THE ONE

EIGHT

The vine
Pub & Grill

Jasmine waved at Barbie as she walked into the pub and beckoned her to their table by the window. Her weekend had been disastrous and she needed to vent before making any life-changing decisions.

"Please start at the top. I didn't understand. What you were saying on the phone." Barbie said sitting opposite Jasmine and waiting for an explanation.

"How do I begin to explain a situation I cannot even comprehend?"

"Well, you have to start somewhere because I skipped work and I love my job even though you are the boss."

Jasmine took a deep breath, "Ise has a child. A daughter" She said.

"What? I obviously did not hear properly." Barbie pretended to clean

 her ears, "From where? How is that even possible?" She asked.

"He had an affair and the result was a seven-year-old child who is an exact replica."

"Hold up! Are you sure about the child's paternity?"

"Yes."

"Why are you just finding out now?"

Jasmine folds her arms, "He had no idea about her existence until the child's mother passed 

away some weeks ago leaving behind a will that states Ise as her sole guardian and proprietor of the estate."

Barbie was in shock and still trying to wrap her head around the affair and child. What amazed her most was Jasmine's cool and calm nature. She wasn't crying or showing anger. She just seemed indifferent about the whole situation.

"How do you feel about all this?"

"Like I don't have any more tears to shed or anger to show especially, for Ise."

Barbie held her hand whispering words of encouragement, "Right now, you are allowed to feel any way but don't let it become you. No man or woman on earth is worth making you devoid of emotion or happiness. That child will always be a reminder of your husband's mistake and she should not suffer for it." She said hugging Jasmine.

Jasmine smiled, "So how are things between you and Nick?"

Barbie sighed, "It is going well. He has hinted at a meeting with his mother and I am nervous. But Lily is very excited about meeting her potential new grandmother." She said putting two fingers in the air mimicking a quotation sign.

Jasmine laughed, "I can imagine. You both deserve to be happy after all that happened between yourself and Michael." She said.

"My greatest fear at the moment is Lily finding out the truth about her father."

"Do you think she won't ever find out?" Jasmine asked.

"I fear she might," Barbie replied.

Jasmine takes her hand, "Whatever happens she is going to need her mother."

"Thank you, Jazz. I hope she doesn't hate me or her dad. I don't think I could handle such a reaction from her." She said

"When that time comes, we would cross it together. I got you, girl."

Barbie hugged her, "same here babe, always and forever." She replied.

They signaled the waiter and gave their orders. A few minutes later, they seemed happier and relaxed eating and chatting up on other topics. Not long after, Jasmine paid the bill and they both left the pub promising to call and check in as they drove off to their different destinations.