Chapter 5: Soft Spot

Kevin locked up the shop for the day, feeling a sense of futility in staying open any longer. After all, what could he possibly sell? Empty jars and half-drained bottles of alcohol? He had emptied a fair share of them himself the previous night. With a shrug, he made up his mind to head home and reunite with his new family.

“Ah, the joys of being part of an ‘ugly duckling’ family,” Kevin thought wryly. As he anticipated meeting his mom and older sister, whom he had conversed with earlier on the glass slab, he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of envy. “Lucky for them, they didn’t inherit the ‘Mr. Ordinary’ genes from our dear old dad,” he mused.

His mom and sister were undeniably beautiful, blessed with the genetic lottery from their stunning mother. Meanwhile, poor Kevin seemed to have inherited more of his father’s features. He joked to himself, “Guess I got the short end of the genetic stick.”

It was the early hours of the morning, and the streets were still relatively quiet with few people in sight. However, for the avian inhabitants, it was a different story. The air resonated with the melodious songs of birds as they fluttered from tree to tree, creating a symphony of love and life. Kevin pondered the reasons behind this avian morning chorus, recalling something he had read about birds being more active and vocal during these early hours. It seemed that the tranquility of the morning allowed their songs to carry farther than at other times of the day.

Chuckling to himself, Kevin thought, ‘Well, at least this is something familiar from my own world.’ He marveled at the diversity of bird species he had never encountered before. There were majestic, larger birds with wingspans reaching half his body’s length, and he spotted smaller, colorful birds that flitted about like flashes of paint. Some were as tiny as his hands, yet their presence and vibrant plumage added a touch of enchantment to the morning scene. Kevin found solace in this shared connection with nature, appreciating the beauty of these feathered creatures as they added their own unique melody to the tapestry of the early morning hours.

As Kevin embraced the tranquility of the early morning, he arrived at his destination – a modest two-story house. The building’s exterior showcased numerous cracks, and the once vibrant colors had faded, leaving a somber appearance. A single window adorned each floor, adding a touch of symmetry to the structure. Kevin couldn’t help but surmise that the interior would likely mirror the worn-down exterior. Though he had hoped for a more spacious abode, his memories reminded him that this small building contained only two rooms.

Bracing himself, Kevin surveyed the surroundings and noticed a similar pattern among the neighboring houses. While some were slightly larger, the overall impression was that they too belonged to families of limited means. A mixture of anticipation and resignation filled his heart as he accepted this new reality.𝓞𝗏ℯ𝑙𝐞xt.𝗇𝓔t

With a heavy sigh, Kevin steeled himself and crossed the threshold of his new home. However, his entrance was met with an annoyed voice calling out to him. “Where were you? Ughhh… you reek of alcohol.” The source of the voice was none other than his older sister, Riya. She stood before him, wearing a tight pair of sports shorts that accentuated her well-toned thighs, while a sports bra held her ample bosom in place. Beads of sweat adorned her chiseled abs and neck, a testament to her recent physical exertion.

Despite her stunning appearance, Riya’s facial expression twisted into one of disgust as she caught a whiff of Kevin’s alcohol-infused scent.

“Kevin…” A concerned voice called out from within the house, prompting a woman with a curvaceous figure to rush toward him. Her silver eyes reflected worry as she inspected Kevin’s body, but the scent of alcohol caused her to distance herself, placing a hand on her nose. “Are you okay? Where were you?” she asked, her concern evident.

Kevin couldn’t help but chuckle at their reactions. “I’m alright, Mom, don’t worry,” he reassured her, gazing into his mother’s eyes, which were only partially visible behind her veiled face.

Ever since the day she got married, Kevin’s father had insisted that his mother wear the veil, a tradition upheld by all the women in their household, including his aunts and cousins, except for his sister Riya.

His mother, dressed in a long skirt and loose-fitting t-shirt, concealed her curvaceous figure beneath the modest attire. Yet, the natural curves of her bosom and ample bottom hinted at the beauty hidden beneath the loose fabric, leaving much to the imagination.

“Mom, why are you worried about this drunken mess? Instead of scolding him,” Riya questioned, her anger evident as her beautiful face returned to its original form. kevin couldn’t help but notice the resemblance between his sister and their mother, as he saw flashes of his mother’s younger self in Riya. With the same colored eyes and black hair as their mother, Riya possessed a cute yet sharp nose and soft rosy cheeks that added to her overall charm.

Kevin couldn’t help but chuckle at Riya’s question, finding her straightforwardness amusing. “Well, sis, I guess Mom just has a soft spot for me,” he replied with a playful grin, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

Their mother, though taken aback by Riya’s comment, couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. “It’s true, Riya. No matter what trouble this boy gets himself into, he always manages to find his way back home,” she said, affectionately ruffling Kevin’s hair.

Riya rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. “Well, just make sure you clean up before you step foot in the house, Mr. Party Animal,” she quipped, playfully pushing Kevin towards the bathroom.

“Alright, alright, I’ll go freshen up,” Kevin said, feigning a look of mock offense. “But don’t worry, Riya, I’ll make sure to save some of my charm for you too.”

Riya couldn’t help but laugh at her brother’s playful banter. “Oh, how lucky I am,” she retorted sarcastically, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

As Kevin headed towards the bathroom, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth and belonging in his new home.