Venom

《 Twelve 》

The next morning, Lorenzo awoke to an empty bed. No sign of Yifan. He looked at the time to see that he had woken up late. He decided to stay home from work to unpack. The man took a quick shower and dressed in black sweats and a navy blue t-shirt. He went downstairs to eat breakfast. Zhen and Maelin greeted him and Grandma Jia already had breakfast ready for him at the table.

"You didn't have to. I can cook, Grandma Jia." He said and the old woman smiled.

"It's okay, honey. You're probably tired from moving and packing yesterday." Lorenzo took a seat and thanked Jia before eating his breakfast.

He took small bites of his food while conversating with Jia. After breakfast, Lorenzo cleaned up the table and washed the dishes. Grandma Jia was pleased with his manners. She watched him with a happy smile on her face. Lorenzo was drying his hands when Yifan's siblings came to him with Bella on a leash.

"We're taking Bella on a walk, would you like to come?" The boy asked him and Lorenzo nodded.

"Dress warmly." Grandma Jia said while patting his back.

"I'll be back, hang on." The man went upstairs to his husband's bedroom. He went to the closet and dressed in an oversized maroon-colored sweater and thick joggers. He wore warm boots and went downstairs. The three went outside and began walking down the stone path to leave the house. Maelin held Bella's leash while Zhen's hand clung to Lorenzo's arm naturally.

"Is this okay?" The boy asked nervously and the elder patted the teen's head with his free hand.

"It's alright, kiddo. I don't mind at all." The boy's face lit up at those words and he walked quietly next to their new family member.

"Tell us about yourself, Lorenzo." Maelin said as Bella sniffed the bushes they passed.

"Ask me anything." The elder grinned.

"How old are you?" The girl asked.

"I'm twenty-seven."

"What do you do?"

"I'm a fashion designer, I have a famous shop with my friends."

"Woah, that's so cool." The teenage girl's sparked with amazement. These children were so pure.

"What do you like to eat?"

"I love cake, especially chocolate and red velvet."

"I love anything with chocolate but brother doesn't let me eat too much." Zhen said with a pout.

"Do you work out a lot?" The elder laughed at that question.

"Why do you ask?" He teased and the siblings giggled.

"You're very muscular." Maelin said with a giggle. "But nothing compared to big brother's Yifan."

Memories of the younger man came to his mind. Thick arms decorated with black ink. Strong hands that caged his body so easily. The other carried Lorenzo without struggle and even kept him in place with no way to escape. Just how much strength did Yifan really have? God, what was he thinking of?

"Your older brother is strong indeed." The siblings seemed proud as the elder said those words.

"He is our superhero." Zhen replied.

"Brother Yifan is Batman." Maelin said and Lorenzo giggled.

They continued to walk for an hour before going back home. Lorenzo went upstairs and began setting up his clothing and products in the bedroom. In the afternoon, the man helped Grandma Jia cook lunch for everyone. The day went on as he learned the walls he was residing in for now. Bella followed him around as he walked in the garden with Maelin. In the evening, Lorenzo decided to cook dinner for the family. He went with a chicken soup recipe along with homemade garlic bread. Jia came inside the kitchen to see what the man was doing.