AUTHOR'S NOTE: I HAVE SOPHIA AND ERIK SINGING IN THIS CHAPTER! THEY ARE SINGING TILL I HEAR YOU SING AS A DUET. SOPHIA=ITALICS, ERIK=BOLD, AND WHEN THE TEXT IS IN ITALICS AND BOLD, THEY'RE SINGING TOGETHER! ENJOY! ~ DP
Paris
Late evening
Sophia's POV
The performance was done and I was walking around the gala, meeting the families of my costars and talking to some of the members of the creative team. Most of their words were the same; they were sad to see me go. Some of them didn't want me to go. I even got a marriage proposal from a fan just so I would stay in Paris, which I declined but gave him a kiss on the cheek. As I walked away from him, Drake caught me by the arm, squeezing hard. He still hadn't gotten his fix, and along with becoming more anxious and nervy throughout the party, he was also becoming more violent. My gaze stayed forward, my face not changing from a small smile as to not give any sign that anything was wrong. I glanced up at him quickly, and then turned back to the guests, sighing a little.
"So what did I do wrong this time," I asked him quietly as my arm began to burn, trying not to yell out in pain.
"You've haven't been by my side all night. I should be doing my job and pushing you forward so you can get another contract somewhere. Instead, you're walking around talking to your fans and former cast members. Get over it; the show is done and you're not going to be coming back here."
I pulled my arm away, turning to him, the anger present in my voice, even though I spoke calmly. "If you want to push me forward, then put a bid out on the website. Get me back to the states, preferably New York. I'm sick of being over here; I want to go back where I belong."
"Fuck you! I'm not going back to New York!"
"Oh, yes you are! And if you don't do what I ask, you're fired, and I'll go back to New York alone!"
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Watch me!" I grabbed the skirt of my gown and turned on my heel, running through the crowd of people and getting to the stage door, stepping outside and leaving the gala. My limo was there waiting for me and I told him where to go in French. He could tell that I was mad and I was ready to get out of there. He opened the door and allowed me to get inside, quickly shutting it and getting in the driver's side, driving away. I sighed heavily, taking my hair down and letting it fall naturally. I kept the length all of these years; I couldn't stand the thought of cutting it. I ran my fingers through it before grabbing a bottle of water from the mini fridge. I soon realized that I had left all of my things there at the theater; my purse, my cell phone, and my other clothes that I had brought with me. I glanced back towards the theater, deciding against going back and fighting through the crowd to get to my dressing room. I began to reflect on how I had just acted. I really did seem like I was a diva, especially with the way that I had stormed out. I felt the limo slow down and eventually stop, the gears shifting to park and the driver's door opening. I took a deep breath, looking down at my arm. I had already begun to bruise from where he grabbed me. I placed my hand over it to hide it from my driver, getting out and going into the hotel.
I slipped off my heels as soon as I got inside, heading to the elevator and pressing the up button. As I waited, I felt the eyes of the desk clerk on me, but he didn't say a word. Not even a 'Good evening, Miss Day.' The elevator doors opened and I stepped inside, quickly pressing the button for the doors to close after I pressed the button for my floor. I leaned against the wall of the elevator, looking down at my now bare feet, breathing deeply. I would have given anything to be able to run to Erik's house right now, just as I had done those many years ago when I was so young. I raised my left hand to look at a familiar piece of jewelry that I had since I had left home for Julliard ten years ago. The ring of Christine Daae. I never took the ring off. I always wore it through every performance and every concert. It gave me some comfort to know I had it and to know who gave it to me. The elevator dinged, and the doors opened once more, putting me at the penthouse suite, which was where I had lived for the last few years. Remembering once more that I had left my purse behind at the theater which had my hotel room key in it, I was happy to see that a bellboy was there with a master key. He let me in, not asking any questions.
The first thing that I wanted to do when I got into my room was get this gown off. I wanted to be in some comfortable clothes for once. I found my jeans and a nice blouse, quickly pulling the gown off and putting those clothes on. After I emerged once more in the living area of our suite, I got on my laptop and went into my web design program to post a new blog. I quickly wrote up a quick piece to update my fans and followers what I was up to.
"Subject: I'm ready to come back to the States
Well, my last performance in La Boheme was tonight, and I'm still feeling pretty euphoric from it. However, as I look out at the Paris skyline, I think about how much I miss my city of New York where I got my start. I feel at this time that I'm ready to come back to the US, even if I don't perform in any shows or concerts. I would be happy to just relax and enjoy some time to myself or see some old friends at the Met. I'll keep you guys updated on my decision, but for now, I'm signing off to enjoy some wine and sit out on the balcony."
I saved it and updated my website with the post, leaving the laptop open as I wandered outside to the balcony after I got my glass of wine. I placed my hands along the railing, looking out at the night sky of Paris. It was a beautiful city, even when it was all lit up at night. But…there was something missing. He was missing. Even though Paris had been good to me throughout these last few years, without him, it meant nothing. Especially when Drake's drug problem was becoming more apparent and he was beginning to use more and more. I breathed deeply, smiling at the scent of the water and the night air of Paris. In the distance, I could see the old Paris Opera House, or the Opera Populaire as what it had been formally called so many years ago, my mind traveling back to that fateful day and the first dreams that I had. Those dreams were long gone now, only distant memories that remained in my mind. I hummed softly, looking out towards the city once more. As I stood outside, I began to sing softly. As I sang, I thought of him more and more, and I began to wonder…was he thinking about me?
Coney Island
Early evening
Erik's POV
I sat at my piano in my top floor office, scribbling some notes down on some manuscript paper as Christine lay on the couch nearby, nearly asleep because the office was so quiet. I placed my hands on the keys, playing quietly through the song that I had written, cringing. I stopped playing immediately and took the paper, crumpling it up and throwing it away. Frustrated, I stood up from my piano and went out to the balcony, getting some air. I loved the smell of the sea. It reminded me of when I was sailing when I was away ten years ago. It calmed me, but at the same time, with the scent of the sea carried the scent of Sophia. I placed my hands of the railing, turning back to shut the doors with my foot, taking a deep breath.
Ten long years, living a mere façade of life…
Ten long years, wasting my time on smoke and noise
In my mind, I hear melodies pure and unearthly
But I find I can't give them a voice
Without you…
My Sophie…
My Erik…
Lost and gone
Lost and gone…
The day starts, the day ends
Time goes by
Night steals in, pacing the floor
The moments creep
Yet I can't bear to sleep
Till I hear you sing…
And weeks pass
And months pass
Seasons fly
Still you don't walk through the door
And in a haze, I count the silent days
Till I hear you sing once more
And sometimes at nighttime
I dream that you are there
But I wake
Holding nothing but the empty air
And years come and years go
Time runs dry
Still I ache down to the core
My broken soul can't be alive and whole
Till I hear you sing once more
And music, your music
It teases at my ear
I turn and it fades away
And you're not here
Let hopes pass, let dreams pass
Let them die
Without you, what are they for
I always feel no more than halfway real
Till I hear you sing once more!
I breathed deeply, feeling better now that I had gotten that out of my system. I looked back at Christine, who was now asleep. I smiled a little. My singing always lulled her to sleep, even on those sleepless nights when she refused to go to bed. I stayed outside for a while, watching the sun set and the island begin to slowly light up. When people saw that the lights were on at the park, they knew that opening day was almost here. I heard the office door open from the inside, but I didn't go back in. I was enjoying the time alone out on the balcony.
The balcony doors opened to reveal a little woman, all dressed in black, her platinum blond hair short and spiked up in the back. This was Fleck, one of my confidants for years, along with her companions Squelch and Gangle. As Fleck stepped out on the balcony, she was grinning from ear to ear, carrying the office's laptop with her. As I looked at her and saw she was smiling, I gave her a puzzled look before I spoke.
"Fleck, what is it? What's going on?"
"You have got to see this," she said, holding the laptop with one hand and dragging me by my pant leg with the other hand. She made sure that I sat down before she gave me the laptop. "She wants to come back, Master. She wants to come back to New York."
I looked at her with an eyebrow raised, then turned my attention to the webpage that she had pulled up. It was Sophia's website, and it had a new blog post. I clicked on the link and read through the blog post slowly, a smile beginning to slowly creep across my lips. I read it over and over, and then looked at my companions, sitting back in my office chair. The mere thought of her just being in the same state as I was overwhelming, and yet thrilling at the same time. I put my hands behind my held, looking up at the ceiling, trying to figure out a plan to get her to Coney. I would give anything to just see her again, even if it was only for a moment. Fleck must have seen my face, sensing that I was trying to think.
"If I may, Master," she said as she stepped forward, her hands behind her back as she spoke, "it may benefit you to email her and ask her to come to Coney. Don't suggest a deal yet, but just meet with her and see where things go."
I looked at her, moving my hands to my lap and sitting up in the chair. I smiled, placing my hand on her shoulder. "You always know what to say, Fleck. What would I do without you? Without any of you?"
"You would be bored as all get out, and not able to plan out your schemes at the park," she said with a smirk, clicking on the link to email her. A box popped up with her email address already in the 'to' box. All it needed was a subject, and a message. But what was I going to say to her? I opened and closed my hands, trying to get the nerves out of them. What was wrong with me? Why was I acting so childish? Why was I so nervous? What was the harm in an email? I looked at her, swallowing, then back to the screen, placing my hands on the keyboard and beginning to type.
"Subject: A Chance for a Change
Dear Miss Day,
I have recently seen your blog post and I have a proposition for you. I am the owner of a fairly new park on Coney Island called Phantasma. We're looking for some new entertainment this summer, and I am interested in having you come and perform. Please email me back at your earliest convenience to set up a time and place to meet.
Kind Regards,
Mr. Y"
I took a breath, letting out slowly as I clicked 'send,' watching as the email disappeared from my screen. I began to pray quietly as Fleck left, praying that she would respond soon. Once again, I was left alone with my sleeping daughter nearby, and I began to compose again.