Chapter 1-1886

Erik woke up in a cold sweat. The moonlight shined brightly through the curtains on his bare chest as he threw the blankets off of his body and rose to stare out the windows of his townhouse. I'm still having these damn nightmares! He thought to himself. He paced back and forth ridding his head of the hellish nightmare that just occurred until he finally got back in bed and fell back asleep.

The next morning Erik woke up and looked at the small clock next to his bed. It read 6:34 and he quickly jumped out of bed. How can I be so foolish and sleep late? He asked himself. He quickly dressed and put on his mask, wig, hat and cloak and quickly left his flat. He walked the 6 blocks to his office and entered two double doors that read "D'Avignon and D'Astier Architects"

Erik sat at his desk for a half hour working on a sketch of an art museum when his colleague and partner, Jean D'Astier knocked on the door and entered Erik's office.

"You're late." Erik said without looking up from his drawing.

"I know I'm late." Jean said.

"The funny thing is, I was almost late too this morning." Erik said and then continued,

"Why are you late?"

"My wife has a way of keeping me up all night and I don't get much sleep if you know what I mean." Jean answered honestly with a grin.

"I wish that were my excuse." Erik grumbled.

"Oh you'll be late too as soon as you marry Gabrielle next month." Jean reminded Erik.

"True, true." Erik replied.

"What do you say we go over to check on the process of your new estate tomorrow?" Jean suggested.

"That sounds good. I haven't checked on it recently and I want to be sure everything is perfect when I present it to Gabrielle. I can't wait for her to see what I am building for her!" Erik said with excitement.

"Yes, I think she will be so delighted." Jean replied.

5 hours later a woman entered the architects' office. She was young with blonde wavy hair with half of it pulled up into a pin while the rest of it hung down past her shoulders. Her blue dress accented her blue eyes and on her left ring finger was an engagement ring with diamonds large enough to make ladies of the highest society green with jealousy.

She opened the door marked "Erik D'Avignon" and saw her fiancée in a white shirt with a black vest. His back was turned to her as he was hunched over a sketch and didn't even hear the door open. She quietly kissed him on the neck and put her hands over his mask and eyes.

"Guess who?" she asked sweetly. Erik smiled at the sweet sound of his fiancée's voice and chose to play the game with her.

"Hmm…Antoinette?" He asked. She removed her hands and scowled,

"Who?" She asked. Erik turned around and said in a joking surprised voice.

"Oh darling, it's you?" He laughed at her frowning face and pulled her onto his lap.

"Oh Erik!" She said smiling.

"What brings you here?" He asked.

"Well I was wondering if my future husband would accompany me to lunch."

"That sounds like a great idea." Erik said kissing her lips. Gabrielle jumped off his lap and Erik rose from his chair. He put on his jacket, cloak and hat and led Gabrielle out the door and onto the street. The sun shone brightly radiating Gabrielle's blonde hair.

"You look beautiful today." Erik said complimenting her. Gabrielle blushed at the compliment and Erik began to chuckle at her.

"We've been together for 2 years and you still know how to make me blush." she said laughing with him.

"Just wait until the wedding night, then I'll really make you blush!" He said.

"Oh Erik!" She said gently punching at his arm.

They dined at a nearby outdoor café. Erik sipped his wine as Gabrielle chattered on about their upcoming wedding. She was as excited as a child is at Christmastime and Erik loved hearing her talk about their wedding and her excitement.