28/5/00

Finally we have landed, safely might I add? We're currently in the limousine on our way to the consulate. Clarisse and Charlotte have been staring out the window looking at all the people and sights and things. Oh great, Clarisse is starting to "comment" on peoples' hairstyles.

"Oh my word, Charlotte, did you see that girl's hair?"

"Which one, your majesty?"

"The one we just passed."

"Oh yes, I did."

"It looked like she had a birds nest on her head."

They both laughed, "Ladies, don't you think that's a little cruel?"

"Oh Joseph, do lighten up, we were only making fun."

I looked through the back window at the curly-haired girl riding a scooter, "Have you ever thought that maybe she wouldn't think so highly of your hairstyle either, madam and that it is inner beauty that counts? At the moment, your majesty, I think when it comes to inner beauty, on a scale of one to ten, you are a zero."

Charlotte smirked.

"And when it comes to spoiling my fun on a scale of one to ten, Joseph, you are eleven."

I threw my hands up in defeat, "I'm just saying that you shouldn't judge people by their appearance."

"I know that, but look at her! It's like she's never had a haircut in her life, nor has she ever heard of something we Genovians call a hairbrush."

I watched Charlotte cover her face as she laughed.

"And you, Charlotte are no better than the queen."

She stopped giggling and put her hands in her lap.

"Oh Joseph, do you have to be such a spoilt sport? I was merely pointing out that I don't like the girl's hair, it's not something that requires discussing."

"Then why bring it up?"

She folded her arms and continued staring out the window. I'm going to stay silent until we reach the consulate now.

Later…

I can rest and relax now! We arrived about thirty minutes ago, but Clarisse wanted me to walk with her so she could take a look around. She isn't happy with the gardens, just because a few flower petals were on the ground and a couple of the plants were keeling over. She describes it as a mess, but I think she may be over exaggerating.

I'm in the same room I was in the last time I was here. It holds memories for me, like when Clarisse was drunk and I almost accidentally took advantage of her and the first time I woke up before she did. Good times.

I think I might just have a shower and go to bed, I'm much too tired to do anything else.

29/5/00

I had to check all of the security cameras and all the exit routes of the consulate because I don't fully trust the new employees with my lady's safety. The security system here is much better than the one in Genovia, much more modern. I will have to speak with Clarisse about updating the system when we get home. One thing I don't like about this place now is that they built an airport nearby for industrial use only and the planes fly over the building all the time. They aren't extremely loud, but they did keep me awake last night.

Would you believe Clarisse left it this late to call Helen and tell her that she's come for her daughter? I heard her talking to her on the phone earlier today when she called me into her office to go over some security plans. Apparently Amelia is coming over for tea tomorrow afternoon and Clarisse has invited me to stand in the bushes as a form of moral support. This will give me a chance to observe her and see what she looks like, I imagine she has blonde-hair, blue-eyes and the smile of an angel – like Clarisse. I could be wrong, however, because if she's anything like her parents, she'll have dark brown curly hair and eyes to match. Oh well, looks are superfluous when it comes to beauty as I've sad before, so it doesn't even matter. I'm very much looking forward to meeting this girl and I hope to god she's nothing like her occasionally psychotic grandmother.

30/5/00

Woah, I must admit I'm a little taken back – the girl Clarisse was making fun of the other day turned out to be Amelia herself. I didn't get to see the expression on her face when she found out, but I can imagine it.

I watched the girl drink her tea while Clarisse told her about her being a princess. I couldn't help giggling from my spot under the tree – she had made fun of her own granddaughter's hairstyle! I wish she was my grandmother…

Anyway, Amelia got scared or shocked or something and ran right past me, at which point I confronted Clarisse. She asked me to forget looking after her and focus solely on Amelia, much to my displeasure. I have to drive her around and make sure no harm comes to her, which should be quite a good experience because I'll have the chance to get to know her. Clarisse has been upset ever since she ran off; she thinks she's not liked. We had a conversation earlier about this over dinner:

"She hates me."

"She doesn't hate you, she's just in shock. How would you feel if your long lost grandmother came over and asked you to rule her country?"

"I don't have a long lost grandmother, all my grandparents are dead."

"I…that's not the point! It may just take time for her to adjust to you, I mean you can't just walk into somebody's life after fifteen years and expect them to accept you as family."

"What about you and your son? You two are stuck like glue."

"Perfect example. It took time for us to become that close and it will take time for you and Amelia to become close also."

She looked at me and smiled, "You're probably right. I should go over and see her right now and sort things out."

"Uh, somehow I don't think that's a good idea. Why not wait until tomorrow morning? Allow her some time to overcome the shock."

"Alright, tomorrow morning."

"Oh and try not to make snide comments about her hair."

She blushed and looked down at her plate, while I kissed her hand and walked off to deal with some security issues.

31/5/00

This morning I drove Clarisse to her granddaughter's house and was told to wait outside while she went inside to do some negotiating. Clarisse has this idea that she can buy her way into her granddaughter's heart, which I told her will not work. Nevertheless, she ordered for a second limousine in which I must drive around while protecting Amelia at the same time. And I was right, Amelia seemed to already know that she was trying to buy her love.

I was introduced to her today, she seems nice, but one think I disliked about her was the fact that she wanted to call me Joey. It reminded me of how Lauren used to call me by that name during the stage I now call her "annoying stage". I told Amelia to call me by the name the boys at home call me (Joe) and I think we now understand each other and are already beginning to bond. Strange I think, seeing as though she isn't actually my granddaughter. On our way to school we shared some jokes and I was introduced to her best friend, Lilly. She seems…um…well strange really is the only word to describe her...

As soon as I got back from driving the princess to school, Clarisse ran down the stairs and began the questioning, "Well? Does she like me?"

"She knows you're trying to buy her and I don't think she likes it. Perhaps you should leave it as is and wait for your relationship to blossom."

"How dare you tell me about my granddaughter!"

I paused for a moment, "You were the one who asked!"

"I…I…what did you find out about her?"

"She has a friend called Lilly."

"Is that it?"

"From what I gather, it is. Why not talk to her yourself? Do some bonding."

"I'm too busy, speaking of which, I have work to do. Thankyou Joseph."

After patting my shoulder, she walked back up the stairs and left me to be.

I have a feeling she's scared. Scared that if she gets too close to her granddaughter, she'll die on her. Ridiculous, I know, but that's probably the way she feels.

2/6/00

Clarisse is going a little too far with this whole buying love thing. I know that princesses are supposed to look pretty, but she wants to give her a full make-over. She's already decided what needs to be done to her, I'm not entirely sure how Amelia feels about it. Clarisse has a vision of what she should look like and won't stop until Amelia is a "perfect princess". However, she doesn't realise that by bonding, I didn't mean she should do girly things like give her a make-over so she's easier on the eyes, I meant she should just talk to her. God, she is no good with relationships, which explains why ours is up the creek.

Anyway, she's started a vigorous training schedule for the young princess, teaching her how to act royal. Personally I think it's a little soon to be going into that, but I'm trying to let her work things out by herself. She's asked me to teach Amelia how to dance on Wednesday, because she needs a male to dance with and as she's said before, I'm the only man she trusts. I don't think she trusts me as much as she says because she's going to be observing us so I don't move in on her or something – as if I would anyway.

6/6/00

Strange day, strange town.

Last night, Clarisse gave me an envelope containing a $1000 bill and a note, which said:

'Joseph,

Please be a dear and pick up some size 7 black heels and a packet of tan-coloured stockings from 'Martina's'. I know what you're thinking, but no I'm sorry, they're not for you, they're for Amelia. Don't worry about trying to find the shoes I want, just tell Joanna that I sent you.

I appreciate you doing this, keep the change!

See you this afternoon!

Clarisse.'

I went to the shoe shop and walked up to the counter, "Joanna, is it?"

"Can I help you, sir?"

"I'm here for my…uh…queen. I mean, Clarisse Renaldi sent me, she told me you were the one to speak to about a pair of shoes?"

"Rarrisse Ra-who?"

"Clarisse Renaldi…"

She looked at me dumbfoundedly.

"The queen…"

Still, she had no idea what I was talking about.

"Of Genovia…"

"Oh right, the European lady who called earlier. You must be Josie."

"Joseph!"

"Oh yeah, yeah. Well we have your order here."

She bent down to look under the counter and produced a box, "Here ya go, you want me to wrap em or are you gonna wear em?"

I frowned at her, "How much do I owe you?"

"Nine ninety nine."

I handed her the thousand-dollar bill and she gave me one-dollar change, "I thought you said they were nine dollars and ninety nine cents."

She leant over the counter and whispered, "Nine hundred and ninety nine dollars."

I put the dollar in my pocket and picked up the shoes, "Good day."

"Yeah, seeya Josie."

I paused, full of rage, but remembered what my anger management teacher said, "Happy place, happy place."

It calmed me enough to walk to the car, but once in, I punched the horn and drove off to pick Amelia up from school.

She decided to dress in the back seat, so she put the privacy screen up and I drove her to the consulate.

There were two hours before our dance lesson, so I spent them reading magazines and books. That's when Clarisse informed me that it was time to begin.

I was amused by Amelia's poor attempts to dance, she looked like someone who didn't know if she was coming or going. I have bruises on my chest and feet from when she slammed into or stomped on me. But as the dancing progressed, she got better and better. Good enough for Clarisse to dismiss. I thought that since she was free and I was free, we could have a dance together. The sort of dance that says, "I'm deeply attracted to you and I know we're on a break, but I don't see the harm in sharing a secluded moment with you."

I thought of how to begin, so I chose my words carefully and informed her that a change in her wardrobe wouldn't be a bad idea. She smiled, so I led her to the middle of the dance floor, staring into her eyes the whole time. We moved as one around the floor and at the end, we stood glued together on the spot, not daring to look away. I was going to say something, but she spoke first, "Did you have fun at Martina's? What did Joanna think of you?"

"She thought I was a transvestite."

"Ha! No she didn't."

"Yes she did!"

She winked at me and put on a serious tone, "No, she didn't."

It took a moment for it to click in my head, "You told her to say what she said!"

"I thought you could use a rise."

"You are a sneaky little-"

I leaned in to kiss her, but she turned away, "Joseph…"

"I know…"

"I have work to do."

"Of course, your majesty."

She leaned into me and lightly brushed her lips against mine, she then backed away very slowly, "Will I see you at dinner?"

"Try and stop me."

I watched her exit the room, before exiting it myself, I think she's starting to toy with me again – trying to make me think one thing when she means the other. Oh well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't love it.

8/6/00

Okay, Clarisse has waved her magic wand and Amelia now has a new look, one which is fit for a princess. I must admit it looks better, but I wonder if it will change the person inside. She didn't seem entirely happy about at first, as I expected, but she did warm up to it until her so-called best friend started yelling at her about it. I don't like this Lilly person, I swear I felt like throwing her out of the vehicle, but I reminded myself, 'Happy place, happy place'.

Clarisse has taken my advice and is now wearing colour again for the first time in over a year. I'm happy about this, even if I don't like her choice of clothing; I prefer it when she wears low-cut gowns and sexy lingerie, but if she dressed to suit my tastes, the whole world would brand her a slut, dare I say it?

She and I went to the beach for dinner tonight, we had a nice mixture of beef, gravy and vegetables. She kept on telling me that in Genovian restaurants, the gravy is never lumpy and the beef isn't impossibly tough. She then went on to tell me about how much she hates the country and how she can't wait to leave it. After that, we mainly talked about Amelia, I offered some more advice about bonding, which she now seems to be understanding. I long for the day when I can say to her once again, "I'm proud of you".

After dinner, we went for a stroll along the beach. We linked arms as we walked through the sand and eventually came to sit down. I stared into her eyes as she watched the waves crashing against the rocks. It was a cold night, I noticed as she began to shiver, pulling her jacket tightly around her and staring out at the ocean, longing for the day we return home. Oh god, I'm starting to sound like Amelia's next-door neighbour – he's a writer, he's taken a shine to me.

Anyway, as we were sitting on the sand, I noticed she was cold, so I leant towards her and attempted to kiss her, like she did to me the other day, but she pulled away and said, "Joseph, I'm cold."

"Would you like me to drive you back to the consulate, madam?"

"Not yet, I'm having a wonderful time just looking at the ocean, at the stars," she sighed, moving closer towards me, "would you keep me warm for a while?"

I opened my arms and she leant against my chest, "Do you know what the only good thing about this country is?"

I kissed the top of her head and groaned, "Mmm?"

"The fact that nobody knows who I am unless I tell them, there's nobody to judge me. We could lock ourselves in a passionate kiss in the middle of the street and the people here would consider it normal. There wouldn't be a photo in the newspaper about it the next morning, it would just be that moment."

"It was nice of you to share that with me."

She smiled and snuggled into me, almost falling asleep.

"Darling?"

"Mmm?"

"Have we finished our break?"

Her head shot up, "I almost forgot we were on a break, I must have taken advantage of the seclusion and-"

"You didn't answer my question."

She ran a hand down my cheek, "Not yet."

"I see."

"I'm sorry if you think I'm toying with you again, I don't mean to do it."

"It's alright."

"Shall we go?"

"You want to leave now?"

She nodded as I took her hand and led her back to the car.

Bedtime now!

Sorry about the VERY slow update, but I've been occupying myself with…um…adult movies at the moment :P

Oh and how cool is it – I can take screenshots of dvds! Meaning I can "capture" pictures from any scene of the PD movies that I want, which I've already started doing. It's cool.

R & R!