Chapter 4

Author's Note: Hi guys! Thanks for the beautiful reviews to bluegirl-783, prettycrazy, Ursa, Kristi-Julie, risingdancer and to Zsulie. Sorry, it took me a little long, but I was ill. But now, here's the long awaited next chapter with lots of romance…

"We have to disappear?" asked Clarisse and looked up questioningly. "You mean…"

"Yes. We have to go for a while, to a place where you're in safe." answered Joseph. "The palace is not too safe at the moment, and I need a little time to think, but 'till we are to the fore, we have to be on the run. So… we have to save a little time."

"I see." nodded Clarisse. "If it's necessary, then let it be. I will go wherever you take me."

"Trust in me." whispered Joseph and cupped her face.

"I do trust in you, Joseph." smiled Clarisse and kissed his palm. "But where do you wanna go?"

"I will tell you in time, but not now, 'cos it's too risky."

"Ok. And what time do you wanna go? Maybe tomorrow?"

"Now."

"What?!"

"I mean in half an hour. Can you pack your things in half an hour?"

"Yes, I think Olivia is somewhere in the kitchen and…"

"Alone."

"Do I pack alone?"

"Can you do that?" asked Joseph.

"Of course. I'm just a bit surprised, sorry."

"Right. Pack everything for a few… well days or weeks. I really don't know yet. Prepare for ever kind of weather. And I will be back in half an hour."

"Right."

"And Clarisse…"

"Yes?"

"You can leave your ball gown at home."

"Very funny." answered Clarisse as Joseph pulled her closer and kissed her softly on the lips.

"I love you." whispered Joseph, then left the room.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Exactly 40 minutes later, they were on the highway in a brand new car…

"It isn't your car, or is it?" asked Clarisse as she fastened her seat belt.

"I've just bought it right now. You know, my friend Paul is a car trader. I called him and he was here with this car within ten minutes."

"Why don't we go with your BMW?"

"'Cos it's unsafe. After that bomb thing, well… I don't know I'm going to extremes or not, but I have to do everything I can."

"I know what you mean."

"I can't risk anything." said Joseph softly. "I don't wanna lose you."

Clarisse just smiled and snuggled up to him, while Joseph hugged her with one hand…

Soon she fell asleep…

OOOOOOOOOO

Two hours had passed when she woke up, but she was restless…

She just stared out of the window and a teardrop ran down on her cheek.

"What's the matter?" asked Joseph as he realized that she is crying.

"I'll be fine. Don't worry." answered Clarisse softly and whipped a tear away with her hand.

"Tell me what the matter is… Please. Are you frightened?"

"…Yes… Desperately. I'm just starting to realize my situation. I'm so desperate."

"Don't worry. I can protect you and…"

"No Joseph. It's not the case. Or, well yes I'm afraid of I die, but… You're the one I fear for."

"Me?"

"Yes, you're also in trouble now, and if you got shoot, while you're protecting me…"

"Sshh. Don't worry about that. Everything is gonna be all right…"

"And if it won't?" cried Clarisse even harder. "I don't wanna lose this… I'm finally found the happiness I've been longing for my whole life, and now I can lose everything like a shot. It's so unfair… Life is so unfair. Finally I've got you and everything I ever want and it longs only ten minutes."

"Clarisse…"

"No. I don't wanna go through this. I love you so much. I love you too much. And…"

"Clarisse…"

"I know I can't say such a thing, but I can't help myself. I love you Joseph, and I don't want to live without you. And if you would die, what should I do? How could I live without you? How? I would be alone again. All alone, as in my whole life… And I won't stand this any longer. I won't."

"Sshh, darling." whispered Joseph and stopped the car. "It won't happen. Right? Clarisse, look at me! Clarisse! It won't happen, I promise." said Joseph softly and leant closer to hug her…

A few minutes later Clarisse finally pulled herself together and they continued the mysterious journey…

OOOOOOOOO

Another two hours had passed, when they arrived into a small but friendly village among the mountains…

"Where are we?" asked Clarisse as Joseph helped her out.

"In Spain."

"In Spain?"

"Yes, my father's just bought a house here. Come, you will love it." smiled Joseph and grabbed her hand.

Inside the house…

"Joey!" cried the old man as they stepped in.

"Dad! How nice to see you again." smiled Joseph and hugged him.

"I'm so happy, that you're here. And who is this beautiful lady on your side?"

"She's Clarisse. And Clarisse, this is my father, Martin." answered Joseph with a warm smile.

"Ah, good evening, Your Majesty." smiled Martin and shook hands.

"Please call me Clarisse."

"Right, Clarisse. Please, do come in and make yourself at home. Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes, thank you, a fruit juice would be nice."

"Please sit down, I wanna know everything, but that won't be much, 'cos Joey told a lot about you. If I wanna be frank, he is always talking about you."

"Dad, can I have a word with you in private?" asked Joseph.

"Of course, if you will excuse us." smiled Martin and escorted Joseph to the kitchen. They tried to speak quietly, but that was not enough, 'cos Clarisse heard everything from the living room…

"So she is your famous Clarisse." started Martin with a big grin on his face. "You were right, she is beautiful. I'm very happy about you two. Is it some kind of secret trip? "

"Dad! It's not what you're thinking of. And please don't speak this way. She is a queen."

"Yes, the queen of your heart, am I right? Don't play with me Joey. I know that you're in love with this woman from the very first time you saw her. Then you bring her here, where no one knows her. Don't fool me…"

"The reason is we are here, 'cos somebody wanna kill her."

"What?!"

"Yes, a maniac tried to kill her a week ago, so now we're on the run."

"Oh, my God." sighed Martin and took a look at her. "I'm so sorry. So it's serious."

"Yes, deathly. We need a place where we can hide for a while, 'till I find out something. I hope we can stay."

"Of course, you can stay." said Martin. "Poor woman. Do you know what you wanna do?"

"Not yet. I… I just don't wanna lose her." cried Joseph. "That's the only thing I know at the moment."

"Right. Don't worry. You can manage it as always." smiled Martin.

"But now, it's different." cried Joseph again.

"…'Cos you love her."

"Yes."

"But it's better than before."

"How do you mean?"

"You've been protected a lot of politicians and rich men before, but now you really wanna protect her, more than anybody in your life. And it helps a lot, the more you want it, the more you can do it. And don't forget, the winner is always who wants it the best."

"Thanks Dad, you always know the answer." smiled Joseph.

"That's why I'm here." smiled Martin. "And now, show the guestroom to Clarisse. I think she is tired. My room is downstairs, and we're finished with three guestrooms on the floor. So you can choose whichever you want."

"Thanks." smiled Joseph and went back to Clarisse.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

A little later on the floor…

"Here's your room." said Joseph and let her in. "It's not to big, but it's the safest in the house."

"That'll be fine, thanks." smiled Clarisse.

"And my room is next to yours, just if you need me."

"Your room?" asked Clarisse surprised. "I thought we…"

"No darling." smiled Joseph in the doorway and grabbed her hand. "That wouldn't be a wise decision. 'Cos if I spent the night here, I wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything else. Just the previous night with you and our next night. Can you understand me?" asked Joseph and stroked her face.

"But now, you also have to fight with yourself , 'cos I'm in the next room."

"Yes, but I got used to that." smiled Joseph and kissed her, then went to take a cool shower…

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

The dinner was delicious, Clarisse chatted a lot with Martin, then went to bed early…

A few hours later Joseph said good bye too. It was a quiet evening, but as he walked down the corridor, he heard crying…

"Clarisse?... Are you all right?" asked Joseph softly as he opened her door. She didn't reply, just continued crying. The room was dark, but Joseph successfully found Clarisse and sat next to her. "Clarisse?... What's the matter?" asked Joseph and made small circles on her back.

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry." cried Clarisse. "I'll be fine. Just give me a little time."

"No." whispered Joseph and hugged her. "You need a little relax. Tomorrow I will take you for a walk. Don't worry, it's safe, 'cos nobody knows you here. Right?"

"No, if you can't protect me." cried Clarisse.

"Where are you getting that from?"

"I heard you in the kitchen."

"Look Clarisse, if someone is willing to swap his life for a kill, nothing can stop him."

"Great. Then what do I need for you?"

"He might get me instead."

"Aha." answered Clarisse in a softer voice. "But you have to be near me twenty-four hours a day."

"Like now?" asked Joseph with a smile.

"Yes, like now." answered Clarisse then Joseph kissed her slowly.

And that was just the beginning… Soon they completely lost themselves in kissing and their clothes landed on the floor one after the other…

The night was tiring, but it didn't matter, 'cos they enjoyed every minute of it…

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Next day Clarisse was happier and relaxed. She tried to live for the day. One day at a time, that was her new motto.

The walk was perfect, as the beach, where they spent nearly the half of the day.

"That was a wonderful day, thank you." smiled Clarisse.

"I'm glad you can smile again." said Joseph and took her in his arms. "It's about the village or about me?"

"About you of course." laughed Clarisse and kissed him softly. "But I really like this village. It's so peaceful and quiet. I think I could imagine my life here."

"Really? Then why don't we stay here?"

"What?!"

"We should buy a house somewhere, and here's that beautiful church. So what about it?" asked Joseph.

"…"

"Clarisse?... Do you marry me?"

To be continued…

Author's Note: Thanks for reading, and now please review. 