I'm back ! Sorry for taking so long, but it's been a couple of crazy weeks. Once again thank you so much to everyone who has read and add to fav "Joseph" and a special thank you to Clarisse99, Leopardy's Sylvia, ALLBAD, Guest and MysteryRose for the fantastic reviews. It's so good to read your opinion.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Here we go again, have fun!
Kisses
Maria
J/C
On the next day, Joseph and John went to see Sandra's 'secrets'. From emails, letters, loose papers, they search everything. They found a secret room where Sandra kept a closed cabinet where she had jewelry, letters, video recordings of her and her lovers, bank statements and personal letters. Joseph notice a lot of videos with an "R" and suspected that was from Rupert.
"I swear I didn't know that she have so many things in here, Joseph. This cabinet was always locked."
"Sandra was always a woman with secrets. A manipulator. She used everyone to reach whatever she wanted. It's not your fault, John. And I really want to thank you!"
John smiles and shake Joseph's hand.
"You're a good man, Joseph. Do you want to take all of tis to the Palace and see it with more calm and peace?"
"Yes, thank you! I need to find a clue. There must be something to lead me to my son. Maybe if I could find that T.T…. There must be something. It have to."
Returning to the Palace, Joseph was dealing with so many feelings… But the biggest was the anxiety. So many years looking for Frederic, fighting the despair. Frederic was alive! And in Genovia! How can someone sold her own child? How can someone be so cold, so ruthless? Then, far, far away, Joseph heard someone call him and felt a hand on his arm.
"Joseph? Are you alright?"
Clarisse was looking at him, worried. Just them Joseph realized that was her voice.
"I'm sorry, Clarisse. I was a little lost in my thoughts."
"I can see that. I call you five times before you heard me. What's wrong, Joseph? But please, come in."
It was when Joseph notice that he was standing at Clarisse office door. The guard at the door, looked at Joseph, but said nothing. Joseph waited for Clarisse to go inside and follow her, closing the door after.
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong with you, Joseph?" Clarisse grabbed his hand and led him to the couch. She sat down and waited for him to sit down, too. Joseph looked at her in silence, smiled, and joined her.
"I'm sorry, Clarisse. I was with John this morning. We found a secret closet where Sandra hid some secrets."
"Something about Frederic?"
"No. Unfortunately, no. But John allows me to bring everything with me, to have a closer look."
"Anything from Rupert?"
Joseph patted her hands…
"Yes, Clarisse. A few things. She tried to blackmail him and I can tell you that Rupert did everything to protect you, my dear."
Clarisse lowered her eyes to hold back the tears.
"Rupert became a good friend. Those were troubled times, my friend. And you were the one who suffered the most, Joseph."
Joseph squeezed her hand slightly and brought it to his lips. Clarisse smile at him, with the most tender expression. How could any man resist such a beautiful face?
"Joseph… I have something to ask you… I need your help. There's something I want to do and only you could help me…"
Joseph raise his eyebrows.
"Clarisse?"
"I need to see Amelia!"
Joseph looked at her in silence…
"Joseph? Please. I need…"
"Alright!"
Clarisse got up from the sofa and started pacing the office.
"Joseph, please. You must understand… She's my only granddaughter; I didn't see her for almost…"
Joseph stood up.
"Alright."
"fifteen years and… what?"
Joseph approached her and smiled.
"I said yes!"
Clarisse stopped and looked at him with tears in her eyes. Joseph smiled and she flung herself into his arms.
"You are awfully good to me, Joseph! I don't deserve you!"
And she lay her head under his chin. Joseph stroked her back. They stay in silence for ten minutes, drinking from each other's love.
"In two months, you have an official trip to Canada. I will arrange to extend your trip for three days. A Queen needs to rest, right?"
Clarisse laugh and Joseph kissed her forehead.
"I'm so in love with you, my Queen!"
"I'm so in love with you, my knight in shining armor!"
J/C
"Clarisse… Stop please… You can't do that! Clarisse!"
"Joseph, you are talking to laud… Please, be quiet!"
"She will see you if you keep peeking!"
"Oh tosh…"
Clarisse leaned back against the chair.
"How can I see her, if you insist on stay in this coffee-shop?"
Clarisse was really annoyed with Joseph and he was trying to remain calm and not start laughing.
"Clarisse, do you want Philippe to discover that we're here?"
"Of course not."
"So, my dear, trust me! She passes by every day to go to school. We just have to…"
Clarisse grabbed his arm and squeeze it. At the end of the street, two young women appeared, but Clarisse immediately recognized Amelia. The wind turned her hair and she seemed very attentive to what the young woman who was with her said. But suddenly, the heel of her shoe got stuck and she was barefoot. Her friend continued walking and wriggling as if she were making a speech and Amelia was left behind desperate for her shoe.
"How rude! But she doesn't see that Amelia is behind her?"
"Clarisse, please do not say anything."
And at that moment, the shoe loosened and Amelia ran to her friend, with her shoe in her hand.
Clarisse could barely hide the excitement. Joseph smiled and squeezed her hand. Since the day she was born, Amelia is guarded by two bodyguards. To avoid ever changing, Joseph positioned them close to her but as people that she knows. One of them is her neighbor and pretends to be a writer. The other is a teacher at the college that Amelia attends.
Amelia was leaping behind Lili trying to put on her shoes as they passed Clarisse and Joseph, and strangely Amelia looked at Clarisse and couldn't look away. That face was no stranger to her... But instead of looking at the road, Mia continued walking... Towards a motorcycle. Without thinking, Joseph stepped between the motorbike and Amelia, being struck with all his might. Clarisse screamed and Amelia immediately turned to the commotion behind her. But Clarisse's guards, who were disguised as cops, runners, and regular customers of the café, immediately surrounded Clarisse, taking her into the limousine without Amelia realizing. She tried to figure out what had happened, but one of the guards told both of them to leave. Lili eventually took Amelia out of there and continued on to the school. Joseph was lying on the floor, with some scratches and bruises but no serious problems. Minutes after, he was with Clarisse on the limousine.
"My God, Joseph. You must go to the hospital right now."
"I'm perfectly alright, Clarisse. I just need to lay down for a while, that's all. I'm alright, believe me. Just getting old!"
"Don't be stubborn, Joseph. You need to see a doctor."
"No I don't. Let's make a deal… If I'm not feeling better tomorrow, I go to the hospital. Is that alright with you?"
Clarisse looked at him in silence. He saved her granddaughter life. She was fighting the tears and all she want is to kiss him! But she can't!
When they arrived at the Consulate, Clarisse went to the office and Joseph took the opportunity to lie down in his room. Though he knew that nothing was broken, Joseph was in great pain. He couldn't help but think that maybe it's time to stop being Clarisse's bodyguard. Age was beginning to weigh and he could not put Clarisse's safety at risk. He felt powerless and weak. Useless! He had to make a decision. But, for Clarisse, Joseph couldn't be more wrong! She felt guilty for all the things he has to go through because of her and her family. Joseph was her guardian angel, the man she loves more than life. Almost every night, she lays on her bed wondering how life would be different if she's not a queen… Joseph gives her, all his life and all his love! How lucky can one be? He could choose any woman but he chooses her! Although he knew that he would probably never have her. Clarisse let the tears run free. She was tired and she was alone. She didn't have to pretend, she could cry if she wants! She's the Queen! She could have anything she wants… Except the only man she truly loved!
On the next morning, Joseph was quiet. Clarisse though it was because of the accident and say nothing.
The return to Genovia was one of the calmer ones they both had. As much as Clarisse tried to hold a conversation, Joseph would only say yes or no and Clarisse was getting very frustrated.
"Would you mind telling me what's going on?"
"There's nothing going on, Clarisse, don't worry, I'm just thinking about adjustments I have to make when we get to Genovia, that's all!"
The next two months were a mix of hard work and frustration for Clarisse. Philippe constantly postponed the ascent to the throne. His time was divided between girlfriends, trips, and occasionally he would join Clarisse on official visits or when Parliament called for his presence. Clarisse knew that Philippe was ready to go up to the Throne and didn't understand why he continued to delay it ... Joseph was distant and strange. His free time was spent in the company of a handsome detective, John's sister, whom Joseph had hired to find Frederic. Clarisse felt extremely uncomfortable and hurt. After all, if Rose was a detective, her job should be on the street and not permanently in Joseph's office.
One morning, Clarisse was about to enter the kitchen when she heard Joseph's voice and smiled. It's been a while since they spend some time alone.
"Here's your toast with honey!"
"You did not forget!"
And in the silence that followed, Clarisse heard a kiss and stopped immediately. Unfortunately it was in front of the kitchen door. Rose was almost on Joseph's lap and he had a hand on her hip. It took Clarisse a few seconds to pull herself together, but at last she straightened her coat and smiled.
"Good morning, I did not know the kitchen was busy, I'm sorry." And she left immediately.
"Your Majesty? Wait ..." Joseph asked. Clarisse had listened, but hurried to the her suite before tears streamed down her face. Charlotte was leaving the office when she saw Clarisse.
"Your Majesty?"
"Not now, Charlotte. Give me a few minutes and I'm going to the office."
"Of course, Your Majesty." Charlotte realized that something wrong had happened.
Clarisse entered the room, closed the door and cried!
However in the kitchen ...
"A kiss from a beautiful woman like you is the dream of any man, but I did not understand why you kissed me."
"Well, Joseph… Because I wanted to. You're a very sexy man!"
Joseph smiled in embarrassment.
"Thank you for praising it, but now it's time to go to work. We'll talk later."
Joseph went immediately to Clarisse's office.
"Where is Her Majesty, Charlotte."
"I do not know, Joseph, but she said she wouldn't be long. But what happened?"
"Just a misunderstanding." Clarisse came in at that moment.
"Good morning, again, let's begin our day?"
"Your Majesty, I would like a few minutes with you alone, if you don't mind."
"I'm sorry, Joseph that's not possible. We have a very busy day. Perhaps other day."
"It only takes a few minutes, Your Majesty. And I'm full aware of your schedule."
Clarisse looked at Charlotte and closed her eyes. Then breathed deep and asked Charlotte to give them a few minutes. As soon as Charlotte closed the door, Joseph was near Clarisse.
"Clarisse, I need to explain…"
"Joseph, please. There's nothing to explain. It's your life. I knew that sooner or later this would happen ... You were going to find someone and follow your life. "
"Finding someone? I do not even know why she kissed me. She's just a detective I hired to find Frederic."
"And she's looking for him in your office? It must be a very intense search..."
Joseph was about to respond when he understood...
"Are you jealous of me?"
"I just think it's strange, someone who should be out in the street looking for your son, be constantly in your office."
"You are jealous of me ..." And Joseph was approaching her.
"No more nonsense, we have work to do ..."
And Joseph grabbed Clarisse by the waist, pulled her to him, and kissed her. Clarisse tried to push him away but gave up. He was right ... How she missed those kisses.
"Let me just tell you something ... If she kisses you again, I will not answer for myself."
Joseph laughed and kissed her again.
"Oh Clarisse, you know you're the only woman in my life, and nothing and no one's going to change that.
Clarisse smiled and went to the desk. Seconds later, a furious Philippe enters the office unannounced, and without anyone waiting for it, he gave Joseph a violent blow. Clarisse screamed and the guards entered the office immediately.
"Leave immediately!" Philippe shouted. The guards, seeing that the Queen was kneeling beside Joseph and that he was rubbing his chin, left.
"I warned you to never hurt my mother, and I will not let you bring your girlfriends into the Palace."
Clarisse helped Joseph get up.
"Philippe, Rose is not Joseph's girlfriend. She's a detective he hired to find Frederic."
"Why are you defending him, Mother? He kissed her, I was with Shades and I saw the video."
"And did you saw ME kissing her?"
"Well, yes. I mean, you let her kiss you!"
"I didn't have a choice, did I? Philippe, I'm in love with you mother since the first day I saw her. I would never hurt her! Never!"
"Well, now I'm feeling very foolish. Forgive me, Joseph. I know I'm not the right person to talk about loyalty and commitment but… You two belong together! Please forgive me, Joseph."
"You don't have to ask for forgiveness. You defended your mother and I'm very proud of you!"
Clarisse smiled.
"Now that my two men are calm, we need to work so… Philippe, you want to stay?"
"Oh no, mama. I have time! By the way, I'm going to spend the weekend at Mont Blanc. I'll be home Sunday night."
"Philippe, do you think it's a good idea? Going to the French Alps with this weather… Stay with us."
Philippe kissed her forehead and smiled.
"You don't have to worry, mama. I'm just going to stay for the weekend… with a friend. Love you both. See you on Sunday."
"Philippe…"
But Philippe just smile and left!
Please, let me know what you think, it only take ten seconds and it will make my day.
Love you all.
Maria