Evelyn watched him.
She noticed something.
He hadn't smiled once.
He hadn't asked whether she was enjoying her afternoon.
He hadn't even looked her in the eye.
She didn't need special treatment.
She needed basic respect.
And that was exactly what she wanted to know.
Whether the resort still had it.
Twenty-five minutes later, the soup hadn't arrived.
Evelyn looked toward the kitchen.
Then toward Ethan.
He was serving another table.
She waited.
Another fifteen minutes.
Still nothing.
She finally stood.
Slowly.
She picked up her handbag.
Then she walked toward the restaurant entrance.
Ethan saw her.
"Ma'am?"
She stopped.
"Yes?"
"Are you leaving?"
"I believe so."
"Your food hasn't come yet."
"No."
Ethan looked confused.
"Why?"
Evelyn smiled.
"I've waited long enough."
He looked embarrassed.
"I'm sorry."
"That's all right."
She started walking.
Then Ethan noticed something.
The elderly woman had left her sunglasses on the table.
He picked them up.
"Ma'am."
Evelyn turned.
He walked over and handed them to her.
"These are yours."
"Thank you."
She took them.
Then she looked at him carefully.
"What's your name?"
"Ethan."
"Ethan."
She smiled.
"Do you like working here?"
He hesitated.
"Yes."
"Why?"
He shrugged.
"It's a good resort."
"Is that all?"
He smiled slightly.
"I want to move up."
"I see."
"What about you?" he asked.
"What about me?"
"Are you staying here?"
Evelyn smiled.
"Perhaps."
Then she walked away.
Ethan watched her disappear through the doors.
For some reason, her final smile stayed in his mind.
He couldn't explain why.
Later that afternoon, the restaurant manager called Ethan into the office.
His name was Richard Mason.
Richard had been managing the resort restaurant for twelve years.
He was strict.
He believed appearances mattered.
He believed wealthy guests should receive special treatment.
And he believed employees should never question management.
Richard looked at Ethan.
"Did you have a problem with a guest?"
Ethan frowned.
"Which guest?"
"The woman in white."
Ethan's stomach tightened.
"The elderly woman?"
"Yes."
"I don't think so."
Richard leaned back.
"She complained."
"She did?"
"Apparently."
"What did she say?"
Richard looked at him.
"She said she was ignored."
Ethan felt uncomfortable.
"I was busy."
"I know."
Richard's voice became serious.
"Do you know who she is?"
"No."
"Neither do I."
Ethan waited.
Richard continued.
"But that doesn't matter."
"What do you mean?"
Richard looked toward the window.
"The resort received a strange call this morning."
"What kind of call?"
"A person claiming to represent the ownership group."
Ethan's expression changed.
"What did they say?"