Chapter 1: Crashed Into You

Chloe’s POV

Ang Bright Beginnings Kindergarten ay hindi lang basta pre-school- it's a chaotic masterpiece. Imagine a room filled with the smell of crayons, the sound of out-of-tune nursery rhymes, and kids having an infinite supply of energy.

Honestly, sanay na sanay na ako roon. Sa bawat "Teacher Chloe!" na naririnig ko, ramdam ko ang buhay sa loob ng classroom.

“Teacher Chloe! Si Jacob po nilagyan ako ng glue sa buhok!”

Napabuntong-hininga ako habang inaayos ang gulo. Sticky fingers, messy hair, and pure chaos. At twenty-five, ito na ang mundo ko. Wala akong designer bags, mamahaling kotse, o exciting love life.

Pero sapat na yung mga batang yumayakap sa akin na parang ako ang safest place nila sa mundo. Simple lang ang pangarap ko: makatulong sa mga bata at maibigay ang kailangan ni Mama para sa kanyang chemo.

Everything changed when my college roommate, Alexa Mendoza, burst into my office. “CHLOE DIMAANO!” She hugged me tight, smelling like expensive Chanel.

“I'm organizing the annual Villafuerte Charity Gala. And you’re invited.” Nabitawan ko ang dinosaur storybook na hawak ko. “The Villafuerte Group? Alexa, hindi ako

bagay doon.”

“Nonsense! It’s for charity. Raising funds para sa schools in rural areas,” she countered, knowing exactly how to hit my soft spot. “I already handled your gown. It’s white, elegant, and dangerously classy. No excuses, Chloe.”

Kinagabihan, hindi ako mapakali. Excitement does that to me—the thought of being surrounded by the elite made me excited. I ended up at my favorite bookstore café, my ultimate comfort place. It was late, the lights were dimmed, and the scent of old paper always had a way of grounding me.

Habang naglalakad ako sa aisles ng history section, a loud CRASH echoed through the silence. I hurried toward the noise, thinking maybe a shelf had finally given up. In the dimly lit aisle, a man was sitting on the floor, surrounded by fallen hardbounds. He looked like a mess, but a very expensive one. “I think galit sa akin yung bookshelf,” he muttered, rubbing his temple.

Biglang natawa ako . “Maybe the books just wanted your attention.”

When he looked up, I was starstruck. Hindi siya simpleng gwapo. He had dark, messy hair, sharp jawlines, and brown eyes that looked like liquid honey under the warm bookstore lights.

He was wearing a black suit that probably cost more than my entire apartment, but his tie was loose, and he looked… utterly exhausted.

Nagkasabay kaming yumuko para pulutin ang isang makapal na history book. Our fingers brushed against each other for a split second.

Electric.

I felt a jolt of heat travel from my fingertips straight to my chest. Mabilis kong binawi ang kamay ko, my heart thumping against my ribs. It was such a cliché moment, but the intensity was real.

“Sorry,” we said at the same time.

“I swear,” he said, his voice a deep, velvety baritone that made my skin tingle. “Hindi talaga ako clumsy. Pagod lang ang utak ko sa mga meetings na walang katapusan.”

“Meetings sound exhausting,” I whispered, conscious of how close he was. He smelled like citrus, expensive scotch, and something inherently masculine—a scent that started to feel intoxicating in the cramped space.

He stood up and offered a hand to help me up, though I was already standing. I took it anyway, just to feel that spark again. His palm was warm, his grip firm yet gentle.

“I’m Leo,” he introduced himself.

“Chloe,” I replied, my voice slightly breathless.

“So, Chloe… mahilig ka sa history?” He didn't let go of my hand immediately. The gaze he held was intense, searching for something deeper than just a casual conversation.

“My parents were teachers,” I managed to say, trying to ignore the heat rising to my cheeks. “Lagi nilang sinasabi sakin na importante raw malaman kung saan ka nagsimula para maintindihan mo kung saan ka papunta.”

Leo became silent. There was a lingering sadness in his eyes—isang bigat na tila gusto kong pagaanin. He stepped closer, evading my personal space, and for a moment, the world outside this aisle ceased to exist. The tension between us was thick, and suddenly, the bookstore felt too small for the two of us.

“You have a way with words, Chloe,” he murmured, his eyes dropping to my lips for a split second. I felt my knees weaken. Who was this guy? And why did it feel like we had known each other in a different lifetime?

Biglang tumunog ang phone niya, breaking the spell. He sighed, looking at the screen with pure annoyance. “My assistant. Kapag hindi ko sinagot ’to, baka magpadala na ng search party.”

“Then better answer it,” I teased, though my voice was shaky. I needed the distance, yet I wanted him to stay.

Bago niya sinagot ang tawag, he leaned in, his lips inches from my ear. I could feel his warm breath against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

“Thanks for the help, Chloe. Maybe… I’ll see you around?”

I smiled, my heart doing a frantic dance.

“Maybe.”

Pinanood ko siyang maglakad palabas. He walked with a certain power, yet his shoulders seemed burdened.

All I knew was that I couldn't wait to see the "History Guy" again.