Refusing To Marry Cinco

CHAPTER 4

CASHAY was stunned when Cinco entered the bar where they had agreed to meet. They have been without communication for almost four months now. Not after the night they mutually decided to cool off. They understood each other that night so no more calls, texts, nothing.

It was as if it was only in that moment that she realized how handsome Cinco was. He looked younger in her eyes. His eyes had more life and he was just... handsome.

He casually approached her and kissed her on the cheeks. "Hi, beautiful. Long time."

Her face wanted to get warm. She was shocked by his familiar actions that sent a strange feeling down her spine. It was something she couldn't quite fathom.

"Yeah, long time." She smiled at him. "How are you?"

"Not so good. My shootings are shelved because all of my financial aid was cut off and I'm still looking for potential sponsors so I can finish this movie that I've already started."

"Haven't you been shooting before for a—"

"That one was done already. I'm just waiting for booking. But this one that I just started, it has a commercial value and it's gonna be shown on big screens. I am producing this film but I've already ran dry and it's still not enough."

"So it's really true that they're also squeezing you hard?

"You too?"

"I've been taking a lot of heat lately. Ever since I refused to get back with you."

"Is that so?" he smiled and ordered a beer for himself. "At least you won't be financially harassed since the comptroller is your boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? He's not my boyfriend yet. And he's just the comptroller, not the owner."

"You're right. And the owner is our grandparents' friend." Cinco said.

"I actually feel bad because fate and bad luck seem to gang up on me. One of my shipments was late, there were incorrect orders and some were damaged when they were delivered." She shook her head as she remembered her heated episode yesterday with some officials. She could feel even Jeremy was disappointed when they learned there has been a miscommunication between her office and their supplier in Hong Kong.

"But you're still working for them?"

"I don't know. I might not be anymore after next week. They're putting me in a very difficult position."

"Same sentiments here."

"So, you and Shannon, huh?" She had to asked.

"We're dating but, nothing exclusive." Cinco answered. "And you, you mean Jeremy is still really not your boyfriend?"

"Of course not. We haven't even kissed yet." Cashay answered truthfully.

"You haven't even kissed yet?!" Cinco asked as if he was so surprised. She could almost see some kind of spark in his eyes that she's afraid to discover. She's thinking whether the news made him happy or maybe she's just sick.

"I am not in a hurry."

"I'm not in a hurry, too."

Silence reigned between them after that exchange.

"So, what are we gonna do?" She asked after a long awkward silence.

"I've decided to weather this one out. I'll lie low for a while or make myself busy finding people who would be willing to take a risk and be my producer. We will see after a few months." Cinco drank from his glass of beer. "How about you? What are you gonna do?"