The Waitress Asked Me to Pay Upfront—Unaware That I Own the Restaurant

Calling In Reinforcements

Not wanting to rush into things, I decided to recruit Paul—a familiar face with a sharp sense of humor and, conveniently, someone Emma would recognize. I spotted him chatting in the lobby and motioned him over. “Paul, I need a favor,” I said, laying out my unusual request. His face lit up with curiosity as I spoke. “Count me in,” he replied with a playful wink. I hoped his involvement would serve as the perfect spark to push Emma’s boundaries even further.

Testing Familiar Grounds

Paul strolled into the dining area, a grin on his face as he chose a seat. As expected, Emma approached him, showing no sign of recognition. It was clear she had no memory of their previous encounters. I observed intently as Paul placed his order, deliberately complicating matters by asking about the new menu. Emma’s demeanor shifted instantly—her tone firm as she insisted on upfront payment, confident he would oblige. The scene unfolded like a familiar script I’d seen play out before.