Nicolette held Buttercup close to her bosom, afraid she might be stolen by the crowded streets. After convincing Christine to go shopping, Nicolette had a plan hatched in her head.
"Is it like this everyday?" Nicolette asked, bumping her shoulders against someone.
"I'm afraid so." Christine replied. Nicolette gritted her teeth and spotted the police station not to far away. Now to use distraction.
"I see a new store. Come on!" Shouted Nicolette, squeezing her way through.
"Nicolette, wait!" She stopped in front of the store, looking into the police station.
"Work your little magic, Buttercup. Find Erik." Nicolette pretend to gasp as she dropped Buttercup, landing on her feet and made a dash into the police station.
"Buttercup! She ran in there!" Nicolette told Christine just as soon as she reached the destination. Nicolette made a dash across the street and into the police station, spotting Buttercup standing still, waiting for her. She bent down to pick her up, scratching behind her ear. She had to find out if then news were true or not.
"Can I help you, miss?" An old man ask behind the desk.
"Um, yes. I want to see E- The Phantom."
"Sorry, miss. I don't know what the news tell ya but he escaped last night. Strangled one of my men and made a run for it."
"Do have any idea where he is?"
"No, Madame." Nicolette thanked the man and solemnly walk out. Escaped. He could be anymore by now.
"There you are! I was beginning to think you were gone again." Christine said. "Nicolette, what's the matter?" She asked seeing her sister's teary eyes.
"He's gone, Christine." Said Nicolette. She petted Buttercup's soft head, walking to the park.
"It'll be all better now. I promise." Christine said, taking her sister's hand. Ah, the park. Snowball fights. Sledding. Snowman. What more could a kid ask for? The sun was melting the snow but that didn't stop the children from playing. Nicolette set Buttercup on her lap, stroking her fur. Christine had wandered off to by hot sweet potato for the two of them to enjoy.
"What am I do, Buttercup? I've missed him so much."
"Somebody, help! Please, stop that man!" Christine suddenly yelled pointing. Everyone's eyes followed her direction to see a man running off with her purse money. Nicolette stood up, ready to chase but she gasp seeing another blur of figure chasing after the man. She watched, along with the rest of the crowd as her rescuer tackled the man to the floor, jaw locking him. The thief fell back, landing on the ground with a thud.
Nicolette immediately went over to Christine, checking for any injuries. Finding none except the dirty sweet potatoes. Her rescuer arrived, breathing heavily. What strange hazel eyes….almost green…Nicolette thought, staring at them. They were mesmerizing. And were crinkled due to the dark eyebrows forming into concern.
"Are you okay, Madame?" The stranger asked Christine.
"I'm alright. Merci." Christine said. Nicolette notice her rescuer had blonde hair that was sticking to his forehead due to running. He was staring at Nicolette. She cleared her throat and looked at Christine.
"I'm sorry. Where are my manners? I didn't catch your name?" Christine asked, looking at the handsome stranger. He tipped his hat, giving them a dimpled smile.
"Maxence Perry." He pronounced Maxence as Maxsaunt which Nicolette find unique for a name.
"Vicomtesse de Chagney. This is my sister, Nicolette Daae." Christine introduce. Nicolette curtsied mumbling a 'how do you do' under her braeth.
"Pleasure to meet you both. I'm afraid I must attend my own duties. Here is your purse. Victomtesse." He kissed the back of her hand.
"Miss Daae." Maxcence eyes trailed over to her as his lips lingered longer on her hand.
"Monsieur Perry." Nicolette curtsied. The two sisters watched as Maxcence went into a carriage, looking back once more, mostly at Nicolette before turning around, disappearing into the crowd.
"He fanciess you." Christine said.
"I've only met him five seconds." Nicolette scoffed.
"Love at first sight, I tell you." Christine sighed.
"And then what happened?" Raoul ask at dinner the following night. Nicolette pushed her food around, making swirls and spirals with her half chewed meat.
"He chased down the thief and jumped on him!" Christine said making Raoul laugh. Nicolette sighed and took her glass, wrapping her lips around the rim, taking a sip of the wine.
"I like this fellow. Who is he?" Raoul ask, turning to Nicolette.
"Maxcence Perry." Replied Nicolette.
"Great! I'll have a personal talk with him, thanking him how he saved my two ladies." Nicolette excused herself, bidding the two goodnight as she silently walked out of the dining room.
Buttercup, who obediently waited outside, rubbed herself against Nicolette's ankles, purring. Bending down, Nicolette picked her up. She mumbled sweet words to her as she ascend the stairs, going to her room.
"I miss him so much." Tears formed and quickly fell down her cheeks as Nicolette lay down on the bed, hiding her face under the blankets. She slowly cried herself to sleep, dreaming of her Erik.
Nicolette had no idea what happened. Wherever she stood in the dark and damp, the stench of rot and decay permeated the air. Every inch of her body felt like ice, except her left hand. Someone or something had a tight grip on it. Looking down, she saw a large, black gloved hand wrapped around her own petite, bare one.
Bringing her head up, she squinted at the figure before her, trying to get a better look, but he had his back to her. She could only see his glossy black hair and cape. Even though she didn't recognize him, his presence alone sent shivers down her spine as well as other more intimate places. Somehow, she knew this man but who was he?
Suddenly, she couldn't wait any longer. Slowly, he turned around and she stopped walking. Then she saw the glimmer of the white half mask and met the piercing green eyes that shone from beneath. Her breath caught in her throat. Could he still be alive? A single tear ran down her cheek. Gently, he placed his hands on either side of her face and brought it up to his own. For a moment, he just stared into her eyes, as if looking for something; as if he could see straight into her soul. She didn't know how much more she could take.
Lustfully, she found herself gazing at his lips, waiting for and wanting his kiss. Standing on tip toe, she moved her face within inches of his; she could feel his breath on her cheeks. Slowly, he began to move closer, as her heart pounded with anticipation….
"Erik!" Nicolette yelled, waking up from her sleep. She looked around, disappointed that it was only a dream. Hooking her legs over the edge of the bed, Nicolette rubbed her eyes and gave a loud yawn, forming tears in her eyes. It was morning. About dawn.
"Say, say that you love me. Love me, love me. Please me, please me." Nicolette sang under her breath as she got her bath ready.
"Rock me with your love," Nicolette leaned against the tub, dipping her fingers in the water, testing the temperature. Warm.
"All I need is your love, and baby we'll make it together. No doubt!" Nicolette sang louder, her voice into a crescendo as she stripped her clothes. She had written that song. Personally for her crush since high school. Nicolette's band members teased about how lame her lyrics but the irony of the joke was people loved it, rising her to stardom.
Nicolette slipped into the tub, she smiled at how mom was head banging to the music. Sadine thought it was cute and joined in together.
"We can rock, rock, rock it out. All I need is your love to rock me!" Nicolette raised both her arms, styling into a rock n roll signature.
"Thank you! And good night!" Nicolette blew a kiss to the imaginary screaming fans and continued to bathe herself.
"Loving you is all I can do. Lalala, dooby dooby doodoo…" Nicolette sang, giggling afterwards. Humming to herself with another different song, Nicolette stepped out of the warm water with a robe around her. She froze, turning her head sideways looking at the chair beside the window. The familiar green eyes. The white mask. He was there and this time it wasn't a dream.
"Erik…." She spoke softly.