After a few minutes of driving through the busy streets of the city, the driver pulled up in front of a luxurious-looking restaurant that seemed to cater to high-class customers.
The exterior was decorated with gold and white accents, giving off a vibe of elegance and sophistication. However, when Asher stepped out of the car, he immediately noticed something.
This place looked way too fancy and quiet for his mood. Right now, all he wanted was a nice, hearty meal that didn't care how well the food was presented on a plate. Something that would fill his stomach, not something tiny and overpriced that was more about the looks than the taste.
"Is this the place?" Asher frowned at the driver. "I wanted something a bit more... casual. You know, a place where I can actually eat enough."
"Ah, my apologies, Young Master! This restaurant is a well-known high-class spot, and I thought you'd prefer somewhere... appropriate for the Vance family. I can take you elsewhere if that isn't what you desire," the driver replied nervously.
Asher looked at him and then at the restaurant once again before shaking his head slightly. "No, never mind... We're here now, so I'll give it a try. But next time, go with what I want, not what you assume a 'Vance' wants."
With that said, Asher turned towards the entrance and made his way inside, leaving the driver behind with an awkward expression. He wasn't angry, just annoyed at the man's way of thinking... Not that he was surprised, of course.
The moment Asher walked in, a young woman dressed in a neat, fitted uniform with a logo on the chest welcomed him with a professional smile.
"Welcome to The Gilded Fork, Sir! Do you have a reservation?"
"No... But I would like a table. If you have any private space available, that would be even better," Asher said while looking around the place, taking in the refined atmosphere.
The waitress, who had clearly been trained to handle high-profile customers, quickly noticed that Asher wasn't just some random visitor. His confident posture and the way he spoke with a casual yet authoritative tone made it clear he was someone important.
Immediately, she bowed her head slightly and responded. "I apologize, Sir... Usually, our private booths are reserved well in advance. Would it be acceptable for me to seat you in the main area?"
Asher didn't even hesitate. "Sure... Just give me a quiet spot if possible."
The waitress nodded and guided him towards a secluded table by the window. The lighting was gentle, and the surrounding décor screamed wealth, making it clear why this was such a popular spot.
Once he sat down, the waitress handed him the menu, which looked more like an art piece than a simple list of food and drinks. Everything on the menu was overpriced, and many items sounded way too fancy.
"I don't need a menu for what I want... Bring me all the meat dishes available. Preferably, something that doesn't make me feel like I'm eating air. Also, a few side dishes to go with it... Something simple." Asher closed the menu without even bothering to look through it again.
The waitress blinked in surprise at his order, clearly taken aback by how straightforward he was. "As you wish, Sir... Would you like something to drink as well? Our wine selection is quite exceptional."
"Bring me whatever you think pairs best with meat," Asher said simply. He wasn't one to fuss over drinks... but it wouldn't hurt to have something nice with his meal. Plus, his hunger was making it hard for him to focus on the small details.
Once the waitress left to place his order, Asher leaned back in his chair and looked out of the window, watching the city lights blink against the night sky.
For a moment, his thoughts drifted back to what had happened today, from the way he confronted his arrogant stepbrother and toyed with Chloe to his first gym session, where he met Diana.
It all felt like a rush, like everything was changing at an incredible speed... which wasn't a bad thing at all.
'One step at a time... First, my body, then my empire,' Asher thought while tapping his finger on the table. 'I just need to make sure that in this modern world, I don't make the same mistakes I made in my past life. And the first rule to remember is... Never leave room for betrayal.'
As his mind wandered through the plans he was already making, the waitress returned, pushing a cart filled with steaming plates that smelled absolutely delicious.
In a matter of minutes, Asher's table was loaded with food. It didn't look like something a single person should be eating, and some people passing by were clearly staring at the amount in shock.
However, Asher didn't give a damn about them. As soon as the dishes were placed before him, he grabbed a knife and fork and began eating with no hesitation.
Each bite was satisfying. The meat was perfectly cooked, juicy, and full of flavor... And since Asher was still hungry as a wolf, nothing on the table was left untouched.
He devoured everything like a man who hadn't eaten in days. If it weren't for his decent manners and elegant way of eating, someone might have mistaken him for someone who hadn't tasted proper food before.
The only thing that interrupted him was when the waitress returned with the bottle of wine he had ordered. She carefully poured him a glass, but even then, her attention was focused more on him than on the drink.
Asher glanced up and caught the curious look in her eyes, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he simply took the wine glass, took a sip, and resumed his eating.
However, sometimes even if you're minding your own business, trouble tends to find you.
"Well, well, well... What do we have here?" A voice came from a nearby table, loud enough to be heard over the clinking of cutlery and soft music.