Wang Yibo's POV:

Walking through the now empty living room, I pick out the trash which were not much but yet seem to be cluttered around. Need to teach those boys some manners. Shaking my head I dump them into the garbage bag. Somewhere in the kitchen my phone rings and I answer it quietly "Officer Wang".

"Boss, it's me Sean" I hear a low murmur "the bomb squad just gave us the reports. No adversaries. The bomb was of low end just to cause some minor deviation. Chief has asked us all to go home as there isn't much we can do about. They're sealing this place too" I can hear Drew's voice from behind "Boss, Drew has handed over the documents to the cyber cell. Do you want us to come back to the Steak House?".

Stake House was our code for Xiao Zhan's penthouse.

"No. Go home and take rest as Chief suggested. I'll meet you guys tomorrow" with that I cancel the call and think back to what had transpired an hour ago.

Dre recived a call and was informed that our precinct was attacked by a bomb. Luckily it wasn't a weapon to kill but merely cause some minor damages. This did not sit well with any of us and thus they all rushed out. Chief commanded me to stay back and protect Xiao Zhan and so here I am cleaning his house. Not that much needs to be cleaned, this penthouse is not a house it's a museum but knowing my boys and their love for food, it can become a bit messy.

"Office Wang" I look up from above the washer to find JC holding few packets of instant noodles "hungry? Shall I prepare some for you? I was going to make dinner for Zhan and me" he enquires and I nod. Taking a seat on the barstool by the kitchen platform I ask "Do you want my help?" and he smiles kindly "Not necessary Officer Wang. You being here and protecting Zhan is more than enough for me to sleep peacefully at night".

Something in his words triggered me and unable to keep a lid on my curiosity, I enquire "Are you in love with Mr. Xiao?". My question takes him by surprise as his eyebrows reach his hairline. Chuckling softly he continues to take out the pan, boil the water whilst I wait patiently for him to answer. Once he adds the required noodles into the boiling water, closing the lid his gaze finds mine "If you mean do I love Zhan as a lover then no, I don't love him but Officer Wang, why do we always insist that our affection for someone has to be labelled as a lover, friend, brother or something similar?" walking upto the fridge he brings out a jar of iced tea and pours some for each of us. Taking a sip of the refreshing drink, I ponder over his words.

"One can be soulmates without them being lovers Officer Wang" he smiles softly "it's we humans for our convenience who are more relaxed with certain sets of labels. So to put forth in simple words, no I am not in love with Zhan. He's my soul brother".

Soul brother. Wow.

"You can call me Yibo" I smile a little at the warmth of his words and he grins "So Yibo is more comfortable now with knowing that there is nothing between Zhan and me?" he teases and then lifts the lid to check on the noodles.

"I apologise that when it comes to cooking, this is the least I can do" he laughs and adds the packaged ingredients "irony isn't it that being one of the Directors in the chain of hotels I don't know to cook!" he winks "please keep it a secret".

I smile again and ask "Is Mr. Xiao good with cooking?" at my question he stops and turns those baffled eyes on me and shakes his head "Please never ask him to cook. That's a warning my friend" he mock whispers "when we were young, I once ate his food and was stuck in the loo for two days".

I grin and he winks.

"Yibo" he continues to stir the noodles when he enquires "do you have feelings for Zhan?". I didn't know what should be my answer. Do I love him? I don't think so. Am I worried for him? Yes. Do I care for him? Yes.
"He's not an easy man to love, Yibo" JC does not wait for my answer and continues "he's a soul who needs a lot of patience but I can assure you one thing" taking out three separate bowls he scoops the noodles into them proportionately "once my brother falls in love, he would give up his life for his lover and that's something I worry about. He seldom cares for himself".

"Is" I pause unable to think of wording them better "there something wrong with him?" I reminisce to all those times when he has asked me not to touch him. What happened to you in all these years Zhan?

"Isn't there something wrong with all of us, Yibo?" He smiles kindly "we're all broken from inside. We're all traumatized with one pain or another. There is no living soul in this beautiful world who hasn't suffered much. Zhan is a broken soul" his gaze pierces mine "and so are you" placing the bowl in front of me and pats my shoulders "enjoy your dinner. I need to give this to Zhan" with a small bow he leaves and I look at the hot bowl of noodles in front of me. Entwining them in my chopsticks, I take a bite and immediately cough.

Too much of salt. It's true he can't cook.

Taking another bite, I eat when my phone rings. Chief.

"Yibo, the email sent to Xiao Zhan was from your office computer. We were right with our assumption, the bomb was indeed a hoax to distract us from the main criminal trespass. We're looking into the CCTV. I'll call you once we have more information".

"Chief, is there something I could do?" I rub my temples on hearing the news.

"Yes, keep Xiao Zhan and yourself safe. Whoever this is, his ultimate aim is that boy" he cancels the calls and I push the now cold bowl away. Setting my head on my arms I sigh for the fact that my team is out there and there is nothing I could do but wait.

"Here" I blink my eyes open to a soft voice and turn to see Xiao Zhan washing the dishes. He points his chin to the book placed in front of me. I smile at the name of the book.

~A soul who loved me~
Sean Zhan

Love is found when not bound,
Lost in transcendence,
Hope to find what we once shared,
Love me until then,
Let's not ever say goodbye.

I picked up the book and read the poem on the very first page "You think I need to find love, Mr. Xiao?". I expected to receive a reply but it was his question that made my heart falter.

"Officer?"

I look up to find his gaze intent on me.

"Have we ever met before?"

Fuck.