Months later, the police find the suspects who broke into Dawn's cafe. Apparently, they're part of the mob, despite denying it. Paul is very angry about this because he knows this is Cyrus's doing, but Dawn just told him to calm down. She suggests they lay low and hopefully this is the last of Cyrus. All she did was deny him sex and then embarrass him in public. He shouldn't still be angry right?
Due to the break in, The Piplup had to be closed for a week as they cleaned up and fixed/replaced everything. They even enforced steel doors and window sidings that can be lowered during closing hours. It'll be more difficult to break into the cafe now. Fortunately, Dawn has insurance in case things like this happen, but now her insurance price has gone up.
She also got a new security system during the original renovations, which is how she knew people broke in. She was alarmed on her phone and saw the surveillance of the masked people, so she called the police before hopping in her car and driving over. She didn't expect Paul to go down there and was surprised to see him when she parked her car. Besides cuts and bruises, he was fine, but he couldn't remember any details about the thieves. Luckily, Paul interrupted them before they could break into the safe, so nothing was stolen.
For some reason unknown to Dawn, she hasn't seen Paul lately besides for his nightly shifts, and even then, they're too busy to talk. After bidding Zoey and Kenny goodbye for the day at 1PM, she looks outside but doesn't see Paul's car. Sighing, Dawn enters her car and drives home.
Paul is currently at a park in his car. He is on the phone and looks very pissed off. "What am I supposed to do?" He exclaims.
"That cafe isn't our problem. I figured out that Cyrus will be taking a vacation in a month. I'm pretty sure that's the whole 'meeting with the mob' thing you talked about after the casino incident. I'll need you to go and take pictures of him with the well-known mobsters."
"So you're saying I just use this girl and let her deal with Cyrus's wrath, Saturn?" Paul hisses.
"Again, it's none of our concern." Saturn replies matter-of-factly.
"You're selfish."
"You knew that. I know what I want, and I'll do anything to get it."
"What makes you better than Cyrus, huh?" Paul angrily responds.
Paul hears an annoyed sigh on the other end. "You're right, Paul. I'm just so on edge right now." Saturn takes a deep breath. "I don't know how to help her. All my money is tied into Galactic Co. stocks."
Paul also understands this too. "Can we take down the mob?" he suggests.
"I can't do that without arousing suspicion from Cyrus." Saturn says which makes Paul scowl. "But if you need legal help, I know someone."
"Okay. I got it."
"I can also help lower that insurance premium too. Maybe that'll help her with costs so she can get more security."
"I'll take care of Cyrus and the mob." Paul nods. "Just let me know if anything may happen to the cafe."
"Sure. Bye, Paul." Saturn ends the call and Paul puts his head in his hands.
He has been avoiding Dawn for many reasons. One, he doesn't want to be seen with her by Cyrus's men. Paul isn't sure if she's being spied on or not, but if she is, then the spy will realize who he is and tell Cyrus. Then that'll result in more problems and his plans may be interrupted. Two, if someone is following Paul, he doesn't want to put Dawn in any danger. Three, he doesn't like the way she makes him feel so weak. Paul Shinji isn't weak, but this girl can always see right through him and break his walls. He hates that.
Paul checks the time and notices it is an hour after Dawn and the staff should've left this morning. No one should be there when he goes back. Sometimes, he'll spot her car there and then continue driving and wait elsewhere. Fortunately, she isn't there when he arrives and he goes up to his apartment to sleep. Working construction is exhausting, and working as a bouncer is boring. He just stands outside for hours.
Paul wakes up to knocking on his door. He groans and checks the time to see it is 5:30PM. He'd only been asleep 3 hours. The pounding continues, and Paul knows who it is. He just doesn't want to get up.
"Paul! I know you're in there!" Exclaims the voice.
The pounding intensifies, and groaning loudly, Paul gets up to open the door. Since it is summer, he's shirtless and wearing black athletic shorts. "What, troublesome?" He glares at her.
Dawn wants to yell her name at him but she notices the deep bags under his eyes. Paul does work construction every day and then works at the bar at night. He must be exhausted. She frowns and Paul groans again. "I want to make you dinner! As a thank you for all your hard work!" Dawn smiles while showing him the bags in her hands. She does find herself blushing at the man. He maintains his body well.
"Fine. Wake me when it's done. And keep it down." he says as he goes back to his bed. The bluenette giggles as she watches Paul curl up in his bed. The first few hours of the bar aren't too busy. Maybe she'll have Barry be the bodyguard for 2 hours, so Paul can sleep more.
Once the food is done, Dawn places it nicely on two plates. She looks over and sees Paul still snoring away, so she leaves the plates to walk over to him. For some reason, Dawn squats to look at his face. He looks so tired, she thinks. And he seems stressed. Paul had grown his hair out the way he likes it, so it isn't so short anymore. Dawn likes the look on him. Her hand reaches out to touch some hair by his ear, but his hand quickly grabs her wrist as his eyes shoot open in surprise.
Paul seems to relax when he sees it's just Dawn. Still holding onto her wrist, he asks, "What are you doing?"
Blushing, Dawn responds, "Dinner is ready." She gives an innocent smile and Paul lets go of her. He sits up and yawns before making his way to the bathroom. Dawn decides to make his bed for him. Once he walks out, he grabs both plates on the counter and sits down on his bed while handing one to her. Dawn notices he is still shirtless and tries to focus on her food to hide her blush.
"Thanks for dinner." He mumbles between bites.
She smiles. "Thanks for everything, Paul."
"I didn't do anything."
"You saved the cafe from more damage. You always listen to me. You always help me. You invested in me. You've done a lot." She keeps her gaze on her food.
Paul just shrugs as he finishes his food. He's always a quick eater. He doesn't have time to spend munching for longer than needed. After he washes the dishes, he brings a cup of water to Dawn who has just finished her food.
"Thanks Paul." She smiles at him. "I was going to do the dishes."
"It's fine." He sits down while she washes her dishes. She soon returns and sits next to him.
"I think I'll hire a bouncer." she finally says.
"Make sure they're trustworthy." Paul replies nonchalantly.
"Do you know anyone?"
The purple haired man sighs and looks down at his hands. "I'll look around, but I'll be more free during winter."
She smiles at him. "Great! I'll use your help." While looking at him, she notices the deep long scar on the side of his body. "What's this?" It doesn't look new. She traces the scar with her finger, which makes Paul flinch.
"I got shanked in prison." He lifts his arm to look at the scar and then gives a tight smile. "I know who you can hire."