New Years Eve - Part 2.
Unable to sleep, Clarisse laid on the bed with her legs crossed at the ankle and her hands resting together on her stomach, staring up at the ceiling with thoughts of both Rupert and Joseph, and what she was going to do, swirling round her mind.
Yes Rupert was her husband, had been for the last 25 years and they had two sons together but their marriage wasn't a normal marriage. It was an arranged marriage, one she had agreed to at the age of 16. She went into the marriage thinking that they would eventually love one another, but no matter how much she tried to love him how a wife should, she had unfortunately realised long ago that she had never really loved him.
And it was obvious, from his affair, that he didn't truly love her either, so she thought that if she left him, like majority of women would do when they find out that their husbands have been unfaithful, then she would be free to finally be with Joseph. Oh, how the thought of that made her pulse quicken and her heart beat that little bit faster.
Sweet sweet Joseph, who was not only a very good friend, potentially her best, but he was her bodyguard too and despite years of uncertainty and any doubt she had felt, questioning herself over and over about whether her heart could truly feel this way over another when she was already married and a mother. He was the man she had truly loved and had done for most of her life.
But, no sooner had she begun to think about a future with Joseph, and how wonderful it would be, to finally be together, was she cruelly reminded of the two things that could potentially stand in their way. Both of which couldn't be ignored.
Joseph, of course, was in a relationship with Nicolette, and had been for the best part of the last year, and she was Queen. She had a duty to not only her husband, but to her country too and she realised that leaving Rupert under these circumstances was never going to be easy.
Letting out a long, sad sigh at the thought, Clarisse turned onto her side and tucked her hand up under her head and closed her eyes. Praying for a way out of this mess she had found herself in as she tried her best to get some sleep.
Hearing what sounded like a door shutting, Joseph's eyes sprung open from where he sat on the sofa and surveyed the area in front of him. Realising that he must've fallen to sleep, he quickly sat up and looked down in confusion as the blanket that Clarisse had placed over him earlier fell down onto his lap.
"You're awake," Clarisse said from the table in her hotel suite and watched as Joseph turned on the seat to look over at her. "I ordered some coffee for you when I ordered my tea, just in case. Andre just left after bringing it in."
"Thank you, that must have been what woke me up," Joseph said and rose to his feet, still holding the blanket in his hands. "I'm sorry I fell asleep here in your suite, I didn't realise that I was still so tired. One minute I'm just sitting down when you went into your bedroom and, well, the next minute here I am now."
"That's okay, I don't mind," she smiled across the room at him, "I was surprised when I came out not long after to talk to you and found you asleep," she said and gestured to the blanket in his hands. "Which is how you come to have my blanket over you, I thought you might have got cold."
"Ahh, I did wonder," he nodded and glanced down at her blanket before looking back up at her, "thank you," he said and she smiled at him before picking up her teacup and taking a sip of her tea. After folding up the blanket and placing it on the armchair, he walked over to the table and poured himself a coffee before taking a seat opposite her. "Is everything alright?" He asked and saw the confusion on her face, "you said that you came out to talk to me? I just wanted to make sure that everything was alright."
"Oh yes," she nodded as she placed her teacup back down on the saucer and rested her hands down either side of it while looking back up at him, "I came out to apologise for the way I spoke to you. It was wrong of me to talk to you that way when all you were doing was looking out for me. I should have realised, and for that I'm sorry."
"It's okay, you don't need to apologise," Joseph said with a shake of his head and watched as she looked down at her teacup, "you have a lot going on and I should have followed your orders, so it's me who should be apologising."
"Thank you," she said while glancing up at him before looking back down at her cup of tea in front of her.
After taking a sip of his coffee, he placed his cup back down and looked up at her. "Anyway, did you manage to get some sleep?" He asked.
"No," Clarisse said, shaking her head while putting her hand up onto the side of her neck, tucking it under her hair as she tilted her head slightly, "I just kept thinking about everything that's going on and what I'm going to do."
"Oh," Joseph said, nodding slightly as he continued to look at her, "and have you decided on what you are going to do?"
"At the moment, I still don't really know," Clarisse said with a shrug, but the truth was she had thought about it and had some idea on what she really wanted to do, but knew it would never work out how she wanted it too. Not with Joseph being in a relationship and with her being Queen. "I wish that I could leave him because he's cheated, I think that I would be happier if we did part, but at the same time I realise it's not that easy."
"How come?" Joseph asked and took a sip of his coffee before placing his cup back down. "He's been unfaithful to you, you have every right to leave."
"I know and for anyone else that would be easy, to just leave when their spouse has been unfaithful," Clarisse said and lowered her hand from her neck to rest it back down on the table beside her cup. "But unfortunately I have a duty, I'm a Queen and nothing about this is going to be easy. It's going to be very complicated no matter what I decide," she said a moment later.
"I understand that," Joseph said and studied her a moment, "just know though, that whatever you do decide, I am here for you. Always."
"Thank you," Clarisse said honestly and looked up at him, her gaze meeting his a long moment before she finally looked away. "Anyway," she said and looked back at him, "I should start preparing for the party tonight, or I'll never be ready on time."
"Oh yes of course, me too," Joseph nodded and looked down at his cup of coffee sitting on the table in front of him before standing to his feet, "I will go so you can get ready and I'll see you a bit later."
"Yes, thank you," Clarisse said, slumping back in her chair as she watched him pick up his coffee cup from the table.
"You know where I am, if you need me," he said and half smiled at her before turning and walking over to the door.
"I do," Clarisse nodded as he opened her suite door to leave, "Joseph," she exclaimed and watched him turn to look back over at her still sitting at the table, "I just want to say thank you for everything and for being here for me."
"No thank you needed, you know I'll always be there for you," he said softly, his gaze remaining on her a moment before he bowed his head and slowly walked out.
Stretching one leg out under the table, she took her bottom lip between her teeth and turned her head to look out of the windows of her balcony doors a long moment before finally standing to her feet and making her way into her bedroom to start preparing for Sabrina and Harry's New Year's Eve party.
"Clarisse?" Joseph called out as he entered the Queen's suite that evening and closed the door behind him. "I'm here when you are ready."
"I'll be right there, I'm nearly ready," Clarisse replied from where she stood in front of the tall mirror in her hotel bedroom. She had actually been ready for the last hour, but had been debating whether she should go or not, especially with everything that has been going on, but hearing Joseph's calm voice calling out to her just a moment ago and knowing that he was there for her, she finally made up her mind.
"Ok, take your time," Joseph called back and slipped his hands in his pants pockets as he stood at the balcony doors. "There's no rush," he said and smirked to himself as a memory from when they first met in New York a long time ago popped in his head.
"What's so amusing?" Clarisse asked as she walked across the suite and stopped behind one of the dining chairs, placing her shawl over the back of it and her clutch bag on the table in front of her as Joseph turned to her.
"I, um..." he stumbled, completely captivated over how beautiful she looked. She wasn't wearing her usual long ball gown style dress that she always wore to parties. She was wearing instead a heart shaped neckline, wide strapped, knee length peplum dress and she looked absolutely gorgeous.
"What's wrong?" She asked, placing one hand on the back of the chair where she had placed her shawl and turned to face him.
"Nothing," he said and shook his head while glancing away a moment, "it's just you look... different," he added and looked back to her.
"Good different," she asked while looking down at herself a mere second before looking back up at him, "or bad different?"
"Oh, definitely good different," he said and nodded profusely as she chuckled at his response, "and your hair too... that style really suits you." He said, complimenting the low chignon bun she'd had done with an antique barrette hair clip sitting attached to her hair, just above the bun.
"Thank you, Sabrina sent her hairdresser up to help me," Clarisse smiled and turned back to the table while picking up her clutch bag. "Now, what were you smirking at when I walked in the room?" She asked while checking the contents of her purse to make sure she had everything.
"Oh, I was just remembering back in New York when we first met and the quote I gave you," he smiled and watched as she turned back to him and lowered her hands, "but reworded it when you became Queen."
"I remember, a Queen is never late, everyone else is simply early," she smiled, "It's been so long since I have used, or heard that quote."
"Me too," he nodded with a smile, "it just came to me when you called out from the bedroom that you were nearly ready."
"Well it could certainly stand tonight, especially since the party has already started," she smiled and looked back at her purse as she closed it back up. "Oh, talking about that just reminded me," she said and looked back up at him, "do you remember that white and turquoise floral halter neck dress that I wore to the movies all those years ago?"
"Yes, absolutely. How could I forget?" He nodded and smiled at the sweet, sweet memory of her wearing that dress on their date back in New York long, long ago. "Why'd you ask?"
"Well, I came across it the other day while I was looking for something else in the storage section of the palace," she smiled and tucked her clutch bag under her arm.
"Wow, that must've brought back some memories for you," he smiled, watching her as she picked up her shawl from the back of the chair and draped it over her arm while nodding, "actually, am I right in thinking that you wore that dress the night I gave you a 'tour' of Harry's place before you left New York?"
"Yes, I do believe so," Clarisse nodded, "but I don't recall much of a tour happening," she smiled and gestured towards her suite door, "I'm ready, so shall we make our way to the party?"
"Yes yes, of course," Joseph nodded and extended his arm for her to lead the way, "and no, I don't remember much of a tour either," he smirked at the memory of them together as he began to follow her, "I'm surprised actually that you still have it after all this time."
"Of course I do," she said, surprised, as she opened the door and turned to him, "it has sentimental value."
"Hmm," he nodded as they both walked out of the door and closed it up behind them, "I would keep it too if it was me, for that same reason."
"Mmm, I'm sure you would," Clarisse smiled as they began to walk side by side down the hall towards the lift.
Walking through the doors where the party was being held a few moments later, Joseph took two glasses of champagne from the waitress standing with a drinks tray just inside the door and turned to Clarisse, handing her one as Harry suddenly appeared to greet them both.
"Hello, I'm so glad that you decided to come," Harry smiled and stepped closer to kiss Clarisse's cheek before moving to whisper in her ear while placing his hand on her arm, "Sabrina told me to tell you that if I saw you first, then I'm to tell you to get a drink, take a seat and she will catch up with you when she gets a chance."
"Okay," Clarisse nodded with a smile as he pulled back and studied her face before she leant closer to whisper in his ear her reply, "if you see Sabrina before I do, then please tell her that there's no rush. We have all night."
"I will," Harry smiled and looked at Joseph, "hello there old pal."
"Hey, less of the old," Joseph said and they both laughed while shaking hands.
"Did you have a great birthday?" Harry laughed as he pulled his hand back and took a sip of his drink.
"I did, yeah," Joseph nodded, "but it seems so long ago now."
"Just over a week, so not that long ago really," Harry smiled, "anyway, where's Nicolette? I thought she would've been here to see in the new year with you?"
"We actually broke up," Joseph said and glanced down at his glass in his hand as Clarisse raised her glass to her lips, taking a long sip of her champagne while wondering why he had never told her that. Why it had to be now she found out.
"Oh Joseph, I'm sorry to hear that," Harry said sincerely.
"Thanks, but it is what it is and unfortunately, the relationship ran its course." Joseph said and noticed some other guests arrive.
"Let me go and greet these guests and I'll come find you in a bit," Harry said, "is that okay?"
"Oh sure, you are the host after all," Joseph said with a chuckle.
"Thank you, I'll come find you in a bit," Harry said and began to walk over to greet the guests that arrived moments ago.
"Shall we find a seat?" Joseph asked as he turned to Clarisse and watched as she nodded.
"There's two empty seats at the bar?" Clarisse said and glanced towards the bar before looking back at him, "we could sit there?"
"You want to sit at the bar?" Joseph asked in surprise as they began to walk over to the bar where Clarisse had looked.
"Yes," Clarisse nodded with a smile, "I have sat at the bar before you know."
"Yes, I know you have," Joseph laughed as they reached the bar and he watched as she placed her bag and glass of champagne up on top of it before draping her shawl over the back of one of the stools. "But that was before you became Queen if I remember correctly."
"You are right, yes," Clarisse said while putting a hand on the bar, one of her feet on the stool footrest and pushed herself up to sit on the stool, "but I want to have a normal night, like a normal person."
"Well alright then," Joseph laughed and watched as she turned sideways in the seat to face him and crossed her legs, causing the skirt of her dress to ride up her thigh just a little as he sat up on the stool beside her. Trying to keep his eyes off her.
"Can I ask you something?" She asked while resting her arm along the bar and picked up her glass of champagne to take a sip or two.
"Of course you can," he nodded, watching her a moment as she lowered her glass and placed it back down on the bar in front of her.
"Why didn't you tell me about you and Nicolette?" She asked while looking at him, studying his face as she left her hand resting on the bottom of her glass.
"I knew you were going to ask me that," he said and looked down at his glass sitting on the bar in front of him, "the reason I didn't tell you was because you have enough going on as it is, I didn't want to add to it."
"That is true, I do, but we are friends and you should have still told me," Clarisse said as she lifted her hand, resting it against the side of her head as she kept her gaze on him. "When did it happen?"
"When we were in Italy for my birthday, we realised it wasn't working and she flew home," he said and finally looked back up at her.
"I see," Clarisse nodded and turned her head back to look at the bar, "aren't you sad though, I mean you have been dating a while?"
"No, I could see it wasn't going anywhere, had done for a long time," he said as she picked up her glass once again and took another sip of her drink, "no point keeping it going, when we both want different things," he said with a coy smile.
Thank you all so much for reading and leaving reviews, please do keep them, and any other feedback you might have, coming :) I really appreciate it.