Chapter 8: Spain Vacation, April 2003
Monday, April 21, 2003
Joseph was sitting at the kitchen table in his childhood home in Spain. It was one of his annual vacation weeks. He always spent them with his family. He stayed with his mother and sister. Joseph had an older sister and a younger brother. His sister, Angelina Romero, had moved in with her husband and two daughters with Maria, their mother, a long time ago after their father died, to take care of her. Now her two daughters were grown and had their own homes, but Angelina and her husband still lived in their childhood home. They had had a discussion several years ago, and the family had agreed that Angelina would keep the house. But whenever one of them needed it, he stayed in the house, which was still the Romero family home.
Angelina always woke up before everyone else. But this time, her younger brother, Joseph, was in the kitchen. "Good morning, brother."
"Good morning, Angelina."
"Ah, great, you made coffee." She said, walking over to the coffee maker with a cup in her hand.
"There's enough for everyone." Joseph said.
"Are you up yet?" She asked.
"Yes, I couldn't sleep."
"What's bothering you?"
"Nothing. Why do you say that?"
"Usually, when you have trouble sleeping, it's because you're thinking too much. And since Genovia is in the same time zone as Spain, you can't blame it on jet lag."
"My body is here, but my head is in Genovia." Joseph said. "And my heart." He thought to himself.
"For a man on vacation, you're going to find your vacation long if your head doesn't follow your body." »
"It's just that the Queen has to go out this afternoon. There's an event for the Pyrus orphanage and she's going to give a speech. I was informed last night."
"But you're not the only member of royal security Joseph."
"I know Angelina, but it worries me. You see, I've been her bodyguard for so many years, it's part of me to worry about her."
"I understand. You're there 7 days a week to protect her."
"Exactly."
"She's lucky to have you as the Queen of Genovia." She said, making Joseph laugh.
She took a sip of coffee and then thought of something.
"Ah, Joseph. Next week, Tuesday, I'm throwing a little party for Peter's birthday, are you going to be there?" Angelina asked.
"No, I would have gone back to Genovia, I'm leaving Sunday morning."
"Oh no. Bad timing. And there's no way to extend your vacation by a few days?"
"Normally yes, there wouldn't be a problem, but the Queen is leaving on Monday for a few days of vacation at her vacation home in Rocabruna. When she allows herself a few days of vacation, only a few times a year, she doesn't want anyone with her. You see, she likes to get away from her royal life on occasion. So she doesn't want an army of security around her. But she can't leave without any security, that wouldn't be wise. So I made an arrangement with her. Only one member of the security can be on site with her. The best person to do it is me. She trusts me and I am qualified. So I am there, but I am discreet, so that she still feels like she is getting away."
"Ah, I see." Angelina smiled.
"What? What do you mean?" Joseph asked.
"Joseph, I know that you have romantic feelings for the Queen of Genovia. I know you. And now you're telling me that you're going to a house with her alone for a few days. She's a widow, so she's free."
"What are you implying?" Joseph asked, nervous.
"Nothing, but I think that maybe you're taking advantage of your escapades to..."
Angelina didn't have time to finish her sentence, when Joseph cut her off.
"Angelina, even if I wanted to, the Queen doesn't have the right to start a relationship with anyone other than the King. There's a law about that in Genovia. If she wants to keep the crown with the Renaldi, she has to be irreproachable, so that her granddaughter, Amelia can be crowned Queen when she turns 21."
"I understand, but what happens in Rocabruna stays in Rocabruna. I know you Joe. I know you love her. You talk about her constantly. We've never met her, but we know her like she's family. She used to be married, to the King no less, so knowing you, you probably didn't make any advances. But now she's a widow, so I'm sure you seduced her. And since you're a very attractive man, and I know she likes you a lot, she clearly accepted your advances."
"You're talking nonsense Angelina."
"Come clean, Joe. It's just the two of us. You know me, you know it'll stay between the two of us. Even Peter won't know. Even if he's my husband and I love him unconditionally, a secret is a secret."
"I know Angelina."
"Joe." She said with a furrowed brow.
"There's nothing to say Angelina. »
Joseph's phone interrupted them.
"Saved by the bell." Angelina said with a laugh.
"This is the Palace." Joseph said before walking away to answer.
Joseph walked away down the hall to answer.
"Hello?" He began.
"Hello, Joseph, it's me."
"Clarisse. I'm glad to hear your voice."
"I'm glad to hear yours too."
"I miss you." Joseph admitted.
"Already? You've only been gone since yesterday." She laughed.
"I know. But it's torture not being around you. I'm by your side all the time. It makes me feel good to hear your voice, but at the same time, it tortures me because I'm far away."
"Maybe it's better if Shades gives you a daily update instead." »
"No way. The torture will be worse if I can't talk to you either."
"Ha ha ha, okay, understood."
"Did you just wake up?"
"Yes, I have to go downtown this afternoon, so in order not to fall behind on my work, I got up early."
"You promise to be careful, right?"
"Of course, Joseph. Enjoy the family time you have. I'll call you when I get back to the Palace, okay?"
"Yes, okay. I love you." Joseph said tenderly.
"I love you too. Have a nice day."
"Have a nice day, Your Majesty."
Joseph hung up.
"I knew it so well." Angelina exclaimed behind Joseph.
"Damn, Angelina." Joseph was visibly panicked inside.
"Joseph, I told you, I'll keep your secret." You know you can trust me."
"Angelina, you can't tell anyone. It's important, it could ruin everything."
"I promise, Joe. Pinky promise." She said, holding up her pinky like when they were little.
"Pinky promise." Joseph smiled, taking his sister's pinky with his own.
"So you're banging the Queen of Genovia, little brother." She said as she returned to the kitchen, followed closely by Joseph.
"I'm not banging Angelina."
"Come on, Joe, what about the escapades to Rocabruna?"
"I'm not banging her. I make love to her, that's very different."
"You're in love, aren't you?" She asked, suspecting her brother's answer.
"You have no idea how much." He replied.
"I'm happy for you, Joe."
Joseph smiled back.
"So you're taking advantage of Rocabruna to be together in secret?"
"Yes. Clarisse bought this house to have a place of her own, that doesn't belong to the crown, but also so that we can be together when we have the opportunity. A few one- or two-day escapades a year. »
"It must be hard for you two to see each other every day, but to almost never be able to express your affection, to act as if nothing was happening."
"It is. Oh Angelina, if you knew how hard it is. But it's the most we can afford. But before she bought this house, it was almost unbearable. I would have waited for her anyway, I had told her, but damn it was hard."
"What made her decide to buy a house?"
"First, she wanted a place of her own to escape from her duty. If you saw her on a daily basis, she gives everything to her country. She needed a place like this. Then there were the two of us. It all started a few years ago, I confessed my feelings for her. She then confessed to me that she had feelings for me too, but since she was married, she didn't want to take it any further. Then the King died, then the Prince, I was patient and waited for the right moment to let her know that she still had my heart. When we went to San Francisco for Amelia, I seized the opportunity. I will always remember that trip. That's when our story finally began. At the grand Ball that the Queen had given at the Consulate to celebrate Genovese independence, we danced all evening, she and I. It was magical. Then, I escorted her back to her suite. We talked and laughed. We exchanged a few kisses., then it got a little more complicated." Joseph explained.
"You slept together?" His sister asked.
"We made love, indeed." Joseph corrected.
"Okay, continue. " The woman said, captivated by her brother's story.
"Then, when we returned to Genovia, we could only allow ourselves a few rare kisses when we were alone, little touches here and there, but nothing more."
"But in San Francisco you were successful, why not in Genovia?" She asked.
"When you travel, there are a lot less staff, so it's easier." Joseph explained.
Angelina nodded in understanding.
"Then there was one night, we were in a meeting in his suite. That night, we were both alone in his suite for a security meeting. I jumped at the chance to have a system update done, anyway, the cameras were turned off for a while. We were on the couch. We kissed, we cuddled, then it went further. Both of us had a burning desire for each other that was burning inside. Anyway, I unbuttoned her blouse, she unbuttoned mine. Oh if you knew how much I wanted to take her to the bedroom, or even make love to her on her couch. We both knew very well that it couldn't go any further. So we stopped before we lost what little control we had left. After that night, she decided she couldn't go on like this anymore. And it was lucky she had the idea of the house, because I don't know how long I could have held back. I would never have given up, but I certainly would have ended up giving in and so would she. We could have gotten caught and then it would have been bad for the Renaldi clan. And she would have backed out against her will. And that would have killed me."
"Wow Joe. That's so romantic. She bought a house so you could be together. You have a secret love affair. But how long does that have to stay a secret?"
"Once Mia, the Princess, her granddaughter, is crowned Queen, when she turns 21, so in about 3 years, Clarisse will be free and I will propose to her. »
Angelina almost spat out her mouthful of coffee.
"Okay, marriage, nothing less."
"I love her. She's the woman of my life. And she'll be my wife." He smiled.
"Does she know about your intentions? I mean, Joseph, I don't want you to get hurt."
"She knows. She's just as eager as I am, I assure you."
"I already love her." Angelina added.
Joseph smiled warmly at her before finishing his cup of coffee.
The next afternoon, Joseph was busy weeding the garden in the backyard of the house. The Spanish sun was hot on this beautiful day, so he had taken off his t-shirt. He was in a simple pair of black Bermuda shorts that stopped at his knees. He was wearing black sneakers and his sunglasses.
"Well, well, let's see who goes there." A woman's voice said.
Joseph turned around.
"Oh, hello Valentina." He said politely.
Valentina was a woman in her late forties. She had dark brown, almost black, shoulder-length hair, the tips of which brushed her shoulder blades. She was a pretty woman.
"So, we're coming back home for a few days, and they don't even bother to come and say hello, Joe Romero."
"I came mainly to see my family."
"So, if I invite you for a drink, you won't let me down this time?" » She asked.
"No thanks Valentina."
"Come on Joe. We could have fun together, like before." She added with a flirtatious look.
"I've told you a thousand times Valentina, I don't want to go there anymore. I'm done with one-night stands."
"It doesn't have to be one, you know. I know you love someone else, you told me that back then. I know she's married, so she's not available, but you're not going to wait for her until you die. Damn it Joe, you have the right to live."
"No Valentina." Joseph answered simply.
She walked towards him and took his arm tenderly.
"You know I love you Joe. I told you, but you didn't want to go any further. You wanted nothing more than a little physical pleasure, but it's been years now, and you're still not in a relationship with this mystery woman, so I'm assuming there's no progress there. And I don't know her, but I think that…"
Joseph didn't let her continue.
"Valentina, mind your own business." He said, taking a few steps away.
"Joe…"
"No, I should never have had holiday flings with you when I was coming to the country. It wasn't respectful to you, I apologize, but I didn't think you'd get attached. That was perfectly clear. I'm really sorry, but now, leave me alone." He said before heading into the house.
Entering the house through the patio door, Joseph came face to face with his mother.
"She's not picking up?" » Asked Maria, Joseph's mother.
"She's so stubborn, I'm sick of it."
"She loves you, I think."
"She knows she doesn't feel the same way."
"Maybe you shouldn't have started a relationship with her in the first place if you didn't feel anything for her."
"It wasn't a relationship, just two adults who had needs at the same time."
"You young people, I will never understand how you can do things like that without love."
"I wonder that too, Mom, believe me."
"And that woman you talked about?"
"What woman?" Joseph asked, too angry to understand who his mother was referring to.
"The one you are in love with, my darling."
"Mom, this is not the time."
"Joseph, I know you well, I am your mother. I will give you one piece of advice, just one. Follow your heart. It will guide you to happiness. That's what your father did with me. I was engaged when we met."
"I know, Mom. And you know, he's the one I think of when I find it hard to wait and it gives me hope."
"That's why you refuse to meet other women, why you don't open your heart?" »
"My heart, Mom, it already belongs to a woman. But it's complicated."
"She's married, that's what you told Valentina."
"Yes, let's put it that way. It's complicated when you're in love with someone who has commitments elsewhere."
"Especially when 'elsewhere' includes an entire country." Maria added.
"What are you talking about, Mom?"
"Oh my son, I've known for a long time that you're in love with Queen Clarisse Renaldi."
"What are you talking about, Mom, the Queen is my boss, my Queen. She's become a friend over the years, of course, but nothing more."
"Joseph, please, not do that with me. I don't want you to confirm it to me, I've already been certain of it, for years even. But know that I see it in her eyes too. She loves you too, my darling, so don't give up. Your time will come. »
"You don't know her. And anyway, there's nothing between the Queen and me."
"My son, I often see her on television. I like watching the Genovese channels, it makes me feel close to you. And I often see you both on television. For the public, the people who don't know you, it may be very subtle Joseph, but for me your mother, I see it in your eyes, I see how you look at her, with love. I don't know her, but you don't show an old monkey how to make faces, I see it. She looks at you like a woman in love."
"Follow your heart my darling, that's all I wanted to tell you."
"That's what I do, Mom."
The following Sunday, Joseph was finally back at the Palace. He entered the security room. And found Jean there, who was on duty in front of the screens.
"Hello Jean."
"Hello Joe, and what about these holidays? »
"It was nice. I like being back with my family and my homeland. But I missed home. Is the Queen nearby?"
"In her gardens. She wants you to go and join her."
"I'm going right now. Thank you."
Joseph entered the large garden. He motioned to the guards there to look elsewhere. He looked around a bit, then saw her. She smelled a pretty red rose.
"It's a beautiful flower, but it's not the most beautiful one here." Joseph began.
"Oh Joseph, you're back." A smiling Clarisse said.
"I missed you so much, Your Majesty." He said, walking towards her.
"You're not the only one who was bored, you know."
"Come and see, I think the magnolias are in bloom at this time of year." » Joseph said, knowing that the magnolias' area was the only blind spot for the security cameras.
As soon as he arrived in the desired area, Joseph grabbed Clarisse to kiss her tenderly.
"Oh Joseph, I think we shouldn't. Not here."
"Blind spot, ma'am."
"Yes, maybe, but we mustn't be seen." She smiled.
"Your Majesty, a week. A week without seeing you, without smelling your sweet perfume, I have the right to ask you for a few kisses in a blind spot when I've kicked everyone out of this garden."
"Oh Joseph." She replied, offering him one more kiss.
"I miss you terribly." Joseph whispered in her ear.
"First thing tomorrow morning we're leaving for Rocabruna." She replied.
"I know. God knows how much I can't wait.
The next morning, Joseph was driving a royal limousine. It was parked in front of the Palace gates. He was waiting for the Queen. He saw her come out and approach the car. He hurried out to open the door for her. She got in the back and he closed the door. After leaving the Palace grounds, Joseph heard the privacy screen come down. Clarisse was sitting on the bench that ran along the screen. He smiled at her in the rearview mirror. She said nothing, she only returned his smile. Then, she stood up a little, to reach his cheek with her lips. She then tenderly kissed his neck, before he stopped her.
"Your Majesty, if you continue, I will have to stop the car and make love to you in the limousine."
"The guards who are following us will ask themselves questions if you stop." Laughed, Clarisse.
"Indeed, so stay seated in the back seat, Madam." Laughed Joseph.
"Otherwise what?" She whispered in his ear before placing a soft kiss on his neck again.
"You are getting into trouble, Your Majesty."
"Trouble? Well if you are responsible for giving me a punishment, personally, I have nothing against it." She answered him slyly before moving to the back seat.
"Oh you." Joseph smiled at her in the rearview mirror.
Clarisse noticed the container of strawberries that was on one of the shelves near the champagne in the limousine. She had an idea.
"I'm starving. I feel like I'm going to self-digest. That'll teach me to skip breakfast."
"When we get there, I'll make you a Spanish omelette just the way you like them, Your Majesty."
Clarisse smiled at him before whispering under her breath. "That won't be necessary."
She picked up a strawberry and tasted it.
"Mmm, these strawberries are absolutely exquisite." She said, catching Joseph's attention as she desired.
Taking the last bite of the strawberry, she sucked her finger delicately. Which darkened Joseph's gaze.
"Damn, this woman is going to end up killing me." He said to himself.
Clarisse repeated these gestures two or three times, which drove Joseph crazy in the front of the car.
"Your Majesty, stay calm in the back. It is in my best interest to get you safely to our destination. You are disturbing, exquisitely, I must say, my concentration." Joseph told her in a seductive tone.
"Okay. Forgive me. I just wanted to make sure I got a punishment worthy of the name."
"Oh you will have it, Madame, I make it a personal matter."
"Wonderful." She concluded.
Clarisse grabbed the newspaper that was near her and began to read it. After all, she too had other things to think about.