With a deep breath and wiping the sweat off his cheeks, Dio looked at Jasmine and Antoinnette ready to tell his compelling story.
Dio: “My partner and fiancĂ© Pablo is the head chef at The Conquistador Resort and he’s good friends with the general manager. He has a space available to allow me to open a salon. The only catch for me! …All I have to do is to prove to be a professional and not some amateur off the beach. I came to Canada to prove it by taking the hairstyling course at the college. I do miss him a lot, but I want to work here to gain experience. Then I can go back to Puerto Rico and get my dream started.”
Antoinnette: “That’s a divine story. You’re certainly colourful, confident and motivated. Is there anything else?. And this Pablo? Partner? FiancĂ©? I’m a bit confused. Is Pablo’s sister your fiancĂ©?”
Jasmine: With a bit of a blushed look on her face, “Excuse me Miss A, there is a reason why Dio comes across as a colourful individual and up front with this story.”
Antoinnette: “What seems to be the problem dear? Am I missing something? You seem to be a tad unnerved.”
Jasmine: “Miss A. I need to pipe in quickly before we continue! He wears a colourful poncho for a reason, and Pablo is his fiancĂ©.”
At this point Antoinnette is now completely mortified as she just realized that she has just put this potential stylist in an uncomfortable position.
Antoinnette: “Oh, oh, oh. Excusez moi! I am terribly sorry. I hope I didn’t offend you.”
Jasmine: “Dio… I think she has it all figured out now.”
Dio: “No problema. She is a funny senorita. I am not offended.” With a quick glace to Jasmine he continues, “I do have a question for you… Did I get the job?”
With a subtle air of triumph, Jasmine looks at both individuals and gestures two thumbs up. Antoinnette gives Jasmine a return look and together they exclaim, “Dio… You’re in!”
Jasmine: “Welcome aboard, I’m glad that worked out. I will now introduce you to Mindy who will be running our salon.”
Antoinnette: “Welcome to the team. We should be up and running by September first.”
Dio: “Muchas, muchas, muchas gracias. I will just continue to deliver food until then.”
A few moments later Nelson entered the store in his usual demeanor to pick up Antoinnette. Nelson then placed his bags that he brought with him on the counter.
Antoinnette: “Brother dear. How was your golf game and by the way, what is in the bags you were carrying?”
Before Nelson had a chance to reply, Mindy quickly exclaims, “What ever it is, I can smell it from all the way over here.”
Nelson: Now smiling, replies, “Golf was excellent as usual. I was in such a good mood after a great day on the fairway, I decided to pick up lunch for everyone from Milligan’s Pub.”
Jasmine: “That is so kind of you. Before we start, I would like you to meet Dio Alvarez from Puerto Rico. He is the first stylist we hired.”
Dio: “Hola senor. I am Dio Alvarez. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Antoinnette: “What did you bring us for lunch?”
Nelson: “Pleased to meet you too, Dio, and lunch for today is taccooh..ohh…ohhs……”