"They said someone important would be visiting."
"Who?"
"They didn't give a name."
Ethan thought of Evelyn.
Richard shook his head.
"Don't worry about it."
Ethan nodded.
But he couldn't stop thinking about the elderly woman.
That evening, Evelyn returned.
This time, she wasn't wearing her hat.
She wore a simple blue dress.
She walked into the lobby.
The receptionist smiled.
"Good evening."
"Good evening."
"Are you checking in?"
Evelyn smiled.
"No. I'm already staying here."
The receptionist checked the computer.
"Mrs. Carter?"
"Yes."
"Welcome back."
Evelyn smiled.
"Thank you."
She walked toward the elevators.
At the same time, Ethan was coming from the opposite direction.
He saw her.
Their eyes met.
He stopped.
She smiled.
"Good evening, Ethan."
"Good evening, ma'am."
"How was the rest of your shift?"
"Busy."
"I imagine."
There was an awkward pause.
Then Ethan said,
"I apologize for earlier."
Evelyn looked at him.
"For what?"
"The lunch."
"You don't have to apologize."
"I should have paid more attention."
She smiled.
"That's true."
Ethan looked surprised.
Evelyn continued.
"But the fact that you know that now is a good start."
She stepped into the elevator.
Before the doors closed, she said,
"Good night, Ethan."
"Good night."
The doors closed.
Ethan stood there.
He couldn't understand her.
She wasn't angry.
She wasn't demanding compensation.
She wasn't threatening to complain.
She simply wanted him to learn something.
The next morning, Ethan arrived early.
He found the restaurant unusually quiet.
Richard was speaking with several executives.
Ethan recognized one of them.
It was the resort's regional director.
Another man stood beside him.
He was older.
Well dressed.
Serious.
Everyone seemed nervous.
Ethan walked closer.
Richard noticed him.
"Ethan."
"Yes, sir?"
"Stay here."
Ethan nodded.
The regional director looked toward the lobby.
"She should be arriving soon."
"Are you sure it's today?" Richard asked.
"Yes."
"Do you know what she looks like?"
The director smiled.
"I've met her twice."
"Who is she?"
The director looked around before answering.
"Mrs. Evelyn Carter."
Ethan froze.
His heart began pounding.
He looked toward the lobby.
The elderly woman in white.
The simple hat.
The iced tea.
The empty table.
The woman he had ignored.
He whispered,
"Evelyn Carter?"
Richard heard him.
"Yes."
Ethan's face turned pale.
The regional director continued.
"She's the original founder of the Carter Hospitality Group."
Richard nodded.
"Of course."
"She sold most of her shares years ago."
"Yes."
"But she still owns part of this resort."
Richard's eyes widened.
"She does?"
The director nodded.