Chapter 24

Ever since Cyrus's surprise visit, Saturn suggests that Paul lie low for some time. Now that Cyrus knows Paul was at the harbor, he has his guard up and is keeping tabs on Paul. Paul has also limited his visitation with Maylene. He wants Cyrus to think he's working alone. Paul had turned over a copy of the photos to Saturn, but Saturn says it's not enough to expose Cyrus nor is it safe yet. They'll wait and formally oust him from his post as CEO of Galactic Co. first. Then he'll lose money, and with that, he will lose power.

It's only been a month, so the cafe still has limited hours. Paul is relieved to see Dawn's car every day. The two haven't spoken since the incident. Saturn also suggested for Paul to look for bugs, so Paul bought a bug detector to find some. Good thing he listened to Saturn too because he found 6 bugs. He's not sure if he got them all, so he rechecks every few days when the cafe and bar are closed.

During one evening, Paul hears a knock on his door. It's been a while since anyone has knocked on his door. He checks the window and sees Dawn's car. Could she be spying on him since he removed all of the bugs? His thoughts are broken as the pounding continues.

"I know you're in there, Paul!" Rolling his eyes, He opens the door a crack but doesn't let her in. He glares down at her as she looks up at him fiercely. "Let's have dinner." She lifts a bag up to show groceries.

"No."

Dawn's intense gaze on him doesn't stir. "I know you haven't been eating well lately because you can't use your right arm." She's right about that.

He's been eating out or eating things that he can make with one hand. Paul also had to limit his workouts too, so he feels a little pudgy. However, he doesn't trust her. "Leave."

"Why!" she exclaims as she shoves her foot in the doorway so he can't close it.

"Why are you here?" his glare intensifies.

She sighs and looks down. "I miss you, Paul! I just want to talk like old times." The bluenette quietly says.

"No."

"Why?!" she exclaims again.

"I don't need to explain myself to you." Paul tries to close the door, but now Dawn throws a hand against it.

"You're not fair, Paul! You always make me explain myself, but you never explain yourself!" she angrily huffs at him.

"You choose to answer me. I choose to not answer you."

Dawn takes a deep breath to calm down. "Look, I bought these groceries to cook a nice dinner for us. Can't I at least do that?"

"No." he didn't ask for it. Why should he let her do it?

Dawn hits his uninjured chest. "Why?" A few tears are falling down her cheek now. Why is this man pushing her away? What has she done to deserve this?

"I don't trust you."

She looks into his hurt coal grey eyes. "Paul…"

He looks away and shakes his head. "Please leave, Dawn."

Dawn is taken aback by hearing him say her name. Usually, he'd call her 'Troublesome' or wouldn't use a name at all. He's hurting and she doesn't know why, but she figures it has something to do with him not trusting her. With all her strength, she abruptly pushes the door and Paul takes a few steps back from the impact. He painfully grabs his shoulder as Dawn makes her way into his kitchen.

"What are you doing?" He exclaims as she takes out the vegetables.

"Proving to you that you can trust me, Paul Shinji!" she stares intensely into his eyes and then focuses on her task. Paul groans and runs his left hand through his hair. He closes the door and decides to lay on his bed. He sends a text to Maylene about Dawn being here in case he dies.

At least listen to her. Maylene texts back. Paul groans again and looks over at the bluenette to make sure she doesn't pull a gun or knife on him.

Dawn feels Paul's eyes on her but tries to ignore him as she cooks. It's easier said than done because she feels a sharp pain on her finger and yelps with a flinch. "Ah!" She exclaims and rushes to the sink to flush her finger under cold water.

Paul sighs and grabs the bandaids from the bathroom closet. He then makes his way back to the panicking girl and sees tears in her eyes. The man shuts off the water before handing Dawn a bandaid. "It's just a scratch."

Dawn gratefully takes the bandaid and wraps it on her bleeding finger. "It still hurts." She pouts. Paul notices that she is making a stew. She happened to have cooked the meat and some vegetables already. There are some carrots on the cutting board.

"We don't need carrots." Paul says as he grabs the salt and pepper to add to the stew. He'd been watching Dawn and knows she hasn't added anything. Not even poison if she wanted to.

After the stew is done, Dawn scoops it into 2 bowls and carries them over to Paul who is now on his bed. He gratefully takes the bowl and waits for Dawn to eat before he does. Of course, she notices this but chooses to ignore it, despite the hurt she is feeling. Since it is cold and snowy outside, the stew is perfect for its warmth. Paul feels very reenergized. The two eat in silence and then Dawn washes the dishes. She chose not to push him to talk since all she asked for was a meal.

"Thanks for eating with me, Paul." She smiles at him. He nods and closes the door once she walks down the stairs. He then makes his way over to the window to check on her safe departure, but he can't see anything. The snow is blowing too hard and it's obscuring any view.

"Fuck!" He exclaims and sprints out the apartment, down the stairs, and outside to the car that is on.

He pounds on the window and the shocked bluenette's eyes meet his. "Where's your jacket, Paul?" she shouts as she turns off her car and opens the door to get out. What is wrong with him?

"Don't go." He pants out. He doesn't even feel the cold snowflakes on his skin. Dawn raises a confused eyebrow at him. "There's a blizzard. Don't go." He pleads.

Dawn smiles gently at him. She takes off her beanie and puts it on his head to cover his ears. He is very unamused. "Okay, Paul."