Christine stopped walking and backed up a little from Meg. "What do you mean by saying he wears a mask?"

Meg shrugged her shoulders. "I just didn't want you to be uncomfortable. If you look nervous or scared, he will be in a very ill mood and trust me, while I adore him to pieces, he does have a temper. He could forgive just about anything, except when people judge him by his mask. It's a part of him, but not who he is."

Christine had a faraway look in her eyes. A disguise or an illusion to help one live a normal life. This man wears a mask on his face. The only difference between the two of us is that I was born with my mask. "We all wear a mask, Meg. Some of us are just better at hiding ours."

Meg nodded in agreement. "I knew you would understand. Come, he hates tardiness." She took her friend by the arm and then walked through town. After a few moments of silence, Meg spoke again. "Just ignore it. It will make the afternoon go much easier."

"Why does he wear it?" Christine was trying to keep up, as Meg suddenly started sprinting while she shot a glance at the clock tower in the middle of the square.

"He was born disfigured. Half of his face is deformed. Bones are showing and his skin, what little there is of it, is rough and course. Now we better not speak anymore about it. I swear he can hear what I'm thinking three blocks away."

Christine nodded, but didn't quite understand. Then the oddest question occurred to her. "Meg, if he is so concerned about others commenting on his mask, then how does he go out? Why are we meeting him in public?"

"Well, Uncle Erik is very rich, and therefore, he can afford to buy out establishments for a few hours when it suits him. He typically isn't one to go out. He likes his privacy, but this time…." She smiled. "He lost a bet and my prize was a public meeting, public for him, that is. Besides, he didn't plan on my bringing someone." She giggled, but then saw Christine's face."Relax; it will be fine, okay?"

"Ok." Christine made a mental note, but spoke her thought out loud by mistake. "He must love you very much." At that moment Christine felt just the smallest amount of jealousy towards her friend. She had a father figure who cared enough to risk his own comfort, just to make her happy. It was another reminder to Christine, that she was all alone in the world.

"Mother and I are lucky. All of us are."

Christine felt she should continue getting to know a bit more about her friend's mysterious relation. "Is your uncle your mother's or father's brother?"

"Neither." Meg pointed to the small café up the road."Almost there."

"What do you mean, neither?"

"Erik isn't really my biological uncle. He and mother knew each other as children and they were like brother and sister. I suppose I could have said he was my mother's brother, but I didn't want to lie to you."

Christine looked at her confused."Why not?"

"Friends don't lie." She glanced at Christine for a bit longer than she had wanted to. I hope this isn't a mistake. "We're here."

….

"Monsieur Dexter, welcome to my little café. I trust everything is to your specifications?"

Erik looked around the café once more before answering the gentleman. "It is fine, Monsieur. The wait staff will be….."

"There will just be Andre and myself serving you and your beautiful niece. I remember how much you stressed the importance of privacy." The man was literally shaking.

Erik was a very tall man, and his frame was muscular. If that wasn't enough to make you stand up and give him attention, then his manners and demeanor would and when all else failed, his mask didn't make it too difficult for him to command respect, even if it was by fear.

With a voice soft, yet deathly he spoke as if he were asking what the time was. "Never interrupt me when I am talking. Do I make myself clear?" He stood over the café owner, towering over him, as he smiled at him showing him his pearly white teeth.

"Ye…Yes, sir."

"Show me to my table." Insolent boy. If it wasn't for my money, he'd throw me out for the freak of nature that I am. The joke is on you monsieur, my money is just as foul as sin as I am.

Erik ordered a bottle of water for the table and a glass of sherry. He looked at his pocket watch, arching up his exposed eyebrow. Late. The nerve of that child. Just because she won this ridiculous bet, doesn't mean she has the right to make me wait here all day. He then stopped himself and smiled. Well, at least I was able to scare the spit out of that pompous owner. He chuckled to himself. Perhaps the day wasn't a complete loss.

Finally he heard the front door open and inside came the graceful steps, yet often loud voice of Meg Giry. Erik didn't know whether to embrace the child or slap her silly. He thought about pretending to read a newspaper and ignore her for the first 15 minutes, as a punishment for making him wait that long, but once his eyes met hers, he just couldn't stay angry.

"Now, what has kept you so late, Megan? Or was it someone?" He stood up wondering if today was the day, his niece was going to confess to him about the suitor, whom he had secretly known about for weeks. It was part of the reason, why he allowed himself to lose their bet.

"Oh Uncle Erik, nothing gets passed you, does it?"

"Nothing does. Come here and give me a hug."

You are always so smug. I'm going to enjoy this."I was detained by someone."

"I knew it! Out with it young lady. Who is he?"

"Why don't you see for yourself?"

Just then Christine walked into the main hall and started to approach the table. She had a pebble in her shoe, and didn't want to make Meg wait for her. As she came closer, Meg watched her uncle intensely. The unmasked side of Erik's face wasn't able to hide his expression. He looked white as a ghost. It took all his stamina to not faint at Christine's feet.

Now I know there is a God, and he hates me.