Elena's hands were shaking now, but not from nervousness. She was angry. Really angry. This man who had everything handed to him was sitting in his expensive suit, making judgments about people he didn't even know.
Mitchell looked uncomfortable. "David, maybe we should change the subject."
But David was just getting started. "You know what? Let's make this interesting." His voice got even louder, and Elena could see other diners starting to look over. "I'll bet anyone at this table $50,000 that our waitress there has never touched that piano. Probably doesn't even know how to read music."
Fifty thousand dollars. Elena's heart nearly stopped. That was more money than she made in two years. That was enough to pay for her mom's treatments and maybe even go back to school.
"That's a lot of money for such a silly bet," Robert said quietly.
"It's not silly if I'm right," David replied. "And I'm always right about these things."
Elena couldn't take it anymore. Before she could stop herself, she was walking toward their table. Her feet moved on their own, carrying her across the restaurant floor. The anger in her chest was burning hot, but she kept her face calm.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice steady despite the storm inside her. "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation."
David looked up at her with that same sharp expression from earlier. "Oh, you were listening? How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough," Elena replied. "Long enough to hear you making bets about people you don't know anything about."
The table went quiet. Robert shifted in his seat, looking embarrassed. Mitchell stared at his wine glass.