S C A N D A L

Chapter Eleven

To alleviate the situation and to comfort Shiro, Kurou decided to send Shichiro to retrieve his husband's cousin. Since they weren't allowed to leave the main house until grandmother's birthday celebration, Yoshihiro was sent to where the couple was staying instead.

"Wow. So, this is the Matsumoto main house?" Yoshi was a little awestruck to find everything first class. The whole estate itself was situated in a private village, away from the prying eyes of media people.

"We'll show you around later," Shiro said and Shichiro nodded his head in agreement as he carried the cousin's luggage to his designated room.

When the driver-bodyguard was out of earshot, Yoshi quickly moved to his cousin's side. "Are you two staying in the same room?" he murmured.

Shiro forced a smile on his face. "It's not what you're thinking." But Yoshi continued to eye him skeptically. He sighed, "I'll tell you later. For now, can you not look at me like I've committed a sinful act?"

"Have you committed a sinful act?"

"Define sinful act. All I did since marrying him was yell, scold, and insult him."

Isamu, the butler opened the door for Shiro and his cousin. Yoshi's luggage was already inside thanks to Shichiro. Once everything was settled, the butler bowed his head low and closed the door for them.

The room was beautiful, right out of an architectural digest. Everything was well-prepared, even the bathroom, where all kinds of towels were neatly placed in the armoire.

"You really hit it big, couz," Yoshi said and started jumping to his bed. "I thought I'd only see rooms like these in magazines. Never in real life!"

Shiro only grimaced as an answer and dragged the luggage near them. "I've sent some of your belongings to our house. We're only staying here until Obachan's birthday celebration. But why is this luggage so heavy? Did you hide Okasan in this too?"

"Don't be a clown," Yoshihiro was annoyed and started unpacking. "I brought in my personal laptop as I don't want to get bored in your house."

"You won't be bored, trust me! Kurou is just like his father in a way. He filled our house with everything that could quench your boredom."

"Sounds like a perfect husband."

"No. Sounds like a psychopath."

Yoshihiro gave him a grin. "So, you're meeting his other relatives, huh? This week is for grandma. The next might be the grandpa and the following days would be the uncles and aunts. You're very busy."

Shiro's expression was dry. "I'm only doing what is expected of me. Nothing more, nothing less."

"As you say so..."

The room was silent for a moment, both were focused on unloading the luggage. But Shiro couldn't hold it anymore and started opening up. "It isn't like what's been said in the mainstream media," he began. "His family...they are so sweet and nice and just...adorable."

Yoshi was confused. "So, what is the problem?"

Exhaling loudly, Shiro sat on the bed and gazed at his cousin solemnly. "It's hard to believe that a man like Kurou could be raised by a good family such as the Matsumoto's."

"Well, you're the one who said that it isn't like what's on the mainstream media."

"Your point?"

"My point is, your husband may not be what you think he is."

"Trust me. He is what I think he is and more! He's been trying to get me to sleep with him!"

"It's in your contract."