Maria’s Knowing Look
Across the table, Maria caught my eye and offered a knowing look, clearly attuned to the tension mounting with every exchanged word. Her expression said it all—she recognized the brewing conflict, even if the rest of the room remained oblivious. In that moment, I felt a quiet sense of solidarity; though she said nothing, her presence was a steady comfort amid the growing friction stirred by Derek’s bluster.
Maria’s Knowing Look
Confronting Derek’s Boasting
Finally fed up with Derek’s constant boasting, I leaned forward and cut him off. “Derek, do you really think treating customers—like me—this way helps maintain our reputation?” The room fell still as his trademark smirk faltered. “I’m all for upholding standards,” I added, “but there’s a line.” For a few tense seconds, silence hung in the air, and I caught a flicker of curiosity in Maria’s eyes—a subtle signal that something had shifted beneath the surface.
Confronting Derek’s Boasting
