A/N: Sorry it's been awhile guys, and to add insult to injury, it's a shorter chapter ._. gomen.

Well at least it's an important one. And after this chapter begins the real climax. So stay tuned!

Will Work for Mellorine

Chapter 3: Invitation

I do not own One Piece

Much to Nami's chagrin, Sanji returned to the restaurant morning just after breakfast. While he was there, none of Nami's co-workers so much as blinked at her. But Sanji knew she was still being hurt.

Nami tried to cover them up, but bruises and red marks laced all the way up her arms and spotted her cheeks. Every time Nami walked by Sanji's table, he saw the new editions and often asked about them. Nami would usually ignore his prying.

One day there was a very notable bruise on Nami's right forearm. It was in the shape of a hand, an easy sign of someone handling her far too roughly.

Nami walked by his table, trying to avoid his gaze, but Sanji reached out and held her arm gently. She stopped.

"What do you need this time?" Nami asked rather rudely.

Sanji ignored her attempt at a cold shoulder, "That bruise is huge, who did it?"

Nami ripped her arm from his grasp and turned to him. "Who do you think you are, my guardian? Why don't you just leave me alone?"

Sanji's eyes saddened. It caught Nami off guard.

"No one should hurt such a beautiful flower like you. In fact, no man should ever hurt a woman. Ever." He said softly.

Nami calmed. She sighed as the words sank in, "I can take care of myself."

"I know you can, Nami-san, but you won't fight back. Why?" Sanji asked.

Nami looked around the restaurant, nervous that someone would overhear the conversation.

Sanji smiled, "How about lunch then, will you come to a little café during your lunch break?" He gave her a small card that had the name and address of the café.

Nami gave an uneasy glance at Sanji and at the card. Sanji smiled and got up from the table. He wanted to hug, or kiss her hand at the very least, but settled with laying an encouraging hand on Nami's shoulder. She's had enough guys getting too close to her already.

Nami gave a small grin and looked back down at her card. Sanji exited the restaurant without paying, all he had was some water and bread. Once the door closed behind him, Sanji sighed with a quiet "mellorine."

Later in the afternoon, Sanji sat nervously at one of the two seated tables. The café wasn't very busy at this point because it was starting to close down. It was a shame, this place had class and some of the most delicious brews of coffee, but it was also a new opportunity for Sanji to open his business.

Sanji stared out the window, waiting intently for Nami to arrive. His face broke into a broad smile when he saw her walking toward the café. He walked to the front door and held it open for her. The two sat at the table.

"Do you need something to eat? This place has amazing coffee and scones," Sanji offered.

"No that's okay, I had a large breakfast," Nami lied.

Sanji's shoulders slumped. He wished he could have had a little lunch date with her. Nonetheless, he thought, raising his shoulders, I have to ask her.

"So why don't you do anything about your job? Why not quit, or better yet, fight back?"

Nami sighed, "I'm not some weak person who can't stand up for herself, but if I fight back, I know that I'm going to be fired."

"What's wrong with being fired?" Sanji pressed.

"This is my last chance at a job, if I can't hold this one down, my parents are going to make me move back in with them," Nami explained.

Sanji didn't know what to do about the situation.

"Will you come back every day?" Nami asked suddenly.

"Of course," Sanji smiled, "Why?"

Nami blushed a little. "It's just that, I feel safer when you're around, and I don't have to worry as much."

Sanji swooned, "Like a knight in shining armor, coming to rescue his princess."

"Don't push it," Nami warned. The rush of mellorines immediately stopped.

"Anyways, why did you bring me to this café?" Nami asked.

"The café is actually starting to close down, and I've been looking for a good spot to set up shop."

"Are you really going to buy this store?" Nami wondered.

Sanji nodded, "It's very nice and isn't too expensive. I just have to wait for the owner to finish cleaning up and move out."

"Congratulations," Nami smiled.

"Thanks," Sanji replied, watching Nami check her phone. His heart sank when she began to stand from her seat. "Do you have to leave so soon?"

"Ya, I don't have a very long lunch break. But what if I come back tomorrow?" Nami asked.

"Of course you can! And I'll be sure to be there for you when you need me," Sanji wrote his phone number on the back of a receipt and handed it to Nami.

"Thanks, Sanji-kun," Nami said and took the number.

The two exited the restaurant and with a final uneasy smile, they both turned and walked away. But of course Sanji couldn't help but to look back, and ogle at Nami's beauty. 'Oh well,' He thought, 'I can't be polite all the time.'

A/N: Don't know when the next chapter will be out, but until then, thanks for reading! Please review!