Five Star Michelin | Lee Taeyong x reader

Vogue

The Vogue Building was an intimidating structure. Today was the day you would be interviewed for the Top Chef Edition of the magazine, and you were nervous, to say the least. You had to go to the fifteenth floor of the building, where the rest of the chefs would be.

A ping from the elevator told you that you had reached your destination. The doors opened and you were met with a white hall.

You walked into it, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the huge room. A group of people stood over to the side, in casual formal clothing. The other side of the room was sectioned off, with a pretty white curtain, which is where the actual interview would be taken.

You were wearing a shirt and lose pants, with a coat on the top. Your heels clicked as you approached the group slowly recognizing almost everyone.

Qian Kun stood in the center, leaning on a stool behind him, looking very at home indeed. He was the best chef in the world, someone you looked up to, and you couldn't believe he was right in front of you. He was attractive too, which just added to the illusion. His eyes fell on you, and he smiled.

"Oh hell, Y/n is it?"

He knew your name good lord.

You nodded, returning the smile and raising your hand to shake his, "Qian Kun, it's a pleasure to meet you"

"The pleasure is all mine", he said, dropping your hand, "This is Lisa Manoban", he gestured towards the pretty woman standing next to him. You shook her hand too, "I know", you said a little too brightly, "Sorry, I'm a bit all over the place"

"Don't lose your shit over us, I tripped and almost broke my ankle a second ago, you're fine", Lisa quipped with a mischievous smile. You grinned, taking a stand next to her, "What are we doing?"

"Waiting for our turns for the interview", another explained, and you smiled, "Kim Namjoon", you regarded him, and he nodded, "Hello Y/n"

It unnerved you slightly, in the best way possible of course, to be in the presence of fellow chef's you had put on a pedestal. The four of you quickly fell into a comfortable conversation about food, your restaurants, and such. At one point you exchanged numbers with Lisa as well.

Another chef joined the two of you shortly, Kang Seulgi, another one of your biggest inspirations. You could hardly believe you were regarded as one of them now. She blended into the lively conversation as well. It was as if the group of you had known each other for years.

A woman with glasses walked up to all of you, glancing down at her tablet, "Y/n L/n?", she asked, looking up. You walked forward, "Yes?"

'You're on next", she said, "Follow me"

She lead you to the sectioned off area, telling you to wait outside the makeshift entrance. Since it was just a curtain, practically a piece of cloth, you could hear the interview taking place at that moment just like Taemin had assured you.

"And what is your specialty?"

"Well actually, this may come as a surprise since I do western cuisine, but it's actually Korean food", the chef inside explained with a chuckle, presumably at the interviewer's confused face.

"You don't say", he asked, "And the special dish?"

"Tteokbokki"

"Marvellous", the interviewer complimented, "Thank you so much for coming!"

You heard some shifting and stepped back to let the previous chef through, ready to greet him when he walked out, leaving you staring at him like an idiot.

"Taeyong?", you stated, though it came out like more of a question. He blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting you to be the first thing he saw after his interview. Those eyes you had tried not to think about were staring right at you before his lips upturned into a smirk.

"Y/n", he greeted you, "Fancy meeting you here"

You scoffed, "You knew you were going to"

"True", he mused, "And you knew it too, so tell me, why do you look so surprised?"

There was something about his tone that made you annoyed, even though the two of you had barely conversed for even a minute.

"Well I wasn't exactly looking forward to seeing you, now was I?"
"You wound me", he said, the smirk never leaving his lips. You silently wondered if he was capable of any other expression. "Oh I'm sorry ", your voice was mocking him, which only seemed to amuse him further.

"Don't make a scene", he said, voice low, like he was talking to a child. "Or they'll see", he cocked his head towards the other chefs, and your new friends, before giving you a smile, "Good luck with your interview", he walked away, hands stuffed in his pockets. You couldn't help but glare at his figure from the back.

It seemed as if running into him was a new pastime, the world seemed to push the two of you together.

To most people, telling a chef that there was less salt in the food they prepared, any seasoning for that matter seems harmless, but to a chef, it's an insult. It's like you're telling them they're incapable of getting something as basic as seasoning correct. And to top it off, he insulted your Ravioli.

Needless to say, his presence wasn't very welcomed. Even being around him was like a slap to your face.

"Y/n L/n?", the interviewer called out, making you spin on your heel and face him, "Come on in, let's begin shall we?"

You nodded, entering the confinement and taking a seat on the stool provided, giving the interviewer a pleasant smile.

"So..."