Chapter 4

"See?... I've told you that you are with the wrong man." remarked Joseph softly, still holding Clarisse in his arms and her answer was a laugh from the bottom of her heart. She finally didn't seem so miserable as before.

"Yes, it seems I was wrong in a few things."

"Are you a bit better now?"

"Yeah, I'll be okay," she sniffled and Joseph offered her a kleenex. "Thank you."

"So what would you say to get out of here?" her answer was a slight nod, "You've been here a bit too long, so maybe you should go outside for a while."

"Yes, you're right, but I think I would rather go upstairs."

"That's okay too, but... what's the matter?" asked Joseph, because Clarisse seemed quite unsure.

"It's... it's just so awkward. I mean, I'm sure everybody heard our argument, so I do not want to meet with them."

"Clarisse. It's not awkward at all. Your husband is a jerk and now just everybody knows it... Come on, it will be okay." he said and grabbed her hand.

As they finally reached her suite and Joseph closed the door behind them, she sighed deeply.

"It was awkward..."

"No. Let me clear you something..." and he cupped her cheek softly. "If you like someone, you feel sorry for her and if you do not, then you just smile wickedly, because she finally got what she deserved. Have you seen anyone laughing at you?"

"...No. I think I haven't."

"Then it means people like you and they feel sorry for you. It's okay?"

"Yeah, I think it is..." she finally smiled a bit. "And thank you for you came in, really. You know, it means a lot to me, because... no one ever came in."

"But I will, because I won't let him to speak to you like that... I promise." she looked down. "Clarisse, I hope you do not believe him."

"I'm really trying to not to."

"You are just in a bad period what you had to face with all alone until now, because your husband simply left you in the dark. All I can see is a beautiful, witty and adorable woman, who is a bit down at the moment, but she's like a tea bag."

"A tea bag?" she smiled with teary eyes.

"Yes, you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water."

"Eleanor Roosevelt said that."

"Yes, she was an extraordinary woman like you, and I think she knew what she was talking about."

"Thank you..." Her eyes were shining and he finally saw in her eyes, what he wanted to see from the very first moment. "For seeing something in me what I cannot at the moment," he just stroked her face with an absent minded smile when she whispered,

"Maybe... I think you should kiss me."

"Yes, I should... but I won't."

To be continued...