"Dawn?"
"yes?"
"aren't you tired of me yet?"
"what do you mean?"
"aren't you tired of me being mad at you and starting fights all the time? aren't you tired of hanging out with me everyday?"
"what?"
"Dawn..."
he looked at you, worry painted all over his face.
"you're aware you have the right to tell me when i'm being annoying or excessive anytime right?"
"why would i want to do that? i'd never find you annoying." he frowned.
"are you sure?"
"i promise." he shot you a reassuring smile. "now finish your ice cream before it melts."
"thank you Dawn."
"no, thank you." he mumbled while looking away.
your phone suddenly rang.
who the hell's calling me at this hour...
"sorry, i've got a phone call." you walked away as he nodded.
"hello?"
"Y/N? it seems i've called the wrong person forgive me." a familiar deep voice could be heard from the other side of your screen.
"ah, it's alright don't worry about it."
"normally, i would hang up. but since it's you..."
"yes?"
"nevermind. have a goodnight Y/N."
"you too Zhongli." you hung up and walked back to Dawn.
"Who was it? if you dont mind me asking. it's just that you smiled as soon as you started talking with them." Dawn asked.
i was... smiling?
"oh... it was just Zhongli. he accidentally called my number."
"accidentally?" Dawn's face turned dark.
ever since that time he had seen you and his friend dining together while laughing, he couldn't help but get jealous.
"Dawn? what's wrong? why're you clenching your fists?"
"nothing." he sighed. "did you finish your ice cream?"
"yeah. it was really good."
"i agree."
"we should get some again some other time. it'd be even better if it were late at night like this." you suggested.
"... yes." he failed to contain the smile on his lips.
"come on let's go back." you tugged at his coat sleeve.
he followed after you and you both got into his car. as soon as you sat down and buckled your seatbelt, you laid your head back sighing.
"is something the matter?" he asked.
"it's just that... recently, we've been getting less customers. and i don't really know how to deal with that."
"i could help you if you'd like."
"how?"
"i know a thing or two about buisness. i have a buisness major."
"and you'd be willing to help a small café like mine?"
"it may be a bit hidden and unknown but, your coffee is top quality and deserves more attention in my opinion. the pastries you serve are also delicious." he complimented you.
"wow... i don't know what to say." you tried fighting the blushing on your face.
"so what do you say? would you like me to assist you a little bit?" he leaned a little bit closer to you.
you were putting your seatbelt on. so as soon as you turned back around, you were met with his face.
your face was even more flushed than before, while he looked confident. it was almost as if... he was smirking.
"i'll think about it..." you looked away.
Dawn retrieved and started the engine. "very well then."
after a bit of time, you broke the silence. "how exactly do you plan on helping me?"
he chuckled softly. "i'll become your mentor."
"oh okay- wait what?!"
"i'll teach you everything i know when it comes to managing buisness. i've majored in company managing so i may not be much help since you're only managing a shop." he continued explaining.
"company managing? i thought you were a secretary?" you tilt your hesd in confusion.
"uh well i- i'm a secretary for now but as soon as i earn enough i plan on opening my own buisness." he was slightly sweating.
"so technically, i'm above you. since i own a buisness right?" you joked.
he chuckled with you. "not exactly. i'm pretty sure i earn more than you. i'm not just any secretary, i work for an important company."
"i was just joking no need to rub it in my face..." you sulked teasingly. "by the way, i've been meaning to ask for what company you work for."
"i work for the Dawn Winery. it's a well-known wine buisness."
that name sounds familiar.
"how well-known is it?"
"it's international." he grinned proudly.
"Sam, Ganyu, Lumine!" you called them.
"yes boss?" Lumine walked up to you.
Sam and Ganyu did the same. "you called?"
"i have some good news for all of you, all of us." you smiled.
"are we getting a raise?!" Lumine smiled and winked cheekily.
"no."
"awh man... okay what is it?"
"so do you guys remember how buisness hasn't been doing all that good recently?"
"yeah. it makes me really sad and frustrated. i feel so useless." Samantha admitted.
"don't blame yourself for anything. it's my fault for not being a good shop manager. i'm not that knowledgeable." you patted her shoulder. "which is part of the good news,"
"what is it?"
"a proffessional is going to help us out and mentor me on buisness managing."
"really?! that's great oh my god!" Ganyu clasped your hands.
"that's great and all but where'd you get a professional? and how do you know he's a professional? you might be getting scammed here." the blonde girl put her hands on her hips.
"you idiot, i'm not that stupid." you flicked her forehead.
"then who is it?" they all simultaneously asked.
"Dawn." you smirked in pride. having a real professional help you out was something to take pride in for you.
"you called?" you heard his voice behind you.
all three girls screamed. you quickly turned around. "speak of the devil. what are you doing here?"
Lumine and Ganyu were catching their breath while Sam shushed them and took them to a corner to spy on you and who she liked to call, your future boyfriend.
"we're starting today." he went looking for an apron.
"today?!" you followed him.
"what? are you unprepared? or scared perhaps? i'll let you know, i'm not helping you if you're not ready to do your all. i'm very strict." the redhead smirked as he tied the apron around his waist.
"me? a coward? never. it'll take a lot to make me want to give up." you smirked back at him as you put your hands on your hips confidently.
"good then. let's start."
"sure. wait- start what exactly?"
"i'm going to be working the shift for today." he walked to the counter.
"Dawn. i already have three other employees. i can't give you a salary too."
"trust me, money is not the thing that i'm missing. i'll be working the shift to show you how to work with customers. you already have experience, so this is an excercise for your employees mostly. feel free to take notes too." he spoke as he looked at your coffee machines and supplies. "where do you store everything? it'd be nice to know." he grinned.
"follow me. girls, i'll be back. you start cleaning before anyone comes in."
"yes ma'am!"
you started walking to the kitchen to show him around and make him more familiar with the place.
"you seem to be respected here." Dawn helped you get a coffee bag to refill the machines.
"of course. i'm their boss before i'm their friend."
"it's not just that."
"hm?"
"i personally find that you're a respectable person in general."
"glad to hear it. i trust you'll respect me too then?" you opened a cabinet.
"when have i ever disrespected you?" he chuckled.
you looked at him. eyes half-lidded in annoyance. "Dawn."
"i'm just joking." he crossed his arms and leaned his back against the counter.
"i know." you pinched his cheek. "now come on, i'm still not done showing you around." you walked ahead.
he rubbed the cheek you once touched and then covered his red face with the back of his hand.
Sam, Lumine and Ganyu watched you two from a distance.
"did y'all see that?!" Lumine whisper-yelled.
"Sam you were right! there definitely is something between those two!" Ganyu continued.
"i told you." the former scoffed in pride.
"and that should be about it." you finished.
"thank you. could you tell me where the broom is?" he asked.
"you want to clean too?"
"naturally." he crossed his arms.
he does that a lot doesn't he?
"it's over there in the corner." you pointed. "there's no need to clean now. the girls just finished doing that."
"shall we open then?" he let out a huff and smiled.
how adorable. you thought
"let's go." you flipped the closed sign to open.
"girls, may i have your attention?" Dawn leaned against the counter once again, crossing his legs.
"yes mr. Dawn!"
"please, just call me Dawn." he smiled.
"he's so handsome look at him! good job Y/N, you really scored yourself a good one!" the blonde girl whispered to her shy blue haired friend.
"as you may already know, today i will be working alongside you. on top of that, i will also simultaneously be teaching you on how to do propper service that'll leave your customers satisfied." he cleared his throat and continued. "you may think of this as a mere part-time job but it doesn't mean you shouldn't put effort. i trust you will all be trying your best. have i made myself clear ladies?"
"yes Mr. Dawn!"
"i already told you to drop the formalities, did i not?" he cocked an eyebrow.
"he's so hot, damn!" Lumine fangirled with her friends, proud of Y/N.
"girls are you even paying attention to what he's saying? would you stop whispering to eachother?" you gave them a death glare.
"it's fine. if they don't pay attention, i'll make sure they take responsibility for it. i'll take care of them." Dawn patted your head. he took it back and clapped his hands. "alright, everyone get to work."
and with that, everything was going smoothly. Dawn corrected the girls every now and then and taught them new tricks.
"Samantha, try using a tray."
"but we don't use the trays for tha-"
he grabbed a tray and put some sugar packets along with other items in an aesthetically pleasing fashion. "here, like this." he held her hands and did what he told her to by controlling her hands. "now put it on display on your counter. it's better than customers having to ask and bother you for sugar packets and utensils, wouldn't you agree?"
those two seem to be getting along well. you watched them from afar while crossing your arms.
"yes, thank you for this valuable lesson." she said while closing her eyes and smiling, almost teasing and mocking him.
"eccentric." he chuckled.
"arrogant." she crossed her arms and looked him in the eye.
he did the same and glared.
she suddenly burst out into laughter. her wonderful laughter. it was so charming. "i'm just joking. that was a great idea Dawn." Sam continued laughing.
"get back to work before i change my mind." he smiled.
"yes sir." she walked away.
they really get along. you clicked your tongue... in annoyance.
"Dawn." you called him.
he walked over to you immediately. "i appreciate your help and everything, but would you please refrain from flirting with my employees?"
"f-flirting?" his face flushed. "sorry i didn't mean for it to come off that way."
you sighed. "it's alright. let's get back to work." you walked away.
you resumed your work day that was surprisingly going smoothly. until, you met a problematic client.
"what do you mean you don't have any muffins left?! my son here is starving!"
"ma'am i-i'm really sorry but-" Ganyu tried holding back her tears.
"where is your manager?!" she continued shouting.
"what's going on?" Sam and Dawn simultaneously said.
the middle aged woman looked at Sam and glared. she then put her gaze on the redhead. the look in her eyes immediately changed. "is he your manager?" she slightly smirked. "and who is this little girl?" she looked at Sam. "are you the manager?! you look so young. no wonder your employees are so undisciplined!"
"i'd suggest quieting down ma'am." Dawn glared at her.
"i can defend myself." Sam looked at him.
"i'm sure you can. i just want to give her a piece of my mind."
"would you two stop flirting?! my son here is starving! young people these days." She shouted. "Why would a handsome man even go for a girl like her anyway..." she mumbled to herself but it could still be heard.
Samantha's face darkened.
"that's enough. if you would please follow me to the exit." Dawn visibly started getting angry.
"how dare you chase me out?! is this how you treat your customers?! disgusting!"
"what's disgusting is you." you finally interfered.
"and who are you?!" she spit in your face from shouting.
"the manager and owner of this place."
"haah... so it's you, huh? what kind of manager are you?! letting your employees be so disrespectful, letting them flirt while there's a starving child infront of them, and calling a customer disgusting!" she raised her hand and tried to slap you. "ugly and disgusting women like you should be ashamed to show their face in public!"
Dawn tried to hold her arm but failed.
you caught her arm in time. "Dawn, call 911."
"Y/N, are you alright?"
"i said call 911." you tightened your grip on her arm.
"w-what are you- what are you doing to me?! my arm is going to turn red. this is harassment!" she threw a tantrum.
"the police will drive you and your son out. i'd advise you to never come again. and if you decide to," you leaned in closer to her ear. "i'll make sure you'll piss your pants everytime you even think about me." you whispered, making sure she was the only one who had heard that. You let her arm go.
her legs started shaking, and it then spread to her whole body. "y-you- you're crazy!"
"Dawn?" you called him.
"they're on their way."
"good. now lady, i suggest you sit down and patiently wait for the cops to get here. if you can, that is. i'm well aware patience isn't exactly your specialty." you smirked.
you left and walked away. she stayed frozen in place as panic ate her alive. she slowly sat down on her original seat.
you went back to your employees and Dawn.
"Y/N! that was amazing you handled it greatly!" Ganyu clapped her hands. and soon enough everyone in the café except, for the woman, started clapping along.
Dawn did the same and patted your head. "i'm surprised you handled that so well. good job."
"thanks." you took his hand off your head and looked away.
he frowned in confusion for a second but let it go.
"Y/N, what took you so long to interfere?" Lumine asked.
"i... i was... i was in the restroom." you lied.
the truth was that the whole time you stared at Dawn and Sam's interactions. you just stood there dumbfounded. you eventually snapped back to reality and then came to help.
"you handled that so well Sam." you said, with a little bit of jealousy and guilt.
"you did way better than me." she replied as she hugged you. "she didn't hit you right?"
right. how could i ever be mad at her. even less, jealous. she's such a sweetheart. You thought as a pang of guilt hit you. All envious and toxic feelings you had quickly dissipated. You cursed at yourself for being so ridiculous.
"i'm fine. i'm more worried about you." you hugged her back.
"why?"
"she basically called you ugly and other unpleasant things." you explained.
"yeah... i'm fine." she looked away. she was clearly not telling the truth. but you didn't want to force it out of her.
"Sam don't let her get to you. you're not ugly at all." Dawn said in a serious tone while crossing his arms.
you elbowed him. "how could you say that?!" you whispered.
"ouch- what was that for?!" he whispered back.
"Sam, you are seriously so beautiful. please don't take anything to heart. especially not from that ellen degeneres looking ass woman." you clasped her hands in yours and smiled to her reassuringly.
"thanks." she smiles and laughs.
"Dawn, follow me." you dragged him by the arm.
he didn't fight against it.
"you can't just say to a girl she's not ugly! that's so back-handed. it's like saying she's not pretty either."
"forgive me... i did not mean it that way."
"i'm not the one you should be apologizing to..." you facepalmed.
"what should i say instead?"
"tell her she's pretty-"
"you're beautiful." he interrupted you.
you stared at him dumbfounded.
"Dawn?"
"would it work if i told her that?" he questioned.
you let your head fall down and stared at the ground. your whole face was burning up.
"yes, that would wo-"
but,
i don't want him to say that to anyone else.
"actually, no. it's too straightforward. you should only say that to the girl you love." you explained.
"then i'll be sure to say it to you again..." he mumbled to himself as his face turned red.
"sorry what'd you say? i couldn't hear."
"it's nothing. let's go. the police arrived."
after that, you took care of the whole situation. and were heading home.
"you really don't have to accompany me to the bus stop." you explained.
"i want to." he insisted. "great job ladies. you all exceeded my expectations. especially you Samantha. the way you stepped up to defend Ganyu was praiseworthy. i hope to see you all next time. get home safe."
"you all did great." you walked away.
"wait for me." you heard his voice. his tone was quieter than usual this time. he opened an umbrella.
"why the umbrella? it's not raini-" you turned to look at the view infront of you as soon as you got out of your café right after the girls. the hangover roof of your coffee shop was protecting you from the rain. the rain was the only thing your ears wanted to pay attention to. nothing was visible. the mist had completely blanketed your sight. only the view and sound of rain drops crashing in water puddles and on the ground were there. it was such a beautiful sight you'd never get tired of.
"Y/N?"
"oh yes... sorry i got distracted."
"you really love the rain don't you?"
"oh. you noticed?"
"how couldn't i? you always seem to be in a daze when it rains."
"it's beautiful isn't it?" you looked at it.
"very beautiful." he mumbled to you as he stared at you, and you only.
"let's get going now." you put your hand on his, since it was holding the umbrella and ran through the rain to your bus stop.
"ok, i'm safe. thanks Dawn. you should go back home now."
"it was my pleasure. please get home safely." he took his phone out as he walked away.
•
•
•
Diluc POV
Diluc had called Elzer.
why isn't he picking up? the redhead had started to grow frustrated.
he had called at least 20 times but still, no answer.
should i just walk home? i could use the bus.
suddenly, he remembered.
shit. i completely forgot i gave them all a day off today. so even if i get home, no one'll open the door. and i didn't bring the keys like an imbecile because i'm used to Adelinde opening the door for me.
where should i go now?
i could...
no. i can't bother her.
•
•
•
Your POV
you finally boarded the bus and sat down.
that's weird, Zhongli isn't here today.
you turned your head to the right to look for him. you couldn't find him. you sighed and turned your head back around.
"is this seat taken?"
you jumped. "Dawn? what are you doing here? and no, no one's sitting here."
"that's good. i didn't want to sit away from you."
your face flushed. "um so what are you doing here anyways? it's a bit strange for someone as rich and mighty as you to be using the bus."
"Y/N listen. i'm sorry for asking such a big favour from you."
"it's alright. you're my friend after all. who would i be to turn you down? unless it's about money."
he chuckled. "i can't go home tonight. and as you may know, i don't have that many... connectio-"
"you don't have any friends, yes. continue." you chuckled.
"can i stay over at your place tonight? again?"
-🍷-