Chapter 3


Watching her pace the suite, eager to meet her date for the evening, Joseph was beside himself with jealousy. He stood at her door, it being like second nature to him, trying to hide the fact that he was hurt. No, not physically, it was much worse than that. His heart ached for her. Now he was wandering if, in fact, he should let her go alone tonight. How could he watch her with someone else? Then again, the only way to keep her truly safe was to be with her. He wanted to keep her safe. If that was all he could ever do to her, then so be it.

Joseph felt a little dizzy. His head was hot, and he had broke out in a sweat. He had been watching her, his eyes like those of an eagle glaring at its' prey. She was dressed in pure gold. Joseph thought how appropriate that was, she deserved it, and could wear it like no other. So he stood in awe over his beautiful Queen, admiring her form, and undressing her in his mind.

"Joseph. Joseph? Joseph!" Clarisse finally got his attention.

"I apologize, my Queen, I wasn't paying attention." Joseph was sure she could see right through him.

"I can tell, please get the door." Her voice was stern, and she merely treated him as a simple servant. It put another hole in his heart.

"Clarisse!" a voice called, as the doors were opened. "Clarisse, you are simply beautiful!" He kissed her hand, then her cheeks, then finally landing on her lips, just a little too long for Joseph. Whoever he was, he had picked his Queen up, and was now spinning her in the air, in a tight embrace. Clarisse giggled at this, at him, and seemed perfectly okay with his actions. Joseph, deciding it was too much, tried clearing his throat.

"Oh, Joseph...ah, Joseph," Clarisse began, as he allowed her feet back on the floor, "I'd like to introduce Talmadge Mendoza, an old friend of mine, as well as my date for the evening. Talmadge, this is Joseph, my bodyguard and head of security. I hope you don't mind?" Clarisse turned to her old friend, "I do need my security, I am a Queen..."

"No apologies, Clarisse. I understand completely. Frankly, I could care less. I am so excited to see you, I like the idea of having an audience tonight." Talmadge took her hand, and kissed it again, bringing more laughter to her lips. Indeed, she did look radiant.

"I still can't believe it! I was so afraid you would have to cancel.."

"Oh no, not this time. I told myself only the end of the world could keep me away." He took both of her hands this time, and looked her over. "My, you are gorgeous."

"Why thank you, kind sir," she teased. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Joseph couldn't see what was so good about him. Average man, fairly dark skinned, in shape, so-so facial features, dark hair. Joseph hated him. What was even worse, Clarisse seemed to love the man. She glowed, she smiled, she paid no mind to him or the rest of the world. Right now that man had her attention.

"Shall we?" Talmadge offered her his arm. Joseph could feel his face turn red. He was the only one who could do that.

"I'd love to," she accepted his offer.

Joseph followed behind, secretly wanting to shoot the bastard.


Joseph stood at the bar, drowning his fifth whiskey, watching the performance this strange man played to is Queen. All evening she had laughed at him, to him, and for him; and all evening Joseph had envied the man. They had been seated in a private area, whereas Joseph had the only view of the couple, citing it as security reasons, of course.

It had been so long since Joseph had seen her so happy, so full of life. He had hoped and dreamed that one day he would be able to do that for her. So here he sat, drinking away the pain as this stranger stole his dream.

Seeing as how this stranger carried security of his own, and having seen too much for one evening already, Joseph decided he had had enough. He was quite certain his Queen would never miss him, after all she had not even glanced his way once the whole evening. Joseph stood to leave, not having enough courage to even glance her way once more. She did say she wanted privacy, so privacy was what she was going to get. After all, if Clarisse had something planned, Joseph knew he wouldn't stand to see the two of them intimate.


"Talmadge," squealed Clarisse, "put me down!" He had her over his shoulder, both of them laughing, with grins a mile wide. At the sound of her screams, Charlotte and Joseph emerged from their adjoining rooms, eager to see if she was hurt. Both of them stood in awe as they sat their eyes on the couple, obviously having stayed out all night.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I thought something was wrong," Charlotte explained, backing out and into the other room. Joseph slipped back, hoping to be invisible, just as he felt.

Looking around to make sure they were alone now, the couple burst out in laughter again. Talmadge dropped Clarisse, almost falling over himself.

"Too much champagne?" Clarisse asked, sure it was.

"No, I'm just high on you." Talmadge hugged her once more, not wanting to let her go.

Joseph couldn't resist. Slowly, painstakingly, he turned the knob, cracking open the door just enough to watch them.

"I'm so glad we got together," Clarisse was telling him. "I never imagined I'd ever see you again." She let him take her hands, and kiss them, smiling up at him after.

"We should do this more often, much more often." Talmadge took his finger, lifting up her chin. "I miss you."

"Mmm, I miss you too. Thank you for last night," she almost said in a whisper.

"No, thank you."

"Do you really have to leave today?" Clarisse pouted.

"Hmm, now don't you think one of us must get back to work?" Talmadge wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her once more. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Clarisse, let's get together again, I mean I want to see you more often." He let her go, still holding onto her hands.

"I'd love that," she smiled to him. "You know I would, and you know where to find me."

Talmadge let go of her hands as he walked backward a few steps towards the door. Blowing her a kiss, he left. Joseph quietly shut his door, not wanting to believe what he had seen and heard. He leaned back against it, his heart having been shattered at the scene.