Five Star Michelin | Lee Taeyong x reader

You will make me proud, wont you?

Taeyong sighed, running his hands through his hair in frustration. He felt like a child all over again, punished to a corner.

"Have you figured out how to get us back up?,"Lee Sooman asked, "You have to get it back, no matter what, you do know what right?"

Taeyong nodded, "I do"

"Good", he said, "Apparently that L/n girl aims for another star too", he said. "What has she got to do with this?", he asked.

Lee Sooman scoffed, "Just outshine her"

Taeyong scoffed at the thought, yet he felt like a child. He always felt like a child with his mentor.It was sickening, but at the same time, it was like he couldn't escape it. After all, he did want to please him.

"You will make me proud, won't you?"

TWO WEEKS TILL THE ALASTAIR AWARDS

~

Ever since Taeyong had taken you to Café Bul the week before, and let you in on that part of his life, it was as if you had silently sealed a pact, one that actually worked unlike the useless truce the two of you had declared before. The two of you still argued, but it was much more mellowed down and less petty.

Now it was more about stylistic choices about the food, and such, not nitpicking at each other, which was why this dinner event was much more bearable than you expected it to be.

Kun decided it would be a good idea to round up all the chefs for a night of drinks and dinner, to ease everyone into it.

The group, about fifteen of you held a pleasant conversation, somethings you couldn't quite relate to considering most of them had been in the business much longer than you had. Nevertheless, you indulged, smiling and nodding along.

Jazz music played in the back, and Kun asked Lisa to dance and so the two left. Seulgi left with Yuta, and Shotaro was too busy by the chocolate fountain to even care about dancing.

"Would you like to dance?", Taeyong asked, and you shot him an unimpressed look. "We were talking about how I am to murder you not a minute ago and now you want to dance?"

"You know what they say, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer", he winked, "So you coming or not?"

"I'm starting to think you like dragging me places," you mused, getting up from your seat and facing him, "Aright, but I'm a shit dancer."

"Just sway to the music," he shrugged, taking your hand and leading you to the dance floor, "I happen to be an amazing dancer", he boasted and then proceeded to trip.

Pride comes before fall.

"Yeah", you snorted, "So graceful you almost dragged me down with you. Is that what you meant by keeping your enemies closer?"

"That", he said, steadying himself once again, "Was just unfortunate timing"

He placed his hands on your waist and you placed yours around his neck, "Just sway with me", he instructed, moving left to right, "See! You're dancing"

"This may be the world's worst dance class," you deadpanned, "but thank you."

"I read your vogue interview"

"Oh?"

"And", he stopped, "Maybe I was a jerk to you about the ravioli. I could have been better about it"

"You could have", you said with a smile, "Is this an apology? Because paired with this dance class, it's also really bad."

He swallowed, "I'm actually terrible at apologies, but I'm sorry, we started off on the wrong foot, but can we start over?"

You stared at him skeptically, studying the man in front of you. He seemed sincere enough.

"Alright", you agreed with a glint in your eyes, "But do I still get to murder you?"

He chuckled, "That's negotiable."