Well well, thanks for all the support you guys have been giving me till now. I've enjoyed some great reviews even if few... people if you are reading I would like to know what you think.
You Are Love: Thanks for the support and the help you've been giving me. This Chapter and the next are for you
Guest(ch8): I'm not French, though I love the language, I'm from Portugal and back in the 19th century a cravate was what you call a tie but a tie would be a bow-tie. Chaise Long is a kind of sofa and not a chair. thanks for reviewing and hope you continue to read. Any doubts PM me.
Now... Chapter 9
For days now Erik was wearing one of Nadir's suit or his Don Juan costume. Nadir's clothes were too small for one as tall as Erik and his Don Juan clothes were ruined with his own blood so Erik asked Nadir to arrange for three new suits to be made, in a cheaper fabric than it used to be, and in a more practical fashion, even if it was in the same palette of colours he was used to wear. Being for Monsieur Chevalier, his most well-paying costumer, the old tailor promised Nadir that he could return to get the suits. And so he did.
Every day after just after breakfast Nadir went for his morning stroll passing by the Opera Populaire and la Madeleine church. Erik's tailor was very close to the opera. It was a small old shop with wooden walls, a few mirrors here and there, an old balcony close to the door and two doors at the end of the store leading to fitting rooms.
The owner and master tailor had only seen Erik twice. The first at eighteen before he left to Italy and the last when he ordered a set of suits after he had returned from Persia, from that moment on he had his measurements and a man the tailor only knew as the Persian was the one to do and get his orders. Nadir was received with a kind smile from the old master and in few moments he had before him three different paper packages each one with a different set of suit with shirt and vest as it had been ordered.
"Forgive my indiscretion Monsieur, but his Monsieur Chevalier having financial problems?" The old tailor asked tying the packages.
"Monsieur just thought wise to reduce his expenses on clothing. He chose the same fabric from his initial orders, because besides being cheaper it has a longer resistance and looks a good as the other ones." Nadir answered with a gentle smile. That had been exactly the same answer Erik had given him when he had asked why.
"C'est vrai, Monsieur." Said the old man placing the packages before Nadir. Nadir paid him for his work and then he left with the packages under his arm and his cane in hand.
As the cold air hit Nadir face he raised his jackets lapels to keep the cold away as much as he was able. Looking around one would see that the once fine pastel colours were now fine shades of grey as the sky threatened another tempest and the snow covered the floor. The once magnificent Opera house was now in ruins. 'Allah! Once he knows how many deaths he as cacao no one will be able to give him some peace of mind. I should never have taken him to Persia. A man's sanity only goes so far.' Nadir thought continuing his way. Shortly after, he passed by La Madeleine church only to hear to familiar voices arguing. Nadir looked to the entrance to see three men and a woman. Two of the men were wearing French guard uniforms and the woman was clearly Christine which made the third man, a very angry Raoul de Chagny. As Nadir came closer he could begin to hear altered voices.
"Raoul, be reasonable. We can still safe whatever remains of what once was beautiful friendship." Christine pleaded looking into his eyes. One could see by the look in the young Vicomte's eyes how utterly annoyed he was. Only could only expect violence to come out of him and just as Raoul was about to grab Christine by her arm, Nadir hit his hand with his cane.
"Mademoiselle is this young fellow bothering you?" Nadir asked standing by Christine's side and keeping Raoul at a distance by pointing the end of his cane to his chest.
"How dare you? You are you anyway?" Raoul was so furious that Nadir almost believed that the boy would snap and commit the stupidity of trying to punch him.
"Raoul this is Monsieur Khan, a friend of the family." Christine answered introducing the two men. "Monsieur Khan, this is the Vicomte de Chagny."
"Charmed monsieur but I'm afraid this has nothing to do with you and we should get going. Christine…" Raoul said extending his arm to Christine.
"Actually I'm here to escort Christine back home." Nadir explained smiling gently at Christine. "Madame is worried about you, child. Once she knew I had to go get some packages she asked me to look for you."
"Then we must go." Christine stated holding Nadir's arm. "As usual it was a delight speaking to you Raoul. And please do keep those guards of yours away from my family, especially Meg and me. We never gave you reasons to not trust us."
"Don't even think about it Christine Daae. There's no way I'm going to do that." Raoul declared, looking at Christine, crossly.
"You will, Raoul. If you want us to remain friends you will do what I'm asking." And there she went without giving him a chance to protest.
True to his word, Nadir escorted Christine to Roxanne's house through the beautiful Paris, but once they got to the opera house the past came running back to Christine's memory. It was dreadful to see one of the most beautiful buildings in the city in those conditions; it was painful to see the place she had once called home like that. She had no one to blame but Erik and herself for being foolish. Seeing how upset Christine was by the sight of the ruined Opera, Nadir took her arm and led her way from there as fast as he could.
"Does Erik know about the numbers?" Christine asked with her head low and avoid Nadir's gaze.
"He does not. I fear what he might do when he does." Nadir answered gravely. "He has a good heart and the memory of the things he has done pains his conscience. Just last night he woke up with a nightmare and the poor man reopened his wound."
Christine went pale like the wall behind her. It had been two days since she last saw him or had had any news of her love, of course she was worried. What nightmare had that been that was able to get upset in such a manner? Nadir wasn't going to answer her and she doubted Erik would but never the less she needed to see him, she had to be sure he was alright. She wasn't about to argue with Nadir and as they arrived to Roxanne's house, and knowing that they were being followed, she made him promise to return with a carriage to take her to see Erik.
At Nadir's house Erik was sitting at the desk with a small set of tools for the construction of a small music box. He had started early in the morning trying to shake of an odd feeling that something was telling him Christine needed him. As much as he tried to shake it by burying his in the work he was doing on an old jewellery box and a small musical pendent he could not. His heart screamed that he should be with Christine; protect her like a true suitor should.
Suddenly Erik heard the door downstairs making him hid himself behind the only thing big enough to hide him, the door. After Darius opened the door Nadir entered and put away his cane in the umbrella stand in the hall and went upstairs looking for Erik in the study, place where he spent the whole day when Christine was not around. He entered the room letting Erik relax while he did the same putting aside the packages on top of his old desk and sat himself in the armchair.
"My friend, forgive me but I must say. You look like hell." Erik remarked siting himself on the chaise long. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, thank goodness and a very high spirited woman. You really know how to choose them, Erik." Nadir took off his glasses to clean them with his handkerchief.
"A very high spirited woman… choose them? What is going on with Christine?" Erik got up in a jump and started walking around the room worriedly. "Is she well? Has anything happened to her? Please Nadir. Answer before I forget myself." Nadir hadn't seen him so worried in ages, actually since he knew of Gustave Daae's death.
"Erik François Chevalier, calm down. She is just fine; I left her at Roxanne's after I prevented a disaster between mademoiselle Daae and that vicomte to whom you call a boy and a fop." Nadir answered putting his glasses back on.
"What?" Erik breathed in a very low and threatening voice, much like the Phantom he used to be.
"They argued in front La Madeleine. It surely was about those nonsense vigils he had put on her and the Girys. Raoul was about to grab her by the arm when I hit his hand with my cane. After that I escorted Christine home and left."
"I'm to return and get Christine at Roxanne's house. She wants to see you." Nadir informed as Erik got to his feet with a concerned look on his face and a disappointed one in his eye. Nadir couldn't help but wonder why the change of mood. Usually when Erik found that his love wanted to see him, his demeanour would change for the better. If his heart was heavy it would turn itself light, but now it looked even more heavy and weary like those new pained him more than what he just heard.
Erik let himself fall back in the chaise long feeling foolish, thoughtless, stupid and sick to his stomach. How could he even think about working when Christine needed him like that? How had Raoul dared to touch Christine like that? Erik felt like the worst of the two and he wondered if Christine would ever forgive him for not being there?
Too numb to protest to Nadir's advises, Erik took a long bath before lunch and dressed himself in a brand new set of clothes and once he was done he returned to his work. With his shirt's sleeves rolled Erik picked up the small turn screw and then he bolted up and ran to the kitchen. He asked Darius to go out and get candles than he asked Nadir to tell Christine that they were going to have lessons.
"Are you insane?" Nadir asked getting up from his sit. "You can't possibly play piano with your arm like that!"
"You said the same about getting that jewellery box and yet I'm doing it." Erik answered turning his back to Nadir. "Ah! I almost forgot. You can have the study until seven."
"What?! You have to be kidding me! Now you boss me around my own house?!" Nadir asked in shock.
"I'm trying to have a romantic dinner with the woman I love and I can't have you looking over every five minutes." Erik explained.
"Allah, give me strength." Nadir said looking up. "Please do respect the girl and whatever you do don't ruin my tapestry."
"Nadir, I may have a temper, but I proud myself of being a gentleman, so don't even think about assuming that I won't respect Christine." Erik said trying to remain calm.
Darius returned a little later with a bag of candles and started arranging for some candelabra that he would place around the room as Erik has asked him. Later Erik would make sure that everything was perfect just before Christine came into the study.
After lunch, Nadir sent Darius with a rented carriage to Roxanne's apartment and he remained home with a very nervous Erik who was driving him insane with so much walking around. It took some time for Erik to desist and sit at the piano looking at its keys, tickling them with his right hand. He would have to wait.
Meg was at the window when she saw a carriage stopping at the door. Darius got out from the carriage and looked up, calling Meg to come down as they always did when Christine wanted to see Erik. As she wasn't under so strict vigilance it was easy for Christine to move wearing Meg's cloak and like always the guards didn't check the woman's identity so she entered the carriage without being noticed.
At Darius signal, the driver whipped the horses and the carriage started going. Christine was surprised for not seeing Nadir in the carriage but she wasn't really worried. A man like Nadir had to have more important things to do than to look after an insignificant girl like herself. As long as she saw Erik she would be fine.
As they arrived to the apartment Christine took off her cloak and put it way in the coat hanger. She heard Nadir's voice inviting her into the drawing room. She walked to the lit up room and stood still had the door. In front of her were two man, both looking at her, both very elegant, one was an older man with a warm gentle smile, olive skinned, black grayish hair and well-trimmed beard and green eyes behind reading glasses, but the other was completely different. Younger, paler, hair completely black, two very black, very intense eyes looking right into hers, seeing right in to her soul. Her air got caught in her throat but her heart kept pounding like it wanted to break free from her chest. Erik was indeed a very handsome man. He had a slender figure, broad shoulders, strong features and she knew he was very athletic under that white shirt.
When Christine appeared at the drawing room Erik felt unable to look away from her. She was a very beautiful woman and looked absolutely stunning in her emerald dress bringing out the lovely grey in her eyes. He couldn't help but smiling at her responding at that hidden smile in her eyes.
They remained so still that tension could be cut with a very sharp knife but after some time Christine ended up giving him a very large and encouraging smile urging him to come closer and but seeing his hesitation she ruched to hug him close to her chest.
"I've missed you so much." Christine confessed resting her head on his chest and just feeling whole. Erik caressed her hair, kissed her forehead and remained silent enjoying the cheer delight of having his angel close to him, letting all problems drift away, but then he remembered what Nadir had told him and he went tense. That was Nadir's cue to leave unnoticed.
"Erik, have I hurt you?" Christine gently asked as she raised her head to look him in the eyes. For an orangey ice his eyes turned into a warm fire. Erik raised his hand and brushed a curl of hair away from her beautiful alabaster skin.
"No. I'm fine, but Nadir told me what happened today. Why, Christine? Why didn't you tell me?" Erik asked looking right into her eyes. "This wasn't the first time he was brutal to you."
"No it wasn't and I'm afraid it won't be the last." Christine answered; her voice was so vulnerable, so broken, and so fragile that no one would believe that that voice belonged to a trained soprano. Christine felt Erik's arms tighten his hold around her and she rested her head on his chest once more, feeling safer than ever before. "I couldn't tell you the truth. I can't lose you and I knew that you would go after Raoul and he would have you put away or worse. He would have killed you on the spot."
"Why would he treat you in such a fashion is what I don't understand. Didn't he claim to love you?" He asked bringing her closer to the sofa an inviting her to sit.
"The way he behaves I don't know what to think. I care for him and love him like a brother and I believe he truly loved me once, but now... Now he treats me like some object. Too pretty to not be desired, but an object no less." She explained seeing Erik's hands gently hold hers. Erik brought her hands to his lips and saw a greenish-blue bruise. The sight of Christine's skin mark by such a disgusting sign of brutality made him want Raoul's head served to him on a platter, even better, a very long and slow torture followed by a certain vicomte being skinned alive and ending with a vicomte stew for rabid dogs.
"I don't like it!" Christine's voice broke Erik's chain of thought.
"What is it that you don't like?" Erik asked looking up to find her eyes. Christine released her hand and raised it to caress his cheek. "The coldness in your eyes just now." She answered tracing his brow. Erik felt the warmth of her hand melting his heart and he felt guilty. Raoul wasn't worth losing Christine's love and she needed someone who protect her or at least to comfort her once the wrong was already done.
"Forgive me." Erik begged holding her hand on his cheek and looking down. "I feel worthless. You were made to be protected, loved and cherished, and I can't protect you. I can't protect you because I'm a wanted man." Christine couldn't help but blush and chock at Erik's complement, even if he was loathing himself in the process. He wasn't one to make easy complements, being as demanding of others Gas he was of himself, pushing himself and others to the best they could be, even if in a little inadequate fashion to put it mildly. That was why one could believe that his complements were heart felt. It took a while for Christine to recover and once she did, she realised that Erik was waiting for her to say something.
"Then love me, be there for me. As long as I have you here, I will have reasons to smile." She said snuggling next to him and wrapping his waist with her arms. Erik didn't resisted or fought her need to have him close, yet he commented on her short yet awkward silence. Apparently it had got him thinking that he might have offended her.
"Forgive my silence. I'm still a little stunned, in a good way, by your complement." Christine confessed with a light smile on her lips as she nuzzled her head on the curve of his neck. "Do you really think that?"
"I don't think. I know. The way your father talked about you, the pride in his eyes was enough to see how much he loved you and I'm sure he would have Raoul's head if he was still alive." Erik answered caressing her hair. "He was right to be proud of you. The child I once knew became a stunning woman with the voice of an angel and, as Nadir would very wisely - something he rarely is - put it, with high spirits."
"Don't be mean. Nadir is ma king you a favour by letting you stay in his house." She recalled him lazily. "And those are very high expectations for me to live up to."
"Shush. You are enjoying this." He said getting from his sit and walking to the piano. As he took a sit got up to her feet and stood right behind him. She saw his hands hover over the ivory keys just before he started to play. Soon his fingers started to do their magic on the upright piano and the melody he was making sounded like a beautiful sunset filled with the promise of tomorrow. A tomorrow filled with love, an immortal love, a wonderful life even with all the highs and lows a life together could bring.
Placing her hands on top of his shoulders, Christine smiled filling whole again, like his music was enough to sustain her, making her soul soar beyond her own boundaries. Finally she understood the power his music had on her and for the very first time she just enjoyed his genius. Erik's music wasn't just music; it was more, much more. When Erik played or singed he behaved like a painter, using the notes to paint not only the portrait he was willing to give but images of beauty, bearing his soul for everyone who was willing to see and his soul was as beautiful as his music.
"Did you like it?" Erik asked touching Christine's hand and squeezing it gently. Christine smiled and gave him a small peck on his cheek and then sat right beside him. To say just yes would never be enough. The things he had made her feel went beyond any simple explanation and yet he deserved an answer.
"It's your best composition yet, my love." She answered looking right into his eyes. She had spoken so fast that she only noticed what she had said when Erik looked at her astonished and that precise moment she felt her cheeks burn from embracement.
"I never thought I would actually hear you say that." Erik confessed looking at the piano trying to keep her embracement away from her eyes. Then he looked at her from the corner of the eye. "Do you mean what you just called me?"
"Oh God! Yes." She confessed under her breath. "I had hoped that you wouldn't be wearing that thing when I called you this way for the first time, but yes I mean it. With all my heart, I mean it."
"Christine, you won't ever need to see this excuse of face ever again." He protested getting up from his sit. He couldn't go through the pain of seeing a disgusted look in his beloved eyes, not again. He remembered all the disgusted looks, all the screams, all the humiliating laughs, and the pain all of it caused him. He could survive any stranger's glares, but not Christine's... never hers.
"The way you looked at me the first time you saw my face…" Erik had his back turned to her but his voice was enough to reveal the pain he was in.
"Erik I was a silly girl and I should never have removed your mask without asking, but it wasn't your face that made run from you." Christine explained getting up and walking to him. The moment she touch his arm she felt him flinch and she heard him. "What was it then?" Christine extended a hesitant hand to caress his cheek and she hopped he wouldn't reject her. This time he leaned into her hand and sighed encouraging her to speak.
"Your temper, your anger… it caught me of guard." Christine answered making him look at her. "You had all right to be upset and mad at the ignorant little girl that had stripped away your dignity, but I never feared your face. I didn't then and don't now."
"Christine…" He looked at her, his eyes filled with tears of regret. "I didn't care about my dignity. I cared about you, I feared that you would do something crazy and I couldn't stand to lose you. I ran to Persia because a woman I cared about had killed herself after seeing my face. I was trying to protect you."
"I don't want this kind of protection." She protested. "I want to beg you forgiveness for stealing your mask and ask you to give a second chance."
"A second chance to see my face?" He asked grabbing her arm. Christine's heart stopped for a moment and she gulped, relaxing the moment she noticed Erik's eyes becoming warmer and felt him loosen his grip. He let go of her arm and returned to the piano bench.
"Forgive me. I don't know what came over me." He mumbled running his fingers through his hair.
"You lost your temper, but you controlled yourself. This is good." Christine smiled encouragingly and getting closer to him. "My love, I'm so proud of you." Erik felt the velvet of her dress rubbing against his knuckles and he looked up. Christine looked Erik in his eyes and saw again that very silent and yet screaming pain in them. She hugged him close letting him lean his head on her chest and caressing gently his hair. Erik's hand instead of involving her waist went up her arms so he would have her even closer like they would melt in each other if they could. Erik could hear Christine's steady heartbeat and breathing, like the beat behind the most beautiful symphony. She felt him relax and she took the chance to continue.
"I wanted a chance to prove you that you don't need to use this around me." She touched the cold mask and this time Erik didn't even flinch encouraging her to come closer. Christine sat next to Erik and sighed in resignation. "Kissing you with a mask won't feel as good as without a mask, but I can wait."
Erik looked at Christine and gave her a light smile. He had to admit it the woman knew her away to go around his crust and pull the strings of his heart. He could deny her nothing so he turned to her straddling the bench, let out shaky intake of breath and closed his eyes. Christine raised her hands, fearing that he would be mad at her if she removed his mask, fearing that this was just a test to prove he could trust her to give him his own time, but he would have closed his eyes if he did not expect her do it. Erik felt Christine's fingertips brush the edge of his mask and he fought himself to keep still and then he felt the cold air touching his skin, but what he felt next left him paralysed.
