||~*{ Chapter Twenty-Six: Chocolate Strawberries }*~||

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A yawn left Tao's lips as he fought to keep his heavy eyelids open, but that seemed harder to do as the minues continued to tick pass midnight. Just as his lids began to close, the door to the kitchen swung open loudly, causing Tao to jump out of his drousy state/

"Hey, Pastry Chef Tao, I'm heading home now. Kris is still here, in his office, finishing up this weeks invetory checklist. When you're done in here, be sure to tell him so he can lock up." Xiumin informed as he shrugged on his winter coat and scarf. 

Tao nodded as he turned to look at the shorter one. "Alright. Before you go, would you like a chocolate-covered strawberry? "

A glow lit up in the Executives Chef's eyes at the mention of chocolate and a small, surprised grin graced his lips as he excitedly made his way over to Tao. "Are you sure? Can I really have one?"

"Of course, Executive Chef. This is only the first batch for tomorrow, well technically today since it is passed midnight, but I'm still making more so it should be ablright to give you one. Just don't tell the Assistant Manager."

Xiumin nodded excessively as his grinned only got wider and his mouth seemed to water at the sight of the strawberries. "Don't worry. I won't say a word. Did you hand make the chocolate glaze?"

"Yes." Tao stated simply as he reached for a strawberry and held it up to Xiumin's lips. The older one basically squealed before he inhaled the strawberry between his lips and munched on it happily. 

"Hmmm, so yummy! It's really just strawberries covered in chocolate, but you sir, are just plain magic. I am so greatful that General Manager hired you. That was so good. You think I can borrow you next weekend and have you make me some sweets? "

Xiumin grinned and Tao couldn't help but smile at the remnants of strawberry juice that covered the corners of the Executive Chef's mouth. 

"That is alright with me, Executive Chef." Tao replied as he reached up and used his fingertips to wipe the excess strawberry juice from the older one's mouth.

"Executive Chef, weren't you supposed to clock out already? Your shift is up."

The sudden, cold voice caused the two to jolt, started as they whirled around- only to be greeted with the sight of a annoyed Assistant General Manager.

"Oh, yeah, I was just leaving. Well, Good Night, Tao- er well, it's technically morning, but you know what I meant. Also, you can call me Hyung. You don't have to act so formal towards me because as of right now, you are by far one of my favorite employees here. If you ever need anything, you know where to find me. Don't forget that you just agreed that next weekend you're mine. Thank you for the treat. I'll see you tomor- later today. Don't strain yourself too much! Becareful of your arm! It's still healing. Bye! Bye Assistant Manager!" Xiumin sang as he was leaving the kitchen- leaving the taller two alone.

"Bye, Xiumin-hyung!' Tao called back before he turned his attention to the Assistant General Manager. " Did you need something, Assistant General Manager?"

"What was that with you and Xiumin?" Kris suddenly asked and the Pastry Chef's features twisted in confusion at the icy, cold tone that was used towards him.

"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what you mean."

A sigh left Kris' lips as he shook his head. "No, it's nothing. Anyways, I wanted to talk to you, Pastry Chef Tao."

Tao tensed slightly as he exchanged a quiet gaze with the Assistant General Manager. "I'm assuming this is a talk about my performance in Japan? I really did try my best and I know that it was my fault that we only took second place behind Busker Kitchen, but I-"

Kris held up a hand to silence the younger one as he crossed the floor and sat on one of the stools placed near the prep counter. He pointed to the empty seat next to him and motioned for the Pastry Chef to take a seat. "Just sit down so we can talk, please."

After a few seconds of hesitating, Tao sighed as he took off his gloves and apron before waddling over to take a seat on the empty stool. He remained quiet as he stared down at the floor, waiting patiently for Kris' scolding to come.

Kris cleared his throat rather awkwardly as he looked every where other than at the Pastry Chef. It took a few minutes, but what the Assistant General Manager said wasn't what Tao was expecting.

"T-Thank you, Pastry Chef Tao. " Kris said softly, so softly that Tao almost didn't hear it. The Pastry Chef snapped his head up in surprised as his eyes widened in shock.

"Uh..Excuse me? Can you repeat that?"

"Damn it, I know you heard me." growled Kris and Tao almost belived it was all a dream, but Kris' rude tone snapped him back to reality.

"Well, geez, I was just asking you to repeat because I wanted to make sure I heard correctly. What are you thanking me for? Better yet, what is with everyone either apologizing to me or thanking me? " grumbled Tao, completely put off by the way Kris snapped back.

Kris sighed as he turned his attention to the angry Pastry Chef. "I didn't mean to snap, it's just a natural reaction when dealing with you."

"Wow. How lovely. So glad to know that you hate me. "Barked Tao as he bolted from his stool and made his way back to his station to continue preping strawberries.

"I never said I hated you." snapped back Kris, completely unaware how they even ended up in this situation in the first place.

"You didn't have to. I already knew from day one." hissed Tao as he turned his back towards the Assistant General Manager and angrily began removing the small leaves from the strawberries he was preparing to glaze.

A groan slipped passed Kris' lips as he basically bored holes into the Pastry Chef's back. He didn't expect them to actually aruge over something petty, but everything envolving Tao made Kris do or think unexpected things. 

"Look. I didn't come here to argue. I wanted to say thank you for pushing through at the competition. You helped the team out and because of you, we were able to make it through the rounds. You helped Xiumin and Kyungsoo alot so....thank you and....I'm sorry." Kris blurted out, his tone much softer and Tao whirled around- shocked for the third time that night.

He didn't say anything this time and gazed at Kris quietly as he waited to see if the taller one was going to continue. Kris cleared his throught yet again as he locked gazes with teh Pastry Chef.

"I'm sorry for treating you like I did. Also, I don't hate you, Pastry Chef Tao. I just...I don't really know." Kris mumbled as he broke the gaze to stare silently at the floor.

It was silent for a few moments and Kris assumed the conversation was done so he got up from his stool to leave.

"Can we start over?"

Kris stopped just as he almost reached the door and turned to stare at the Pastry Chef- completely shocked by the younger one's proposal. "Start over?"

Tao nodded. "Yeah. We started on the wrong foot, so why not start on the right one this time. You don't have to like me, nor do you have to be super nice like how you are with General Manager, but atleast acknowledge me as your co-worker Atleast acknowledge my ability and position as the Pastry Chef and I will be alright with that." 

Kris nodded slowly as he took in the younger one's words and slowly, he crossed the floor till he stopped right infront of the younger one, gazing down into the Pastry Chef's deep, brown orbs.  

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Huang Zi Tao. Welcome to Cupid's Kitchen as our new Pastry Chef. My name is Wu Yi Fan, but I am called Kris and I'm the Assistant General Manager. I do not tolerate foolishness, laziness, or tardiness, but welcome and I look forward to working with you."

The shocked expression disappeared from Tao's features, only to be replaced with a small smirk- one that sent a small tug, unknowingly, at Kris' heartstrings. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Assistant General Manager. I will worked hard and I'm happy to have the chance to work here at Cupid's Kitchen."

It was so painfully awkward after their small introductions that Kris couldn't help but laugh- catching Tao completely off guard as he never expected that Kris could even laugh in the first place.

"God, this is awkward. I don't know why.... Anyways, hurry up and finish. I'm tired and I can't leave till your done. I'll be in the lounge so wake me up when you're done. " mumbled Kris/

"Alright. Well, before you go, would you like a strawberry?" Tao asked as he held up one of the chocolate covered strawberries. 

Kris arched an eyebrow as he eyed the fruit. "You do know this is for costumers right?"

Tao nodded and shrugged. "Won't kill anyone if you eat one. Think of it as a peace offering."

"Alright." Kris stated and just as he took a step closer to reach for the strawberry, the door swung in as a certain line cook came bursing in.

Kris and Tao jolted startled at Baekhyun's entrance, causing Tao to fumbled backwards in shock- bringing Kris down with him.

A loud groan slipped passed Tao lips when his head his the warm, kitchen floor and his eyes fluttered shut in pain.

"Oh my god, are you guys oka-....uh...guys..." Baekhyun mumbled as he looked at the surprsingly...awkwardly wrong position the two had fallen into.

Tao's eyes fluttered open as the pain had passed and he opened his month to speak but his questions died on his lips once he realized where Kris was.

The taller of the two was straddled on top of Tao, blinking in confusion as he stared down at Tao- noticing how close their lips were to touching. Tao tensed as he realized that there wasn't a single place, other than their lips, that wasn't touching- including their lower halfs.

The silence that had filled the air was soon disrupted by a bright flash and loud click.

Snap.

The two on the floor turned to see that Baekhyun was holding his camera phone towards the two and Tao instantly caught on.

"Baehyun-hyung, delete that!" growled Tao as he got up to move, but as he did his leg jerked upwards to meet with Kris' crotch, causing a soft, but definitely audiable, gasp to slip from the taller one's lips.

Tao froze as his eyes widened and his eyes instantly locked with Kris'. 

Baekhyun's mouth just dropped as he just registered what happen and he couldn't believe the pink blush he was seeing on the Assistant General Manager's face.

Kris cleared his throat as he quickly scrammbled off Tao, stepping on the fallen strawberry Tao had held earlier, before basically bolting on the room- handing the keys to lock up to Baekhyun in the process.

"Oh my god...the things I have witnessed today...I can't...I just can't anymore..." Baekhyun mumbled and Tao snapped from his daze to glare at the line cook.

"T-This all happened because of you..." stuttered Tao as he got up and shoved the remaning strawberries in the freezer room. When he returned, Baekhyun was still stuck in his spot- completely frozen. "What happened in here doesn't leave us and you better delete that picture. "

Tao quickly fled the room, a blush on his pale cheeks, and Baekhyun simply stared between the crushed strawberry on the floor and the picture on his cell phone.

A playful grin spread across his lips as he locked his phone- purposely not deleting the picture.

Hmm...seems like things around here are actually starting to get livelier....

||Author's Note||: Well, Some small taoris and this is just the beginning ;D now that things are awkward between them, I can have some fun with them and thankfully Suho plays a big part ;D I was asked why their kitchen is called Cupid's Kitchen instead of Exo kitchen, and I have a perfectly good reason that you guys wont find out about till later on in the story. I have most of this fic outlined and junk, so don't worry. Things will eventually get revealed and whatnot. And don't hate Baekkie too much ;) he has his reasons and will eventually have a big role and stuff. Anyways, ignore grammer mistakes and whatnot, I'm lazy and I must study for my exams. Authornim loves you all and thank you to all those who have voted, commented, and subscriber. I love you all ! <3  Till the next update ! ||