Angel of Music

Chapter Seven: A Brave Young Suitor

The Phantom of the Opera was stretched across a week in order to accommodate the extensive dialogue and incorporated details that were provided by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It would be too hard on the actors to show the entire play in a single night; so after three acts, the opera house would dismiss and then continue where the act left off from the previous night. Tomorrow, when I would return, it would be continue from when Raul—the handsome viscount—and Christine would reunite after once being childhood sweethearts.

My co-star, he who had been acting in as Raul since day one, was a decent-looking man. He and I were the same age, 21. Although he had the tell-tale signs of attractiveness and a true definition to the description of a prince charming, I was never keen on his affections toward me. Joseph "Joey" Monarch was one of the most favorited people on set; and while he may have charmed the hearts of the men and women around him (including the most doughy of all of them, young Lauren's), his charm wasn't exactly what I liked in my selection. In fact, if anything, he appeared to be arrogant about his looks. Joseph's looks didn't affect me as much as his talent did. Although he played the gleeful pep boy among the staff, he was actually a very talented actor; and I believed that it was an honor to work beside him.

I only mentioned him because it was after the reception that he approached me at the buffet bar and handed me a small drink in a wine glass; he tapped my shoulder while he stood on the other side of me, a playful ruse.

"Evening, pet," Joseph greeted me flirtatiously.

I turned to him.

Joseph hadn't changed out of his costume, but he did take off the wig and make-up. He was no spitting image of Raul, but he made a very convincing wealthy patron. I merely smiled. My attraction to him was only on stage—both acting as Christine and in reality. The moment that he stepped out from the spot light, he was only a haughty, pampered prat who held a candle and a rose to his name. Girls would jump into bed with him once he gave them the eye; for me, obviously, there needed to be some kind of dominance. That and I liked them older.

I glanced at the glass in his hand, which he still offered to me.

"You know that I don't drink." I reminded him kindly.

"It's a celebration."

"My celebration doesn't begin until I shut my living room door," I said slyly.

I would hold up my end of the bargain when I returned home where I knew Loki was either waiting for me, or he was in the room with me watching my interaction with Joseph. Joseph made a critical noise.

"You're such a shut-in, Harper."

"You're so perceptive" I muttered sarcastically.

Joseph's high voice didn't affect me. Rather, I found it annoying. It was a contrast from Loki's pleasant baritone. I knew that my new master had ignited me in many more ways than just handing me the role of Christine; he had heightened my expectations and my standards of other men. So when Joseph strode around to my other side to give me "the smolder", I laughed.

I might have been attracted to Joseph Monarch before I had met Loki; but any desire that I had once felt for Joseph—if any—dissipated. Even within reason, if my master wasn't part of the equation, Joseph's newfound interest me was as transparent as that smile on his face. Joseph was a pig, a slut, and his personality was a façade. He was the co-worker that would wine, dine, and make passionate love to a girl; then when she wanted sincerity and compassion, he would toss her out of his room like a used rag.

No. I was not attracted to Joseph Monarch at all.

"You've been in this city," Joseph sighed, "for what, four years? I could show you around." He scooted in front of me to block me from the buffet table, upon which he rested his hands so that he was directly standing in front of me. "You and I…"

"You've barely noticed me since I last performed on stage." I remarked. I gently pushed his shoulder and removed him from my place at the table. He didn't fight, but he stayed relatively close.

"Sweetie, I've always known that you were there."

"Acknowledging my presence and knowing that I exist are different concepts, Joseph," I said with a brush of frustration.

"Well, now you're something special."

I scoffed. Pathetic.

"Do you even hear yourself right now?" I took the glass from his hand and placed it on the table. "If you want to turn a trick, how about you talk to Lauren? She's fond of you."

"I don't want her," said Joseph bravely.

He put a hand out to stop me from walking away.

"I want you," he remarked.

"I hate to disappoint you; I really do, but sleeping with a total stranger wasn't on my to-do list," I excused myself by removing his hand.

He reached out and grabbed my arm. Joseph pulled me back.

"So you've got someone already?" he asked calmly; however, I could feel the grip of his fingers tighten into my elbow enviously. "Harper, I don't like rejection. This, we both share."

"My personality entails indulgence, Joseph. I'm curious and adventurous. However," I pried his fingers from my arm and tossed his hand away from me, "I'm not a slut; so no, we don't share rejection."

"Darling—"

I pushed him away. Joseph's dark eyes widened in shock. He opened his mouth to say something offensive; however—

"Joey, you were wonderful!"

From Joseph's right, Lauren bounced into the conversation slunk to him like a leech. Upon coming within a foot of Joseph, Lauren wrapped her arms tightly around Joseph's arm and clung to him cheerfully. Joey glanced at her, properly restrained, though he looked at me as if I had called Lauren over to intervene. Lauren, although I assumed that she was a daft bimbo from the beginning, clearly felt the tension between Joseph and me. Her innocent eyes shifted between us.

"Joey, honey, what's going on?"

"Nothing, dear. Nothing."

"Dear?"

I heard the word slip out of my mouth without restraint. Oh. I glanced between Joseph and Lauren in realization. Lauren looked at Joseph uncertainly.

"Sweetie, did you congratulate Harper for doing a job well done? Didn't I tell you that she could sing? Didn't I?"

Joseph peered at me with raucous self-righteousness. If this wasn't resolved right now, it would be messy when all of us would have to return tomorrow to continue the play. Lauren's face contorted to worry.

"Yes," Joey uttered through clenched teeth. "Yes, Lauren, I did tell her. Now go home."

"But, sweetie, the party just started; and I wanted to go talk to Brittany, and—"

"Go home, I said!" Joey snapped at her.

He must have realized how coarse he had sounded, for he turned to Lauren and smiled with blatant agitation on his face—her ignorant eyes wrinkled into relief as she saw his expression change from irritation to cheerfulness. That was the most fake smile that I had ever seen on an actor's face. However, he fooled his audience.

"Go on, home, sweetie; I'll be along shortly. I have dinner reservations at Quincy's."

"Oh, Quincy's!" She turned to me and said, "It's so hard to get a reservation there. Two weeks in advance, you know."

"Oh, I've heard…" I looked at Joseph.

His teeth were bared.

Lauren gave him a kiss on the cheek and left his side with a bounce in her step.

Joseph's eyes watched her retreating back then turned to me.

I shook my head in disgust.

"'I don't want her; I want you'." I took the glass on the table. "I'll see you tomorrow night, Joseph."

"She means nothing to me."

"That doesn't make it any better." I shoved the glass into his opened hands, "Pet."