The queen is clear uncomfortable eating pizza with her hands… It's hot, soft, slide… Ho no… this is not definitively, for her…
"Joseph, can I have a plate and, at least, a fork? I just don't…"
"Of course, Clarisse! If you prefer we can go to a restaurant…" He was trying, hardly, to hide the laugh, but it isn't easy. Clarisse looks so uneasy and completely out…
"No!" She wants to look brave… The queen is out so, Clarisse just want to have some fun… well, but pizza… it's too much for her…
"I'll get it to you, Clarisse. Just wait here, please." Joseph raise and, in seconds, he was next to her, again.
He was really delighted with her. Even with tomato sauce in her lips, she was the most beautiful, sexy, smart, provocative woman he was ever met.
He straightened in the chair increasing the space between then. He need to combat the desire of touch her lips with his…
"Joseph? It's everything alright?"
"Of course, my… Shall we go for a walk? It's quiet hot… here… Don't you think so?"
She smile and touch his cheek with her hand.
"Of course. Lead the way, if you please." The Pizzeria it's full of people and Joseph would not take the chance of let Clarisse be recognized. She look's different but… Still one of the most beautiful woman in the world. It's not easy pass by her and don't turn around to look at her again. And it's the first time Clarisse stays incognito so… He would not take ANY chance… They walk in silence, side by, for a while.
"Sebastian was a dear… he understands perfectly my need of relax… or vacations… or… wherever…"
"A dear? Why? Isn't that a little too much? A dear?" Joseph smile but he doesn't wanted. Why does Clarisse call "dear" to Sebastian? He could be her son, for heaven's sake!
"Joseph… It's just an expression… He was so kind to me, don't you agree? He gave me a full week of vacations! It's my first vacations without at least ten guards and an entourage 24/7 with me…"
"But it was my idea… And you don't call me dear…"
Clarisse stopped abruptly make him bumping into her.
"What? Are you seriously?" Joseph looked at her and smile…
"Are you sassing your queen?" She whispered… Oh God! Her voice made him shiver…
"I'm sorry, Clarisse! I shouldn't have said that… Forgive me, please!" Clarisse touch his cheek and smile.
"Don't apology, Joseph! Please. So, what do we do now? I absolutely delighted with all this… For a while, I'm free! I never felt this way before!"
Joseph was so happy. Clarisse looks like a schoolgirl. Lovely, free, relaxed… She looked so young! Joseph couldn't stop looking at her… They would spend a week together… Alone… He can't miss the opportunity to be with her. And most of the American people don't know her and that's a good sign! It's so good to walk beside her, without fearing what another's can say. She's a wonderful woman and he love her from the bottom of his heart. He will tell her in the next few day's… he must let her know how deep are his love for her… He want's…
"Joseph… What's the matter with you? You look so distant… Are you feeling well?" She walked towards him and sensed his cologne. The power he has over her it's undeniable… And she's lightly embarrassed with the thought of deeply care for him. But it is just care? Of course it is. She's a queen! And she's a grandmother, for heavens sake. But Joseph is a damn sexiest friend and she's not a shy girl anymore.
"I'm quit well, as a matter of fact." He opened the door and she steep into the car.
"Let's go to the beach, shall we?"
"Certainly, Joseph! After all, I'm in vacations!" they both laugh and talk about everything and nothing… simply enjoying each other company.
It's almost 04p.m. when they parked the car. They were at a quiet zone in San Francisco Bay. It's a cozy place… Some houses along the beach, a harbor at the left with five boats moored. At right was small hotel, with restaurant and bar. They sat on the terrace, looking over the sea. A minute later, a woman, near thirty, approached the table.
"Hello, my name is Clara and welcome to the "Rendez-Vous! Can I get something to you?"
"Thank you, Clara! Could you bring us tea, if you please?"
"Of course, madam. If you excuse me…"
"What a nice lady" Said Joseph. "Beautiful and enchanting!" He followed Clara with the eyes. Clarisse felt truly uncomfortable. She believed Joseph had feelings for her… Well, she was wrong… It hurt's… a lot…
"Indeed. It's so rare to find someone like… her… Clara!" She puts herself together and when Joseph turn around, queen Clarisse is back in action!
"Do you have a girlfriend, Joseph?"
"Excuse me? A girlfriend? No. Why?"
"Well, you work so hard at the palace, rarely take a day of… Who knows… Maybe you find the right woman for you at San Francisco…"
"Well, you're almost right about everything... But the true is… I'm already found it the love of my life!" He looked at her, very seriously.
"You do? Well, you didn't tell me… And we supposed to be friends…" At that moment, Clara brings the tea. Joseph didn't turn around.
"Is there anything else you need?"
"No, thank you, Clara" Said Clarisse with a smile.
"You're my best friend, Clarisse. But there is something's… well… You know… It's not easy to talk about…"
"I understand… I really do!" She looked shyly at him.
"No, Clarisse. I don't think you do!" He grabbed her hand, gently, softly. If she only knew how much he want to kiss her… He is afraid of close is eyes and realize that is all a beautiful dream. Her perfume and the smell of sea mixed and leave him stunned. It's impossible to remain calm and restrained. She's a powerful woman, who can turn him in a puppy… And the true is… He just don't care!
"Clarisse, I…" Screams and a loud noise of chairs and tables dragged on the floor, made Joseph and Clarisse to look around. Another scream make Clarisse jump from the chair, frightened. Joseph grabbed her arms, made her lift and he pulled her to the wall.
"Clarisse, don't move, please!"
"Joseph, please, don't leave me"
"I won't, my dear. Just wait…"
An older woman, inside the bar, started scream.
"Help! I've been robbed! He's a thief. Help me, please!"
The man, with is face covered, left in a hurry, face planting into a couple that was entering the bar.
Without a second thought, Joseph extended his arm hi him in the chest, causing him to backdrop. He immediately went down, turned him around and, with a knee on the man's back, he twisted the thief arm.
"Let me go, you peace of shit. I will kill you, let me go right now, you're pathetic old man…"
"How dare you…" Clarisse is furious.
"And you too, lady! But I will play you first…"
Ups, wrong words. Now Joseph was really mad… and almost snatched the man's arm.
"Stop, stop, please, I give up, please, I'm so sorry! I surrender but don't break my arm, please!"
Without changing positions, Joseph grabbed his phone from his pocket and called the police.
Clarisse don't dare to move. In seconds joined a crowd and Joseph is really worried about Clarisse. A couple emerge from inside the bar and they all talk at the same time… fortunately, the police arrived in two minutes and Joseph dropped the man. When he raise, Clarisse had strode over and flung herself into his arms.
"Don't do that again, Joseph. I'm so scared… If something happens to you… I can't… I just…"
Joseph smile… They share a few hugs, well a lot of hugs… But this is different… This feeling it's so strong… He senses her hands on his back. He wrapped her against him.
"I love you, Clarisse" he whispered.
Clarisse looked up…
"What? You do…?" Her heart beat uncontrollably and she felt her body shiver.
"I love you with all of my heart, my dear! And…"
"Thank you so much, Sir! I can't tell how much I thank you!" Joseph and Clarisse moved away but Clarisse grabbed Joseph's hand.
"Please, Madam, I'm delight to help!" Said Joseph, slightly shy.
"No, no, no! I insist… George, came here, darling. I'm sorry, I didn't present myself. I'm Helena and he's my husband George. Please stay with us for the weekend. Our hotel is modest but very clean. You will be my guests for the weekend." Helena is clearly happy. Joseph prevent the man steal two thousand dollars… George shook the Joseph and Clarisse's hand. They are a couple near sixty's and they seem very happy. Clarisse was beaming.
"It's so nice of you, but that don't be necessary. I'm Clarisse and he's Joseph…"
Helena give her a hug and Clarisse just smile. It's so strange… A hug from someone completely unknown. But Clarisse felt immediately at ease with George and Helena.
"My dear, bring you husband and let me show you our little kingdom, please."
"We…" Said Clarisse and Joseph ate the same time. Then, they looked each other and smile… Helena and George get in to the bar.
"Do you mind…? Pretending to be my husband… well, you're they hero! You can not disappoint them…"
"Clarisse, you're teasing me… I will make the ultimate sacrifice pretending to be your husband!" And put a very serious face… Clarisse couldn't help and laugh.
"I love you, Joseph!" She set her hands on his chest, kiss his lips softly and walk into the bar, leaving Joseph without breathing… when she's open the door, turn to Joseph and, with a beautiful smile ask:
"Do you came, dear?"
With two steps, he's behind her, so close to her back, whispering, his lips so close to her ear…
"Don't tease me, Clarisse…" She smile and grabbed her hand.
"Come, darling. They are charming, don't you think?"
"Well, as a matter of fact, they are! Do you want to stay for the weekend?" He raised her and kissed her fingers.
"Why not? Shall we?" And they joined Helena and George inside the bar!
