Five Star Michelin | Lee Taeyong x reader

Jerk

The world seemed to think that you hadn't been mocked enough, and so it decided to make you the victim of their entertainment once again, as you found yourself standing in front of Lee Taeyong, a person you positively despised, holding a fucking salt shaker.

"This is interesting", he snickered and you groaned, "Fuck off"

"I can't", Taeyong pointed out, "I have to be as much as you do"

"Oi, you two, we need to shoot"

The two of you were wearing your typical chef uniforms, the white bulky button down that was practically your trademark at this point. The people at Vogue decided to put the Top Chef Interview as the highlight of that month's magazine issue.

So naturally, they needed a cover picture. What you couldn't fathom was why they chose you and Taeyong, that combination specifically.

Walking towards the white backdrop they had prepared, you sighed, swallowing your initial reluctance to being anywhere near Taeyong. He set you off, with the littlest of things he did. Maybe it was that goddamn smirk, or the fact that he was an asshole, but had the mercy of the world on his side, and had to be an attractive asshole.

Life really wasn't fair.

"Okay, stand in front of him", the photographer Lucas instructed, "Just a little off the side-perfect! Actually maybe lose the salt shaker, that the knife"

You silently thanked whatever gods above that had decided to take your side in letting you keep the shaker aside. Taeyong looked a little deflated at that. He probably wanted to tease you for it.

Asshole.

So you repositioned yourself according to Lucas' instructions, this time with a knife held in front of your face at an angle. Taeyong stood directly behind you practically breathing down your neck.

"Why did it have to be you again?", you asked, disdain dripping from your voice.

"Well, the tagline this month is-'meet the newest and the best'", he whispered, breathe tickling your ear lobe. You breathed out, "Right, wonderful"

"You really don't like me do you?", he mused. You kept staring directly at the camera which was where you were supposed to. "I wonder what gave it away"

"Obviously it was the lovesick looks you've been giving me", he scoffed, "You're amusing"

You shifted on your feet. "I'm glad to be of amusement, but you're insufferable"

"We've hardly even had a full conversation and I've been deemed insufferable?"

"Can you two shut up for a minute? We need a decent shot"

You grit your teeth, staring stoically at the camera once again. They wanted that serious intimidating chef look from the both of you. The camera clicked, and the light from the flash nearly blinded you. You blinked awkwardly after they said they got the shot they wanted, trying to regain your stance.

"You're amusing because you seem so high strung all the time", he faced you, his dark eyes meeting yours. "It's like you have this agenda to purposefully hate me. Like you're trying to fit in or something"

You must have looked horrified. Were you that easy to read? He laughed, "See, all I did was tell you that there was less salt in the ravioli", he shrugged nonchalantly.

"You know damn well what that means", you said, voice low as if you were warning him, "And I would've accepted that fact, I have off days too but-"

"Then why did you react so explosively?", his smirk was back, as if he took pleasure getting you all riled up. He looked triumphant.

"I would've accepted it if you didn't act like such a fucking jerk"

He raised an eyebrow at you, "And how so?"

"Are you two going to just stand there and flirt?", Lucas asked, reminding you of his presence. You spun around, heat rising to your face, "Sorry", before glancing at Taeyong, "Ask yourself that", you hissed, walking away.

His eyes followed you out.