Disclaimer: sings The Phantom of the Opera is.. right behind me. Say hi to the nice people, Erik! crickets chirping You see, the reason Erik isn't saying anything is because I don't own him but he knows I like him. He's a little scared to tell you the truth... ahem. Enjoy the show, folks.
A FOGGY NIGHT
Chapter Two: A Whisper in My Ear
I sighed in relief, moving to the evening air outside. The gazebo was lit in purple and white lights, and was thankfully deserted because of the chill.
Standing by the railing, I stared off into the twilight, gaze thoughtful and distant.
"Masquerade, paper faces on parade…" I hummed, sipping my drink.
A deep voice whispered, "Hide your face so the world will never find you. But I think you have."
I smiled, turning towards the owner. "Oh really?" I moved to sit on a bench.
The Phantom followed, replying calmly, "I believe so." He paused, and then gave a small smile. "You'll have to forgive me – I know your name, but you don't know mine. Erik Mulheim."
We shook hands, and our gazes locked again, his eyes expressing an emotion I couldn't place.
I shivered, the night air starting to get to my exposed shoulders.
Erik's expression was instantly worried. "Are you cold?"
"Only a little," I flushed, mentally kicking myself for not remembering to bring a jacket.
"Here." He loosened the tie on his cloak and draped it around both of us.
I clasped my hands together, brow furrowed in thought. "So…you're either a stalker, a guy that shares the same interests I do – doubtful – (he chuckled) or…" I left off, feeling very childish and silly with my next guess.
When I hesitated, Erik leaned in. "Or what?" A mysterious smile was playing on the corners of his mouth. "I promise, I won't laugh."
"You just did."
"Point taken. I really do promise this time."
I sighed before continuing. "Or…you really are…him…" I finished lamely, not daring to look up.
There was dead silence for about ten long seconds. "Well, your first guess was incredibly off."
"Thank God!" I breathed, relieved, though still on my guard. "Then – "
Erik held up his hand. "Let me finish. Number two was actually quite a bit closer."
I bit my lip, expecting to hear the words "Number three is absolutely nuts."
"Three…" He paused, tilting my head towards him, smiling. "Was …correct."
And with that he pressed a red rose into my hands, lips brushing mine in a soft and quick motion.
"Now, I know this must seem…very strange for you."
I nodded blankly. He didn't know half of what I was feeling.
Erik smiled, handing me an envelope sealed with deep red wax. "You may open this when you get home – is tomorrow a good afternoon to meet?"
I bit my lip, and then nodded again. "But what if my parents see you?"
He smiled lightly. "They won't. My car has very tinted windows."
My eyes widened. "Your…car???" I suddenly felt rather nervous.
Erik's look turned probing, green eyes searching. "Yes. You don't think I walk around in public often. I expect you'd like to see my home?"
I kept silent. Even though he had said he wasn't a stalker, I wasn't quite certain of his motives.
"Katherine?" His voice was gentle. "I really do understand how faulty my answers seem. But I swear –"
He made me look at him straight in the eyes. "I am not a kidnapper – or whatever else you may be thinking of. Besides, I'm really not as old as I seem – this formal suit accounts for that." He took off his Fedora and ran his fingers through his sleek hair.
Hesitantly, I reached over and tugged on a few strands. Nope, not a wig.
Realizing what I was doing, Erik laughed, and I smiled. "Just checking."
Satisfied for the time being, I inched closer, sharing his cloak. He wrapped his arms around me, and I closed my eyes, resting my head on his chest.
I could hear the soft beating of his heart and feel the gentle rising motion of his breathing, muscles barely tangible beneath the silk vest and shirt. Half asleep, I murmured, "Much better in person."
"What was that?" Erik asked in an amused tone.
"N – nothing," I mumbled, an embarrassed flush on my cheeks.
He chuckled again, resting his chin in the hollow of my neck.
We stayed like that for a long time, looking up at the stars and talking.
"What time does the party end?" I asked, hiding a yawn behind a glove, looking up at him for the hundredth time.
Erik frowned. "Eleven." He glanced at his skull emblazoned pocket watch. "Damn."
"What?" I struggled to sit up straighter.
"It's ten fifty."
"No!" I moaned, feeling unhappy to have to leave him.
He smiled softly. "I could drive you home."
"Oh." I thought about it. "Maybe another time – I don't think my parents would like it if I came home with…well…someone they didn't know." It wasn't until after I said it that I realized how childish it sounded.
Erik only nodded understandingly. "Till tomorrow then, mon cheri." The French words rolled off his tongue effortlessly, making me have to check and see that I wasn't drooling.
And suddenly, he swept me into his arms again and held me tight, lips pressing on mine. My heart rate skyrocketed.
After what seemed like only a few seconds, I pulled away, and smiled. "Enough! Do you want to give me a heart attack?"
Erik looked slightly bewildered, then grinned in understanding. "Ah." He put a gloved hand on my neck, a crafty glaze in his eyes.
He kept his hand there, but bent to kiss me. As before, my pulse quickened.
"I promise, that was the last time," Erik smiled, even though I was fixing him with a 'you did not just' look.
"Down boy," I muttered, a smirk on my face as I moved back toward the crowded gym.
A pair of hands grabbed my waist and spun me around. "It's rude to whisper."
I giggled, taking off my shoes and sprinting down the path, Erik hot on my heels.
Small crowds of teenagers were clustered groups on the front sidewalk, cell phones to nearly all their ears. I sighed, realizing my dad couldn't get here until everyone else's parents picked up their son or daughter. I figured the road would be backed up for at least twenty minutes.
"Now – where were we?" Erik growled playfully in my ear, slipping his hands around my waist.
"I'm not sure." I smiled, tracing his fingers with mine.
He eyed the groups with some disdain. "Have you called your father yet?"
"No, why?" I asked, suspicious.
"Because –" Erik suddenly knocked my legs out from under me and picked me up. "I'm going to take you."
My brow furrowed in unease.
Seeing this, he sighed. "Look. One, it's going to take at least twenty minutes for all of them to clear out. Two, most parents don't like their…younger family members staying up past twelve. And three, I've parked in the back." Erik set me down, prepared to let me choose for myself.
After a few nervous moments, I took a deep breath. "Would you drop me off on the corner?"
"Yes." He smiled; he could tell my resistance was dwindling.
"Ok…" I mumbled, the exciting evening taking its toll.
Erik helped me into the passenger seat. I noticed that the car was an expensive line, but foreign. The smooth leather chair was bliss as I sank into it and slipped my seat belt into place.
Erik smiled, inserting his 'opera ghost' emblazoned key into the ignition.
"Showoff," I muttered, and he laughed.
The engine started, and I was very thankful that it was only a soft purr; my ears probably couldn't take anything louder.
"Katherine." Erik's voice was quiet. "Can you give me directions?"
I opened my heavy eyelids, nodding. "Go up Central Avenue…turn right at the third intersection…" I yawned. "It's right on the corner." And then I drifted off, the low hum of the running vehicle (or was it Erik's voice?) acting as a perfect lullaby.
A light butterfly's kiss on my forehead woke me up.
"I'm sorry!" I flushed. "How long have we been stopped?"
Erik smiled. "Only a few minutes."
She looked so peaceful when she was asleep, he thought. "Now go – your father will worry if you don't come home, I suspect."
I laughed. "He just might." And I began to climb out.
Erik leaned across, catching my arm. "I'll pick you up around two, is that suitable?"
"Ehm…yeah, sure," My gaze lowered. What in the world was I going to tell my parents??? I gripped his letter and rose tightly in my hands, hoping they wouldn't disappear as well when he drove away.
Erik smiled, and it was then that I noticed he had slightly unbuttoned his shirt. His toned muscles rippled gently as he moved, and only after a few seconds did I realize I was staring.
A smirk twitched around Erik's mouth, but he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, green eyes bright and soft. "Go."
I sighed, unlocking my front door, preparing myself for my father's interrogation.
As expected, he was still up, pretending to watch the basketball game.
"Hey, how was the party?"
"Good – Margarita and Taylor were there," I answered, hoping to get off easily.
It didn't happen.
"So…I didn't expect you back this late – usually you stay only an hour," He continued.
"Yeah…um…The DJ was actually playing some music I knew this time…" I replied blankly. My Dad laughed.
"Meet any boys?"
I made a face. "No." (Not a boy exactly…)
He looked relieved and laughed. "Your mom's not home yet, and your sister's asleep."
"Ok. Can I get out of these heels now???" I said exasperatedly, wanting to retreat to my room.
My dad shook his head, a grin on his face. "I never could understand why you women wear those."
"Shut up…" I sighed, shuffling down the hallway to my bedroom.
Once inside, I flung my shoes off and with trembling fingers, opened Erik's letter.
"Showoff," I muttered again as I broke his Opera Ghost wax seal.
The letters were written in elegant hand, the ink a deep scarlet.
Dear Katherine,
I want you to know I've enjoyed tonight more than any I have
had in a long time. I may be bold to ask this, but was that your first
kiss? As always, you do not have to answer.
You understand the importance of mystery than most these
Days. But don't dwell on that- I have a surprise for you, and as attuned to the arts as you are I am certain you will like it.
Au Revoir,
Erik
P.S. You may want to bring a coat on our excursion
tomorrow- it can become a bit chilly in my home.
I sighed, wondering if I'd be able to find the courage to go. My eyes rested on the burgundy red rose, and I breathed in its calm, delicate aroma.
And then, I remembered about Christine's mirror. Smirking slightly, I slid off my bed and took a heavy blanket off my chair, carefully covering the glassy surface. Even though I knew Erik seemed a gentleman…well…I didn't really want him watching me undress.
AN: And we'll just leave it there, shall we? Now, if you want to know what happens, I need at least three reviews before I post the next chapter. So... isn't that button down there cool looking? Erik clicks it Follow Erik's example, and click that button.
