S C A N D A L

Chapter Twenty-Six

"Elegant Apparel" was among the top fashion companies under Matsumoto Holdings which engaged in the manufacture and distribution of luxury goods. It was the company managed exclusively by the youngest of the Matsumoto sons, Kurou Matsumoto, and has been successful since with products that include not only apparel but also footwear, bags, accessories, eyewear, fragrances, and handbags. What made the company unique was that it used organic, recycled, and high-tech fabrics and was cruelty-free, creating sustainable outerwear which were as comfortable as animal-derived wool, and fur.

Shiro didn't think much about the company that his husband managed until he started reading about them in magazines. He was left bewildered and impressed that the brand was not only well-known locally, it was also celebrated internationally and some of the models and endorsers were famous celebrities.

So, it was only natural that when the Fall-Winter Show arrived and Kurou made it clear that he was going to be his date, Shiro was suddenly anxious that he may not live with other's expectations. He rarely graced the pages of the magazines or even the newspapers since Kurou had been very protective of him. He and his cousin were not allowed to leave the house without bodyguards and his husband often made sure that the malls he would visit were exclusive and private.

"How do I look? Do I look okay? Am I not overly dressed? Or is this too less?"

Blasting him with question after question, both his cousin Yoshihiro and his husband Kurou stared at him in amusement. It was evident that Shiro was not used to attending such kind of affairs and if not for Kurou as the CEO, he wouldn't even be there.

"You look handsome," Kurou coaxed his endearing husband, brushing his lips on the side of his head, down to his cheeks, before lingering on his mouth. "I'm sure, everyone's attention will be on you tonight."

"I don't want their attention," Shiro pouted once more as he studied himself in the full-length mirror. Clad in an all-white suit jacket and trousers that were part of the collection, it enhanced his dark brown orbs and his ebony hair that was slightly ruffled. Nevertheless, Kurou stared at him with admiration and fondness. "I just don't want to embarrass you."

"You will not embarrass me," Kurou's arms were around his waist. "Not as much as I embarrass myself! Come now, we should be at the venue before the guests arrive."

"Hold on," he quickly held his forearm, "Are there going to be photographers and journalists at the venue?"

The question made Kurou blinked. "You did read about Elegant Apparel, right?"

"Uh..."

"Well, if not...I'm sure it's not that crowded. Maybe..."

┏━•❃°•°❀°•°❃•━┓

Bright lights and flashes from awaiting camera crews traumatized Shiro as he became aware that he stumbled upon the wild atmosphere of the rich and the famous the moment he stepped outside of the limousine with Kurou by his side. It was here that Shiro finally understood what it meant to be married to the Matsumoto family. When he first met them, he must admit that he thought of them as a group of pranksters. Takeo Matsumoto, for instance, did not represent the usual character he expected for someone who was born a billionaire and was a business tycoon. In fact, neither one of them appeared overbearing or intimidating, and that included Masahiko who was often so distant.

For the first time, Masahiko brought his girlfriend and Shiro had finally met her. Her name was Hikari Ogasawara and she was from an affluent family. Shiro actually liked her. She was bubbly, chatty, and very nice. Her personality was a stark contrast to Masahiko nii-san's icy temperament. Raiden, as expected, paraded his cousin Yoshihiro as his date. He hadn't had the opportunity to ask what was the real score between the two, but seeing them flirting and spending time with each other, Shiro assumed they already passed that 'getting-to-know' stage. Only Tetsuya came in without a date but even so, he looked thrilled and was without a doubt, the social butterfly of the said event.