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Kisses
Maria
Clarisse put the cup down slowly. The silence between them had always been comfortable, but for a reason she couldn't put her finger on, today the silence was heavy.
"Today I was invited to dinner but maybe you already know that…" Clarisse leaned back on the sofa and turned slightly towards him. Her heart started to beat rapidly… She didn't want details. In fact, she didn't even want to know what had happened during dinner. Joseph continued to look at the cup as if it were the most interesting object in the world. "I was surprised by the invitation."
"Why?"
Joseph imitated her and sat back too.
"Why? Well… First, because she's your sister. And then because I didn't understand why. Why me? With so many men she certainly knows, why invite me to dinner... Besides, I'm a bodyguard..."
"And what's with it?"
"Clarisse, look at me…" She did. And what a fantastic sight she had..."What could a woman like your sister want from a man like me?" This wasn't the answer Clarisse expected. It wasn't at all.
"From what I understand, this is not a problem for her. I think you need to have more confidence in yourself, Joseph. There certainly won't be many women who don't want to date you. I know that in the Palace you are very popular. Even I can hear the sighs of some of these ladies when you walk by."
Joseph let out a laugh.
"She told me something more or less along the same lines. I mean, the part about there aren't many women who wouldn't date me."
"As you can see, I am right. But how did dinner go?"
"If I tell you, will you tell me what happened with your mother?"
Clarisse got up and walked to the French windows that leads to the balcony.
"There's not much to tell, Joseph. Tomorrow I will know for sure whether or not I am her daughter."
Joseph got up too and went to her side.
"Will you know if you are her daughter or not? I don't understand..."
Clarisse took a deep breath and told him about the conversation she'd had with her mother and Dr. Watson. Joseph took a huge effort not to pull her to him and hug her.
"And why didn't you tell me? You know perfectly well that you can trust me."
"That was never a question, Joseph. However, I hold out hope that this is just a sick and twisted way my mother has managed to hurt me." And she lowered her head. This time Joseph decided to ignore common sense and pulled her towards him. Despite her surprise, Clarisse put her arms around his waist and rested her head under his chin.
"You don't have to go through everything alone, my Queen. I will be here whenever you need me. I will never leave you!"
"Don't make promises you don't know you can keep, Joseph."
"This is a promise I know I will keep. I am unable to leave you! Unless you're the one getting tired of me..."
Clarisse lifted her head to look into his eyes.
" Never! But now I want to know how your dinner went." Clarisse let go of him and returned to sit on the couch indicating him to sit too. Joseph smiled and sat in the same place where he was before but now completely facing her.
"Persistent!"
Clarisse let out a laugh.
"Always. I like to know everything!"
"I honestly didn't get it. You know that the contacts I have with your sister are exclusively at the Palace and our conversations do not go beyond the usual politeness. The 'Good morning, how are you? , the "It's a pleasure to see you back in Genovia …" Nothing more than that and never in private. In fact, now that I think about it, I don't even know how she found my cell phone number. The first time she called me was yesterday when I was in Charlotte's office. She was worried about you because of the argument with your mother and asked me if I knew what happened between the two of you. And she told me that when she returned to Genovia , she would like to have lunch with me…"
"But she changed her mind… Frederica preferred dinner. It's more intimate. I think she's really interested in you, Joseph. But go on, please."
"I don't think she's interested in me. It was a strange dinner where we mostly talked about her. And I found out that, in fact, you don't even look like sisters..."
"What do you mean?
"I found out that she loves big receptions and you, if you could, wouldn't go to any. She loves vacationing in tropical paradises and you prefer the snow. Her favorite color is red and yours is blue. She hates horses and you love them…"
"The conversation was very exploratory, wasn't it?" Clarisse couldn't help but feel irritated. Or would it be jealousy? Oh God… Jealousy? But what was she thinking? Joseph is just a friend. A good friend but that's about it. And now he was starting a relationship with Frederica. And if they marry, surely Joseph will live with her. Will not stay at the Palace… Would she lose Joseph?
"I wouldn't say it was a conversation. I would rather say it was a monologue."
Joseph's answer brought her out of her thoughts.
"A monologue? You asked her so many things… And what did she learn about you?"
"A monologue yes because I didn't ask her anything, Clarisse. Absolutely nothing. It was Frederica who thought I would like to know details about her. And from me, she only learned that I live for my work."
Clarisse couldn't hide her relieved smile, which Joseph interpreted as if she didn't believe him and decided to tell her the whole conversation they had during dinner. Clarisse listened to him without ever interrupting.
"And that's exactly what happened over dinner."
"I think she's clearly interested in you! And thou? Don't you think you might be interested in exploring the possibility of eventually being my brother-in-law?"
"No! No way! This is something that will never, ever happen!" Joseph responded immediately and in a tone that left no room for doubt.
"Let's face it Joseph, Frederica is a very beautiful, wealthy, independent woman, younger than us and who is clearly interested."
Joseph got up and went to the fireplace. Then he turned and looked at Clarisse.
"But Im not! I'm going to tell you something I've never told anyone... I've been head over heels in love with a woman for a few years now. And I am above all, a faithful man!"
Clarisse couldn't answer. It was as if two icy hands were squeezing her throat and preventing her from breathing. But why did she have to ask? Joseph in love with another woman? Control yourself Clarisse. You are a Queen, for heaven's sake !
"I… I don't know what to say… We've known each other for so many years, I never realized… I mean, I never thought you were involved with anyone…"
"I didn't say I was in a relationship with anyone, Clarisse. I said I am in love." Joseph began to feel uncomfortable. On the way between the restaurant and the Palace, Joseph decided he was going to tell Clarisse that he was in love with her. Enough of loving in silence! But now that he was face to face with that beautiful woman, he lacked courage. What if she reacts badly? What if she fires him? Clarisse got up too but went in the opposite direction, to the windows. Who will be the lucky one that occupies his heart?
"For her to have your love, I am sure she is a very special woman. And why don't you assume this love of yours?"
Joseph put his hands behind his back and bowed his head slightly, if he knew what to do. These seconds of silence numbed Clarisse.
"I'm sorry Joseph. I shouldn't have asked, but my curiosity got the better of me."
"It doesn't matter. Curiosity is a natural thing!
Clarisse needed to get out of there. She needed HIM to get out of there. The only thing she wanted was to go back to bed and cry. Her day managed to end even worse than she had imagined.
"Joseph, I really enjoyed our conversation but it's awfully late. Tomorrow I hope to receive a definitive answer from Dr. Watson and I have a lot to prepare for the trip to Canada…"
She was sending him away… And all logical thought left him. With two steps, Joseph was at Clarisse's side. One hand on her waist and the other on her face, catching her completely by surprise and unable to react.
"I love you, Clarisse!" And he kissed her.
Clarisse saw him approach, her heart began to beat with a force she had never felt. What was he doing? 'I love you , Clarisse!' and those lips… they're exactly how she thought they would be… Soft, sweet, possessive, passionate. And those hands… It was like they were burning her skin. As if they wanted to make her melt into him. And yes, it was really love what she felt for Joseph. She didn't resist, quite the opposite. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him even closer. Clarisse felt like she had never felt before. She belonged in his arms. Her lips belonged on his. Everything made sense! This was home!
"I'm so sorry, Clarisse. I overstepped the marks." Joseph was in a panic, afraid of Clarisse's reaction.
"Looks like I didn't put up much of a fight, did I?" Her smile soothed his heart. There he was, with the woman he loved more than life itself, in his arms and who he had just kissed. And she returned the kiss with equal intensity. Is it possible that she reciprocates his feelings?
"The love I have for you doesn't change my working relationship at all, Clarisse. But I had to tell you. I needed to tell you."
"Joseph, knowing that I am the one occupying your heart fills me with joy but… You know that I cannot have a relationship with anyone. I'm royal by marriage. If someone dreamed... If the Baron or Mabrey dreamed that I got involved with someone, they would do everything to ensure that Amelia would not even have the chance to know Genovia , let alone reign. I can't risk it…"
"I would never put you in that situation, Clarisse. Kissing you was so much more than I ever expected. I'm a patient man, Clarisse. And I would never do anything to harm you, darling."
Clarisse smiled and placed her hand on his cheek. A gesture that from now on, would become his 'I love you ' silent.
"Now I will let you rest, my dear. But can I kiss you again?" Clarisse smiled and it was she who, this time, kissed him.
C/J
The next day was absolutely frantic for both of them. Joseph was busy most of the day with last minute details for the Queen's trip to Toronto. Clarisse met with Parliament in the morning, with the French Foreign Minister just after lunch, and then with Dr. Watson who confirmed to her that Pamela was, in fact, not her mother. Clarisse was torn between feelings. On the one hand, she felt relieved that she didn't have the same genes as Pamela, but on the other hand, she felt deeply saddened by the fact that her birth mother had abandoned her when she was just a few days old. How could anyone abandon a child? By the way, two children. What kind of person would she be? Would she still alive? How would she look like? But Clarisse immediately dismissed those thoughts. After all, the biological mother had 60 years to look for her and never did… How she needed Joseph's calm right now. In fact, she needed him since she woke up. Clarisse needed to be sure his words were real and not spur of the moment. But he still hadn't looked for her... Joseph was having exactly the same dilemma... What if Clarisse had regretted having kissed him? What if she was going to fire him for breaking the law that NO ONE can touch, let alone kiss, any member of the Royal Family. But he had to talk to her about the trip to Toronto… He couldn't put it off any longer. When he approached her office, he stopped for a few seconds, took a deep breath, and softly knock on the door.
"Good afternoon, Joseph. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were avoiding me..."
"Joseph smiled and approached the secretary.
"Well… Maybe a little. I was afraid you would regret it."
"I? And what about you? Are you regretting this?"
Joseph let out a laugh.
"Oh Clarisse, there are many things I regret in life BUT leaving that restaurant and running to you was the best thing that ever happened to me, my dear ."
Clarisse smiled.
"Are you ready for your trip tomorrow?"
"Sincerely? No. It was Philippe who was supposed to be there to inaugurate the Children's Hospital. He was so committed…"
Joseph came around the desk and held out his hand. Clarisse grabbed his hand and Joseph pulled her to him, hugging her and letting her cry.
C/J
The opening of the hospital was an extraordinary success. Philippe had been fully committed to building that hospital unit from the ground up, and that had moved Clarisse. At the end of the evening, the administration organized a dinner just for those who were fundamental to the Children's Hospital. No press, no onlookers. Clarisse immediately felt at ease. Before dinner was served, everyone got to know each other informally, despite the immense curiosity of having Prince Philippe's mother among them. Joseph had positioned the royal guards so that they would not be noticed or cause anyone discomfort. He himself was a few steps away from Clarisse, allowing her to talk without the constant pair of 'extra eyes'.
Clarisse was talking to two nurses when a man, apparently older than Clarisse and who had two glasses of champagne in one hand, approached, put an arm around Clarisse and, without her or Joseph having time to do anything, gave her a kiss on the neck.
" Love , is the Queen coming or not?"
Three seconds was all Joseph needed to reach Clarisse and, with a violent punch, send the man against the wall.
"What the hell is this? Who are you? Who is this man, Catherine?" he asked, trying to figure out if Joseph had broken his jaw. At that moment, Catherine, who had just left the bathroom, sees Robert on the floor and runs to him, kneeling down and taking a handkerchief from her bag to wipe the blood that was running from his nose.
"Robert? But what happened?" Robert, Joseph and Clarisse couldn't utter a word. They just looked at each other. Catherine, already beyond furious, stood up and glared at Joseph but her eyes fell on Clarisse.
"But what…"
Yes, it's them. Robert and Catherine from One Special Night.
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Xoxo
Maria
