Giovannie’s Point of View

It was already dawn when I got home from the hospital. I didn’t want to leave yet, but they insisted—and besides, Mama had already called me. That night, I couldn’t sleep. My eyes were wide open as I lay on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Frammers, on the other hand, was fast asleep in his little basket bed.
I still couldn’t believe what I had just learned. She’s Dean’s daughter. She’s Daron—Denim and Devon’s sister. And… she’s an agent. A secret agent, to be exact. And during that festival, when I was kidnapped, it was her who saved me. Her whole life was spent protecting me. And yet, I had the nerve to hurt her… to look at her with disgust.
I dragged my hand over my face and sat up on my bed with a sigh. I glanced at the wall clock—3:23 AM—and I still couldn’t sleep. I lay back down, rolling around the bed like a lunatic. I tried to close my eyes, hoping sleep would come, but it didn’t. So, I sat back up and sighed again.
I got up and went to the bathroom to relieve myself. After that, I returned to my room and sat in front of my study table. I opened my laptop, and the moment my screen lit up, a smile tugged at my lips. My wallpaper was a photo of Mavis and me—she was hugging me while I was kissing her forehead. We wore matching black couple hoodies.
I opened a file where I had saved a video I made. It was a slideshow of our photos, set to This I Promise You as background music. At first, I watched with a soft smile, but the longer I stared, the more my eyes welled up. I bit my lip to hold back the sob. The heaviness in my chest was unbearable—it was driving me insane.
Suddenly, there was a knock on my door. I stood to open it, but it opened before I could reach the knob. Mama came in, her face heavy with sadness as she walked toward me.
“Gio, anak…” she said softly.
I rushed into her arms and cried like a child, sobbing into my mother’s embrace. It was what I needed more than anything at that moment.
“M-Mama…” I whimpered. “It hurts. It hurts so much.”
“Shhh,” she murmured, ruffling my hair gently. “Just cry it out. I’m here now, okay? I’m here.”
That night, I cried myself to sleep in her arms.
The next morning, I woke up around ten. I didn’t really want to get up, but I thought of visiting the hospital. I quickly showered and didn’t bother picking out clothes. I skipped breakfast and only bid my family a quick goodbye before rushing out and driving back to the hospital.
As I drove, I felt restless. I didn’t know why, but an uneasiness settled over me, an anxious dread I couldn’t explain. I tried to ignore it, despite the gnawing feeling in my chest.
When I arrived, I spotted Kobe’s and Denim’s cars in the parking lot. I rushed inside. I was about to approach the Nurse Station when I heard someone call my name—Kobe. His face was worried, full of unease. Denim and Devon stood beside him, their expressions pale and unreadable.
“What’s going on? Why do you all look like that? Did something happen?” I asked one question after another, my anxiety flaring.
“They’re gone, Gio,” Kobe said, rubbing his face. “They’re not here anymore. They’re not in the hospital.”
My brows furrowed as I raked a hand through my hair. “What? You must be mistaken. Maybe they were transferred to another room.”
“We already asked all the doctors and nurses last night,” Denim replied. “We checked with the Nurse Station, too. They said they were discharged.”
“What about Hayes? He was confined here too, right?” I asked, clinging to hope.
“Even him,” Devon answered quietly.
I wiped my face again, my jaw clenching. “Maybe they were transferred to another hospital?” I asked hopefully, but Kobe shook his head.
“I don’t want to think this way,” Devon said, “but I think… they left the country.”
I pulled out my phone and tried calling Yvo and Bolt. Nothing. I couldn’t get through to either of them. Frustrated, I nearly threw my phone. We left the hospital and headed to Mavis’s condo. We asked the receptionist at the Information Desk, but she said no one lived there anymore.
“Miss, are you sure?” I asked, still hoping.
She shook her head. “Yes, sir. A man about your age processed her clearance forms last night.”
Yvo.
Our next stop was Bolt’s family mansion. The place was eerily quiet, like it had been abandoned.
“Kuya, are the Harringtons home?” Devon asked the guard at the gate.
“They left last night, ma’am. Sir Chord and Sir Bolt.”
“Did they say where they were going?”
“They said they were flying back to Bahrain. They had things to attend to there.”
“Did they mention when they’d return?” she asked, her voice hopeful.
The guard shook his head. “No, ma’am. But… are you Ms. Devon Demeri?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Sir Bolt left a letter for you.”
He handed her a folded note. She opened it and read it aloud for all of us to hear.
'Don’t wait for me. I’m not coming back anymore. Please continue living.' —Bolt Harrington

Devon’s tears fell instantly. No. Please, no. Tell me this isn’t happening.
We drove to Yvo’s place next. Again, silence. No signs of life.
“Kuya, is Yvo Summers home?” I asked the guard.
He shook his head. “No, sir. Their entire family left last night.”
My heart began to race. Maybe they just left to have Mavis treated abroad? Maybe… maybe they’ll come back.
“Did they say when they’ll return?” I asked nervously.
“No, sir. But Sir Yvo did leave a letter for you.”
The guard handed me a folded paper. We all exchanged glances before I finally swallowed the lump in my throat and read it aloud.
'Some people are going to leave, but that’s not the end of your story. That’s the end of their part in your story.'
Bro, this is Yvo. By the time you read this, we’re probably gone. But we just want you to know—we’re happy. Happy that you all came into our lives. Merville, Mavis, and I are thankful we got to meet you. Our friendship was the most unforgettable part of our high school life. We may not graduate together, but the memories we made with the eight of us will always be cherished. Let’s count Hayes and Luna in, too—just to make it even more fun. Haha.

I swallowed hard.
I know things started to get confusing. Maybe you even started doubting us. And yes, we’re not who you think we are. We’re something else entirely. Protecting you was our mission—and honestly, it was the most exciting one we’ve had. Our previous jobs? Just busting contraband and shady deals. Boring. But this one? It was different. We agreed right away. But please, let’s keep our identities between us, okay? And about Mavis’s classmates—please ask them to keep quiet, too. She’ll kill me if she finds out I told you everything. But let's keep it a secret, okay? Haha! I don’t want to die young. My sister has a temper.

Also—Denim. You better have a girlfriend by the time we meet again! Haha. Next time, you’re treating us! And don’t worry—I’ll look for one, too, so it’s fair. But really… I’m grateful. Our friendship may have been short-lived, but I know it was solid.
#UnbreakableBond

P.S.: This is the hardest part. We blocked all your numbers. For your safety. Our mission isn’t done yet. We have to keep our distance. I hope you understand. Sorry for leaving without saying goodbye properly. Mavis and Merville weren’t awake yet when we left—we had to rush. And even if I had the chance, I probably wouldn’t say goodbye. It’s hard, you know? Hard to let go when you’re unsure if you’ll ever return. But if we never do… I hope you remember that all of us had a role in each other’s lives. And that’s something worth smiling about. If we ever meet again… I can’t wait.

For Kobe, Devon, and Giovannie— don’t give up on something you still know is worth fighting for. Waiting is hard, but regret is harder.

—The Summers
I slumped into my seat, shoulders falling. I turned to the guard. “Do you know where they went?” I asked weakly.
He shook his head. “No, sir. They didn’t say.”
Back home, I collapsed onto my bed. I dragged my hands across my face, messing up my hair. Frammers sat in front of me, confused, his head tilted, tongue slightly out.
I burst into tears again. I was fragile. She was gone. She left—with no promise of returning. My heart was breaking.
I screamed. I stood up, pulled my comforter, sobbing and screaming as I tore at it in frustration. I broke down. When I finally grew tired, I sank to the floor, resting my back against the bed. I pulled my knees up and buried my head in my arms, raking my fingers through my hair.
It hurt. So badly. The reality that she left was painful—but the uncertainty of her return… that was what was slowly killing me.
Will I ever see her again?
I sobbed uncontrollably.
There’s no guarantee they’ll come back.
But I’m willing to wait. Even if it takes years, I’ll wait.
For her.
For my Vaney.
©rrrrrylleism