Chapter 2: Surprise Surprise

A few months later, in Genovia, everything was going well. King Rupert was still on a diplomatic trip, but this time to Canada. On the Spanish side, Carmen regularly spoke to her Joe on the phone. She constantly wanted to know how Joe was doing and if there was anything new in his life. She knew that if he was in a relationship with the woman from the photos she had seen a few months ago, her son would certainly speak to her about them. Why didn't her son declare his love to this woman? Was she already married? So she wanted to visit him to check on the spot why he was not taking steps towards this beautiful woman. So she decided to phone Joseph.

Joseph was sitting at his chief security officer's desk when his cell phone rang.

- "Hello." Joe replied.

- ' 'Hello Joe.' '

- '' Mother, how are you? ''

- '' Very well, thank you, but I miss you terribly, so I had the idea of coming to visit you. I know you work a lot, but I'm not going to be disturbing, I want to visit Genovia. ''

- "It's a great idea." Said Joe.

- ''You find?''

- '' But of course mother. When do you think you will arrive? ''

- '' Early next week, if that's right for you. ''

- "Perfect mother."

- '' So how are you my son? ''

- '' Okay, I work a lot, but I love it. ''

-'' That is great. Anything new in your life? ''

- ' 'Hmm ... Not really, the usual train, as they say.

-'' Okay. I'll call you later in the week to sort out all the details of my trip. ''

- ''Ok super mother.' '

-'' Goodbye darling.''

Later that day, Clarisse was in his office with Joseph. They were discussing new security equipment for the palace and Joseph ended up talking about his mother's trip.

- '' At the beginning of next week, my mother will come to visit Genovia. I was wondering if you would accept me to show her around the palace. She would be very happy to see where I work and where I live. ''

- ''No problem Joseph. Even that she will stay at the palace during her trip. "

- '' No, no, I don't want to abuse your Majesty. ''

- "Let me insist Joseph."

- '' Okay. Thank you very much Majesty. My mom will be delighted. ''

- '' That makes me very happy. She will be our guest at the palace, she will have a maid at her service. In addition, she will stay in one of our luxury suites. "

- '' You're amazing, Your Majesty. ''

- '' It's my sincere pleasure Joseph. You are one of our best employees and one of my most loyal friends. So I'm so happy to have your mom like this. ''

-'' Thank you.''

The days that followed, passed as usual and then the day of Carmen's landing arrived. She was not aware that she was going to stay at the palace. Joseph and Clarisse wanted to keep the surprise. So that day, at 1 p.m., Carmen's airliner landed on Genovian soil. Joe was waiting for his mother with a royal limousine. When she left Genovia International Airport, she saw her son waiting for her in a black limousine decorated with Genovian flags.

- "Wow Joseph, but what is that?" Asked Carmen.

- '' A mother limousine. ''

- '' But why did you come to get me in a limousine? ''

- "Because the palace simply authorized me to borrow one."

- "Wow, I feel like a Hollywood celebrity!" She said as she got into the vehicle.

- "You haven't seen anything yet." Replied Joe.

- '' Where did you book for my stay? ''

- '' That's a surprise. For now, we have to go to the palace. I want to show you around my workplace and where I live. Besides, the Queen would like to meet you. ''

- '' What?! The Queen! No Joe, I can't meet the Queen, I'm not ready for this. I have to dress better than that! ''

- "Don't make yourself a mother, the Queen is not so attentive. You are perfect like that. You'll see, Queen Clarisse is a woman like everyone else, but with more grace and a title. ''

- '' But how should I talk to her? Do I have to bow? How do we bow? How should I address her?''

- Pas 'Don't panic mom. So you have to speak to him politely, you salute him by curtsying him and you call him majesty. To bow, you just have to bow your head politely forward. ''

- '' How many bows should I make? ''

- ''Only one when you greeted her and another when you said goodbye. That's all. And if you make a mistake, don't worry, she won't hold it against you. She is really kind and understanding. ''

- ''And the King? Is it the same thing? ''

- ''Yes, but the King is outside the country for another ten days, so you will not meet him. But you may come across Prince Phillipe. With the prince it's the same thing too, except that instead of addressing him by saying majesty, we must say highness. ''

-'' Okay.''

'' Look mom, we're coming to the palace. ''

- '' Oh my god, how beautiful it is! ''

They got out of the limousine and Carmen looked at the palace. She couldn't believe her son was working and living there.

- '' Follow me mother, the Queen must already be waiting for us inside.

- Comment 'How am I Joe? Am I presentable? I don't have lipstick on my teeth? ''

- '' You're perfect mom. ''

They entered the palace. In the entrance hall, Charlotte waited patiently for them. Carmen was looking around. She was very impressed.

- '' Delighted Mrs. Romero. My name is Charlotte. I'm the Queen's press secretary and personal assistant. ''

- "Nice to meet you, Miss." Said Carmen.

- '' Wait a moment here, I'll notify the Queen of your arrival. ''

Barely 5 minutes later, Clarisse entered the hall and Carmen noticed her. She immediately recognized the beautiful woman who was in the photos in Joe's suitcase a few months earlier.

-''Hello. Do you have to be Mrs. Romero Joseph's mother? '' Clarisse began.

-'' Hello. Are you Queen Clarisse Renaldi? ''

- ''Yes, that's me.' 'Ria Clarisse.

- Excuse my manners. Delighted your Majesty. Said Carmen curtsying.

- '' It's nothing, I'm delighted to meet you. Your son is someone very important to us, so it's a pleasure to meet a family member. ''

- "All the fun is for me, I assure you." Said Carmen, impressed by the woman in front of her.

- "So welcome to the royal palace of Genovia." Continued Clarisse.

- "It really is a beautiful place." Said the older of the two women.

- ''Glad you like it because you'll be staying there throughout your stay here in Genovia.' 'Said the Queen.

- ''What? Here? '' Carmen asked.

- ''Yes, Joseph and I wanted to surprise you. You are not going to stay at the hotel when we have several free suites here. You are the guest of the royal family of Genovia Mrs. Romero. You will also have a maid at your disposal. "Concluded Clarisse.

-'' But? Here? Guest of the royal family? Wow! '' Stammered Carmen.

- '' So I'll let your son take you around the palace. ''

- ' 'Thank you very much your Majesty and please call me Carmen.' '' She said curtsying.

- '' Ok, Carmen. Joseph, when you are finished and your mother is installed, could you come and see me at my office. We have to make an inventory of the new security equipment to order. '' Finisse Clarisse.

- Parfait 'Perfect your Majesty. Said Joseph.

And Clarisse left the hall. Joe took his mother around the palace and led her after him. She was very amazed but exhausted. So Joe helped her settle in and let her rest. He headed for Clarisse's office as planned.

Carmen was amazed. Her son was in love with the Queen of Genovia. That's why he kept his feelings secret. Not only was she the Queen, but she was also married, and not to anyone, to the King. She was very sad to think that there was nothing she could do to help her son. He was condemned to love Clarisse in silence.

When evening came, when it was dinner time, Clarisse insisted that Joseph and Carmen eat with her in the dining room. She wanted to get to know Carmen. The two women got along very well. She chatted during all the supper. Joe was amazed to see how comfortable Clarisse made her mother despite her title of Queen who initially intimidated Carmen. Clarisse even suggested accompanying Joe and Carmen the next day to a little trip to town, to Pyrus. Carmen was happy to get on well with Clarisse, she understood very well why her son had fallen in love with her.

The next morning, the three had breakfast in the palace garden.

- '' So your Majesty, my son told me the other day that he was very happy to work for you and your family. According to him, you are a very good boss. '' Said Carmen.

- '' I have no merit you know. It's natural, our employees do such a good job. Besides, if he weren't there, we'd be in the water pretty quickly. "Clarisse replied.

- "We are like a big family." Replied Joe.

- '' Exactly. So now we have to go if we want to have time to do everything on the agenda.

They went to the village of Pyrus. They started with the town's jewelry store.

- "I've been wanting to buy some things here for several days." Said the Queen.

- "You could have told me Majesty, I would have been happy to escort you here." Replied Joseph.

- '' It's really a beautiful boutique, there is something for everyone. '' Said Carmen.

Clarisse was walking towards the pearl necklaces. Obviously, these were real freshwater pearls, so the prices were pretty steep. (Sorry for the pun ... LOL)

- "Magnificent, could I see the one please?" Asked Clarisse to the saleswoman.

- "Certainly your Majesty." Replied the latter.

- W 'Wow, Joe look, you saw that jewelry. The pearls are not too big, not too small. And the little diamonds between each pearl are beautiful. '' Said Carmen, pointing a necklace at Joe.

- "Would you like to try it, ma'am?" Asked the saleswoman to Carmen.

- '' No thanks, you are very nice, but I clearly cannot afford it. '' Replied Carmen.

- "She's going to try it." Cut Clarisse.

- "No, it really isn't necessary." Replied the elderly woman.

- "I insist Carmen." Said Clarisse.

- '' Okay, if you insist. '' Ria Carmen taking her jewelry.

- '' Wow, sublime. '' Said Clarisse.

- "Very pretty mom." Said Joe.

- "It goes perfectly with your complexion," added the saleswoman.

- '' It's true that it suits me, but you shouldn't be dreaming. '' Said Carmen, removing the necklace.

- "Miss, please pack the two necklaces." Said Clarisse to the saleswoman pointing to the necklace that she had chosen as well as the one that Carmen had just put down.

- "Certainly your Majesty." Said the young woman.

- "What, but why both?" Asked Carmen.

- "Well mine and yours let's see." Replied the Queen.

- '' No. No. You can't do that your Majesty. '' Said Carmen.

- '' You know Carmen, that makes me really happy. In addition, I can afford it easily. You are a very kind and generous person and it is my pleasure to offer you this gift. Either way, this necklace has to be tailor-made for you. "Clarisse added.

- ''Thank you very much your Majesty. You're really someone special. '' Finished Carmen.

Joe was watching the scene in front of him with stars in his eyes. He was increasingly amazed by Clarisse everyday. His heart was making a thousand hits at that time. He just wanted to take Clarisse in his arms and kiss her until they needed air. They continued their tour of the region and returned to the palace. That evening, like every night, Joe took a photo of Clarisse from under his pillow and looked at it for ten minutes, before falling asleep.