Chapter 3: Pondering and the first kiss

Author's Note: Hi everybody! Thanks for all the lovely reviews!:-) And thank you Gabrielle:-)Here is chapter 3 with the first kiss!Yeah!:-)

Two days later Clarisse was still thinking, she was in the garden. Everything what Joseph said earlier was a complete shock for her. She was fighting with herself. Always the same reasons, in one hand Joseph is a… (oh she couldn't think about it). What crimes did he commit? He lied her for 9 years. And what if he is still lying? What would happen with Genovia if it comes to light? Always the same questions circled in her head. But on the other hand, she loved him. That was just one reason on the other side, but this little, slight reason was stronger than any other was. Yes, she loved him.

OOOOOOOOOOOO

So after two days of pondering and ignoring him, she headed to his room.

As she stepped in, he was laying on his back, and trying to rest a bit, 'cos he was tired about the last three day's events.

He was half-asleep when Clarisse took off her shoes and snuggled next to him.

That was the moment when he woke up completely and realized that Clarisse is in his bed.

'Oh my! Clarisse!' said Joseph with a big smile and turned to the woman in his arms 'You're here… I'm so glad…I didn't know what to think, 'cos you completely ignored me, but now you're here… So can you forgive me?'

'I don't know.' answered Clarisse frankly 'I don't know how can I handle this whole situation, your past, your present… I know nothing just one thing, that I love you.' whispered Clarisse and laid her head onto Joseph's shoulder

'That's totally enough darling. Totally enough.' smiled Joseph and kissed her forehead.

A few minutes later, they were sleeping in each other's arms. They knew nothing about the future, but it didn't matter…

OOOOOOO

PRESENT

'Oh Grandma. That was so sweet.' smiled Mia 'But now I'm totally confused.'

'Why darling?' asked Clarisse

''Cos I think you don't have a problem. You have your answer, you love him. So you just have to say yes.'

'Yes?' cried Clarisse 'It's not that simple Mia. I've pondering with this problem for nearly four years, four years Mia!'

'But you said earlier that one reason is stronger than all the others.'

'Yes, but I still can't decide!' cried Clarisse

'Why?' asked Mia

''Cos I'm terrified.' said Clarisse finally 'I'm terrified of everything… What would be my life after the marriage? Joseph has enemies, lots of enemies. And if they knew about our relationship, I would be in a life-danger night and day. 'Cos if somebody wants to take vengeance for something, he just has to find Joseph's weak point, and that's me. Do you understand?'

'Yes Grandma, but if you don't be with Joseph, what's the point of being alive? I mean if you won't be happy… And you're not happy, 'cos you're suffering for four years. ' said Mia softly

'Yes I know what you say, that's my problem.'

'And what about crimes, what do you know about his real job?'

'Oh that's all right. He says he'll finish it when I say yes. Oh don't look at me this way Mia! He is not a killer! They specialized themselves for money laundrying. '

'Yeah you're right, that's quite another story.' laughed Mia

'Oh come on Mia! A few minutes ago you wanted me to say yes.'

'Yes, but you're starting to gain over me. And what was that bit about Genovia?' asked Mia

'If it comes to light, I mean my relationship with Joseph…'

'Wait a minute!' said Mia quickly 'Do you have a relationship with Joseph?'

'No. Nothing physical.'

'Really?' asked Mia teasingly

'Just a few kiss.' said Clarisse

'What?! Did he kiss you?' Mia again caught the essence

'Yes. But we haven't finished that question about Genovia. If they knew about us, that would be the end of the Renaldi era. Imagine the headlines, Mrs. Mafia and the man in black, Pyrus the Sicily of Western Europe… Oh Mia I can't do this with our family, I can't.' cried Clarisse

'Yeah I understand you Grandma, but what was about that first kiss?' asked Mia

'Oh Mia. That's the most important thing now, hm? And I said kisses, not first kiss.'

'Yeah I know. But please tell me everything about your first kiss with Joseph. Please.' begged Mia with puppy eyes

'Right.' sighed Clarisse 'You will not rest 'till… '

'Exactly.' smiled Mia 'Come on Grandma!'

'Ok. First, you have to know that there were some 'accidents' after that parade thing with Joseph. Not attempts, just fights, three men with baseball rackets against Joseph, that kind of things.' started Clarisse

'But how? I mean he is your head of security, he was in charge, wasn't he? So he didn't have the chance to fight with three men on the street… Come on Grandma.'

'But that happened exactly before our first kiss.' said Clarisse

'Really?' asked Mia surprised

'Yes. Joseph took me home after a party with the limo, when he stopped the car at the traffic lamp three men suddenly jumped out, they knew him, 'cos they called his name. So Joseph got off, I begged him to drive through, but he didn't listen to me…'

'And what happened?' asked Mia excitedly 'Did he beat them?'

'Yes, he was the winner, but he had a terrible wound on his cheek.' answered Clarisse

'And? And? I can't wait!'

'Then he sat back to the limo…'

FLASHBACK

'Oh Joseph. Are you all right?' asked Clarisse worriedly as he got into the car

'Yes. I'm fine, don't worry.' said Joseph

'Oh you're bleeding. Come and sit next to me. There have to be a first aid kit somewhere.' said Clarisse

A few minutes later he was sitting next to her on the back seat and held his cheek

'Ok finished.' said Clarisse softly

'Thank you.' said Joseph 'Look, I had to go out, that's an affair of honor. Are you angry?'

'No. I'm just scared. What would be if they won?' said Clarisse with tears in her eyes

'They wanted me, I would never ever risk your life.' answered Joseph softly and cupped her cheek 'You know I love you.' whispered Joseph and slowly pulled her closer, then… he finally kissed her. This kiss was slow and full with emotions, they wanted to enjoy every moment of it. 'I'll always protect you.' whispered Joseph

'Yes I know.' smiled Clarisse and kissed him again….

OOOOOOOO

PRESENT

'So that was the story of our first kiss.' smiled Clarisse, she still felt the happiness of that kiss

'Aww Grandma. That was the sweetest story I've ever heard. So what will be your decision?'

'Oh.' sighed Clarisse 'I don't know. I'm still so scared, but Joseph is the perfect man, if we leave his profession out of consideration of course. He is adorable, attractive, intelligent, exciting…'

'I should think so!' smiled Mia 'A bit too exciting.'

'Yes, but I'm so in love with him. Oh Joseph, why am I so in love with you?' sighed Clarisse

''Cos he is the one for you. So what's your decision?' asked Mia excitedly

'Wish I could know it Mia. Wish I could know it…' said Clarisse softly

To be continued…

Author's Note:Thanks for reading,now please review!!!!:-)