S C A N D A L

Chapter Eight

Shiro managed to sleep far into the morning and awakened with a start to a bright sun shining through the windows. After a loud yawn, he sat up and realized that this wasn't his usual room. He studied his new surroundings that was obviously newly decorated. The bed was huge, bigger than what he was accustomed to.

The combination of green and brown, inspired by lush forests and gardens created a calming atmosphere. Not to mention that it was cool in the eyes.

Tatami mats. Shoji screens. Futon beds. Everything was traditional and nature-inspired but also modernized with minimalistic furniture and ambient lighting. Both décor styles shared core elements while distinguishing themselves through unique accents and nuances.

The pictures on the walls were mostly of pastoral landscapes. Some of the multi-panel canvasses were of watercolor artwork. The whole room suggested the kind of tasteful, subtle luxury found only in the homes of Japan's very old and very wealthy families.

Again, Kurou surprised him. Because of his reputation, Shiro expected his room to be somewhat bold, perhaps even vulgar. Instead, he surrounded him with understated elegance. This confused him even more. Who was he inside, really? Rakehell or a gentleman?

While doing his morning routine and preparing to show himself, Shiro couldn't help but thought of his husband. Last night, he had given him a rather expensive gift, one that Kurou had chosen especially for him. Then, he kissed him. Shiro couldn't help blushing at the memory of it. Only in his wildest imagination had he ever dreamed of owning such magnificent jewelry. How was it, that he, Shiro Ogawa, the son of a man who owns a bathhouse in Ehime had suddenly married a billionaire?

How he wished he could forget the reasons for their marriage and pretend that Kurou had chosen him for love. If that were so, these changes in his life would be easier to accept. That he would always belong to Shiro alone and that he didn't need to fear him.

When he went down from his room, he was greeted by the butler named Isamu. He was a fine man, probably in his mid-forties. His wife was the head cook and was equally welcoming as he was. They were originally assigned to the main house but Azumi insisted that they live with Kurou and Shiro from now on.

As they guided him to the drawing-room, he found the bodyguard and personal driver of Kurou, Shichiro Ishibashi, and the secretary Masaru Miura. Shiro had the opportunity to meet them during the time they sealed their contract in the presence of the lawyer. But they weren't formally introduced and he wasn't able to even communicate with them.

"Ohayou gozaimasu, Shiro-sama," Masaru bowed, followed by Shichiro. "How was your sleep?"

"Refreshing, arigatou," Shiro answered politely and sat on the couch. They remained standing. "Please sit down."

The two were taken aback at the natural kindness and followed the new master of the house. Shichiro seemed a bit embarrassed, "Kurou's still sleeping. He's not accustomed to waking up so early."

"That's fine. I'm guessing he slept much later than I was."

"Do you want to have your breakfast first? We can have Kasumi-san prepare it for you," Masaru offered.

Shiro shook his head. "I'll wait for Kurou to wake up. By the way, you two... know about our contract, right?"

The two nodded at the same time. "Yes."

"We were there when you signed it," Shichiro felt the need to remind him of this.

"I see..."

"You don't need to worry about us, Shiro-sama," Masaru said. "We will not interfere."

Shichiro agreed. "You can trust us, Shiro-sama."

"Can we drop the honorifics, please? I'm having a headache just hearing you two repeat it to me like a broken CD player. Tell me something about Kurou, er, my husband...what can I expect from him?"