Recognizing the siblings’ need for privacy, Jasmine wandered to the store’s front, casually checking her phone to appear distracted.
A few minutes past and the murmurs of French dialogue seemed to be getting louder. Jasmine tried her best to ignore their conversation, but all of a sudden a shriek was heard plain as day from Antoinnette. Jasmine was jolted and her eyes suddenly widened in surprise as to what had precipitated that piercing outcry.
Anntoinette: “Mon Petite Frere!!!!!!”
A few seconds later the two emerged from the room with Antoinnette in the lead and Nelson following close behind. She summoned Jasmine over giving a confident smile and a wink. Jasmine hesitantly walked back to see what their discussion was about. Nelson steps around Antoinnette and directly places himself in front of Jasmine. He proceeds in reaching out for Jasmine’s hand and confidently enclosed her hand in his with a gentle shake as in a promise.
Nelson: “Mademoiselle, I look very much forward to working with you on my sister’s little project for this place.”
For a moment Jasmine felt at ease even though the prior conversation between Nelson and Antoinnette seemed heated. Jasmine thought that Nelson seemed quite positive and genuinely seemed to be on board. With a grin back, she thanked them both.
Jasmine: “I’m not sure what say yet, but thank you both.”
In a witty manor Antoinnette asks, “Nelson dear. Might you have a notepad and something to write with? If so, may I use them s’il vous plait?”
Nelson: “Of course. Here you are.”
Antoinnette reached for the pad of paper and pen and paused for a moment. She then confidently wrote something on the pad. She smiled at Jasmine as she folded the piece of paper and handed it to her. Jasmine accepted it, opened it and began to read what Antoinnette had written.
Jasmine: “What is this? It’s just a digit, a number.”
Antoinnette: “This will be what your salary is every 2 weeks to make my venture run like a well oiled machine.”
With an ecstatic smile she exclaimes, “Oh my gosh! Are you serious?”
Remaining calm, yet curious Nelson asks, “May I see the paper s’il vous plait?”
Jasmine: “Of course.”
Jasmine locks eyes with Nelson and hands over the folded paper.
Nelson: “LES WHAT!? Sister dear!! We never discussed… THIS!!”
Antoinnette: “We just did, at the same time you read it. I am so pleased you have nooooo reservations. Now come over here and give your big sister a hug.”
Nelson, who just seemed to be put in his place, begins to clear his voice and adjust his collar. Before he speaks, Nelson shoots a cold stare to both Antoinnete and Jasmine.
Nelson: “Very well then! I will be waiting for you in my Suburban and and that will give you a few moments to finish up your conversation.”
As Nelson left, Antoinnette returns the conversation to Jasmine.
Anntoinette: “Don’t worry about him. He isn’t always grumpy. He only has a few things in life he totally loves. His family, being successful, his dogs, golf and the Maple Leafs.”
Jasmine: “The Maple Leafs? Not the Montreal Canadiens?”
Anntoinette: “Don’t hold that against him dear. He really is a wonderful person.”
Not to keep Nelson waiting outside, Antoinnette slowly extended out her hand to Jasmine. Jasmine glanced into Antoinnette’s eyes nervously with her eyebrows raised.
Anntoinette: “Do we have a deal? Oui oui?”
Jasmine: “Uuuuuummm.”
