Pyrus…
"Is everything according to plan" Mabrey asked James as both men stood in the middle of the room? They had decided to meet at a discreet location that neither could be connected to. They could not afford any unwanted attention.
"Yes. We have everything in place" James assured him.
"And everyone" Mabrey asked? He could not have any mistakes this time.
"And everyone" James replied confidently.
"Excellent so there should be no surprises" Mabrey smiled.
"Only ours" James stated as he glanced at his phone.
"Expecting a call" Mabrey asked curiously?
"Yes…" James replied vaguely but did not disclose anything else.
"I do not have to remind you of what we have in stake, do I" Mabrey asked? He preferred no secrets but in this moment; he felt James was hiding one.
"My family has the most to lose if this does not go according to plan. I will do whatever I have to do to ensure that my grandson takes his rightful place" James replied annoyed. He did not appreciate what Mabrey was trying to insinuate.
"See that you do" Mabrey stated as he walked out of the room.
James glared at his retreating figure. He hated the man. The only reason he agreed to partner with him on this was for his grandson future. He would not allow the Renaldi family to continue to shame his family out of their rightful place. The time for doing things nicely was long over. They chose to pretend Alex did not exist well then, he would make sure the entire world knew before this was all over.
Cabin….
"I can stay but not for long" Joe forced himself to say. He had to keep his focus. They were here for safety reasons. He could not fail again.
"I understand" Clarisse replied as she turned and walked into the room.
Joe followed her inside. He noticed she seemed anxious.
"Do you feel unsafe here" He asked as he approached her?
"No. I feel safe here…with you" She replied as she reached out her hand to him.
Joseph took her hand as they looked into each other eyes. They sat beside one another on the love seat.
"Joseph…" She started to speak.
"Clarisse, I…" He spoke at the same time.
They smiled at one another.
"You go first" He said as he continued to hold her hand in his.
"Did you come up to check on me or did you want what I wanted" She asked softly forcing herself to be honest and open with him? This was the only chance they would probably have alone for who knew how long.
"It depends. What did you want" He asked somehow managing to keep his voice calm? He also knew how rare this time alone was.
"You. Here with me" She admitted as she squeezed his hand tight.
"Then yes. I wanted what you wanted" He admitted as he led her hand up to his lips and kissed it softly.
Clarisse smiled at him relieved that she was not the only one feeling this way.
Joseph smiled back at her.
"I know that our situation is difficult. You have and continue to sacrifice a lot for me…for us" She said as she looked at him full of love.
"I will continue to do so. I love you Clarisse" He said without hesitation.
"I love you too Joseph" She replied also without hesitation.
"I would love nothing more than to stay here with you" He shared wanting her to know his true feelings.
"I know that you can't" She said, her cheeks blushing a bit by his statement.
"I have to be downstairs in case…" He tried to explain.
"No need to explain, really, I understand. I am happy that you feel the same way…still" She whispered.
"I do. I always will" He promised.
Clarisse touched his face softly with her hand.
He leaned into her touch, kissing her hand.
She smiled at his reaction.
They both leaned in and met in a kiss.
Palace…
"It's complicated" Pierre said, and it was. He knew his parents' marriage was arranged. Neither had wanted to marry the other but they both did as the families agreed it was a perfect match. And they were. But love was not a factor.
"Isn't it always" Antoinette replied as she looked at the man who she knew she would marry. She did not love him, not in that way but love was not a factor.
"Why would you want to go along with this? You love him and I…" He tried to explain but she cut him off.
"You love her, yes, I know" She rolled her eyes.
"What is it about her that upsets you? Are you jealous" He asked confused?
"Of her. Absolutely not" She spat angrily.
He eyed her carefully.
"She could never be your Queen consort Pierre. I mean, really, think about it. She is not who the people want" She said her anger fading and reason taking over.
"Maybe not but she is who I want" He said honestly.
"Don't make this harder than it already is" She warned him. She truly did care for him and did not want things to get worse. She knew Mabrey plan and if Pierre did not go along, she knew what would happen.
"We can't just sit by and let people control our lives. Not anymore. Don't you want to be happy" He pushed hoping that she would come around and agree with him.
"I was, once and look where it got me" She said as she looked into his eyes.
"If I had known I would never have let her send you away. Mother was only trying to protect me" He said as he believed her explanation.
"Your mother was protecting herself. She knew what would happen if it got out. If the people of Genovia knew that there was another heir" She said confident that Clarisse was not the saint Pierre was making her out to be.
"Look, I know you were hurt in all of this. And I know that Father's decision has hurt you. But you must realize that he was right and so was she. Not in the way they handled the situation but, they knew what the public would do and say. They would have made it impossible for you.
Antoinette knew he was right and yes; they had been right about that. But it did not matter. "That was my choice to make not her's."
Pierre sighed sadly as he looked at her.
"She exiled me from my family and my home. I was young, pregnant and scared. I had to raise Alex on my own. You have no idea what that is like" She said as her eyes teared.
"You're right I don't. But I know what it is like to find out that your fiancée did not leave you because she decided she did not want to get married. She was in love with my father and carrying his child" He said his voice shook a bit, but he never faltered or cried.
"That is my only regret. That I hurt you in that way. I never intended on hurting you. I never wanted it to happen. I…was confused and felt unwanted by you…I…I'm sorry" She said, and she honestly was. She knew he may never believe her, but she truly was sorry. Pierre was not a bad man. He never deserved what she did.
"Well, I have a lot of regrets" He said as his mind wandered to his father lying in that bed.
"He knew you loved him" She said as she looked at him sadly.
"How would you know that" He asked getting upset?
"He told me. Before, when we…he told me how proud he was of you and how he knew you would make a great King" She shared as she closed the gap between them.
His eyes watered as he thought of his father saying those things.
"He is proud of you. And, if he never…she swallowed her tears…if he never wakes up, nothing will make him prouder then you become King" She said as tears slid down her cheeks.
Unable to stop it, Pierre began to cry silently, tears sliding down his own cheeks. Moments later, he felt her arms wrap around him.
Pyrus…
Sebastian had arrived home exhausted from a long day of politics. He was happy to be home and could not wait to see Sheila. He was shocked when he walked in and saw his wife sitting in the living room with Helena.
"Shelia, what…" He began to ask. He was confused about what he walked in on.
"Please let me explain" Helena offered as she stood up.
"Hear her out" Shelia stated to her husband before leaving them to it.
"I don't know what you told my wife, but this is highly inappropriate" He said upset by the invasion on their privacy.
"Please, we have to talk" Helena insisted.
"Do you know what time it is" He asked agitated?
"Forget the time. Do you realize what is about to happen? If you do not do something, Mabrey will overthrow the monarchy" She said raising her voice. She was tired of dealing with men, but she had no choice in the matter.
"What" He asked taken aback?
"Arthur Mabrey and my husband are working together and are plotting to overthrow the monarchy. As we speak, they are using my daughter and Pierre for their own selfish purpose. We must stop them. I have no one else to turn to. I need your help. I can't do this alone" She tried to explain. She knew how far fetched it sounded but she hoped that he believed her.
"Tell me more" Motaz replied surprising her as he sat.
Relieved Helena sat down and began to explain what had been happening.
Cabin….
Neither intended for it to go any further but they found themselves unable to part. One kiss led to another and another until Clarisse found herself lying back on the love seat and Joseph moving over her. She sighed loving the feel of the man she loved against her. Joseph lost all sense of control and found himself wanting the woman he loved and not wanting to ever let her go again. Both thought the same thing, this could be the only chance they had to be together.
"I love you" Joe whispered.
"I love you" Clarisse whispered.
And then his cell phone rang.
Clarisse and Joseph breathing was heavy as they stared into each other eyes.
Joseph managed to pull away from her as he sat up, saw it was the Palace calling and answered his phone.
"Joe" Shades said his voice anxious.
"Shades. Did something happen" Joe asked his heart suddenly in his throat?
Clarisse felt fear spread in her heart as she sat up realizing who he was talking to.
Joseph put it on speaker knowing she needed to hear what was being said by the look in her eyes.
"It's the King. He's awake" Shades admitted, relief in his voice.
Joseph and Clarisse looked at one another, both finally realizing what Shades was saying.
