Chapter 7:
I woke up extremely happy the next morning. I had had a blast last night; it was the scariest and most fun moment of my life!
I had bit of an awkward dream last night. It was a little outlandish at that. Erik had kissed me. And no not on the cheek or forehead….on the lips!
I blushed at the thought as I got dressed quickly. It was late, almost ten in the morning.
I smelt something very good as I walked to where Erik was. He was cooking again for my sake.
"Good morning, Mon Cher," Erik nodded to the table to where an omelet sat waiting.
"Good morning," I sat down and waited to eat until he sat down across from me again, "Aren't you going to eat?" I questioned seeing nothing sat in front of him except for a cup of tea.
"I've already eaten," Erik cleared his throat, his golden eyes staring at me thoughtfully.
I stared back at him, thinking of my dream again. It was so real I could almost feel his lips.
I sighed and started eating.
I noticed Erik wasn't really drinking his tea, he was mostly stirring it idly, "Did you sleep well?" he asked a few minutes later after I had finished eating.
"Yes, but I had a very strange dream," I mused, forgetting myself for a second.
"About?" he sipped from his cup, then.
"I—you-," I snapped my mouth shut, quickly. I couldn't tell him!
"You—me what?" Erik cocked his head at me. He looked a little nervous.
"I—can't tell you," I shook my head feverishly. He will never know!
Erik got up and walked over behind me, placing his hands on each side of neck his fingers gently pressed on my neck.
It was amazing how his hands could be so gentle then the next moment cruel and painful.
"Are you sure about that, Mon Cher?" he asked, fingers tracing my neck.
"Yes!" I gasped sharply; he was scaring me without even using pain.
"Is it so bad you cannot tell, Erik?" he put pressure on my neck now. Not heavy pressure just enough to scare me.
I shivered, shutting my eyes. I didn't answer him.
"Why do you fear me?" he said into my ear softly, "What happened in your dream."
I couldn't get away from this one, "We—I was asleep and you-," I stopped, stomach flipping.
Erik's fingers froze, "And?" he sounded unnerved.
"You kissed me!" I almost yelled at him, frightened to death of what he would do to me at the mention of that.
Erik's hands dropped from my neck and he leaned against the wall in surprise or at least I thought.
I didn't move a muscle but my eyes watched him. He looked so spooked.
"I have a confession to make," Erik said after a while of complete silence.
I finally turned to look at him in my own surprise. His golden eyes filled with sincerity. "What is it?" I asked.
"I—that wasn't a dream you had. It was reality. I kissed you last night," Erik looked down to the ground.
My mouth fell open in shock. Me of all people? I just stared at him in shocked silence.
"I am so sorry! Please forgive Erik," he fell to his knees. He was so vulnerable at times.
"You don't have anything to be sorry for. You did no wrong," I tried to make him feel better. I was probably doing no good either.
"Yes I have. I had no right to do that. There is no possible way you could like a monster like me!" he sounded a little vicious.
I got up and walked up to him, sitting down beside him, "Of course I like you!" I protested. And that was very true.
"But you don't love me," Erik mused, sounding heart-broken.
"I never said I didn't," I said sharply. Naturally I was attracted to him. But recently I did feel different around him. But I really wasn't lying if I said I loved him. Either way I still loved him as a friend if not a well I don't know what you'd call a boyfriend here. Besides the word boyfriend doesn't sound good enough.
Erik looked up sharply, "Really, you may love me?" his golden eyes glittering from unshed tears.
"Yes," I replied softly as he stood up to his 6.4 height. It was very intimidating from where I sat. He looked down at me for a second then extended a hand to haul me up.
I took it and stood up.
He looked at his hand watch and inhaled sharply, "You are late for your dance lesson," he shooed me out the kitchen quickly, "Go get ready quickly and hurry. Antoinette isn't one for late students."
I ran quickly getting my dance clothes on and came out, waiting for Erik to take me but he didn't budge from where he was.
"Aren't you taking me to class?" I asked as he looked up from scanning a composition.
"No, I think from now on. You can go places without my guidance. After being here for weeks I think you know you're going," he shooed me again.
I felt my blood boil. How dare that man shoo me like I'm some pesky fly. And he actually confessed he loved me this morning. Ha!
He pointed to a lantern and I picked it up, carrying it with me. I didn't have his glow in the dark eyes to light the dark corridors, anymore.
I stomped out, making sure I didn't look the least lady-like.
I thought I knew where I was going but I must've turned the wrong direction because instead of Madame Giry's dance studio I was by the offices.
I scowled at Erik. Madame Giry was sure to punish me now. She didn't play around. When she meant 11 o'clock sharp she meant it and anyone who wasn't there on time got the bottom of their bare feet hit with her cane. So when they danced or walked they'd remember not to be late again because of the hurtful bruises.
I was about to take a shortcut through the office hallways but stopped short when I heard the Comte whisper something in the end of the hallway. I froze in a dark corner. Maybe I could help Erik by getting a little information by snooping around. Philippe De Chagny may even have something to do with the missing money. I guess I could take the pain from Madame Giry for this.
I heard another voice besides the Comte's. I peeked around the corner to see a fat man and the Comte counting money.
I knew it! That Comte didn't look like a nice guy.
"Piagni, were about to be rich!" Philippe sounding like a little kid. But a bad little kid he was.
Wait till I tell this to Erik. I thought a little giddy.
Piagni put the money in his pocket. Philippe kicked a dusty chair out the way. I assumed they were leaving.
The dust went my direction and I held my nose, feeling like I was going to sneeze. That wouldn't be good if they heard me.
My nose started burning from the effort it was taking me to keep from sneezing. Oh I am dead! I knew I was about to sneeze. I couldn't hold it back much longer.
It came out a squeak as I froze in horror.
"What was that?" the Comte barked. They were near to where I stood now.
My heart was pounding so hard they probably heard it. Where was Erik when you needed him?
"Well look what we got here," Piagni yanked me out my hiding spot; "It's one of those ballet rats!"
Thank God they didn't realize I was the one living with the Phantom. Even still I was scared to death.
"I've seen you before," the Comte smirked at me. His eyes searching me over.
"What should we do with her?" the fat man asked, "She'll tell them about us!"
"I guess we'll just have to do away with her," the Comte grinned.
Erik, hello are you watching this? Help me! I screamed at him in my head.
I finally realized I was on my own and I had to take care of this situation by myself and the only thing I could think of was run for my life.
I bolted into a run trying to get to the Ballet Studio. I wasn't about to let them stop me either.
"Get that girl!" the Comte yelled. I heard running behind me but I didn't look behind me.
Finally I saw the entrance door and I yanked it open and went in quickly out of breath.
Madame Giry looked up sharply.
Now for the punishment.
"Why are you late, Mademoiselle Lee?" she tapped her cane, signaling me to come over to her. I stride over to her, trying to look confident.
All the ballet girls were staring in wide-eyed horror at the corner of the room.
"I have no real excuse, Madame," I bowed my head. I couldn't tell her about the trouble I ran into. I would tell Erik.
"Girls who are late must be punished to remember not to be late again," Madame Giry recited once again.
I didn't respond, I still looked to the floor. I heard something rustle in the rafters. Oh no Erik is watching me! Now I would have two punishments.
"Shoes off," Madame Giry ordered me, pointing down.
I did as I was told. Then she made me raise each foot to receive 10 hard strikes of the cane on each foot.
I didn't make a sound but twice then I was made to put my shoes back on to dance with the others.
I limped all the way back to the lair. I knew Erik was following me somewhere but he did not offer to help me.
So much for him saying he loved me!
When I got to the edge of the lair beside the lake, I plopped down with a whimper of pain.
"Have you learned your lesson yet?" a familiar voice said into my ear.
I didn't jump in surprise. I was used to Erik's sneaking now.
"I didn't do anything wrong," I replied, hiding the pain in my voice.
Erik sat down beside me, taking my foot in one hand and the other gently removed my slipper. He studied the bottom of my feet, "Ah," he had a deep thinking expression.
"What?" I asked, curious of his expression. What was he thinking?
"I think I have something that will help your bruises heal faster," Erik got up, helping me to my feet. He led me to the couch then left me and went into the kitchen.
I heard a bunch of bangs and clangs. What was he doing?
I was started to get really fidgety after a few minutes. What was taking him so long? I had long since decided to change into something more comfortable and stay barefoot since my feet hurt so badly.
Erik finally came out carrying a large bowl of something steaming. He sat it by my feet.
I cocked my head at him in question. The liquid smelled foul.
"It's a mix of herbs and spices that take bruising away. Put your feet in the bowl and let them soak a few minutes," Erik explained to me.
I put my aching feet into the bowl and at first it stung terribly. Finally my feet went numb.
Erik sat back at his usual position at the piano and started playing. The music almost put me to sleep but I stayed awake.
After the few minutes was up Erik took the bowl away. I lifted up one foot to inspect. The bruise was barely visible!
What a genious….
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