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Kisses
Maria
Pamela. Always Pamela. It's as if she had a sixth sense... As if she guessed at which moments in Clarisse's life she should intrude. Why was she in San Francisco? Why, after so many years, after an irreparably broken relationship, did Pamela want to get closer to Clarisse? Joseph looked at Clarisse, reluctant to give her the phone. Obviously, the decision to answer the phone or not would be Clarisse's. But he didn't want her to answer. He wanted to save her the hurt he knew she would feel. In that moment, Clarisse was happy, as he had rarely seen her. Joseph had witnessed these moments of happiness when her children were small, or when they were adults, they all got together on vacation. Or when she found out she was going to be a grandmother. Today, she was happy. A happiness overshadowed by the death of her youngest son, it's true, but even so she was happy, free, at ease between two strangers who became almost family from the moment they met. Joseph was sure they were sisters and he knew Clarisse thought the same. Joseph's silence intrigued the rest of his companions. Catherine and Robert looked either at him or Clarisse. He had been standing there with the phone in his hand for over a minute. Initially she thought the call was for him but Joseph's serious and concerned expression made her change her mind.
"Joseph, what's wrong?"
Joseph was so immersed in his thoughts that he didn't answer her right away and a wave of panic ran through Clarisse's entire body. Catherine realized this and shook Robert's hand, who looked at her apprehensively.
"Joseph? Is there something wrong with Pierre or Amelia?"
"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I was distracted and failed to respond to you immediately. It's Charlotte. Ma'am. Your mother is in San Francisco and wants to talk to you." Joseph didn't immediately give her his cell phone, hoping that Clarisse would refuse to answer, but she stretched out her hand and he had no choice but to give her the cell phone.
"Good afternoon, Charlotte. How are you? How was your flight?"
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty. It was very pleasant, thank you for asking. Your Majesty, your mother is here and wishes to speak to you."
"Very well, dear."
"Clarisse, darling. Where are you? Aren't you supposed to come to San Francisco today to meet your granddaughter?"
"Good afternoon mother. And may I ask what you are doing at the Consulate?"
"Clarisse? Obviously I want to meet my great-granddaughter and spend a few days with you! You're supposed to be in San Francisco. Where are you?" Clarisse closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Pamela wasn't going to ruin her good mood. Enough is enough!
"I won't be in San Francisco for three days. I intend to enjoy a few days of peace, alone."
"You're not alone, I'm sure!" Pamela tried to fake a condescending tone of voice but failed miserably. "Honey, you'll forgive me for being bold, but I think it's very rude and in bad taste for you to spend three days with your sister's boyfriend. Seriously, Clarisse. What's wrong with you? Why this attitude towards your sister?"
First, Clarisse was stunned. Her face went from pale to pink in the same second. Then she became livid with fury. Who gave Pamela the right to make such insinuations? And Joseph wasn't Frederica's boyfriend. He raised his eyebrows showing Clarisse that he really wanted to know what was going on. Catherine looked at her discreetly.
"You haven't changed at all. And I fail to understand why I should give you any explanation. As for my granddaughter, you will have time to get to know her when she is introduced to society. And I want to remind you that the Consulate is owned by the Government of Genovia and not by my family and therefore, you will not be able to stay there. Have a good day."
Clarisse passed the phone to Joseph and he immediately hung up. The silence that remained at the table was uncomfortable and strange. Catherine was the first to speak, despite fearing Clarisse's reaction.
"I'm not judging you, I promise… Don't you and your mother get along?" Robert elbowed her and she looked at him sideways, miming a 'what?'.
"No, Catherine. We never got along. Since I was a little girl she has always shown a clear preference for my sister. She never even pretended that she liked me. So I think it's fair to say that we never had a mother-daughter relationship." Clarisse looked at Catherine's sad expression and couldn't resist asking her. "And how is your relationship with your mother?" Joseph wanted so badly to hold her. He knew that although Clarisse showed indifference towards Pamela, the truth was that the lack of her mother's affection hurt her terribly. Perhaps that was why Clarisse had never allowed her children to be raised by nannies and, despite her monumental arguments with Rupert about it, she was the one who truly raised the children. And only when, in fact, royal duties did not allow it at all, were Pierre and Philippe handed over to their nannies.
"Unfortunately I had two mothers and I lost both. But my real mother, the one who raised me, was truly extraordinary to me." Clarisse looked at her in amazement and Catherine smiled. "Let me explain… I was adopted when I was five years old." Clarisse's eyes were fixed on Catherine, her heart began to beat rapidly, it was as if the air was trapped in her lungs. Joseph, who was looking at Clarisse, suddenly turned to Catherine. "I was in an orphanage in England since I was six months old and my mother worked there. In the few memories I have of the orphanage, she was always present. We created a very strong bond. My mother said she fell in love with me the first time she saw me." Catherine said with a smile and Robert put an arm around her shoulders. Clarisse was fighting back her tears and Catherine noticed it. "Oh Clarisse, forgive me. I did not want to…"
"That's quite alright , Catherine. Let's have lunch? After all, that's what we came for, isn't it? Clarisse straightened in her chair and smiled. This was all too much of a coincidence. Catherine was most certainly her sister. And given up for adoption! How does a mother discard two daughters? Pamela wasn't so bad after all... The woman who gave birth to both of them was much worse. She was evil!
The rest of lunch proceeded somewhat normally. Clarisse returned the conversation to banal topics and they ended up talking a little about everyone's history, including Joseph and Robert. They told each other funny stories, they laughed carefree, it was as if they had known each other forever. They created in a matter of hours, an absolute complicity. Even Joseph felt at ease. Seeing Clarisse happy, laughing carefree, calmed him down.
"… and suddenly I see Her Majesty, wearing an immaculate white dress, fall into a puddle of mud…" Everyone laughed, almost to the point of tears, especially Clarisse, remembering that day, many years ago when, during a reception particularly boring, by the members of Parliament, she allowed herself to be convinced by Pierre to go and see his 'hideout'. "Now imagine the Queen, having to enter the Palace, covered in mud, when she was hosting the reception. His Majesty would not be very pleased."
"That's not fair, Joseph. You know how boring those men are. And I couldn't say no to my firstborn, could I?"
"Let's be honest, Your Majesty, any excuse was always a good one to try and sneak out of these occasions." Joseph said with a laugh.
"Are you sassing your Queen?"
"I would never sass you, Your Majesty!" Joseph said, unable to stop laughing.
"Well, that reminds me of an occasion when a certain Countess fell in love with a certain Head of Security…" Joseph stopped laughing.
"And now, who is not being fair?"
Catherine and Robert were having the time of their lives. They couldn't stop laughing and this fun exchange between Joseph and Clarisse was really good. Catherine began to wonder if there wasn't something more between them. Now it was Clarisse's turn to get revenge on Joseph and, with a mischievous smile, she began to tell the story.
"… She was close to him at every reception, invited him to dance, leaned completely against him…"
"Your Majesty, she could be my mother!" He said indignantly.
"But she wasn't and she made sure everyone noticed that you were the center of her attention." Clarisse was amused. "It was so fun to watch."
"I have always done everything to discourage this situation. And you know it."
"Know. But before she gives up..." Said Clarisse looking directly at Catherine and Robert, with a knowing smile. "She sent him flowers every day to the Palace, which were delivered to the security hub… For two months." And let out a laugh. Joseph covered his face with his hands.
"Don't remind me of that. My men looked at me with an expression of enjoyment every time the flowers arrived!"
C/J
When you have a Head of Security like Joseph, it's not easy for a Queen to go anywhere and go unnoticed. And today that particularly irritated Clarisse. How can one go unnoticed when traveling in a limousine, flanked by four cars, full of security guards? Clarisse was upset and Joseph knew it. Perhaps he had, in fact, overreacted. But it was his nature… As far as her safety was concerned, he couldn't and wouldn't take any chances. When they stopped at Catherine and Robert's house, Joseph asked them for the keys so that his men could inspect the entire house before Clarisse entered. And that made Clarisse even angrier.
"Joseph, that's not necessary. We just went for lunch."
"Your Majesty, You should know by now that I don't take unnecessary risks. The protocol is to be followed at all times!"
Clarisse didn't answer him but turned to Catherine.
"You have to forgive me, please. It's embarrassing that, because of me, you have your privacy invaded by strangers."
"We understand perfectly, Clarisse. And there is no problem with that." Robert said and Catherine nodded.
Seconds later, Shades opened the door of the limousine.
"It is all clear, Sir."
"Thank you. You may return to your posts." Joseph was the first to leave and extended his hand to help Clarisse out, doing the same later to Catherine. The four immediately entered the house, to escape the eyes of the neighbors who shamelessly watched them.
"Clarisse, you look exhausted. Do you want to rest a little bit? The house has four bedrooms and certainly none of them will be even close to what you are used to but…"
"I am very grateful to you. Certainly a small nape will do me a real miracle. At my age, big trips start to make themselves felt in my old bones." Catherine laughed.
"I do not believe that. Come on, I'll show you the rooms and you can stay in whichever one you want. Joseph, do you want to get some rest too?"
"Thank you, Ma'am but no. I only rest when Her Majesty retires for the night."
"Very well. The ladies are going to retire for a well-deserved rest!" Catherine and Clarisse laughed and went up to the first floor, to the bedrooms. Leaving Joseph and Robert to talk in the living room.
Almost two hours later, Catherine was the first to go down, joining the men in the living room, where they were watching a football game. Minutes later, Clarisse arrived and everyone stood up.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty. Are you feeling better?"
"Good afternoon, everybody. Yes, much better, Joseph. Thank you. Please be seated."
"Clarisse, we.." Said Catherine pointing to her and to Robert. "We were thinking… Don't you want to stay at least one more day with us?"
"Darling, I'd love to stay but I have to go to New York. I've arranged with a friend to go see him on Broadway tonight. He's putting on a superb show there. Perhaps you have heard of, 'Victor Victoria'."
"We saw and loved the film and from what the critics say, the show on Broadway is one of those that you cannot miss."
"So why don't you come with us? We'll stay in New York tonight and come back tomorrow. What do you think?" Clarisse asked, not before glancing quickly at Joseph and seeing his slight nod.
Catherine looked at Robert and he smiled.
"Oh my God. I'm going to love it, Clarisse! Thank you so much!" Catherine hugged Clarisse and, to Joseph's absolute astonishment, Clarisse returned the hug just as happily.
"So the best thing is to get ready and go to the airport. We'll have something to eat at the hotel, change clothes, and we'll have enough time to be at the Marquis before the show starts. Joseph, can you make reservations for one more suite, please?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. But, if I may say so, I think it would be wise if Catherine could somehow look different... If you know what I mean. It will certainly be confusing for those who know you to see you accompanied by someone so similar."
"Maybe it's not such a good idea after all. I don't want to cause you any trouble, Clarisse."
"Nonsense. Nothing that some sunglasses and a scarf around your head can't solve. It's settled then. We leave in half an hour, if that's okay with you."
"of couse. I'm going to prepare our suitcase now and let Jocelyn and Lory know that we won't be back until tomorrow."
C/J
Catherine was ecstatic. When they got out of the car at the airport, the four were immediately surrounded by a contingent of fifteen security guards. None of them saw anything in front of them, but they continued walking, at the same pace as the guards. Joseph and Clarisse seemed as if they hadn't even noticed that human wall... Then, traveling on a private jet, belonging to a royal family... Robert's daughters would never believe this... The arrival at the hotel was worthy of a fairy tale! The door to the limousine was opened by the hotel porter, and once again they were surrounded by the guards, but this time they were a little further apart, allowing Catherine to look at the sumptuousness of the hotel. When they finished climbing the stairs, the hotel doors were opened by the owner himself! He bowed, Clarisse held out her hand, which he grabbed and brought to his lips, kissing it respectfully.
"Welcome to The Plaza, Your Majesty!"
"Thank you, Mr. Peabody. May I present you two dear friends? Catherine and Robert."
Mr. Peabody took Catherine's hand and raised it to his lips. And then he greeted Robert and Joseph with a handshake.
"It is a true pleasure to meet you both and I hope that The Plaza meets all your expectations." Then, turning back to Clarisse…
"Your Majesty, it is a true honor to be able to count on your presence at my hotel ,again. Anything you want will be provided immediately."
"I know you do. Thank you, Mr. Peabody."
Inside the hotel, the security guards positioned themselves discreetly and quickly and, with Clarisse, Catherine and Robert, there were only Joseph and Shades, who went ahead and another guard, who was positioned behind the group. Clarisse and Catherine were walking arm in arm, whispering that Catherine's disguise had worked well, when Joseph and Shades stopped abruptly. Clarisse was distracted and didn't stop in time, bumping into Joseph's back and putting her hands on his waist to hold on.
"Joseph, what is…" Clarisse and Catherine's eyes followed Joseph's. An aged version of both women looked at them. Clarisse felt faint. Catherine, with her eyes and mouth wide open, was unable to utter a word. Robert approached without realizing what was happening.
"What the hell…? Another?"
Joseph was the first to react. With a signal, the guards returned to the group and directed them towards the elevators. The sound of a body hitting the ground and a man's scream made the Queen look again.
"Nanny? Nanny, please talk to me."
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xoxo
Maria
