Those images had circulated through her thoughts for months.
But they weren't what remained strongest.
Finally, she answered.
"I remember how normal everything felt before he started speaking to me that way."
Wei nodded.
Nia continued.
"I was working. The table was set. The food was ready. I was doing my job."
She looked toward the duck.
"Then he decided my knowledge was something he could use to entertain his guests."
Grace lowered her eyes.
Nia took a slow breath.
"And the strange part is that people only started treating me differently after they realized I had a role in the acquisition."
Wei looked toward her.
For several seconds, he didn't speak.
Then said quietly, "They should've treated you properly before that."
Nia smiled.
"Exactly."
They sat in silence for a moment.
Then Grace reached for her glass.
"To doing better."
Wei raised his.
Nia smiled and lifted hers.
"To doing better."
Later that evening, after Wei and Grace left, Nia remained near the entrance while Mei finished speaking with a customer.
A young Black waitress approached carrying a tray.
She was twenty-two, newly hired, and still learning the restaurant's complicated service procedures.
She looked nervous.
"Miss Brooks?"
Nia smiled.
"Yes?"
The young woman hesitated.
"I heard you used to work here."
"I did."
She glanced toward the private dining room.
"Is it true you spoke Mandarin to a billionaire and stopped his company from buying another company?"
Nia laughed gently.
"That's a much simpler version of what happened."
The waitress looked embarrassed.
"Sorry."
"No need."
Nia smiled.
"There were a lot of lawyers, engineers, directors, and workers involved. It wasn't something one sentence could settle."
The young woman nodded.
Then said quietly, "People keep telling me I should learn another language so customers will respect me."
Nia's expression softened.
"Learning another language can open wonderful doors."
She paused.
"But you shouldn't have to prove you speak one to be treated with respect."
The waitress looked up.
For several seconds, she seemed uncertain.
Then smiled.
"Thank you."
Nia nodded.
"You're welcome."
As the young woman returned to work, Nia looked through the doorway into the private dining room.
The empty table stood beneath the warm lights.
The chairs were neatly arranged.
And a server was collecting the final plates.
For a moment, she could almost see Victor sitting there again.
His expensive black suit.
His silver hair.
The menu pushed across the table.
And the smug expression he wore before demanding that she prove she understood a language he assumed she'd never learned.
Then she remembered something more important.