From Pit to Palace: Charlie Emerged

Chapter 13: Charlie arrives

Chapter 13

At that moment, heads turned, everyone getting on their feet, disbelief crossing their eyes.

“Is he really here?” Rachel muttered, utterly shocked to see Charlie standing at the door, his hands casually tossed in his pockets. “Does this mean he can't really treat them?”

“What difference does it make if he is here?” Erika snapped, her voice with disdain. “Is it going to change the fact that he can't afford a meal here? Stop being delusional, Rachel!” She scolded her mercilessly.

“I think I wasn't in my right mind when I said that, I'm sorry,” Rachel quickly apologized.

Meanwhile, Duke, when he saw Charlie, couldn't help but huff, relieved. “Thank God he's here. At least no one will have the nerve to call him a coward.” Muttering that to himself, he ran over to Charlie.

“Dude, what's up? Where have you been? We've been waiting all day for you,” Duke said, concern in his voice.

Charlie smiled lightly. “Got carried away by sleep,” he replied, “but don't worry, I'm here now. Let's get to why we are here.”

Charlie was about to walk away when Duke held his arm, gently drawing him back. Leaning in, he whispered, “How is it gonna be? I cooked up a lie and my parents sent me $2k. I will secretly support you, don't worry. So tell me, what have you got on you?”

Charlie help but felt a pang of emotion, seeing Duke staying by his side despite everything. But lying to his parents just to support him was something he frowned at.

Sighing softly, “You shouldn't have done that. You know it's against our good Lord's commandment that we shouldn't lie.”

Duke slowly scratched the back of his head and responded nervously, “I—I know, but this is the only way I can support you. I don't want that rich brat to feel all high and mighty. At least, show him that you got something even if they think you're a trash picker!”

Charlie stared at him, completely lost for words at Duke's genuine love. Duke couldn't help but blink, wondering why Charlie was looking at him that way.

“Huh? What's wrong? Why are you staring at me like that?”

Charlie patted his shoulder gently and said with a pleasing smile. “Thank you for always being by my side. And as for those bucks? Return them to your parents. I'm handling this all by myself.”

Duke winked, stunned at Charlie's words. However, before he could open his mouth to say a word, Charlie had already started walking toward the others; he couldn't help but watch his retreating figure in puzzlement.

“D—did he just….” he stammered, leaving his sentence incomplete before taking off on his heels and running after Charlie.

As Charlie reached the table where everyone was, he barely winked twice when he beckoned to the waitress. She hurried down.

“Yes, sir?” the waitress asked respectfully, not caring to look at how Charlie was dressed. “Want to place an order?”

“Yes, please,” Charlie said simply, nodding, his hands in his pockets.

“All right, sir.”

The waitress quickly placed the menu down in front of Charlie, letting him make his choice.

Everyone leaned in to see, and their hearts almost stopped, astonished at the prices of meals. There was none less than $700.

But Charlie didn't flinch. He didn't even look at anyone. With a calm and composed demeanor, he began to scan through the list and a few minutes later, he arrived at his choice.

“I'd love to have fried rice and chicken, and Harlan Estate wine costs $1k per bottle, right? Bring three of them. Also, get three bottles of Screaming Eagle Sauvignon Blanc wine alongside. That cost $6k per bottle, right?” Charlie asked, still scanning through the menu.

“That's correct, sir!”

“All right. Get me that.”

He finally glanced up, ignoring the stunned expressions of everyone. He looked at Stella, he said apologetically, “I’m sorry for being late. You can go ahead and order whatever you want to eat.” Turning back to the waitress, he added. “Please, give them the menu to make their choices.” His expression was calm and unreadable.

Everyone in the room, including Franklin, was taken aback by his casual tone when placing his order.

Duke was momentarily dumbfounded. “Charlie, what do you think you are doing?” He scolded, disbelief in his eyes. “That's roughly over $24k stuff you've ordered now if I'm not mistaken! The rest haven't yet placed theirs. Are you sure you're okay?”

Charlie smirked and replied nonchalantly. “I'm fine. Just treating you guys. That was the deal. Just go ahead and order whatever you feel like eating, all bills on me.”

“Scrap it already, Charlie!” Franklin interjected. “Do you really think we're fools here? You want us to believe you can really pay for everything you've just ordered now?” He smirked, shaking his head, as if he had seen the funniest thing on earth today. “Oh, what a joke for the kids!” He laughed.

“Are you afraid you're losing already?” Charlie asked, expressionless.

Franklin spat. “Lose? To who? A notorious trash picker like you? That's the last thing that can ever happen.”

“Let's see then.”

Charlie didn't say many words. He turned to the waitress. “What's up with it?”

The waitress’s voice was cheerful. “Progress, sir. But it's only these Misses and this one Mister who had placed their orders. Miss Stella and Mister Duke are being hesitant,” she explained.

Charlie sighed softly, knowing the reason for their hesitation. He simply replied. “Just get two plates of fried rice and chicken for both of them.”

Charlie pulled out a chair for himself, then sat down, crossing his feet like a king.

The waitress, about to leave, suddenly glanced over and, seeing the other, paused and asked Charlie, “Sir, how about these people? They haven't ordered anything.”

Charlie waved his hand. “Don't worry about them, someone else is treating them. You can meet him.” He pointed at Franklin, who seemed dazed about what was taking place in front of him.

“All right, sir.” The waitress approached Franklin. “Good evening, sir. Please, are you placing your orders now?”

“Yes, yes.” Franklin snapped out, and he nodded. He began to scan through the menu and he instinctively winked, stunned by the prices of the food.

However, he shook off the tension in his mind and placed an order.

Soon, everyone was done placing an order. The waitress carefully noted down everything and hurried away to get them prepared.

Ten minutes later, when everyone had sat down, eyes staring at Charlie, who didn't consider them worthy of looking at, the waitress returned with two other waitresses, helping her with trays of food and wine.

Franklin had also, out of arrogance, ordered bottles of wine because he had seen Charlie do so.

They started to arrange the plates of food and wine bottles, their hands moving with precision. They uncorked the caps and poured generous amounts into each glass.

Soon, they finished and stepped back, their expression warm. “We're leaving now, please, enjoy yourselves. And in case you need anything, don't hesitate to reach out to us.”

As the waitresses stepped away, Charlie was the first to lean in without reluctance and lift the lid from his own food.

The aroma of the garnished fried rice and chicken wafted into the air, entering everyone's noses.

He nodded slightly and began to eat without looking at anyone.