The first time Chloe Beltran met Vince Crisostomo, it wasn't at a wedding fitting or a client brunch — it was in the middle of a flower warehouse in Marikina.
She was checking suppliers for the rush order, trying to secure peonies that shouldn't even be blooming in this season. Bella had been very specific — white peonies with blush tips, no substitutes. Chloe's usual supplier had called in a favor, telling her to meet someone who could help.
She hadn't expected him.
"Miss Beltran?" the man asked, walking toward her with measured steps, dressed in a plain gray polo and jeans. No fanfare, no bodyguards, no hint of the wealth Bella had hinted at.
"Yes. And you are...?"
"Vince. Vince Crisostomo."
Chloe blinked.
The groom?
He extended a hand, and she took it, surprised by the firmness of his grip — warm, steady.
"Bella asked me to help you with the flowers. Sabi niya, mas kabisado mo raw ang gusto niya, so I'm just the driver-slash-courier today."
"Ah... thank you," Chloe said, suddenly aware of how fast her heart was beating.
He was attractive, yes. But not in the loud, effortless way Bella was. Vince had a quiet kind of charm — like the kind you don't notice at first... until you realize you've been looking too long.
"Peonies," he said, eyeing the crates behind her. "Mahilig si Bella sa mahirap hanapin."
"Tell me about it," Chloe muttered before catching herself. "Sorry, that was unprofessional."
Vince chuckled. "It's okay. Mahilig ka rin ba sa mahirap?"
Chloe froze for a second.
"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice lower.
"I mean... your job. Weddings. Emotions. Unpredictable clients. Fast deadlines. Sounds hard."
Chloe smiled faintly. "Hindi mahirap kapag passion mo. I like watching love unfold."
"So you've seen a lot of couples?"
"Too many," she said, flipping through her clipboard. "Some faking it. Some doing it for family. Others just rushing. But the best ones? Yung tahimik lang. Walang social media drama. They just... choose each other quietly."
Vince studied her face for a beat.
"You sound like someone who's been in love," he said.
Chloe looked up. "I've never been."
"Talaga?"
"Hindi naman kailangan maranasan para maintindihan."
He nodded slowly. "Maybe. Pero iba pa rin 'pag naramdaman mo mismo."
There was something about the way he said it — not teasing, not flirtatious — just... sad. Like he was remembering someone who never stayed.
"You don't look like someone rushing into marriage," Chloe said before she could stop herself.
Vince's expression didn't change, but his silence was heavy.
"Does Bella know you're here?" she added, shifting the conversation.
"She told me to assist. Besides," he said, looking at the pale blooms being packed in boxes, "I wanted to meet the planner."
"Why?"
"Curious."
"About what?"
"You."
Chloe swallowed, trying to focus on the flowers. But she felt his gaze — not intense, not invasive — just honest. And that was worse somehow.
"You're different from what I imagined," he added. "Bella said you're efficient, direct, and hard to impress."
"Those aren't bad things."
"They're not." He paused. "But she didn't mention you're kind."
Chloe blinked, unsure how to reply.
"Pasensya na," Vince added. "I tend to notice things."
"What else do you notice?"
Vince looked at her then — really looked.
"Your eyes," he said. "They move before your words do. You're always thinking ten steps ahead."
Chloe's breath caught.
"And your smile?" he continued. "You give it to people to make them feel comfortable, but it rarely reaches your eyes."
"Wow," she said, lightly laughing to cover the tremble in her chest. "That's a very specific analysis, Mr. Crisostomo."
"Engineer ako," he said with a small grin. "I observe patterns."
"Too well, apparently," she murmured.
They worked in silence for a while after that, sorting out logistics with the supplier. But something shifted. The air between them felt charged — not romantic, not yet. But aware.
When they were done, Vince helped carry the crates to her van.
"You didn't have to," she said as he placed the last box.
"I wanted to," he said simply. "Not everything has to be transactional, Chloe."
She met his eyes, and for a brief moment, she forgot he was someone else's groom.
"You're... not what I expected either," she admitted.
"Good or bad?"
"I haven't decided yet."
Vince smiled — not the practiced kind, but something gentler. "Let me know when you do."
He walked away after that, heading to his own car, not waiting for thanks.
Chloe sat inside her van for a full minute before starting the engine.
Don't fall in love with him, Bella had warned.
Chloe had laughed that off.
But now, as the scent of peonies filled her small van and Vince's words echoed in her head, she wasn't so sure she was laughing anymore.
23Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6aCRRH1OT
