Chapter 5

Author's Note: Hi Girls! Big thanks to Rach for taking her time to doing this for me.big hug You're the best. Thanks for all the lovely reviews, and now the story continues... And what's gonna happen? I think Ursa will never ever answer her phone again...

"What the hell are we going to say?" asked Clarisse and looked at him desperately.

"That's a very good question." answered Joseph. "But don't worry, we'll figure out something."

"Right. We can discuss it on our way home. Let's go." Clarisse smiled and they headed out.

OOOOOOOOO

A few minutes later, they were on the highway, headed towards the palace…

"So?" asked Clarisse. "Do you have any ideas?"

"I'm trying my best. Let's see it. What if we say… Oh, no. That's not good… Wait, I have another idea. Maybe we should say that you are doing some charity work out of town."

"Oh, no." Clarisse shook her head. "Then why wouldn't the press know about it?"

"True." nodded Joseph.

"What if I told them I'm on a private holiday?"

"At least three times a week?"

"Why not?"

"You know, there would be gossip…" started Joseph.

"What gossip?"

"The queen and her… lover."

"Oh," said Clarisse quickly, then started smiling. "And that would be…"

"Me, if I disappeared at the same time as you," answered Joseph.

"There may be something in what you say. So I need something I could do on my own and whenever I want…"

"Wait!" cried Joseph and turned to look at her. "I've got it."

"What?"

"Ok, the starting point is that you are exhausted. Everyone knows it. So you need a little relaxation, out of the palace, where you can refresh yourself, etc. And what would be more handy than a wellness center? I mean a private place, somewhere near the palace. Naturally, you have to keep your health problems secret. You need real peace and relaxation. And what will people see when you come back?"

"That I'm totally refreshed, like after a tai-chi lesson. Perfect. And I'll tell you something. I've always been interested in Oriental therapies, so I won't hide this interest of mine."

"Great," smiled Joseph. "And you can go on your own, while I will be at the palace, or on some business in town. You know, I'm very busy. I have other things to do, not just guarding you on a wellness afternoon or a tai-chi lesson."

"Of course," smiled Clarisse. "You have to go to security conferences, and… whatever else Head of Securities does."

"For example, sitting on a sofa, kissing the queen."

"Exactly." giggled Clarisse. "That is certainly in your job description."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

A few weeks had passed, and the plan worked perfectly… Clarisse spent a lot of time at Joseph's place, but mostly alone, because they had to avoid people's attention.

When Joseph was with her, she felt so alive. They just chatted, relaxed and kissed a lot. Fate wasn't prodigal with time for them…

For all that they pretended; a few times Joseph really had business in town or he had to go to a security conference, but as soon as possible, he was rushing home to his Clarisse…

"Hi Honey. Where are you?" asked Joseph and closed the door behind him. A moment later, Clarisse stepped out from the kitchen with a steamy bowl in her hands.

"Oh Darling, you're late," Clarisse teased him. "I've spent the whole day working, doing the washing, cleaning, etc. and yet you can't do this one thing: arriving home on time?"

"Sorry Darling. It won't happen again," Joseph giggled and gave her a long kiss. "I've missed you so much," Joseph sighed lovingly and held her for another moment.

"Me too… Come," smiled Clarisse and led him to the table.

"Oh, so we have dinner here… And who conjured up this festive board? Maybe my little wife?" asked Joseph with a smile and hugged her. Clarisse should have smiled, but her face suddenly clouded over. "What's the matter honey? You know I love this game…"

"As I." answered Clarisse automatically and wanted to move, but Joseph didn't let her go.

"Then what's the matter?"

"What is the matter? Do you really not know?" asked Clarisse and her eyes filled with blinding tears. "I think I've already told you…"

"What?" asked Joseph. He was at loss.

"That I don't want to hear the word 'wife' again."

To be continued…

Author's Note: Can anybody help me? Youtube deleted me, so I've lost all my CJ videos. Can anybody send me them? Thanks.