I don't own POTO. I do own the OC of Cosette, Edessa, Aimee and Randolph. All characters (not the OC's) look like they do in the ALW movie(2004). Please Read & Review and tell me how the chapter is. Also I don't own the Romeo & Juliet quote.
A/N This chapter has a family theme too let me what you think. Thank you~Serria Spell23
Ch.9-Related to My Enemy
I sat on my bed one of Erik's roses lying beside me. I heard a knock at my door I stayed stationary, not wanting to face whoever was outside. My eyes were red and puffy from crying. True, Edessa failed but I sensed it was temporary. I carried the rose tenderly in my hands as I crossed to the room to answer the door.
"Who is it?" I called, my voice breaking a little from the pain. "If you're Erik you've wasted your time. I do not wish to speak to you." The person chuckled on the other side. I put my ear to the wood straining to hear a reply. "Well?"
"It's your mother, Cosette," Aimee said, "what's wrong?" I opened the door and flopped down on my bed letting a loud humph escape my lips. I buried my face in my pillow so my voice was muted when I spoke.
My mother sat beside me running her fingers through my hair. I wiped my eyes, making eye-contact with her. "Erik that's what's wrong!" She smiled slightly she knew what I was going through.
"It's okay, sweetie. Your father gave me chase for years then he finally came to his senses. He's good a man and I'm sure Erik is too he's just afraid of commitment."
"Yeah," I retorted "afraid of commitment is right!" I shook my head stubbornly. Aimee gazed at me. She sensed pain within my heart, conflict brought on by this constant game of cat and mouse. I touched one of my tormentor's rose petals with a caring hand. I wanted to hate him but I simply couldn't. It wasn't Erik's fault if his heart felt torn between Edessa and me.
I sighed hopefully he would come around. My mother laughed a little pushing a strand of red hair from my face. "Erik reminds me a lot of your father, Cosette," Aimee told me. "Stubborn and unable to decide what he's feeling."
"Who is my father?" I questioned crossing my fingers for luck. She looked at me her light blue orbs almost frightened.
"Randolph de Changy, sweetie, I call him Randy." My whole body went cold. I gasped for air; I truly was shocked.
Raoul's my brother! You have got to be kidding! I felt lightheaded I was going to faint. He abused me, tormented me my whole childhood talk about sibling rivalry.
"Mom as in Raoul de Changy?" I asked, "Please don't tell me you mean what I think you mean." She nodded solemnly. My stomach twisted into a tight, painful knot. Tears sprang to my eyes I refused to accept it. "No, No!" Aimee patted my back as I fought to control my emotions.
She did not know to say, "Um…how bad could Raoul be, Cosette?" I didn't meet her eyes. I needed to talk to Erik even though I was ticked off at him right now. I shook uncontrollably numbness spread throughout my body my mother wasn't there when Raoul abused me she didn't understand. I got up and instinctively headed to Erik's lair.
My tutor had his nose in a book when I glanced in. I walked into his lair and smiled at him. "What are you reading, Erik?" I said, "Something wonderful I hope." I paused to wait for my teacher's answer, covering my face to ensure he wouldn't see the tears streaming from my eyes. He marked his place in the book, meeting my sad gaze.
"Cosette, what's wrong?" Erik whispered. I barely sensed the touch of his fingers on my skin as he tried console me. I was entranced the trance held me fast, not letting go. I let my head go back and forth mindlessly as if in the clutches of a demon. I backed up against the wall, slid down it, drew my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around myself. Erik knelt down in front of me cradling my frail form in his tender embrace. My tutor turned my face toward him. "Shh, shh, I love you, Cosette. Tell me what ails you, please!" I forced my anguished sapphire eyes to look upon him. He knew that my emotions were extremely compromised but why? I zipped my lips not wanting to divulge the reason why I'd become so distressed.
I nestled into Erik's arms wanting nothing more than the news I'd just received to never have happened. I stroked his mask then I threw my arms around his neck. "Raoul's my brother," I whispered. I struggled to breathe as I placed my hand over my rapidly beating heart. Erik's mouth dropped halfway to the floor. I guess he was as surprised as I had been.
"Um…Wow, Cosette. You're still in shock I take it," the Phantom asked me. I nodded. He kissed the crown of my head and I smiled.
I let myself out of my teacher's embrace going to retrieve the book he'd abandoned. My fingertips traced the embossed golden writing. Romeo & Juliet:William Shakespeare. I stifled a giggle striding to Erik's side, kissing him tenderly on his lips. I decided to tease him a little I opened the play to the famous balcony scene and repeated one of Juliet's lines.
"O, Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo? Defy thy father and refuse thy name. Or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love and I'll no longer be a Capulet," I finished. Erik grinned pleased at my performance.
"Bravo, Cosette! You portrayed Juliet well," my tutor commented. I blushed as I kissed him for a second time. My pulse started race from the contact, this simple show of affection. He held me lovingly and returned the kiss cupping my face in his hands. I weaved my fingers into Erik's hair as the kiss deepened. Raoul entered the lair but we took no notice. We permitted our tongues to roam each other's mouths guided by fiery passion. Our visitor's expression shifted from discomfort to distain. He covered his own mouth to shield the quiet laughs of pity.
I jumped realizing Erik and I were being watched. My tutor stared toward Raoul with an ice-cold, death glance. The young Vicomte smirked in my direction. His blue eyes that happened to be mirror images of mine held my gaze steadily. His blond hair I could only assume was a trait of our father. I brushed Erik's cheek softly with my fingertips and rose.
"Well, Raoul this changes things between us, doesn't it?" I voiced, attempting to balance my emotions. He chuckled at my statement as if he thought it was funny.
"Silly, silly, Cosette I've known all along I found out years ago. Oh just to let you know Dad will not approve of your taste in men." Raoul pointed out; drawing attention to the fact that I hadn't moved from Erik's arms. My cheeks burned with passionate rage.
"I don't care! Let father disapprove I love Erik and nobody else will ever be able to change how I feel!" My brother disappeared leaving me to think about what to do next.
My teacher bent close to my ear and whispered, "Don't worry, Cosette. I'll do everything in my power to assist you with your father. I love you remember that we'll get through this together, I promise."
I grinned; Let him do his worst I vowed, we'll be ready.
