"Do you think it was wise to just let him have this dinner with her? He could be trying to woo her as we speak," Nadir said to Annabel and Darius as they waited for dinner at her house. Besides being such an exceptional barber, she was also an amazing cook and her dishes, while unique, were delicious.
"If you want him to leave, then yes. He seems like the guy who would keep his word. Besides, does he really have it in him to leave his wife of ten years," she said as she served them food. Nadir looked at her curiously. "Oh, don't worry. It's steak."
"You're telling the truth?"
"It is, master, or she must have found the right seasonings to make it taste like it," Darius said as he kept eating the meat.
He looked at her again and she reaffirmed, "It is just steak. I wouldn't do that to you. Besides, the good meat is in a cooler downstairs," she said as she sat down and started eating. Despite how delicious the food was, she seemed to look . . . disappointed.
"What do you think he's doing right now," Nadir said as he angrily cut his steak.
"Well, it's nine o'clock, so the show must be over by now. Maybe they're finishing their conversation and he is debating whether to kiss her or not," Annabel teased, but Nadir slammed his fist on the table.
"Don't you dare say something like that, Annabel! Now is not the time for you to tease me," he yelled as he slammed his fist on the table, but she pulled out her razor in self-defense. "Don't pull out that little thing. What can you do with that?"
"Nadir, out of everyone I know, you know best what this little blade can do."
"Can you two stop fighting? I swear, you two fight like a married couple," Darius yelled after finishing his meal. The two of them snapped out of their argument and continued eating. "That's better."
"You know, Darius, you are the only guy who can talk me out of killing someone. Too bad that silver tongue couldn't convince Rachel to be curious about what is going on with Christopher."
"I tried my best, but she didn't see any reason to be concerned. She trusts him."
"Well, it wasn't good enough," Nadir said.
"I'm sorry, master, but what else could I do?"
"You could have dragged her to that show and made sure that the two of them didn't meet."
"And let her know that we know about their little secret? We would have betrayed her trust and we would have been seen as backstabbers," she said.
"So what?"
"Unlike you, I try to make good appearances to people. After all, it hides the demons that lurk in a person's soul."
"How funny, coming from you. How was your last encounter with Lilliana," he said teasingly. He knew how much she hated that Englishwoman.
"It could have gone better, but I think I handled it well. Speaking of which, after dinner, I need to get a drink at the bar," she said as she tried to calm her growing anger.
"You just left the bar to make dinner. Don't you think you've had enough," Darius asked out of genuine concern.
"You can never drink too much liquor," she said as she drank out of her flask.
"Though, what's in that isn't just liquor, is it," Nadir asked.
"You know me too well, don't you," she said as she took another bite out of her food.
After a moment of silence, Nadir asked, "Are you certain that he will leave after this?"
"Yes, he should leave, unless he learns the truth."
"Erika, you have to open the door. Please, just answer my question," Christopher said as he continually knocked on her office door. The sneaky woman locked the door, but he thought she would eventually give in. Why would she run away from him? What was she hiding? All he wanted was an answer, but now, it seemed that the answer was pretty clear.
"Go away, Christopher. I enjoyed your company, but you need to leave now," she said through the door, though her voice seemed to crack.
"No, I'm not leaving until you give me an answer. Who is Diana's mother?"
"You promised me you would leave after dinner. Well, it's the end, so go."
"You think after all this time I would leave you like this? I don't want this to be my last memory of you before I leave."
"Monsieur Daaé," a voice said. He looked and saw Diana looking at him banging the door. "Is something wrong?"
"Diana, I'm actually glad to see you. Can you answer some questions for me?"
"S-Sure; what would you like to know," she asked nervously.
"You told me your mother is Fantôme, correct?"
"Y-Yes."
"And she is the manager of this theater, correct?"
"Well, yes."
"Does she wear a mask to hide her face from everyone?"
"Yes. She won't take it off for anyone except me and Nadir."
"And what does her face look like," he asked, slightly surprised that Erika would show her face to her child. Well, it wasn't too surprising, really. She can't hide her face from her own flesh and blood.
"I guess it's pretty scary for some, but I don't find it scary."
"And is her real name Erika Destler?"
She was quiet. "Well, everyone calls her Fantôme, but I hear Madame Giry and Meg call her Erika. I just call her mom."
"So, Erika is your mother?"
"Y-Yes, but why won't she let you in her office?"
"I want to ask her a question, but she won't answer it. Is there any way you can get inside?"
"I have a key," she said as she pulled out her gold key from her pocket.
"Thank you," he said as she slid the key in the keyhole and unlocked the door. He hurriedly opened the door, but to his surprise, she wasn't there. She vanished; not a trace of her anywhere. Didn't he hear her voice? However, he saw the large mirror without the cover over it and walked toward it. "You can't fool me twice, Erika. I know you're little mirror trick, remember?" Silence.
"Mama, he really wants to see you again. He . . . loves you, right," Diana asked. Christopher looked at her with curious eyes. "Even a child like me could see that. If he wants to see you this badly, then he must love you. The real question is . . . do you love him back?" Silence. "Mother, I know you love him too. You have articles about him hanging on your wall along with articles about the theater. Plus, there's one name I hear all the time: Christopher."
"Please, just answer me. If you do, I'll leave," he practically begged. There was a moment of silence, but they heard something click and not long after, the mirror began to move on its own. Once it was open, Erika stepped out with tears running down her cheek. "So, is it true?"
"What's the point in asking that question anymore? Haven't you figured it out already," she said, almost angry at him, but mostly herself.
"I want to hear it from you," he said gently.
"Fine, yes, it's true. Diana is my daughter," she blurted.
"Why didn't you tell me," he said as he tried to hug her, but she pulled away.
"What's the point in me telling you?"
"You wanted to keep me a secret," Diana asked, almost insulted by the statement.
"No, I didn't mean it like that," she said as hugged her child.
"Well, I only have one more question: who is the father," Christopher asked.
"Can we just drop this? You got your answer; now go," she said rather coldly.
"Just one more question. Who is the father? I need to know."
"Isn't it obvious? Honestly, who do you think is the father?"
"Nadir?"
"He has been a big help over the years, but if I haven't allowed myself to even love him, then I for sure wouldn't sleep with him."
He thought about it and finally realized something. "How old is she?"
"She's ten years old."
"Ten . . . years . . . old. You left me ten years ago after we . . . ," he said as his eyes opened. "Am I the father?"
"It took you this long to figure it out?"
He looked at her with shock. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Not only was Diana her child, but . . . she was his child too. "I . . . I can't believe it. I . . . I have a daughter," he said in shock.
"Mother, what's going on," Diana asked, trying to figure out what the two of them have been saying this whole time.
Erika looked at her and said, "Diana, you do remember that I said your father is a good man, right?"
"Yes, but are you saying . . . ,"
"Yes; your father is the man you see right before you. Christopher Daaé, meet your child, Diana Destler," she said as she slightly pushed her toward him. She was too shocked to respond, but he knelt down and gave her a hug.
"It's good to meet you at last, Diana," he said, almost about to cry. However, he felt tears falling into his shoulder.
"Father? I never would have guessed that I would meet you! I almost started to believe that I didn't have a father," she said in between the tears.
"You know something," he said as he looked into her eyes. "There was something about you that was so familiar to me and it wasn't just that you look a lot like your mother, but it was because I saw some of myself in you. It took me this long to realize it." He heard someone crying, but it wasn't Diana this time. He looked up and saw Erika with tears running down her cheek and mask. "Why didn't you tell me about her sooner?"
"Well, I didn't want to trap you or give you a reason to leave your wife. I thought that you might have kids of your own and forgotten about me and I thought letting you know you have a child by me would complicate things, so I let you believe this lie."
"And has Nadir been a good father to her?"
"Well, I don't think she views him as her father and neither do I, but he does love her like she was one of his own. In a way, yes, he has."
"I'm glad to hear that," he said as he hugged Erika. "But I really don't want to leave you two now, not after all of this."
She was quiet, but Erika said, "You can sing once more at my theater. After that, will you promise to leave?"
"You're going to make him leave," Diana said, starting to cry again.
"As much as it pains me to, he has to go and live with his wife. I'm afraid he can't stay with us."
"But-," he tried to say, but she touched his lips with her finger.
"One more song. That's all I ask. After that, you should leave. You're still in danger."
"Danger?"
"Yes, Diana, and the longer he stays here, the more danger he and his wife will be put in. Please, Christopher. Will you do as I ask?"
He was quiet, but said, "Fine, but can I do one more thing before I leave?"
"What is it?"
"This," he said as he kissed her. He has been waiting ten years to do this again and he knew she felt the exact same way, even though she wouldn't admit it. True, he kissed her when he first found her, but it didn't feel as emotional as it did now and she knew that too.
Through closed door, Annabel Lee heard the entire conversation and despite what a catastrophe this would be to Nadir, she seemed . . . happy. She was smiling knowing that he finally learned the truth about Diana. In her heart, she knew that Nadir would never win Erika's heart and secretly hoped that this plan will fail, which it has the longer he has stayed here, whether it be her fault or not. After all, if someone should have Nadir's heart, it should be . . . her. "I'm glad I decided to take this detour. How can he expect to win her heart after all that? He doesn't stand a chance."
"I'll have another drink," Rachel said as she drank down her ninth shot of vodka. It was late in the night, almost midnight, but she has been at this bar for hours. She was an absolute wreck with her makeup smeared from all the tears pouring out of her eyes and her hair a mix of curls and long straight hair since she kept messing with it, whether pulling it or pushing her bangs out of her face.
"I think you've had enough, Madame," the bartender said as he cleaned the glasses.
"I said I would like another shot," she practically yelled. Luckily, she was the only one there, so she wasn't bothering anyone.
"You know, I find it sad to see someone drink down their problems when they could work to solve them. There's a reason why you're drinking tonight, I presume?"
"My husband . . . he's found an old flame."
"Oh, so has he left you for her?"
"Not yet and I fear that he will . . . but why wouldn't he? I mean, look at me! I'm not the pretty little girl who cheered him on during one of his shows. I've lost everything and I can't even provide the things he needs," she said as she started to cry again.
"I don't understand why wives who have husbands cheat on them think that it's their fault that he left. Wake up! He's to blame."
"You don't get it! I made a promise to him and that woman that I would be the wife that would give him everything he needs, but I can't even bear children for him, but she has already given him a daughter."
"I still think you aren't to blame, darling. Well, my shift is over and the next guy will come and help you. I hope everything goes well for you," he said as he started to leave. However, as soon as he left the door, the next person came in. However, he didn't take off his coat and began to work.
"I would like a glass of wine, please," she said to him. "I've had a long night. . . . Leave the hurt behind."
"I can see that, Rachel, and I'm sorry I caused you this pain," a familiar voice said, which alarmed Rachel. She looked at the bartender and she could finally see a white mask covering the bartender's face.
"It's you," she said angrily as she got up from her chair, but she was so drunk that she fell to the ground on her bottom. "I should have known you wanted to gloat."
"What are you talking about? I just wanted to talk to you like gentlewomen," Erika said calmly, as if she was trying to tame a wild animal. She tried to help her up, but Rachel scooted away from her and got up herself.
"What's the point? You've won! He's not going to leave you! You were the love of his life, or should I say, you are the love of his life. I'm nothing compared to you," she said angrily.
"He chose to marry you. He loves you because if he didn't, he would have left you to find me."
"He loves me? You must be joking. It's only because you told him to not find you! Otherwise, he would have searched the whole world for you! All this time, he did this all for you and loved me because you told him to and despite I love him with all my heart, I wasn't the woman that could provide for him. Do you realize what you have done? You have given him a reason to stay in this dreadful country all because of that stupid letter!"
"Rachel, I didn't write that letter. My friend, Nadir, did. He sent that letter hoping to prove me wrong, but he was in fact the wrong one. I never intended all of this."
"That's right, I heard about that, but it doesn't matter now! Does he know that Diana is his daughter?"
Erika looked at Rachel in shock. "How did you-,"
"Annabel Lee told me! Apparently your worst enemy is now my best friend in this godforsaken country. She's the only person here who tells me the truth. I trust her."
"Rachel, I'm warning you now: if you continue to keep close contact with her, I guarantee that she will kill you."
"What? Are you serious? Why would she do that?"
"She is a murderer working with Nadir!"
"Oh, now you're a liar? She's a sweet woman with a temper."
"She is a cold-blooded killer with a bloodlust."
"She is a woman lovesick for a man who loves someone else," Rachel blurted. Erika's eyes widened at the statement. "She doesn't want this plan to work out. In fact, she is rooting for you two to get together since she believes that Nadir will finally give up and love her."
"I . . . I didn't think anyone like her would fall in love with someone. Still, she is filling your head with lies."
"Is she? I would know what it feels like when the man I love falls in love with another woman."
"Rachel, have you forgotten that I felt that pain too? I was an utter wreck and severely hurt when I saw you two kiss. I became a person seeking revenge."
"Right, that same person that burned down the Opera Populaire, right? Well, the difference between you and me is that he has always loved you. Even when he was with me, he would always say your name or have you on his mind. I was just a distraction."
"Rachel-,"
"I don't want to speak with you anymore! Just go," she said angrily. "It was a mistake to have come here."
"All right, but I just wanted to let you know that Christopher will be singing at the Fantôme Theater and I wanted you to see him sing again. After that, I have asked him to leave."
"Why would he leave after he learned that he has a child? I bet he would want to be part of its life."
"She is not an it. Her name is Diana and all I ask is for you to watch him sing and to stay away from Annabel Lee. Please," she said as she left the bar regretfully. Rachel just plopped onto the bar stool and started to cry like a little child. It was bad enough that she felt worthless, but did that woman have to show her face now out of all times? Why wouldn't she be crying after all of that?
"Oh, you poor girl; you can't look like this the next time you see Christopher. You are a noblewoman, after all," a voice said. Rachel looked up and saw that it was Annabel Lee. "You look like a mess. You know, I have some makeup at my shop and I can fix up your hair for you."
"T-That would be great," she said as she wiped her tears.
"If you're hungry, I can make you something to eat."
"I would like that."
"Here you go, dearie; some delicious meat pies," Annabel said as she served her new friend some freshly made meat pies. As promised, she fixed Rachel's hair and makeup while giving her generous amounts of alcohol to the point that she was more noticeably drunk. Annabel sat down as she watched Rachel eat one of the meat pies and she loved what she tasted.
"This is delicious! I've never tasted a meat pie like this," she said as she stuffed her face with more.
"Well, I'm sure you haven't. It's a very different meat that you can't find in stores, but I have ways of finding it," she said with a smile.
"You have to tell me what it is! Maybe I can find it for myself and make these."
"I'm afraid if I told you, you wouldn't eat anymore."
"Please, I'm begging you. What's your secret ingredient," Rachel begged.
Annabel's face faded by the question. She would be disgusted by what she was eating, that was a given, but she did promise her that she wouldn't lie to her. Well, of course she was going to keep some secrets, but she hasn't had a female friend in a long time. "If I tell you, you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone. I don't want anyone, especially your husband, to find out about this. Promise?"
"I promise," she said as she raised her left hand and placed her right on her heart.
"All right; my secret ingredient is hum-," she tried to say, but she heard the bell ring from the front room, which meant one thing. "Oh, it's a customer."
"It's nearly one in the morning and you're still open?"
"I'm open twenty-four hours a day. I've noticed the men around here are so busy during the day that they can't get a shave whenever they want, so they wait till the wee hours of the morning to get one," she said as she headed for the front room, but stopped to say, "You should get some rest, dearie. You've had a long day."
"Are you sure? You just fixed my hair and makeup? I'll ruin it if I go to bed," she said as she tried to get up, but nearly fell out of the chair.
"It's all right; I can fix it in the morning. Besides, you need rest and you shouldn't come downstairs," she said as she helped her up the stairs to a spare guest room.
"Why? You're not a . . . prostitute are you?"
"No, I'm not, honestly. You need to rest and I can help you with your problem tomorrow. Promise me you won't come downstairs."
"I promise," she said as Annabel guided her to the bed. Rachel closed the door and Annabel headed downstairs to the man anxiously waiting for her in the waiting room.
"This is a pretty place you've got here, miss. I'm surprised you're still open," the man said.
"Well, I need all the customers I can get. Have a seat, why don't you," she said as she guided the man to a chair. As she gathered the materials she needed, she asked, "Do you have a family, sir?"
"Well, I used to, but not anymore. My wife of ten years left me for a man she met in Germany and took the kids with her," he said regretfully.
"Oh, that's awful," she said in a fake sad tone. What he said was music to her ears. She was running low on food anyway.
Rachel was getting bored in her room. For some reason, despite being drunk, she wasn't tired. There was something keeping her awake. In fact, it was her stomach. It felt like she was going to . . .
She ran out to look for the nearest bathroom. There wasn't any upstairs, so she was forced to go downstairs, breaking her promise to Annabel Lee, but she had no choice. She ran down the stairs as fast as she could and ran to the nearest bathroom she could, passing Annabel and the man covered in red. Once she ran into the bathroom, she threw up the meat pies and booze from tonight until there seemed to be nothing left. Though, this was all too familiar to her. The poor girl has been doing this almost every month whenever she had access to alcohol. It was sad, but that's why she had Christopher with her. He helped control her and encouraged her to not drink. He was a good husband to her, but was she a good wife to him?
Once she was done, she washed her face, washing away the makeup in the process and cleaned herself up. She walked out the bathroom and was heading upstairs, but she saw Annabel hurriedly cleaning up some red on the mirror and floor and there was a sheet over the chair she just saw the man sit on. "What's going on here, Annabel," she asked, but as soon as she saw Annabel, she noticed that her dress seemed to have red spilled on it. In fact, there was a lot. "What happened? Are you okay," she asked worriedly.
"I told you to stay upstairs," she scolded.
"I had to . . . Where did that guy go?"
"He left. Now go back upstairs. I'll talk to you later," she said, but soon, the sheet started to slide off on its own, revealing the man with his throat slit and blood all over his clothes and chair.
"Oh my god! What the hell happened?"
"Rachel, I'm warning you now, go upstairs now and sleep or I will make you," she said threateningly.
"Annabel, what happened? D-Did you kill that man?"
"Get upstairs now," she said as she showed her the razor, now coated with red blood. "You don't want to make me hurt you."
