*Peeks out from behind the barricade*…Again, that wasn't so bad, oh and Bleaky, thank you for the nice review, it completed the good day I was having. I hope you guys that are still reading this are enjoying the story so far, I know it seems to start out slow but that is how I set up most of my stories that I write (and that is how this particular story began in my head anyway). With that being said I hope that you guys enjoy this chapter, again it is another short chapter, but that is just how scenes are set up and played out in my head *whispers to self* "damn characters!". More chapters are to come in the future, and since I do some research on the era and various other things within this story I will be sure to let you guys know when some chapters will be taken longer than others. So until then, enjoy!

Chapter Four: Acceptance

"I apologize for my behavior back there." Said Nadir as he and Emi made their way back down the stairs, "I didn't mean for my anger to get the best of me, but it has been…a trying couple of years."

"No need to apologize," Emi reassured him, "If I could speak freely for a moment I can understand how you could lose your temper for a moment dealing with…" she trailed off not wanting to insult a man she had just met.

"An arrogant brat." Nadir supplied.

"I was leaning towards fool, but what you said works just as well."

Emi didn't have to ask about the strange relationship between Erik and Nadir; just by how they spoke to each other on a familiar level, and how neither one never used a title to address the other she only assumed that there was some sort of odd friendship between the two of them. Or, at the very least an acquaintanceship.

Instead of returning to his office Nadir lead the way back to the front entrance of the house.

"Well, Mademoiselle Young," said Nadir as he turned to address Emi, "I am ready to hire you for the job. But whether you accept the position or not is entirely up to you." He directed his gaze away from her as if he was afraid she was going to reject the offer, "I would understand if you decided not to take the job after meeting Erik."

Inside Emi was squealing with joy just like a little girl. Nadir had offered her the job. After watching the display of raw anger unfold upstairs not too long ago any normal person, who would wish to keep their sanity, would decline the offer. But, Emi was far from normal (as she had been told since a young age) not only did this man before her offer her the job-a trying one no doubt-but he also offered her a place to live as well. She could finally cease the wondering of a self imposed exile, and start to live a life again.

Though she did enjoy her travels all around Europe, she was starting to feel a sense of emptiness deep down in her soul (a feeling she thought she had longed since suffocated long ago). She had tried to begin a life again a few times in her life, but the places that she thought she could call home gave her no reason to stay, or feel like she belonged there in the first place. But this place, this man named Nadir, gave her a reason to finally end her wondering and to begin a new life.

"I accept."

Nadir's joyous smile seemed to lighten the dark house slightly. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear that, Mademoiselle Young."

"You may call me Emily if you like. Since you have allowed me to use your first name, I think it is only fair if you are allowed to use mine."

"As you wish…Emily." Nadir tested her name on his tongue; it felt strange to him to not address someone he barely by their first name.

Moving the conversation back to business, Nadir asked Emi when she would be able to start. She informed him that she could begin work first thing in the morning, Emi had also informed him that she did not have many personal belongings with her so she would also be able to move in on the same day as well.

"Would that be alright?" she asked not wanting to cause Nadir any unnecessary stress.

"It will be no trouble at all," Nadir said, "I'll have your room ready for you to move in to by tomorrow."

Emi smiled at the notion that tomorrow she would finally have a place to settle down on, even if she would only be a servant in the household.

"What time should I expect to see you in the morning?" asked Nadir.

"Would eight o'clock be alright?"

"Certainly. And before you go, do you have any questions about the job, Emily?" he hesitated slightly when using her name, it would take a while for him to get used to calling her Emily instead of Mademoiselle Young.

"I have just one question." Emi admitted, "Is it nescarry for me to wear skirts and dresses?"

Nadir gave the young girl a quizzical look, "What else would you wear?"

"I would much rather wear trousers, I found that during traveling they are much more comfortable and practical for work instead of this." she gestured at the much hated black skirt she wore.

"Oh, yes, that will be fine." Said Nadir, relieved by her answer. "I don't mind if you wear clothing that makes you comfortable, but I must insist," he said putting much authority in his voice, "that you keep yourself covered."

Emi nodded her head to show she understood.

"Any other questions?" his voice had returned to its normal light self.

Emi thought briefly about any other questions she had about the job, but the job itself seemed straight forward that she could find no questions to ask.

After a minute Emi answered, "None that I can think of right now."

"Very well." Said Nadir, unlocking the front door, "Then I shall see you in the morning. Au revoir, Emily."

"Au revoir, Nadir. I shall see you come morning."

Having had her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the house the natural light of the sun was blinding to Emi when Nadir opened the door for her. As she stepped outside into the sun she was reminded of the saying "don't walk towards the light". She heard the door close gently behind her as she reached the first step of the porch; she had to use the banister of the porch steps to help guide her down from the house in order to keep from missing a step. Once she felt solid earth beneath her feet she stopped and rubbed at her eyes by reflex, and waited momentarily for her eyes to adjust again.

Once Emi's eyes had adjusted to the intense light of the outside world she allowed herself to gaze up in to the clear, bright, spring sky, smiling to herself at its simple beauty while at the same time feeling a pang of sympathy towards Erik. She could not help but feel sorry for him, because he could no longer gaze upon such wonders of nature.

Her thoughts soon drifted towards the blind man, Erik; she wondered how he had come to lose his vision, and how the right side of his face had become so distorted. She also wondered briefly if the two tragedies were in some way related to one another, but she knew that she would never know, Nadir made it perfectly clear that whatever had happened to Erik in the past that she was not allowed to know or even question.

She could see him clearly sitting there in the darkness of his room, isolating himself from the rest world. The image alone was enough to replace Emi's carefree smile with a sorrowful frown. She had no clues as to what happened in Erik's past, but she knew that whatever tragedy had befallen the man that the events from it had cut him deeply and left a deep, jagged scar upon his soul.

Poor soul, life can be so cruel.

It was a statement Emi knew only too well.

And thus ends another chapter. I hope you guys enjoyed it, now take care because I am off to bed now because I have work in the morning.