Chapter Updated. I know, so many mistakes!
- The Natas joke is calling Carlotta 'Satan' but it's spelled backwards…
Cursed
Chapter Three: The Punjab Lasso
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I didn't understand it. How could they still hold this little party when their chief scene shifter just died? Were they at least going to give a sort of speech on his behalf? I know that the stage hands and other staff that weren't invited to go to this party were going to have a few drinks and pay their respects and stuff. I wanted to join them and drink Joseph's favourite liquor on his behalf but Carlotta said that I could do whatever I want after the party. Damn that woman could be really deadest on something, huh?
I straightened my posture and I felt the god-awful device squeeze the air right out of my lungs in a single blow. I gave a short grunt and the girl behind me gave a giggle before muttering an apology.
"I-It's fine… Your just …doing your j-job." I couldn't even utter a syllable without gasping for air and this girl was helping me put the dress on over the corset, women's underwear, tights, and the under dress. Why I had to wear so many layers of clothes and still appear thin while the men dressed in fancy looking slacks and tops hats was complete bullshit! Why God? Why couldn't I have been a boy?
She finally finished buttoning the back and helped me into some shoes before picking up a brush and combed my hair. We both stared at my long hair (er…I mean wig) through the mirror as she brushed through it.
"Did you mind a particular hair style, Mademoiselle?" She asked me with a smile. I was genuinely surprised how friendly she was towards me… then again, I don't remember ever seeing her in the Opera house before. I gave an unsure smile and a nod.
"Don't call me 'Mademoiselle' it make me feel… old. Call me Kyla… and keep the way it is parted and have it half way up." She gave me a disappointed look before she began to do as I asked. I sat back, trying to concentrate on some breathing exercise I heard on a talk-show radio once before while Jeff took Oliver and I to a store that sold huge ice-slushies in green. I could feel her parting my hair and looping the ribbon that matched the dress around it… and she stopped.
"Are you sure you do not want me to do it in a different style? Half way is so common, I fear no one will notice you, Made-"
"Ah." I cut her off, and gave her a 'no-no' motion with my index finger, making her giggle again. "Kyla. My apologies." She corrected. I gave a smile of approval and crossed my arms confidently.
"Just half way, or leave it down. I would rather not have all eyes on me. I'm actually quite shy." I told her, trying my best to sound convincing even if I wasn't lying. I really was shy and liked to avoid big crowds. She gave a sigh and nodded, and I watched through the mirror as she put it up half way… then took it back down… then put it back up again.
After a while of this, I was very thankful that she was being gentle with the wig and brushed it back down. Ultimately leaving it down as my choice of hair style. Which I didn't mind at all. It was more comfortable and I didn't have to worry about it if it just hung there (and if I was embarrassed or something, I can hide behind my hair). I smiled to her through the mirror and stood, checking my overall appearance and liked what I seen. I didn't look as bad as I felt, even if I was having a very hard time breathing. The dark green dress actually complimented my body and skin tone, my shoulders bared for all to see while my arms were hidden under slender long sleeves. The design on it was of black lace and resembled water (at least that's what I thought), best of all it wasn't too princess like and over done from the waist down. But if they expected me to drink or eat anything, they are insane.
The girl behind me wore a smirk as she looked me over before jumping up in down with glee.
"You look beautiful, Kyla!" She said excitedly, making me blush darkly and I placed a hand over my stomach, thinking the motion would help me breathe.
"You think so?" I asked in return, looked down once again and smoothing out the dress.
She gave a confident nod before stepping forward between the vanity mirror and myself and started to go through the drawers. I raised my brow, wondering if she normally did this or if she forgot I was in the room, so she was caught if she was trying to steal. I crossed my arms over my chest before bringing my fist up to my lips and letting out a fake cough. She momentarily froze and glanced to me through the mirror and returned to her digging. She is the worst thief I have ever seen. I was about to ask what she was doing, then she let out a frustrated huff.
"My goodness, Kyla. Do you have any sort of jewellery?" She asked in an unbelieving tone, like a mother would say to her tomboy daughter.
This was the first time someone that looked younger than me ever scolded me and I was speechless for a moment. She eyed me, exactly how a mother eyes a child when they've done something bad and I didn't know how to react. I stared back at her with wide eyes and fumbled to explain I never cared for jewellery. Her gaze drifted down and her eyes suddenly brightened, then took hold of my hand with a triumphant grin.
"Ah Ha! This ring will be perfect!" She said and slipped the ring off my finger. Before I could protest, she put the ring onto a long, black ribbon and wrapped it around my neck like a loose choker.
"Oh." I managed out, dumbfounded as I eyed the ring in the mirror and brought my fingers up to play with it. It didn't look bad on me like that and I didn't look as plain… I guess. She smiled in satisfaction and practically shoved me out of my own room and led me down to meet Carlotta.
On the way, Emmet and Jacque were seated on the rafters with bottles in there hands and other men at there sides. This is where I would be joining them later on tonight. I looked up towards my drunken fools and waved. They didn't seem to recognise me at first and gave me a flirty wave back by moving all their fingers. It was Emmet that recognized me and nudged Jacque. I couldn't help but smirk, flashing my canines in an inward sense of victory as Jacque sputtered and both looked down at me with abnormally large eyes. I snickered evilly to myself as we moved on. I couldn't wait to tease them when I was finished standing next to Carlotta for a few hours.
Entering the grand foyer, I was very surprised to find that it was completely decorated and didn't look at all like it did when I last walked through it. It looked full of life and reminded me of an amusement park making me grin from ear to ear as I looked around. It was all fine and good as I minded my own business and walked along on my own, but when the ballet girls joined the party that was when the crowd once again began to part like the red sea and I didn't want the attention. It was then I heard Carlotta's laughter. I looked towards the door and found her wearing a very princess like pink and white dress, with a tiny hat atop her head. What really caught my attention was the… 'Gentleman' she was clinging on to and wondered why he looked so familiar to me. She caught my eye and smiled widely before bringing her man of the evening with her.
I offered a polite smile as they approached and gave a head nod as a half-assed curtsey (I had no idea how these things worked). His brow quirked at me before he grinned and did the same, humouring me so I didn't feel like a moron, maybe? Carlotta gave a short laugh and introduced us. "This is my assistant, Kayla Crowe. Kayla, this is the man I wanted you to meet! He is James Stevens, the third."
My heart skipped a beat when I realised he looked exactly like Jamie. His smile widened more looking a bit forced as he offered his hand to me, the palm facing up.
"It's a pleasure, Mademoiselle Kayla." He said softly, waiting for me to place my hand in his.
I glanced from his hand and back to him before I did and tried to force his hand sideways into a handshake. His hand stayed in its position and his fingers wrapped around my hand. Feeling trapped, I try to jerk my hand away but he bowed low and kissed my knuckle. When he rose, Carlotta nudged me. I almost groaned, but replaced it with a polite grin and took my hand back. I was nudged again, this time a little harder and though gritted teeth I said "Like wise."
I remember seeing that in a movie, but I couldn't recall what movie it was from. Looking back to Carlotta, she wore a wide grin of satisfaction and looked back and forth from me and Jamie.
"Well, being the lead here you both can imagine how many people are waiting to meet me. Kayla, you wouldn't mind keeping James company while I am away?"
Before I could have some say she turned and joined another group, leaving me and this 'James' behind in an awkward silence.
'She set me up!' I thought in a bad Italian accent, like those mob guys in those old movies before glancing up to a bored looking James, whom was eying the room and dance girls longingly. I rolled my eyes and followed his gaze to the flock of ballerinas. I met their eyes and they all looked away and began whispering to one another and my cheeks flushed. They were talking about me and I didn't see it until now. I put my head down a little and my bangs fell over my face.
"You can go. I don't want to hold you back from such… 'pretty' women." I said in a small voice. I glanced up to him and he was staring down at me with a perplexed expression. Had no girl ever told him he could leave her to talk to other girls before?
"But… what of you, Kayla?" He asked with the same perplexity he had on his face. I roll my eyes and figured that it was past politeness since he kissed my hand.
"It's Kyla. My name is pronounced Ky-la, and don't worry about me." I said, showing my annoyance and turned away from him wondering if I might find a secret door if I took a look around the opera while everyone else was busy at this party. A smirk rose on my lips as I imagined myself finding my way to his lair and how shocked the Phantom would be when he seen a girl standing there with a huge smile, then looked back to James. "Like you, Monsieur, I have my eyes set on a better prize."
His hand was on his chest, and his expression was taken aback or offended, I didn't know which and I walked away from him. I was making my way back towards the door I entered through and I could hear footsteps a little ways behind me before my wrist was gripped and I was yanked around and I fell against a man's chest. I looked up to see James and he seemed to look a little confused.
"I think we started off on the wrong foot, Mademoiselle. Perhaps we-"
"Please let me go. I don't want a scene." I said threateningly, (also something I seen in a movie) and tugged away from his hold and took a step back. He too, took a step back and looked down at me with the same confused look that was beginning to annoy me.
"Then maybe we can talk over a drink… somewhere private?"
I shook my head and crossed my arms over my chest, trying to get a little more air into my lungs and cursing the corset. He looked around and took a step back towards me, then whispered, "Please, I only wish to know what I have done to make you upset with me."
My brow quirked and he leaned back, looking at me and I stared back at him as if he were an idiot. "You have done nothing to up-"
A shrilled and terrified scream cut me off and we all turned to find the little girl, Jammes with her hand over her mouth and the other hand pointing across the room.
"It's the Phantom of the Opera! He's here!"
A grin quickly made its way to my face as I looked to the direction she was pointing at. James gave a chuckle and placed a hand onto my shoulder. He muttered something to me, but I was focused and determined to find the Phantom to really pay any attention to James and I shrugged his hand from my shoulder and bid him good morning; knowing that it would leave him momentarily confused, before I made my way through the crowds in search for the masked man. I could hear James calling after me but I didn't stop and pushed through the swarm of Ballerinas, leading James right into it. It the first time seeing a guy get annoyed and happy at the same time. 'Odd' was an understatement.
I then approached a long table that connected to another two tables, making a 'U.' Guests were seating themselves and the old and new managers shared the one table at the head. I sighed, feeling as though I had gotten my hopes up too high only to be shot down. I turned and made my way back to the entrance so I could change and get out of this god-forsaken corset. I swear it had gotten tighter! I took in a big breath and found that the doors had been shut and the Sorelli woman was beginning to give a speech. I gave a short sigh, wanting to go back to my room and out of this boring party… or ball (What ever the hell it was called). I stared to the door and to the men standing beside them. They stared down at me with stone faced expressions and I slowly outstretched my hand to turn the door knob, but on of them side stepped in my way and my hand made contact with his bare abdomen. I flushed red and said sorry before taking a step back. When I did, the man side stepped back to his original spot next to the door. I never knew how serious some people could be with their job. The ball room was almost empty and everyone crowded around the tables, holding drinks or were seated at the table. Then I caught sight of a certain man, with his faithful servant standing at the edge of the crowd like a wall flower. I grinned and approached them, walking past James and the ballerinas on the way.
"Hello Persian, Darius." I greeted with a smile. The Persian and Darius both turned their heads and looked down at me. The Persian smiled kindly and took my hand in a gentle hand shake. "Good evening, Mademoiselle. How are you fairing?"
I gave a sigh. "I got a job as La Carlotta's slave… I mean assistant."
He gave a chuckle and took a look around before leaning down to Darius and whispered something. Darius gave a quick 'Yes, master' and left us. When he left, I smirked up at The Persian as if I caught him in a lie. He stared down at me with a quirked brow. "You lied. There is a Phantom of the Opera."
His face became serious and solemn before he escorted me to the farther side of the grand room. "Kyla, I ask that you stop this obsession."
"Obsession? I'm not obsessed-"I was interrupted with a dish holding two cups being placed between the Persian and I.
I followed the arm to see Darius holding the tray, and the Persian took a glass before motioning me to take the other.
"Thank you." I mumbled, taking the glass and Darius left once again. I had forgotten what I was saying, but it seemed that the Persian noticed and gave a short chuckle while he patted my head gently. I flushed, taking a sip from the glass. I almost spit it back out. I wasn't expecting a fruity-acidic taste and it suddenly warmed my throat, the same warm sensation spread throughout my face like wild fire. I almost grinned and quickly bit my bottom lip to hold it back. They gave me wine!
"I see that someone has their eye on you, Kyla. I bid you, farewell." He turned and walked away, Darius following after him.
"Wait, Persian!"
Once again, he left. Placing his untouched glass of wine on a table before those same men opened the doors for him and I was left standing there like an idiot, holding wine in my hand. I inwardly groan and outwardly slumped. He had lied to me and I had proof he lied, if I had only pulled Jammes to the side… she might have been too scared to say anything, but I know the Phantom was really here! I just have to… under the opera! I just have to go under the opera and avoid the trap door on the stairs!
A smile spread across my lips once again and I turned towards the grand staircase leading to the audience seats and walked into a man's chest. I rubbed my nose, taking a step back and heard the man chuckle and my shoulders were taken into his hands. "My apologies, are alright Kyla?"
I looked up to see James and he was staring off in the direction the Persian and Darius had just left through.
"Hello again, James." I grumbled, taking his hands off my shoulder before I had a panic attack. He looked down at me, glancing up to the door for a final time before ultimately looking down at me with a small smile.
"Is that the 'better prize' you were referring to?" He asked in a mocking tone and brought his hand up and began to tap his chin in a fake thoughtful way. "I admit, he is of an abnormal height but he seems to be a bit old for you, don't you think?"
Was he teasing? He held a grin on his lips and he glanced down at me with a glint in his eyes before outstretching his hand to me.
"Grant me one final wish before the night is done, Mademoiselle. I promise to behave accordingly."
I stared at his hand for a moment, taking another sip of the wine and almost spitting it back up… liking the after taste of it. I was never one for dancing and looking behind him I can see the dance floor begin to fill with couples while other women stand on the side lines staring in a longing way. But then again, I wanted to go back to my bed room or argue with Jacques for a while. I shake my head 'no' at his offer, but then he took my hand into his ad wrapped his arm around my waist then practically dragging me to the dance floor. I felt the insides of my chest tighten. If I didn't already hate him these cute little advances would have worked on me.
...
I held my throbbing hand by the wrist and stared down at the redness of the palm as Jacques's laughter roared all around me and I avoided Emmet's disbelieving stare. Over and over in my head I recited 'I shouldn't have done that, I shouldn't have done that.'
When Jacques's laughter calmed I looked up to find him staring at me before bursting out into another fit of laughter. I kicked his leg and he fell off the chair, but his laugh had not faltered in the slightest. If anything it grew stronger (to my amazement and annoyance). Emmet and I glared down at him and we locked eyes, but instead of blushing like any other girl would I looked away from his scolding gaze. Honestly, this guy would make a perfect father. It was completely pointless to play innocent with him; he was the one that pulled me away from her.
Finally, Jacques stopped laughing and took his seat on the chair, wiping his eyes as if he had been crying. I sent him a glare and Emmet began. "Kyla, I understand that a woman has the right to slap a man if he was rude or offending…" He trailed off, both his hands raked through his hair and down his face, as if he were embarrassed and continued "-but why would you slap Christine Daae?"
I almost flinched at his tone if it weren't for Jacques's snicker. "Two within a half hour."
"Quiet Jacques." Emmet snapped and both turned to me for an explanation. Was it just me, or was I looking to my mom and dad before they were divorced? I gave a sheepish smile and scratched the back of my neck, out of both nervousness and it was itchy (it's not fun wearing a wig).
"I… I don't know why. Could we just drop it?"
Emmet crossed his arms and looked down at me in disbelief, probably ashamed that I would even suggest that and shook his head furiously. "No we can not just 'drop it'! You can lose your job for doing something like that, Kyla! What were you thinking when you slapped her?"
"Well I didn't think of anything until after I slapped her…" I admitted slowly, eying Jacques as he fought back giggles. I cracked a smile, very tempted to begin laughing myself. But Emmet's expression wiped the smile off my face in an instant and he asked, "Oh? And what did you think?"
"I thought: 'Oh crap, Emmet seen me slap her' and you grabbed me before I got another shot in."
Jacques fell off his chair in a roar of laughter. I couldn't help but laugh at the scene and covered my mouth as Emmet glared down at Jacques and looked at me like he wanted to shake some sense into me. Then a smile cracked on his face and it seemed that he gave up on this little battle and he got up from his chair and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Argh, Kyla… let's just hope the managers don't hear about it." He said, taking his hand from my shoulder after giving a light squeeze and walking past to get himself something to drink, soon coming back with a cup of water. I waited until Jacques was done with his laughing fit, fighting back a yawn then rubbing the sleepiness from my eye. When I glanced up Jacques was staring at me with a quirked brow.
"What?" I snapped, not liking the sort of attention he was giving me, and making me feel like he was gawking at me.
He shook his head and leaned down on the table with his elbow setting him up. I glanced to Emmet to find he was looking at me the same way but when I turned to face him he turned away and avoided my gaze. I began to feel a little shy and self conscience and kept my gaze to the table and met with Jacques hat. "It's nothing really, this is just the first time I have seen you look so tired."
Oh… that's it? I sat up straight, about to tell them I was going to go to sleep when I was cut off by my own yawn. I covered my mouth and grinned when I was finished, wiping the tears that came to my eyes. I laughed a little and jumped off my chair. "That was the first time I yawned too… I think I should go to bed. That wine is not good to drink."
I turned and walked to the door of their room.
"You had wine too?" Emmet cried out in a horrified manner, as if he was my mother making me laugh a little. I was way too tired to really put up any sort of argument at the moment. I glanced back from the door and gave a small smile and told him: "Emmet, calm down. It's not my first time drinking wine."
Walking out the door and shutting it behind me. Instead of taking a detour, like I usually did (in hopes of catching the Phantom) I headed straight to my room, and locked the door behind me.
Taking off the dress, lace, under dress, and that damned corset, I put the under dress back on; using it as a night gown and crawled into my bed. I have never thought a bed could be so… comfortable. I adjusted the pillows to make it feel that I was surrounded and I couldn't move. It was when I was adjusting the blanket I felt something in my bed. I moved it around with my feet, feeling it a bit and it tightened around my ankle. I was fighting to keep my eyes open when I sat up and digged within the sheets of the bed. I had it in my hand and got it from my ankle. It felt a lot like a rope. I laid back down and pulled it out of the blanket. My heart skipped a beat when I realised that I was holding The Punjab Lasso in my hand. The very same rope that was around Joseph Bouquet's neck!
...
"Kyla… Kyla, it's time to wake up."
I groaned and brought my hand to my head. I tried to open my eyes only to be partially blinded by the brightness of the room. When my eyes finally adjusted I stared up at my smiling doctor.
"Good morning, Kyla." He greeted me. That smile of his getting on my nerves, I looked around the room to find that most of the tubes and the heart monitor was not connected to me anymore. Looking down to my hand I was gripping to the IV tightly. I let go of it in disappointment and attempted to sit up, but I was gently pushed back down. I looked up to David and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. "What time is it?"
He took my wrist into his hand and eyed his watch for moment. "Eight o'clock PM…" He placed my hand back down onto the bed and took out a flashlight sort of pen and blinded my eyes one by one before he finished with a chuckle. "You've been sleeping for almost two weeks."
I rubbed my eyes before looking to him disbelief. "Two weeks?"
"Yes. We needed you up to start testing and so you could use the washroom." He said with a smile, writing down in clipboard.
"Why do I have to use the washroom?" I asked, moving my legs a little. They tingled in an unbearable way, I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. I grit my teeth and stopped moving altogether.
"Well you have two weeks worth of breakfast lunch and dinner in your lower intestines tha-"
"Okay, thank you." I cut him off, embarrassed that I even asked that question and blushed a deep red. He laughed and told me that there was nothing to be embarrassed about and that I shouldn't get myself excited. I didn't want to ask why and he got a female nurse to help off the bed. My whole body felt like rubber, I was having a hard time just to take one step!
Just before he was about to leave the room so I could have my privacy I stopped him.
"David."
"Yes?" He asked, keeping his back to me and stood within the door way. I was grateful he did too, otherwise he would have seen a little more thigh than I wanted. I was embarrassed just standing there and the nurse had to pull down the paper robe for me. When she was done I looked to his back and asked, "Are you putting me back into the coma?"
He stayed silent for a moment, as if thinking it over and finally replied, "After some exercise, solid foods, testing, a visit, shower and a bowel movement, yes… Did you have a bad dream?"
I blushed even more and the nurse patted my shoulder in comfort. I was almost to the door to the bathroom now.
"…you could say that." I answered slowly, remembering only some bits and pieces of the dream, but all the while I was disappointed. He chuckles and placed his hands neatly in front of him after he had put the clip board with my information on the door slot.
"The boogy man get you?"
"I was ghost hunting." I snapped defensibly. I didn't believe in a 'Boogy man'! I never - ever believed in that stupid tale. I always figured that it was only a lie my grandpa told us so we wouldn't run out at night. Bloody Mary was what I was scared of. I never liked having a mirror in my room after hearing about that. He and the nurse laughed, making me feel a little foolish.
"Oh, the ghost got you?" He asked, humouring me and making me huff. I was being serious, ghost hunting was very hard. Now I was inside the washroom and I made the nurse keep out while I… wanted some privacy.
Just before I shut the door I remember what I had found in my bed before I woke up here and groaned. "No, I couldn't catch the ghost…and I was so close!"