Chapter 9:

Erik was already dressed and half-way up the stairs by the time Christine even realized what was happening and could start putting her clothes back on. Her hands were shaking as she pulled her jeans on and tried to button them. She wasn't sure if she was shaking from the intense pleasure she just felt or the abrupt stop of it all. She certainly did not want Nadir to see her in the state she currently was in.

"Yes, yes, of course I am here," Erik growled through the doorway of the basement. His friend was standing a few feet away staring at him. "I live here, why shouldn't I be here, this is my home. The question is, Nadir, why are you here? Your house is that way." Erik pointed towards the house that he had built for Nadir on the property. "Do I need to start locking the door, for Christ's sake!"

Nadir stared at him without answering for a moment. He took in Erik's wrinkled shirt that seemed to be mis-buttoned, his tie was only a half windsor instead of his usual full, and his hair. His hair never looked that bad even after Erik just woke up. "I'm sorry, did I interrupt something?" Nadir asked a bit too innocently.

"Yes," Erik said, his voice dangerously low. "I was in the middle of doing some of my best work, and you ruined it."

"Is this how you normally look when you work on your opera? My friend, it is not a good look for you. Seriously, you should probably try to comb that hair down," Nadir said while reaching his hand out to smooth Erik's hair down some.

Erik smacked his hand away. "Really, Nadir? You are going to groom me now? I think I can handle that on my own. Now, since you see that I am here, and I am fine, just working, you can leave now." He put his arm around his friend and tried to usher him towards the front of the house. "Was that really why you drove out here, Nadir? Just to see where I was? I have a phone, you know."

Nadir stopped walking. "You and I both know I was worried about the whereabouts of a certain soprano, not yours."

"I certainly have no idea what you are talking about," Erik said while trying to force Nadir to walk again. "Why should I care where Ms. Charlotte is?"

"Playing dumb does not work for you, Erik."

"Fine, but I don't know where Christine is either. She is probably in one of her English classes, or with Ms. Giry. Those two are glued to each other when they aren't in class. It is incredible how high pitched females can get when talking to each other, like a god-forsaken fife. Now, please, can I get back to work?"

"Actually, I'm hungry. And I know you, so you probably haven't had food since I forced you to eat breakfast yesterday, so let's go. We are getting a late lunch."

"I can't do that right now," Erik said. Now he was the one trying not to walk any closer to the front door. "I really need to stay here. You know I can't always concentrate at the university."

"Erik, is there a reason you can't go, besides wanting to compose more music, which can wait?" Nadir said, staring his friend squarely in the eyes, trying to read his friend's stoney expression.

Erik glanced back towards the basement and shook his head. "No. No, but let me go put something away first, okay? I cannot leave my music all unorganized, I will go insane if I do." He spun around and was already to the door before Nadir could protest.

Christine was fully clothed and looked alarmed when Erik reappeared in front of her. "My sweet, I am so sorry. I have to go with Nadir or he will think something is up. Which he already does as it is." He gestured to himself. "I can get away with a lot with the whole crazy music genius thing, but even this is a bit much for me." He smoothed his hair down and straighten his clothes.

"What am I supposed to do?" Christine whispered, her voice sounding panicked. "I can't just stay here!"

"Sure you can," Erik said nonchalantly.

"No. I can't. I have class, and practice, and plans for today. I need to get back to campus." She looked up and sighed. "Whatever, it's fine, I'll call Meg to pick me up."

"I am not very comfortable with other students knowing where I live..." Erik started to say.

Christine threw her hands up. "Fine. I'll walk. Have fun with Nadir." She turned her back to him and picked up her purse.

"Erik?" Nadir yelled from upstairs. "What's taking so long? Come on!"

Erik glanced up the stairs and whispered, "I'm sorry, my dear. I have to go. I promise I will make this up to you. I really don't like the thought of you walking alone, are you sure you can't just stay here?" Erik wrapped his arms around Christine and kissed the side of her head.

She tried to shrug his hug away, but really she never wanted him to let go. She considered just giving in and staying in his house until he was free to come back, but she couldn't just hide away all day. She had her own life that did not revolve around Erik. "Walking will be good for me. Just go," she said. "And yes. You do owe me. Big time."

A wicked grin formed across Erik's face. "And I am counting down the minutes until I can make it up to you, my love. Just you wait." He winked at her and then suddenly had disappeared up the stairs again.

To be continued…

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