That’s wonderful. Since you will be at my side, you must meet Dani. She’s my personal physician.”

Sophie’s mother called the physician. She went down the stairs. Instead of donning  the usual doctor’s coat, Dani wore the latest fashion, sporting a dress with a marigold print. She had intelligent eyes and had a sophisticated air. She looked young, almost younger than her patient. 

“My name is Dani Blanca. I look forward to working with you.” 

She reached out her hand which Zephyr shook. He was relieved in his head as he shook it. She didn’t seem suspicious. He looked into her eyes which were dark and almost mesmerizing.

“I’d rather you not stare.” Dani said. 

“I wasn’t-”

Dani let go of his hand. She looked disinterested in what she had to say. 

“I hope you two will get along,” said Sophie. “I don’t really know what to expect in marrying a vampire but I hope with you two, I’ll be able to handle it with grace.”