Andrew, trailing behind, saw them enter a steakhouse and quickly texted Jeremiah the location. A vendor handed him two ready meals. "Hello, sir, that'll be eighteen dollars. Thank you for your patronage." Andrew turned, saw the vendor's offering, and his expression froze. He pointed at the bag, pinching his nose. "What is this? It stinks!"

The vendor bristled. "Sir, it says 'herring in a can.' Are you joking about the smell?" Andrew's face darkened. He'd never eaten herring; the odor was nauseating. With a queue forming, he paid quickly and fled with the bag, desperate to find a trash can. He felt the stench clinging to him.

As he neared a trash can, he saw Yvette leaning against the steakhouse door, watching him with a laugh. A man stood beside her. How awkward. How do I explain this? he thought. He forced a smile, waving the bag. "Hey, Yvette! Fancy seeing you here! I just arrived in Betrico today. I was passing by and got hungry, so I grabbed a bite. What a coincidence!"

A smirk touched Yvette's lips as she eyed the offending bag; even from a distance, the smell was evident. Raising an eyebrow, she calmly asked, "Want to eat together?"

Andrew was startled. Why is she suddenly so cheerful? he wondered. Flustered but thinking it was perfect, he eagerly nodded. "Sure! I haven't eaten yet. When Jeremiah arrives, we can all eat together…" He hesitated, glancing awkwardly at the man. "So, Yvette, does your friend mind? If he does, that's fine."

The man, Charles, nearly choked. Why does Yvette's friend sound so sarcastic? I've never heard a guy talk like that, he thought.

Yvette's eyes narrowed slightly; her voice was even. "He doesn't mind. Come on in."

Seeing them turn, Andrew quickly tossed the herring into the trash; he couldn't bear the smell another moment. Charles, meanwhile, was astonished. Yvette knows this guy? What's going on? Is he following her? What kind of situation is this? he wondered. However, relieved the man wasn't hostile, he followed Yvette inside.

They sat down, their striking good looks drawing subtle glances from other patrons.