occasionally glancing up at Camille you sure you want to be here for this he asked though he already knew her answer absolutely Camille replied firmly this isn’t just about you or the restaurant it’s about the principal he needs to hear it from both of us Matthew nodded understanding he stood and walked to the window looking out over the street below waiting Camille could sense the tension in the air thick and heavy like the Calm before a storm a knock sounded at the door Matthew turned and with a deep breath he called out come in Ethan
shuffled in looking worlds away from the smug arrogant waiter he’d been the night before he avoided their eyes his steps hesitant Camille noticed the slight Tremor in his hands as he sat down his usual bravado replaced with nervous uncertainty morning Matthew said his tone flat Ethan swallowed and nodded clearly anxious morning sir he mumbled Matthew didn’t waste time with pleasantries we need to talk about last night he said his voice calm but carrying the weight of authority you’re aware of why you’re here right Ethan
nodded quickly his eyes darting between Camille and Matthew yes sir I know good because this isn’t just about bad service what happened last night was unacceptable in more ways than one do you have have anything you want to say before we start Ethan fidgeted in his seat glancing at Camille but quickly looking away again I’m sorry for what happened sir he said quietly though there was no conviction in his voice I didn’t mean for it to come off like that Matthew’s eyes narrowed come off like what exactly Ethan fumbled with his
words his voice shaky I didn’t mean to offend anyone it wasn’t personal I I was just busy and things got away from me I didn’t know she was uh my wife Matthew finished the sentence his voice harder now Ethan nodded quickly looking even more uncomfortable yes sir if I’d known Camille finally spoke up her voice sharp and cutting if you’d known I was his wife you would have treated me differently is that what you’re saying Ethan froze realizing too late what he had implied his eyes widened and he stammered no no that’s not what I meant
I just his words trailed off Unsure how to dig himself out of the hole he just created Matthew leaned forward his hands clasped in front of him on the desk this is isn’t about whether or not you knew who she was it’s about how you treated her and the fact that you thought you could get away with it because you assumed no one would care Ethan’s face flushed red I didn’t mean stop Matthew interrupted his voice cold and final we’re not here to listen to your excuses you disrespected my wife and by extension this restaurant you didn’t
just forget her order or make a mistake you ignored her because you thought it didn’t matter but it does Ethan fell silent his head hanging low Camille watched him her frustration Sim ing just below the surface she had no pity for him not after the way he had treated her but she wasn’t done yet I want to hear the truth Ethan Camille said her voice steady why did you really act the way you did last night what made you think it was okay to ignore me to treat me like I didn’t deserve the same respect as everyone else Ethan looked at her his
face pale I I wasn’t trying to disrespect you I didn’t mean for it to seem that way Camille raised an eyebrow didn’t mean for it to seem that way Ethan you didn’t even take my order you ignored me for over an hour while you attended to everyone else you didn’t even refill my water how is that not intentional Ethan’s mouth opened and closed but no words came out he looked at Matthew hoping for a Lifeline but found none Matthew remained silent his expression Stern we’re giving you one chance to tell the truth Camille said
her voice firm no more excuses Ethan swallowed hard his throat bobbing as he struggled to find his voice I he hesitated then finally spoke his words barely a whisper I didn’t think you’d cause any trouble Camille’s eyes narrowed trouble because I’m black and you figured no one would care how you treated me Ethan flinched at her words the reality of the situation hitting him hard I didn’t think it was going to be a big deal he muttered I didn’t think anyone would notice Matthew’s fists tightened on the desk his knuckles
turning white and that’s the problem Ethan you didn’t think you thought you could get away with it but not here not in my restaurant Ethan’s head dropped and for the the first time he seemed to grasp the full weight of his actions the excuses were gone and all that was left was a man who had to face the reality of his Prejudice we’re not done yet Matthew said leaning back in his chair I want you to come back tomorrow for another meeting and when you walk in I expect you to think long and hard about what you’ve done because this conversation
isn’t over Ethan looked up his face a mix of shock and fear tomorrow yes Matthew said his Voice final go home think about your actions we’ll decide your future here tomorrow without another word Ethan stood and left the room his footsteps slow and heavy Camille turned to Matthew her eyes narrowing in thought why tomorrow why not just fire him now Matthew sighed rubbing the back of his neck I want him to Stew in this for a night let it sink in that he’s not walking out of here with a slap on the wrist it’ll make it
more real besides there’s more I want to hear from him tomorrow he needs to come to terms with what he did and I need him to admit it fully Camille nodded slowly you’re giving him more chances than I would but I trust you if he walks in here tomorrow and still doesn’t get it Matthew finished the sentence for her he’s gone the next morning the atmosphere in the office was even tenser than the day before Camille could feel it in the way the room seemed heavier more suffocating as they waited for Ethan to arrive she glanced at Matthew
who sat behind his desk his face set in a grim expression today there would be no more chances Ethan would either face the truth of his actions or he would be gone there was a knock at the door softer this time almost hesitant Matthew straightened in his chair his eyes hardening come in he called Ethan entered slowly his face drawn and pale the fear from the previous day now etched into his features his shoulders were slumped and his usual arrogance had vanished entirely he walked to the chair across from Matthew and sat down without
being asked his eyes glued to the floor Matthew let the silence hang for a moment giving Ethan time to realize just how serious this this final meeting was Camille watched him closely her frustration still simmering beneath the surface but she wanted to see if Ethan would finally show any real understanding Ethan Matthew began his voice cold but calm you had a night to think about what happened so letun hear it what have you learned Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his seat his fingers twitching as he clasped his hands in his
lap his eyes flicked up to meet Matthews for a brief second before looking down again I I’ve been thinking a lot sir he stammered his voice weak and I know I made a big mistake I I wasn’t thinking clearly last night and I stop Camille interrupted her voice firm and cutting through his half-hearted apology this isn’t about being careless or making a mistake you deliberately treated me differently because you thought I wouldn’t speak up you thought you could get away with it what I want to know is why Ethan flinched at her words his face
flushing red his fingers Twisted nervously in his lap and for a moment it looked like he was going to give another excuse but then something shifted in his expression his shoulders sagged and he let out a long shaky breath I didn’t think anyone would care he admitted quietly his voice barely above a whisper I thought I thought youd just sit there and take it Camille leaned forward her eyes narrowing and why did you think that what made you think I wouldn’t say anything Ethan swallowed hard the silence in the room growing heavier with