Chapter 10

Author's Note: Hi Girls! I'm not sure everybody could recognize the last update, maybe I'm updated to fast… So if you did not read ch9, then please start with that. :-) The other thing is, I'm not using beta this time as well, but I did my best with grammar, believe me. :-) And of course I want to say thanks for the lovely reviews to beMMADfabulous, bluegirl-783, negschainshaw, Vluy, risingdancer, Kristi-Julie, Marni and to my Ursa.

The restaurant was completely stuffed with chatting and eating people, while Clarisse was still standing there and looking at the front door with glassy eyes.

"I hope you do like it," smiled Joseph. "It's the best restaurant in Genovia."

"I think…"

"Hey Grandma!" sounded Mia's voice from not too far. "I'm glad I can see you."

"Mia, what are you doing here?"

"Just hanging with Nick…" She smiled, leaning closer to Nicholas. "Could you keep Joe busy for a few minutes?"

"Of course…What a night, isn't it Joe?" He said cheerfully and stepped to Joseph.

"Mia! What's going on here?" Clarisse asked, as her granddaughter reached her. She was a bit angry, because somehow she suspected Mia was behind all of this. "That was your idea, wasn't it?"

"Well, originally it was Joe's. I just helped him choosing the place."

"Joseph's idea?! He wanted to go for a picnic."

"Not exactly," Mia smiled. "He wanted to take you out somewhere in town, because you surely want to go on a real date, not just sitting among the four walls as he said… But you are so worried about him all the time, so you would have never said yes on a date like this and that's why he chose he will surprise you."

"Well, it worked again, as it seems."

"He really is sweet Grandma, what's your problem?" Mia asked with a serious face, because she could not miss this chance to tease her granny.

"What is my problem?! Are you really asking that?!" Clarisse was in a hard situation, she could not shout with her.

"Calm down, grandma. It's a nice place with full of people."

"Yes, exactly FULL OF PEOPLE. Full of people who will drop their jaw when the queen will walk in with her Head of Security holding hands."

"Oh that would be priceless." Mia laughed.

"Do you think it's funny? If I walk in, it will be in the headlines tomorrow!"

Mia was calm. "No, it will not."

"How do you mean?"

"All I want to say is, you can walk in with Joseph, holding hands… it will be no problem at all."

"I'm not sure you are really seeing those people inside…"

"Oh don't worry, I can perfectly see them." Mia was smiling.

"But you are saying that I can walk in and no-one will take pictures or running to the papers?"

"No."

"Because everybody is blind or what?... Or we will sneak in through the back door and eat in the toilet? Or maybe Joseph reserved the whole restaurant what is empty and I just got a touch of the sun?"

"You are very funny grandma," chuckled Mia. "And I must say you have a wild fantasy, but sorry none of them."

"Then how?... How on earth could we go in, eat dinner without people's attention? It's impossible…" Clarisse sighed.

"No, it's not," grinned Mia. "Come on, I'll show you something." She smiled and drew Clarisse with her.

"No Mia!" She protested. "They'll see me!"

"Take it easy, they will not. It's dark outside." Clarisse relaxed a bit and stepped closer. Now they were standing right before the window.

"And now, could you finally explain me how it will possible?"

"Of course grandma," chuckled Mia. "You know, you should really need a little chill out sometimes…"

"Mia!"

"Ok, ok… Can you see that woman right at the window?"

"Erm… the brunette one with those big eyelashes?"

"Yeah. What would you think, who she is?"

"I don't know." Clarisse answered honestly. "I've never ever seen her in my life."

"Come on, just make a guess."

"Maybe a… film star?" Clarisse tried, but she knew this was a total waste of time.

"Not, really…It's Charlotte."

"CHARLOTTE?!" Clarisse was shocked. "You're joking!"

"No, I'm not," chuckled Mia. "And that's Shades who is sitting opposite of her. He has a typical face so we decided he will show his back for safety."

"You do not want to say…" said Clarisse amazed, because she suddenly started to realize what was going on there.

"Yes I do," nodded Mia. "That man is the second gardener." She pointed to the back of the restaurant. "And there's Mrs. Kaut…"

"No way! That's a woman aged 80 at least! But… but how?"

"Actually we were quite lucky, because Michael is spending a few weeks here with his friends. You know he quit the band long ago and started this film school in the states, and… their specialty is, mask making."

"Like in that movie? What was that… Mrs. Doubtfire?" Clarisse asked.

"Exactly," nodded Mia. "And they are pretty smart if I may say so."

"Oh yes, I can see that Wise Girl. But what if Joseph will kiss me?... I mean the stuff certainly knows that I'm playing his wife, but holding his hand is one thing, and kissing with him is another…"

"Oh I also solved it, don't worry." Mia winked. "Your table is over there." She pointed to the right corner. "And the only place where you two will be visible from after you sat down, is only our table with Nicholas."

"Ok… but what if Joseph will recognize someone against the masks?"

"I don't think so, because there is dim light everywhere, and what is more, I'm sure he will watch you all the time…"

Clarisse smiled a bit before she returned to her serious face. "And what about the waiters and the chefs?"

"Oh, you are incorrigible grandma… the chef is from the palace, but I'm sure Joseph will not jump up in the middle of the dinner and run into the kitchen. And as regard the waiters as you asked, your table will have an own one, who is Michael's actor friend…"

"Oh… ok, it seems you arranged everything."

"So are you relaxed a bit?" Mia asked.

"I still have doubts, but…"

"Look grandma, Joe would be very happy to please you with a real date, and what is more, after this you can stay home for a while…"

"Yes, I think you're right…," sighed Clarisse.

"Then can we start the fun?"

To be continued…