Chapter 8: Misconceptions

Joseph was the first to pull away. It wasn't that he wasn't enjoying every second of it. It was that he could hear someone coming down the hall. And being caught like this could mean the end of both of their careers.

Carefully he removed Clarisse's hands from where they were around his neck. She understood. She always understood. That's what Joseph loved so much about his Queen. The two of them seemed to be connected in some strange subliminal way.

The person that had been coming down the hall, stopped at the door of Clarrise's suit and knocked.

"Come in," said Clarrise, trying to rapidly straighten her suit. Joe thought she looked perfect as always, but she obviously didn't think so as she kept running her hands over her lap, wiping out invisible wrinkles.

The person opened the door and came into the room. It was just Charlotte. She nodded to Joe and then proceeded to go over tomorrow's schedule with Clarrise. A meeting with France, Lunch with Portugal, and telephone conference with Mr. Bush. Joe didn't understand how one woman could do all of that, and still have time for her friends and family.

Clarrise got up and walked across the room, still fiddling with her clothing. The back of her jacket was flipped up the littlest bit, but there was nothing Joe could do. Not that Charlotte would notice. Joseph thought she was a dear, but not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Charlotte finished with the Queen, closing her day planner with a certain efficiency. As she headed towards the door, she leaned over to where Joe was standing.

"So I see you're getting it on with the queen!" she whispered, and then she was gone, giggling down the hallway.