All Chapters of Chasing Giovanni: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

“H-How?” “I want to believe her,” Rios sighed. “But as a doctor, I say it might be just a hallucination. Given the trauma and stress, the brain can imagine things—especially people they miss or feel safe with.”Naiwan siyang tigagal sa kinatatayuan nang makaalis si Sevirious. Para siyang binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa narinig. Habang nagpapakasaya siya ay, wala siyang kamalay-malay na nasa bingit pala ng kamatayan ang kaibigan. “Love, come on.” “Bakit hindi mo sa akin sinabi?”“You just survived a head injury. What kind of husband would I be if I gave you more to worry about?”“Puntahan natin si Tori.”“We will. But not now.”“Pero—” Kinabig ni Giovanni ang kanyang baywang. “We will visit her during your check-up. Rios said she’s stable now. Don’t worry.” Tumango si Summer. Ngunit sa utak niya ay maraming gustong malaman tungkol sa kidnapping kay Tori at ang sinasabi nitong buhay si Tito-Handsome.

CHAPTER 14 Giovanni only needed three phone calls. The next day, a hidden forest estate in Southshire was reserved, the glass altar was halfway built, and the scent of wild orchids filled the air. A moss-covered aisle cut through the center, lined with wooden chairs on both sides.Bawat upuan ay nababalutan ng puting tela na at maliliit na bulaklak. May mga fairylights at lanterns na nakasabit sa mga puno na siyang nagbibigay mala-gintong liwanag sa lugar. “Mommy, look me baby princess fairy.” Kita ang gilagid sa pagkakabungisngis na umikot si Autumn. Bagay na bagay rito ang suot na autumn fairy theme dress. Naghahalo ang orange, brown at gold na mga kulay at may mga naglaglagan na dahon sa palda nito. “You look so pretty.” “You too, Mommy.” Matunog siya nitong h inalikan sa pisngi bago lumipat sa daddy nito. Yumakap at humalik din si Lucian sa kanya. “You’re so pretty, Mama Sammy. Like a fairy.” Ilang sandali

A loud noise bangs at the door. Armed men entered the room, ready to rain bullets on him. But the Channing helicopter was already outside. Tila kidlat sa bilis na hinagip niya si Lucian at iginulong ang sarili sa likod ng pader kasabay ng pagratrat ng machine gun. Sunod-sunod na rin ang putukan at pagsabog sa labas ng malaking bahay. Maraming tauhan si Ludwig, hindi biro ang mga armas. When the helicopter’s gunfire stopped, the room became a blood-soaked butcher’s floor. “Get out there. Now!” matigas na wika ni Earl sa kabilang linya. Marami pang paparating na mga tauhan at hindi kakayanin ng tatlong helicopter na paikot-ikot. “Cover me,” he answered, and made a few taps on his wrist device. Dinampot niya ang de-kalibreng baril habang bitbit niya sa isang kamay si Lucian na wala karea-reaksyon. Kinuha nito sa kamay niya ang kalibre kwarenta y singko. “It’s dangerous.”

CHAPTER 17 “Capt? Sh!t! Finally!” Namimilog ang mga mata ni Keene sa screen ng laptop ni Rozen. Nasa opisina siya ng kapatid sa loob ng Vesarius’ airline habang hinihintay si Congressman Arguello. “Hey!” “You never reply to my emails. The troop misses you. When are you coming back?” “I’m suspended. Indefinite,” sagot niya. “How’s everyone holding up? How’s your head?” May benda pa ito sa ulo kahit wala ng bakas ng mga pasa ang mukha. “Still grounded—Dad hasn’t given the green light. Others are on R&R.”R&R means authorized leave time. “Why?” “We don’t want another Captain.” “I got them killed,” tukoy niya sa mga kasamahan na namatay sa huling operasyon ng grupo. “We were ambushed,” he corrected. “Don’t listen to Hawthorne. You know he has a personal grudge against Lt. Vesarius.” “You’re just saying that because you’re looking up to dad.” Ngumisi ito sa kanya at halos magningning pa ang mata. “Hawthorne’s planning to dissolve ODA-3213, and stand up a new unit,” im

GIOVANNI isn’t stupid not to notice. May naalala na ang asawa niya. Summer was strong-willed, impulsive and hot-headed. Kaya hindi niya nababasa sa mga galaw nito ngayon kung bakit hindi pa siya kino-kompronta. Maybe being in the military for years taught his wife how to control emotions. “Daddy?”Yumuko siya para buhatin ang bagong gising na si Autumn. Buhaghag ang kulot-kulot nitong buhok subalit, ang ganda-ganda pa rin.“You’ve been waking up early these days. What’s wrong?” “Want ko makita si Luci because he might leave again. I don’t away na him po.” “Your brother will not go anywhere.” Nanulis ang namumula-mulang nguso ng bata. “But he went with oldies last time. Hatid mo pa nga po siya, Daddy.” “That was a mistake, Lovey. Forget about it, hmn…” Tumangu-tango ito bago naglalambing na humilig muli sa kanyang balikat. Cute na cute na humikab kaya hinele niya para bumalik sa pagtulog. Lucian didn’t breathe a word about Cones. But, Giovanni knows the little boy is trying