Naomi understood.
She also understood humiliation could make people defensive rather than reflective.
So she lowered her voice.
“This conversation is moving private.”
She looked toward Victor.
“Salon A.”
Victor nodded.
He turned toward the clients.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my apologies for the interruption. Our team will continue assisting you.”
The spell broke.
People slowly returned to the displays, although almost no one actually stopped listening.
Naomi picked up her glove and handbag.
Victor carried the jewelry case.
Elliot followed.
Inside Private Salon A, the door closed.
Silence replaced the showroom.
No audience.
No social theater.
Just four people.
Naomi.
Victor.
Elliot.
Celeste Maron, the head jeweler, who had requested permission to remain because the commissioned necklace was under her responsibility.
Elliot stood near the table.
His posture had changed.
Not submissive exactly.
Uncertain.
Naomi removed the feather stole from her shoulders and laid it across a chair.
Then she sat.
Victor remained standing.
Naomi looked at him.
“Sit.”
He did.
Elliot waited.
Naomi gestured toward the remaining chair.
“You too.”
He sat slowly.
For several seconds nobody spoke.
Then Naomi asked:
“How long have you worked here?”
Elliot looked surprised.
“Fourteen years.”
“Why jewelry?”
He frowned.
“What?”
“Why did you choose this?”
His expression shifted.
The question was not what he expected.
“My mother worked for an auction house.”
“Doing what?”
“Cataloging estates.”
“You grew up around jewelry?”
“Some.”
“Did your family have money?”
Elliot hesitated.
“No.”
Naomi folded her hands.
“Then you know what it feels like to enter expensive rooms without belonging to the class they were designed for.”
He stared at her.
“My childhood is irrelevant.”
“No.”
“It may be the most relevant thing you’ve said.”
Elliot became defensive.
“I earned my place here.”
“I believe you.”
“I know these clients.”
“I know what serious buyers look like.”
Naomi’s expression sharpened.
“What do serious buyers look like?”
He stopped.
She waited.
Elliot looked toward Victor.
Victor said nothing.
Naomi continued.
“Older?”
“No.”
“White?”
“No.”
“Male?”
“No.”
“Known to you?”
“That helps.”