Hell's Smitten (Gordon Ramsay x Reader)

Chapter 79- Black Jacket Challenges Part 1/4

Monday, July 15th, 2013

"Get ready, everyone! I hope you guys are ready for your black jacket challenge, Ramsay needs you all downstairs in ten minutes!" Christina's voice cuts through the dorms, reaching me in the bathroom where I'm straightening my blue jacket. No matter what happens, today will be the last day I wear this color. I know that I can replace it with black by the end of the day.

When I emerge from the bathroom, I notice Kalyani whispering to Janice in the far corner of the room. I briefly wonder what she's whispering about when my eyes draw to Abel sitting at a barstool. Most of the other chefs mill about getting prepared for the day but he is already dressed and ready.

I approach him on the barstool and slide in next to him. He looks over at me with a small smile.

"Good morning, (Y/N). Did you sleep well?"

I nod, leaning my elbows against the countertop in front of us. "Did you?"

"I went to sleep early to be prepared. Five hours of sleep should be more than enough."

I don't have time to think about how five hours of sleep is barely enough sleep for me to keep my eyes open before he leans over the raised counter and pulls two plates up, setting one in front of me.

A beautiful golden omelette with fresh herbs sits steaming on the plate, with a fork slid underneath one fluffy side.

"Oh my goodness, thank you!" I take the fork and cut a corner of the omelette, bringing it to my mouth.

"Don't mention it, I did say I'd take care of you." He cuts into his own omelette with grace. How a person can eat food gracefully, I'll never know– but Abel accomplishes doing so.

The second I finish my last savory bite, Taylor comes up behind me and squeezes my sides.

"C'mon slow poke! We're gonna be late!" She gestures to the stairs and holds her arm out to me.

I look over at Abel, who nods slightly. I take her arm and we head towards the stairs.

Janice, who was leaned against the wall near the stairs, grabs my shoulder. She tries to pull me aside, but Taylor is having none of that and keeps her arm linked with mine as Janice drags us both to the side.

"What is this I'm hearing about you dating Abel?" she asks, animosity lacing her tone.

"Isn't that what you wanted?" I say with confusion.

"Well, yes, but the ratings are never going to go up if we don't get more drama on tape!" she hisses. "You have to talk to Abel again, this time on the mics, about being in a relationship with him. Do over what you said the first time so we have it on our recordings."

"That... isn't possible," I say slowly. Taylor glares at Janice and squeezes my arm.

Janice's eyes become beady points of light. "What do you mean not possible? You are the one who signed a contract, not the other way around. If I say you need to re-enact the scene, then you need to do it. I expect you two to have talked by tomorrow– that is if you survive the eliminations today," she adds, sounding vaguely threatening.

Taylor pulls my arm. "Come on, we're going to be late." She shoots a hateful look at Janice before she and I rush down the stairs together.

The tension in the air is thick as we line up in red vs blue formation for the last time in front of the kitchens. Abel takes his place at my side with his hands locked behind him.

Gordon is already standing at the center of the dining room with his head chef jacket a near blinding white under the spotlight. Beside him there is a table stacked with black jackets. His eyes bouncing between each contestant and lingering on Abel and me for a second longer than everyone else.