"Hindi ka naman masyadong nag-iisip, 'no?"
Chloe nearly jumped as a cup of iced coffee landed in front of her.
"Thanks," she muttered, glancing up at Denise Santiago — her best friend since college, now a full-time marketing executive and part-time Chloe watchdog.
They were seated at their usual café in Quezon City, a quiet spot tucked behind a bookstore. Chloe had asked to meet for a quick break, but Denise saw right through her.
"You've been staring at that table napkin like it owes you money," Denise said, raising a brow. "Spill it."
Chloe sighed, stirring her drink. "I met the groom yesterday."
"Groom? As in the groom? Bella's groom?"
"Yeah."
Denise leaned in. "And?"
"He helped with the flower run. Si Bella kasi busy sa shoot, so siya 'yung pinasama sa akin."
Denise's eyes narrowed. "Let me guess — tall, tahimik, may pa-deep gaze?"
Chloe looked away.
"Oh. No. Chloe, no," Denise said, sitting back. "You did not catch feelings."
"I didn't."
"But you thought about it."
"I didn't—ugh, I'm a professional, okay?"
"Professional ka nga — but you're also human." Denise sipped her drink. "Anong sinabi ko sayo nung tinanggap mo 'tong wedding na 'to?"
Chloe rolled her eyes. "'Don't get emotionally involved.'"
"Exactly. Especially not with the groom. That's like Wedding Planning 101."
"I know," Chloe said. "And I'm not. He's just... not what I expected."
Denise crossed her arms. "Define 'not expected.'"
"He's... kind. Quiet. Observant. He listens, D. As in genuinely listens. He noticed things about me na kahit ikaw hindi pa nasasabi."
"Chloe."
"I know."
Denise softened. "Love, I get it. You've never had someone read you like that. But he's engaged. Hindi lang basta unavailable — about to marry someone you're working for."
"I'm not stupid," Chloe said quietly.
"I know you're not." Denise reached over to squeeze her hand. "Pero minsan kasi 'yung matatalino, 'yun din 'yung marunong magtago ng feelings hanggang masyado nang malalim."
Too late to climb out.
Chloe stayed quiet.
"I'm just saying," Denise continued, "Bella hired you for a reason. Maybe more than one. So keep your heart out of it. Or at least try."
"I'm trying," Chloe whispered.
Denise smiled a little. "Good. Kasi kung hindi, ako mismo magtatapon ng bouquet sa mukha mo."
They both laughed, but the weight in Chloe's chest didn't lift.
That night, Chloe lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her fairy lights cast a soft glow across the room, her mood board for Bella and Vince's wedding pinned above her workspace.
Soft blush, muted golds, forest green accents. Classic. Clean.
She traced the photo of the couple with her eyes — Bella in her usual poised smile, Vince just a step behind, hands tucked in his pockets, gaze slightly averted.
She closed her eyes.
"Your eyes move before your words do..."
She remembered how he looked at her — like he wasn't just seeing her, but understanding her.
Why do I keep playing it back?
She had met hundreds of grooms in her five years as a planner. Most were distracted, disinterested, some annoyingly cocky. But Vince? He was quiet, but present. He remembered small details, like the color of the ribbon she wore on her wrist.
You smile to make people feel comfortable, he'd said. But it rarely reaches your eyes.
Who says things like that to someone they just met?
Chloe sat up, restless. She grabbed her notepad and started scribbling things to do — finalize the dessert tasting, check with the string quartet, update Bella's pre-nup checklist.
And yet, halfway through the list, she wrote:
Don't fall for him.
Then scratched it out.
Then wrote it again.
The next morning, Chloe arrived at the venue early for Bella's first gown fitting. As usual, she was ahead of schedule — it gave her control, peace, structure.
But as she reviewed the setup with the designer, she caught herself glancing toward the door too often.
Looking. Waiting.
Don't, she warned herself.
Bella arrived a few minutes later, all glam and glow, air-kissing everyone in sight.
"He's not coming," she said to Chloe offhandedly, as she sipped on green juice.
Chloe blinked. "Who?"
"Vince," Bella replied, checking her reflection in the mirror. "He's not into fittings. Or anything wedding-related, really. Laging ako na lang ang nag-aasikaso. That's why I needed someone like you."
Chloe swallowed hard.
"Anyway," Bella said, spinning in her robe, "you look extra pretty today. May date ba ang favorite wedding planner ko?"
Chloe forced a smile. "None that I know of."
Bella winked. "Sayang. You deserve someone who really sees you, you know?"
Chloe froze.
It was a throwaway comment, casual and playful. But for some reason, it felt like a warning.
Or a test.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdG9zeVlMj
