Clarisse walked out of the dining room. Joseph behind her in a determined manner.
Once they arrived at her office Clarisse motioned for Joseph to join her.
Joseph walked in, shutting the door behind him. Clarisse stood by her desk as he walked over to her.
Clarisse pulled out a folder from her desk and handed it to him.
Joseph opened it and began to read, his eyes looked up in surprise.
"I'm going to speak to Pierre about it" Clarisse shared wanting to talk it over with him. She valued his opinion more than anyone else.
Joseph remained silent as he considered what this could mean.
"I know that Shades is a good man but she's in love with Pierre" Clarisse explained.
"He has feelings for her too" Joseph shared as he put the folder down.
"Why didn't he tell me" Clarisse asked her feelings hurt?
"You're his mother and she is your assistant" Joseph reminded her.
"Well...yes...but..." Clarisse sighed knowing he was right. In any scenario it was best she didn't know.
"I think you should talk to him about it" Joseph agreed.
"It could work if they both agree" Clarisse smiled.
"Yes it could" Joseph reassured her as he reached out and held her hand.
They looked at one another.
"I know Shades is a good man. I don't mean to put you in this kind of a position" Clarisse said as she looked into his eyes.
"He is a good man but ultimately this is Charlotte decision to make. If she wants a future with Pierre I know that she will tell Shades herself" Joseph said as he squeezed her hand tight.
"I've always liked Charlotte. I've attempted to interfere at times when Pierre would visit with the hopes that he would ask her out" Clarisse smiled.
"Yes, I remember" Joseph smiled.
"But then he met Antoinette and I...I assumed that he didn't have those kinds of feelings for Charlotte" Clarisse sighed.
"You couldn't have known" Joseph reassured her.
She nodded her head in understanding.
"Joseph...I'm sorry we haven't been able to spend time together..." Clarisse said as she got closer to him.
"I understand" Joseph replied simply.
"We have a lunch or dinner...I'm not sure which...with Antoinette and her parents this weekend" Clarisse admitted as she looked at him feeling badly about once again postponing their time away.
"Perfect time for me to take a look around" Joseph smiled wanting to reassure her.
"I hope you find something. Preferrably something that can prove Rupert is not the father of her son. I don't want Pierre to know. It would be so much easier if there was nothing to tell. I want that woman out of Genovia and away from my family" Clarisse said as she squeezed his hand tight wanting him to know that meant him too.
Joseph smile grew. He couldn't deny that he like Clarisse jealous. Not because she had anything to be jealous of but it felt that good that Clarisse considered him part of her family. Of course she had always told him so but this time it was more than that. She wasn't just telling him, she was showing him how much she cared and it pleased him.
Clarisse blushed a bit. She wondered what he was thinking.
Joseph other hand touched her waist as he leaned in to kiss her.
Clarisse closed her eyes, her breathing increased for a moment until their lips met in a soft kiss.
Joseph knew they were taking a risk so he didn't deepen the kiss instead he took a step back, withdrew his hand from her waist and lifted the hand he held so he could kiss it.
Clarisse touched his cheek with her hand as she looked at him with love.
After a moment, Joseph released her hand and walked in front of her desk.
They both sat and began to work, looking through the folder for any information that could support the idea of a commoner marrying into the royal family.
Across the Palace...
Antoinette sat in the suite making the final arrangements for Saturday. A part of her was nervous about having her parents come to the Palace. The last time she spoke with her parents they were not happy about her wanting to become involved again with the royal family. Of course, they loved her and were happy that she was home but they did not want the past repeating itself. She had so much she wanted to tell her parents, the royal family, but she couldn't. Her son was her world and she intended on keeping him safe and happy. She vowed to protect him when he was born and she planned to uphold that promise no matter what. That meant she couldn't tell her parents about her son paternity and she couldn't tell the royal family who he was or where he was. As much as she missed him it was safer that he stay away from Genovia. Once she was married to Pierre then she would bring her son home. A smile crossed her face. Some day soon, she thought as she looked at the floral arrangements.
Pierre walked in right at that moment. He noticed all of the flowers but didn't comment.
"What do you think? It's for Saturday" Antoinette said full of excitement.
"They're lovely" Pierre said trying to go along with his plan but everyday he found it more difficult to do.
"I think your mother will love them. Don't you" She asked hopeful?
"Mother loves all types of flowers so yes, I'm sure she will" Pierre said honestly.
Antoinette smiled as that was the answer she was hoping for.
"I was hoping we could announce the engagement to my parents" She said as she looked at him.
"I will speak to my parents about it" He promised but inside he had no intention of doing that.
"Isn't that our decision to make" She asked a bit bothered?
"You know that isn't how this works. We need their approval and the approval of Parliament" He reminded her.
"We have the approval of Parliament" She said without a doubt.
"You mean Arthur Mabrey" Pierre replied, his anger showing.
"He has helped Parliament see that we are meant to be together" She replied defensively.
"He does nothing without a cost. He will expect you to return the favor" He said feeling more upset by her defending that traitor.
Antoinette stared at him clearly wanting to reply but instead she remained silent.
"I have a meeting" He lied as he walked out.
Antoinette stood, her anger boiling inside of her as she heard the door shut behind her. She knew that Pierre was right but she had no intention of letting another man use her. No. This time, she was going to be in control. Determined she took out her cell phone and called Arthur Mabrey.
