She knew what it felt like to be overlooked.
Her mother had raised her and her younger brother alone after their father abandoned the family. Olivia had worked part-time jobs throughout college and had recently postponed her dream of becoming a nurse because her mother needed expensive medical treatment.
Every dollar mattered.
Her salary was not particularly high, and she often worked double shifts to help pay the household bills.
Still, she rarely complained.
When Olivia saw Richard standing near the entrance, she immediately approached him.
"Good evening, sir. Welcome to The Grand Meridian. Are you dining alone tonight?"
Richard nodded.
"Yes, just me."
"Wonderful. Come with me, please. I have a comfortable table near the window."
The receptionist looked surprised.
"Olivia, we're supposed to prioritize reservations."
"I know," Olivia replied gently. "But that table is available, and he is our guest."
Richard followed her through the dining room.
She pulled out a chair for him and placed a menu on the table.
"Please take your time. There's no rush. I'll bring you some water."
"Thank you," Richard said.
Olivia smiled.
"You're very welcome."
Richard watched her walk away.
It was a small gesture, but it was the first genuine smile he had received that evening.
A few minutes later, Olivia returned with a glass of water.
"Have you visited us before, sir?"
"No. This is my first time."
"Then I hope we make it a memorable evening."
Richard opened the menu.
He looked at the prices and pretended to study them carefully.
Everything was expensive.
The restaurant's signature steak cost more than some people earned in an entire day. The seafood dishes were equally extravagant.
Richard already knew the prices because he owned the restaurant.
But he wanted to see whether Olivia would react when he ordered something inexpensive.
"Excuse me," he said.
"Yes, sir?"
"Do you have anything simple? Perhaps soup and bread?"
"Of course. Our roasted vegetable soup is very good. We also have fresh bread baked this afternoon."
"That sounds perfect."
"Would you like anything else?"
"No, thank you. That's enough."
Olivia wrote down his order.
"Certainly. I'll have it ready for you shortly."
As she walked toward the kitchen, another waitress named Vanessa noticed the order.
Vanessa had worked at the restaurant for three years. She was ambitious, attractive, and extremely conscious of the restaurant's reputation.
She believed wealthy customers deserved special treatment because they were more likely to leave generous tips.
When she saw Olivia serving an elderly man who had ordered only soup, she rolled her eyes.
"Seriously? You're spending all that time on someone ordering the cheapest thing on the menu?"
Olivia continued arranging the plates.
"He's a customer. That's our job."
Vanessa laughed.
"Well, don't expect much of a tip."
Olivia said nothing.
She had heard similar comments before.
To her, a person's value was never determined by the amount of money they spent.
Meanwhile, Richard sat quietly, observing the restaurant.
At a nearby table, a businessman complained loudly because his steak had arrived two minutes later than expected. The manager immediately apologized and offered him a complimentary dessert.