FROM GRIT TO GRAND: A BILLIONAIRE IN GUISE

THE TASTE OF WEALTH

Casually, Elijah stepped out from a taxi and paid the driver with the last cash in his pocket without even collecting change. He has more now.

$30 million dollars to his name. It feels surreal and breathtaking.

Standing before the building of Crimson orchid, the city's most exclusive 5-star restaurant, famous for serving only elite tycoons and foreign dignitaries.

A single meal at the restaurant costs more than some people's house rent for two years.

For the first time in his life, he isn't worried about money. The inheritance is real, as unreal as it felt.

The documents are in his pocket– fresh and real but he still feels like a poor man in borrowed skin.

Elijah remembered skipping meals just to get Clara the ring while pretending he wasn't hungry. Working 16-hours shifts without complaint, taking insults from customers and Mr. Biggs, his boss just to make ends meet. It's all over now.

Elijah smiled faintly as the memories flushed in. “No more starving. Not in body..not in soul.”

With Hands in his pocket, he strode confidently into the Crimson orchid in his ordinary cloth and frayed Snickers, attracting attention immediately.

The restaurant was a far cry from the one he once took Clara to after working his ass off to get some cash for their first date.

It screams luxury— the smooth edges, pristine floor that looks like it had never been stepped on. The staff members were Smartly presented in a white shirt and black trousers for male staff and skirt for the females.

The hums of patrons filled the quieter air, mixing the clinking of cutleries and glass wares as customers savored their meals and drinks.

Elijah's appearance seems to pour sand in their meal. Some set their cutleries on the fine plate and stared at him with face twisted with disgust while some adjusted from his path like he's a fly about to hop on their meal.

Sensing the shift, a waiter walked to him. Just like the other workers, he wore a white shirt over a black trouser. His black hair slick backward and on his chest displayed his name on a badge; John Kenneth.

He stood in Elijah's path, staring at him with disgust and condescension.

“We don't have left overs here. Try the diner down the street or check our trash can at the back.” John Kenneth said flatly, his face twisted indignantly.

Those who were nearby laughed at Williams.

Elijah raised a brow, staring at him confusingly, disregarding the taunting laughters. “I came here to eat like everyone else.” He said firmly.

At a nearby VIP table, a group of elites, led by Kellan Ryder, the heir to Ryder conglomerate began laughing at Elijah.

“That street rat must be lost or maybe looking for a mop.” Kellan laughed, his voice dripping with mockery.

One of his friends stared in Elijah's direction with a rumpled face. “Yikes! Looks like he burst out of a trash can.” He added, taking in Elijah's appearance and their laughter echoed.

Kellan leaned back on his seat, a smug smirk tugging on his lips.

“Let's see how long it takes before they toss him out.”

“Listen, this place is not for people like you. You're polluting everywhere, please leave quickly.” John continued coldly, not welcoming Elijah's presence.

Elijah stared at himself sarcastically. He raised his head and looked at the rude waiter “Not for people like me? What do you mean by that? Are the people here different from how I look?” He looked around before returning his gaze to John.

Elijah tightened his fist at his side. He didn't like how he was attracting attention to himself. He wanted to turn back and walk away but something made him pause.

He remembered his father's words. It echoed loudly in his ear; “Stand tall even when the world spit on you.”

He turned back, raised his chin and spoke calmly in the next second, ignoring all the disrespect and condescension around him.

He looked the waiter directly in the eye. “I'll be dining here. Today. Bring me the most expensive meal.” Elijah said casually, without blinking and he walked to a VIP table.

Shock flashed in everyone's eyes. Murmuring buzzed in the quiet restaurant as Elijah's words hung in the air.

Kellan who was sipping his wine choked on the drink and coughed frantically, hitting his chest to calm himself.

The waiter stared at Elijah as if he had gone mad.

The sneering waiter scoffed like Elijah just cracked a joke. He stared at Elijah as if he had lost his sense and mind.

He raised a brow and began, his voice a cocktail of amusement and mocking. “The imperial dragon platter? That's $8,000. It's not even on the main menu.” He laughed. “Are you even sure you can even afford to breathe here?” His eyes narrowed.

Elijah leaned back, his expression firm and unreadable.

Without blinking, he said. “Bring it. I'll pay in full....no discount, no installment.”

Murmurs ripple through the dining hall, some people had fished out their phones probably to record the over confident poor dude at Crimson orchid who would end up getting embarrassed.

Kellan who had now gotten over the earlier shock blurted, shocked.

“Is that dude crazy? The most expensive meal at Crimsons?! He's fucking joking!”

Another staff member, a waitress who sensed the scene getting more tense, walked to Elijah with a warm eye. Her name, Mira hale was crested on her badge.

She stood before Elijah while John stood at the side staring at Elijah coldly like a criminal rather than a customer.

She started calmly, her voice carrying respect. "We recognize your intentions to purchase something big from our Restaurant sir. I'm not trying to embarrass you sir..but even the richest young masters in the city only order the appetizer of that dish. Only family heads go for the full course and sometimes with an installment or discount.” She carefully explained as if selecting her words not to hurt Elijah in any way.

Elijah nodded gently, smiled and impressed on how kind she explained things to him.

His smile broadened but not too amusing. It was a confident smile. “Then that means I'll be the first commoner to try it here.” He leaned back, ignoring the murmurs. "Bring it." He added confidently.

Mira's eyes furrowed, shocked, baffled but moved by his calm resolve but then, she masked the expression beneath her warm smile. Despite misgiving, she nodded gently.

“Alright sir. I'll be right back.” With that, she walked away.

Kellan shook his head in disbelief, a pitying expression on his face.

“That pompous poor bastard. He's going to faint when the bills arrive. Let's all watch him beg for crumbs.” He relaxed on his seat, tapping his finger on the desk, leaving his food half eaten. His focus was now on Elijah. He wants to see him get embarrassed.

“I'll be back guys.” One of them stood up and gave a knowing smile. They understood it and nodded with a mischievous smirk.

The guy went ahead to bribe Mira to serve Elijah rudely but she turned him down, saying.

"He's just a customer and I'm doing my job here. He hasn't disrespected anyone. Has he?” She said calmly.

“Can you believe that waitress is empathizing with that street rat? How touching!" He lamented immediately he got back to his friends.

The room shifted. Tension! tension! tension!

Mira returned with the first course of the imperial dragon platter, presented with gold cutleries and personalized wine collections. The kind of wine that could change some people's life.

All eyes were on Elijah as she gently set it down on the table. Then she bowed slightly, saying.

"Here you are sir.”

“Thanks.” Elijah leaned in and opened the platter. The aroma was rich, filling the air and curling into his nose.

Elijah whistled gently, impressed and satisfied. He began to eat with the composed confidence of a man born into wealth with no trace of fear or doubt in his demeanor.

Time slowly slipped away, everyone was watching, waiting for disaster to strike. Phones were hanging under desks, waiting to be raised.

“He's so dead!”

"He thinks this is some cheap cheese?!”

“He's going to end up watching plate for two years to cover his debt.”

Murmuring buzzed.

Elijah paused mid–meal, his mouth moving gently as he chewed. Then he raised his hand, gesturing at Mira.

“Hello, can I have two more portions of this dish?” He announced, causing everyone to gasp.