A/N: I promise I didn't die! This is what I get for working on three stories at one time. I apologize. =) But here I am! I'm back with another chapter and I hope you guys like where it goes. Sorry to leave you so long with such a cliff hanger. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Still don't own anything.
Chapter 7: It's Hard to Say I'm Sorry
Christine slid down to the floor as soon as she had shut the door behind her. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she slumped on the ground reflecting upon what she had just done. She had de-masked Erik, for absolutely no reason at all, and learned exactly why he had not wanted her to see his entire visage in the first place. Why had he kept his face hidden? She knew the answer.
Because of people like her.
Her selfish curiosity had driven the strong willed man to his knees; all because she couldn't keep her stupid brain from wondering what lay behind that porcelain mask. She wrapped her arms around herself as she thought about what kind of torture having a face like that must cause him. She knew that he must wear the mask because no one in this world of glamour and beauty would ever listen to his beautiful voice for a second if they knew what kind of deformity lay behind his mysterious facade.
She ran her hands through her curly locks and squeezed, as though pulling at her own hair would help ease the ache in her chest. How could he ever forgive such a deed when she could not even forgive herself? The dark hall brought her comfort, and she was glad to know that no one would come to this area of the venue.
Christine knew it was most definitely a good idea to get away from his dressing room and leave him in peace, but she simply could not force her legs to move. So there she was, slumped ungracefully on the floor, the only sound being the air conditioning in the building.
The silence was broken when she heard glass shatter on the other side of the door. She quickly turned and put her head against the door, straining to hear what was going on. She heard another shatter, and then an enraged cry as something splintered against the door.
Christine was startled and understandably frightened, but she knew she couldn't leave Erik in that state. He was likely to hurt himself if he kept up his raving, and she would not allow that to happen. She tried to turn the handle but it held fast. He had locked the door behind her. She beat on the door, but to no avail. The glass breaking behind the door drowned out her efforts. Finally Christine collapsed to the floor once more, beating her tiny fists on the wooden frame.
"Erik please!?" She cried openly. "Please let me in!" The sound of the shattering glass ceased for a moment as the door was unlocked and flung open. Christine's heart stopped as she looked upon the man before her.
Erik was heaving sobs his normally gentle eyes wide and mad as he glared at her. His arms and hands were splattered with blood from the shards of glass he had sent flying. Christine placed her hand over her mouth to suppress the gasp that threatened to escape her frightened lips. Erik's startled lips curled into a sneer.
"So you came back to stare did you?" He snarled.
He took her roughly by the wrist and dragged her back into the dressing room. He slammed the door shut and cornered her cowering form. Christine looked wide eyed at the damage that he had done. The once elaborate dressing room was ruined, and the shattering she heard was the mirrors covering the walls of the room. Each one was splintered and broken into thousands of pieces and scattered among the room.
He had taken her concern all wrong. So dreadfully wrong. Christine tried to look at the floor, but Erik's fingers curled about her jaw and jerked it back up to look at him. His eyes burned with an anger and sorrow that Christine had never seen in a man. Let alone a look she had ever expected to see in Erik's eyes.
"I'll have none of that Mademoiselle. You came to gaze upon what no one else had the will to see and you are damn well going to see it!" He shouted. Tears flooded down her cheeks as he held her brutally to him so that she had nowhere else to look but at her captor's face.
"Erik." She choked. His eyes narrowed at her.
"Does the little beauty have something to say to her beast? Does she?! Say it then!" He screamed into her face. Christine curled her tiny hands upon the large ones resting on either side of her face.
"Erik...I...I heard the glass breaking. I was afraid of what you may have done to yourself." She squeaked. Erik's eyes burned into hers, menacing, unforgiving.
"Afraid of what I may have done? Why the hell would you care what I do you little witch?" He growled, searching her face for answers.
Christine knew that this was not Erik talking to her. Erik was a sweet and gentle person. This was something dark and wounded; an animal that was trying to defend itself. That's what Erik was doing. He was trying to protect himself from her attack on his delicate barriers. She would never forgive herself for hurting him so much. But she couldn't handle him talking to her this way. Something snapped inside of her and she narrowed her eyes at him. She couldn't take his angry voice directed at her for another second.
"Because I care about you dammit!" She shouted, shoving away from his rough hold.
She stumbled back from him and sat with her back to the wall. She buried her face in her hands and shook, still afraid to meet his gaze. His anger had frightened her and hurt her more deeply than he could have imagined. She knew she deserved it though. After what she had done to him, she deserved whatever he said to her.
Minutes passed by and Christine heard the glass crunching quietly under heavy steps. She didn't even bother to lift her head, she was too frightened. She felt a presence beside her and dared to lift her eyes to meet his. The amber gems were not seething with hatred. This time they were full of despair inside of the mask that he had put back on.
Erik sat down on the floor and looked down at the ground beneath him that was scattered in pieces of glass. His face appeared to have softened considerably but the underlying emotion was still there.
"Forgive my outburst Christine. I did not intend to take such anger out on you. You are so young and innocent. You did not know." He said quietly, voice still stern. Christine looked up into his face. She knew that despite what he said, he was still considerably upset about what she had done.
"Forgive me for my actions." Christine whispered.
Her heart sank to see Erik so angry with her, but she knew that she deserved his vengeance. More tears slipped down her cheeks unwillingly as soft sobs racked her small frame. She felt stupid to be crying. That's what children do when they've been scolded. They cry. She did not want that kind of recognition. She wanted to show him that she was indeed a woman. Right now she was not succeeding. Erik's eyes shifted over to her weeping form. They grew softer as he wiped the tears from her face with his thumb.
"Please do not cry Christine. I cannot bear it." He said softly.
He sounded wounded, as though while he was considerably upset with her, he hated himself for the way he had reacted. He cleared his throat.
"I repeat that I am sorry for upsetting you. You must understand my dear. I am a private person, and when someone tries to pry their way in uninvited...I tend to react as such." Erik said, studying her face. Christine nodded.
"You don't have to explain Erik. It's alright." She whispered. It was then that she noticed the cuts that littered his forearms and hands.
"Erik what in the world possessed you to do that? You could've done some serious damage in here. Let me get Antoinette." Christine said frantically rising to go and fetch her. Erik held her arm fast, firm but gentle.
"That will not be necessary. I am fine; it is only a few minor things." He said, studying his wounded flesh. Christine sighed, and looked at him with a new sense of fear.
"May I at least clean them up?" She asked softly. Erik studied her face for a moment and nodded cautiously.
"Thank you." He whispered.
Christine smiled sadly and reached into the bag she had brought with her the first time she had entered. She brought forth a small first aid kit.
"What made you think to keep that on you?" Erik asked softly as she settled back beside him.
She gave a small shrug as she set about cleansing his arm. He winced at the first touch of the alcohol to his wound but Christine immediately blew on it to ease the pain. She looked up after the burning had subsided into his grateful eyes.
"I taught ballet in New York before I traveled to Paris. The little girls that were in my Pointe classes have had a few encounters with the plie bars and such, so it's not a bad idea to keep a first aid kit on one's person." She answered.
She continued to stare at his beautiful eyes. They were becoming much clearer; Erik was apparently regaining his composure. He nodded at her little story. They sat in silence as Christine dressed the rest of his wounds.
"There. Please don't do something like that again. You scared me." She whispered. Erik breathed a heavy sigh and touched a finger to her cheek.
"I hope not to scare you anymore petite." He answered. She nodded and inwardly agreed not to give him a reason to. She couldn't help but sigh in relief at his tone. A gentle tune floated from a bag at the corner of the room.
Erik excused himself and settled next to his bag, pulling out his cell phone. He talked for a few moments and then hung up. Turning back to Christine, he smiled for the first time since the incident.
"It appears my dear, that Antoinette was forced to cancel tonight's concert. This hall apparently has not been cleared yet this year by the fire department as being sound and supportive enough to handle this crowd along with the extensive pyrotechnics. It has been rescheduled for tomorrow night and the fire marshal will be coming in the morning."
Christine nodded, a little disappointed.
"You don't seem to be too disgruntled by that." She said. Erik smirked.
"You learn to appreciate a day off, no matter how you get them." He said with a chuckle.
She laughed lightly. The air between them was suddenly much more bearable. She felt relieved.
"So how do you propose you spend the evening?" Christine asked, dusting the broken glass off of her jeans. Erik slung the bag over his shoulder and held out a hand to her. She looked at it for a moment, and reluctantly took it. He pulled her to her feet and smiled.
"Well, I was either going to camp out at the hotel that we actually have this evening..." He began. Christine nodded.
"That sounds like a plan." She offered.
"...or, I thought I may take a certain prima ballerina out." He said, his eyes twinkling dangerously once more.
"Out?" She asked, puzzled.
Erik simply nodded at her.
"You shall see."
~*~
Within the hour, Christine had found herself asleep in a warm bed. Erik had sent her on her merry way with Meg and Jean and she was escorted to her hotel about a block from the venue. The hotel was lovely, with exquisite draperies and furnishings in the massive room. Christine had spent most of the day alone, except for the occasional visits from Meg.
The girls could talk about nothing but Christine's date with Erik. If one could call it a date. Christine hadn't brought any dressy clothes with her, so she was relieved when Meg had offered to let her browse through her extensive wardrobe once more. The day seemed to rush by and before Christine knew what had happened, she was pacing around the room waiting on Erik's return.
Christine sighed deeply as she stood up and walked into the grand bathroom again for the thousandth time.
She twirled about in front of the mirror, checking and re-checking herself. She wore a simple yellow sundress with thin spaghetti straps and a ruffled hem that brushed the tops of her knees. The garment clung to her thin frame and made her feel older, just the boost she needed around Erik. Brown wedged heels and a bangle bracelet or two completed the outfit.
Christine had decided to leave her hair loose, curls spilling delicately down her neck and shoulders. She ran her fingers through the curls to untangle them and she smoothed her dress down once more.
Taking a deep sigh, she wandered back into the living area. Erik had promised to call on her at six o'clock and it was five minutes before his arrival. Christine could not help but be a nervous wreck. She was still a bit skittish around Erik, especially after the earlier events of the day. She must not think upon them though, it was an incident she had to forget.
Christine was plodding across the room, internally giving herself a pep talk when a soft knock came at the door. She practically jumped out of her skin. She knew it was Erik; she didn't even have to look out of the convenient peep hole in the door. She drew a deep breath and picked up her purse. She walked to the door and paused at the knob.
She hesitated for a moment, and then forced herself to act naturally as she opened the door. Erik was looking down the hallway, running his fingers through his hair absently. He turned to her and smiled warmly.
"Good evening my dear." He said, his voice like velvet. Christine smiled lightly at him and nodded her head.
"Hello Erik." She said, trying her best to sound calm.
Erik was the picture of good taste. He wore simple black pants and a black button up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Black shoes graced his feet. He did not look like his typical rock star self tonight. He looked like a normal male. A very handsome normal male at that. His mask lay stark and white on his face compared to the blackness of his ensemble and Christine forced herself not to stare. Instead she gave him a warm smile and stepped into the hallway.
Erik's lips curled into a suave smile and he pulled his hand out from behind his back. He presented a single red rose to her.
"These are my favorite. I pray you like them as well." He said softly. Christine took the flower, and inhaled its rich scent. She was delighted by his sweet gesture and smiled to herself.
"They are mine as well." She answered.
Erik nodded for her to go back and put it away. Christine smiled and turned back to her room.
She placed the delicate flower in a vase on the vanity and walked back out into the hallway. Erik pulled a hand from one of his pockets as she shut the door behind her. He held it out to her with a smile.
"Are you ready to leave?" He asked.
Christine nodded and slipped her hand into the one waiting for her. His fingers curled about hers and they began walking down the hallway. His hand felt warm and strong; Christine's heart skipped at the thought of how powerful a man with hands like that could be. The pair reached an elevator and Erik pressed the down arrow. The two stood in silence while they waited for the elevator.
Christine's heart thundered in her chest. She was going on a date with Erik, a beautiful, mysterious, and perhaps even dangerous rock star. In Paris. What in the world was she doing? She tried her best to throw off those insecure little thoughts as she stepped into the elevator. Erik stood close to her and smiled.
"You look stunning Christine." He said softly. A blush rose to her cheeks and she smiled sheepishly.
"Thank you. Meg allowed me to borrow her clothes again." Christine said. Erik chuckled.
"And once again, I approve of her tastes."
Christine found herself laughing at his little joke, and began to feel somewhat better. The elevator reached the bottom floor without a solitary stop in between. The doors opened and Erik's hand slipped into hers again. Christine smiled to herself and allowed him to lead her out into the lobby. Two guards jumped up from couches that they were sitting on and strode up to Erik.
"Antoinette just called sir. Everything has been cleared." One burly man said. Erik nodded his thanks and continued to lead Christine down another hallway.
"What was that about?" Christine asked, hoping to pry some information about the location of their trip out of him.
"Nothing for you to be concerned with my dear." Erik said with a smile.
A guard opened a door and Erik slipped inside with Christine in tow. Christine's eyes widened at what she saw, a smile coming to her lips.
The hotel that they were staying at was extremely lavish and had its own dance club for the most elite of customers. Christine now knew what he was up to. He was taking her dancing in style!
There were many people already dancing, all members of Erik's crew. Christine laughed as she watched a drummer try and dance with one of the wardrobe assistants. Antoinette sat at a small table with Meg, sipping a drink and talking with her daughter.
Christine felt instantly better to have so many familiar faces around her. Erik seemed to already know much about her and she was grateful for his wise judgment. She looked up to find Erik's eyes upon her.
"Are you pleased?" He asked.
Christine nodded and dared to hug him close. She felt his body tense beneath her, and then relax as he slid his arms around her waist to return the embrace.
"I'm so glad." He whispered.
His eyes were so intense, eyes that held a softness that she had never seen in them before. The Erik from earlier was but a memory in those eyes. Her thoughts were broken when Meg ran up to her.
"Christine! You look wonderful!" Meg said, throwing her arms about her friend. Christine hugged her back and smiled her thanks. Meg beamed up at Erik.
"Thank you Monsieur for having this little party for us all." Meg added. Erik's lips curled into a soft smile and he nodded his head.
"You're welcome Meg. And please, feel free to call me Erik. You have known me for so long that Monsieur sounds too formal to my ears." He stated. Meg looked at him dumbly, and then smiled.
"I will Erik!" She said, turning to go and speak to her mother.
Christine looked up at him, surprised. Erik never gave anyone his name, or so Meg had said. Erik caught her looking and smiled down at her.
"She is a sweet girl, is she not?" Erik asked. Christine nodded.
He was in excellent humor for the evening, and she was itching to ask him what the cause was. She decided better of it and remained silent.
The softly playing music shifted into something fast and fun. Across the room, Meg slammed her drink down on the table and ran back up to Christine.
"Come on Christine! This is an American song! You have to dance!" Christine laughed at her enthusiasm, but nodded just the same.
"Sure Meg. Just have patience with me; I've never danced like those people." She said, gesturing to the crazies already dancing in the center. Meg beamed and grabbed her hand dragging her to the dance floor.
Erik watched her go and sighed. He strode across the room and sat down next to Antoinette.
Christine laughed as she watched Meg dance along with the first lines of the song. Meg, noticing she wasn't dancing, took her hands and started moving her along with the beat.
"Come on Christine! It's fun! Anyone can dance to this, especially a ballerina! All you have to do is try." Meg yelled over the blare of the music. Christine nodded and let herself relax as she moved the way Meg did to the music.
"Got to meet the hottie
With the million dollar body
They say it's over budget
But you'd pay her just to touch it
C'mon!
Need to hit the big screen
And shoot a little love scene
If Hollywood had called her
She'd be gone before you holler
C'mon!
Christine laughed as she moved along with Meg. The rest of the band members on the floor noticed them and moved up alongside them, everyone dancing in a big cluster. Christine had never felt so untamed or free before in her life. She enjoyed the feeling.
Antoinette sat her drink down and stared at the dancing mob.
"Christine seems to be having fun with Meg." Antoinette said, looking over at Erik who was studying the drink in his hand. He turned to her and smiled.
"I'm glad she is. She needs to be herself more." He said, taking a sip of the drink. Antoinette raised an eyebrow.
"I'm surprised that possessive streak in you hasn't come out yet. I can tell that you feel something for her Erik." Antoinette said, leaning over the table. Erik sat the drink down and smirked at her.
"Oh you can, can you? Tell me what would make you think such a thing?" Erik answered. Antoinette's lips curled into a smile.
"For one, the way you sang together on stage this morning. I could tell that it wasn't just the music you were into with her. And two..." Antoinette looked off at the dance floor.
"If you paid attention to the dance floor, you would have already been out there claiming what you stubbornly think is yours." Antoinette said with a laugh.
Erik turned his head to the direction in which she was referring and his jaw fell ungracefully.
Christine was laughing and dancing amidst the rest of his band. The way her body was moving along with the music made her look all the more entrancing. She had caught on quickly to Meg's movements. Erik stood up and left the table, Antoinette laughing as he did so.
"You naughty thing
You're rippin up the dance floor honey
You naughty woman
You shake your ass around for everyone
You're such a mover
I love the way you dance with everybody
The way you sway..."
Christine threw her head back as she danced, the music drowning her fears. Her dark curls bounced along her shoulders as she danced. Meg looked off in the distance, eyes wide and then back to Christine with a devilish smirk. She was about to ask what was up when she found out.
Erik slid in front of her, hands coming on to her waist; a sexy smirk across his handsome features. Christine blinked in surprise as he pulled her closer to him.
"You seem to have had your lesson in dancing Christine. Now it is time that I take you away from your teacher so that you can show me what you have learned." Erik called over the music. He leaned forward and whispered in her ear.
"Dance with me like you danced with her." Christine felt her heart beat rapidly in her chest when he cooed into her ear. She nodded at him with an unsure smirk.
"Crafty little lip tricks
Tattoos on her left hip
She's bending while you're spending
There's no end to it so baby c'mon
Dressed up like a princess
Betting that her skin smells
Better than the scent of
Every flower in the desert c'mon!
Much to Christine's surprise Erik's body slid into the rhythm that she and Meg had been making, but much more...provocatively against her body. Erik looked into her eyes and dug his fingers lightly into her waist. Christine moved along with him, their bodies pressed tightly to one another. The world blurred out leaving nothing but the music and Erik's body against hers. His eyes burned into hers and she watched as his lips parted, breathless from the feel of their bodies so close together. Christine slid her hands up his chest and curled her fingers into the fabric of his shirt, claiming him, pulling him closer to her own body. Erik smirked in response to her possessive gesture and slid his hands around her back, causing her flesh to burn with his hands on her.
"She loves the night scene
Bar queen, living for the fun
Taking over every dance floor
Like she's the only one.
Christine threw her head back in a gasp, the heat between their bodies so intense that she could hardly stand it. Erik watched her with half lidded eyes, lips parted. Christine found herself wanting him so badly that she could taste his kiss in her mouth. With him pressed so tightly to her, she could not help but want him. Not caring who saw her, Christine reached up and slid her hands into his hair crushing her lips to his.
Erik did not hesitate to return her kiss tenfold. His tongue curled into her mouth, tangling around hers, desperate for something that she could not even comprehend. Christine moaned into his mouth, the only sound in her head being the beat to which the music ground their hips together.
"In the spotlight all night
Kissing everyone
And trying to look so innocent while sucking on her thumb
So much cuter when you never pull it out
So much cuter with something in your mouth..."
As the last chorus played and the song ended, Christine broke her mouth from Erik's, eyes wide at what they had just shared. They stood still, trapped in one another's arms breathing unevenly. The crowd around them had been too entranced in their own dancing to even notice the bond the two had shared on the dance floor.
Erik's lips sighed softly and then he ran a hand up her cheek. Christine blinked up at him.
"Erik...I..." Erik placed a finger to her lips and curled his hand around hers. He quickly led her from the dance floor and out of the club.
TBC
A/N:
Woo I know you love my cliffies. Haha. Another update soon! Promise! Also, the song mentioned in this chapter is "Something In Your Mouth" from Nickelback's Dark Horse album.