Aimee let out a deep breath to calm her nerves. Her ears picked up multiples voices from behind the curtains and she squeezed her eyes shut. It seems a week of rehearsing was too fast. And here she was, about to sing in front of people she doesn't know that disapproves of her.
"Good luck," Meg whispered in her ear as she went to dress as the nurse. Aimee smoothed her dress down and inhaled deeply and out afterwards. The orchestra started; she heard the sounds of swords clashing against each other.
"Matt?" She called, going backstage. "Matt?" She strained her ears to hear his voice.
"Pardon, mademoiselle," Someone said when they bump into her. Christine had decided to watch from the audience to see the perspective and Matt was nowhere to be seen.
"Meg?" She called, frustrated. Meg adjusted her dress and touched her elbow.
"What is it?"
"Where's Matt?" She ask.
"He's probably in Box 7." Meg answered. Aimee frowned and sucked the inside of her mouth.
"I'm nervous," She said softly.
"You'll do fine," She assured.
"I know…but what if I mess up?"
"We all did. It's not a big deal,"
"Aimee! Where's Aimee?" Mme Giry shouted amongst the crowd.
"I'm here!" Aimee called.
"You're up!"
"Already?" Aimee said as she felt applause around her when she was pushed forward.
As Aimee laid dying on the bed, she used her ears and listen to the sniffles that were coming from every different direction; it seems the audience was getting into the play.
One more scene…
Aimee fluttered her eyes open and spoke her lines. Her foot touched Romeo's thigh and she looked down, putting on a shocked face. She began to think of the bad things that was said to her when she was little and tears started to welled up in her eyes. Good, the tears came easily flowing this time.
Romeo handed her the knife discreetly into her hands and she plunged it through her stomach, leaving the audience to give a collective gasp. Aimee closed her eyes and dropped beside Romeo.
"Tres bien," he whispered in her ear. Aimee gave a half smile. A crowd of applause erupts through the theater followed by whistles.
"Brava! Bravo!"
"Stand up to bow," John said taking her hand, pulling her up. Aimee curtsied and bowed, smiling at the crowd. She wished she could see Matt's proud face and Erik's face when he heard her sing. Christine tossed a rose on the stage near Aimee's feet and clapped until it stings. She had a smile the entire time as Aimee was lead backstage.
Aimee had finally did it. She was on stage and sing.
"I don't think she would like to see anyone," Mme. Giry said strictly at the never giving up man that was requesting to see Aimee. Aimee found the vanity chair and sat down, a little frightened at the demands of seeing her.
"No!" Mme. Giry said once more. Christine helped Mme. Giry closed the door. The arguments and request were muffled behind the door.
"You were wonderful tonight, Aimee." Christine said, wiping a hair back from her face. Aimee blushed and only nodded. She was still speechless from the adrenaline she had when she was on the stage.
"How do you feel?" Mme. Giry ask pulling her braid in front of her.
"It's like a dream," Aimee said shaking her head.
"Well, we'll leave you. You need rest before the big day tomorrow," Mme. Giry said.
"Big day?" Aimee ask, confused.
"A celebration of your performance. A party," Christine said. She kissed her cheeks goodnight and closed the door behind her. A party? Just to celebrate her performance. Aimee thumbed her way into her hair, taking out the pins and clips. Her scalp was aching and screaming at her during the performance.
Was this how it is after every play? A celebration? Aimee's heart fluttered with anticipation for more plays coming up. Sighing in relief that her hair was freed, she stood up, making her way to the changing screen. Her hands pulled and clasp open the back buttons and she shrugged out of the costume dress.
Christine said the dress was beautiful and fit perfectly on her. But it was stifling how the corset was pressed against her abdomen. Self consciously she rubbed her stomach as she found a lace robe, donning it.
"I misjudged you, Aimee Beaumont." A silky voice say. She paused midway when she stepped from behind the screen.
"Did you like my performance?" She ask eagerly.
"You did very well for your first time," Erik say.
"Thank you. And tomorrow's there's going to be a small party for my performance." Erik chuckled.
"I don't think small would be the right word choice for a theater this big," Aimee blushed, giving a small smile.
"I hope you had a wonderful time hearing me sing tonight," Aimee say walking to the water closet.
"You are better than I thought."
"Then…can you teach me?" Aimee ask.
"In what, Aimee?"
"To expand my singing range. I want my voice to get stronger."
"I….can not do that,"
"Please teach me how to sing." Aimee pleaded. She was frustrated that Erik was somewhere around her. She felt like an idiot only standing in one spot, probably staring at nothing but air. Or the wall.
"I'm sorry, mademoiselle. But I only teach one student," Erik watched from afar as Aimee sighed, putting all her weight on one foot.
"What if…I pay you?"
"I don't understand."
Aimee wringed her hands, biting her lip. "Pay you with my body." There was silence and Aimee thought for sure he had left but Erik appeared in front of her, gently touching both her upper arms. Aimee's heart fluttered when his finger knuckles grazed her cheek upward.
"I may be a monster, Aimee, but I am also a man. A man with common sense. I have other….women that can satisfy my needs. You are, but, a child. I don't want you to give your body for mere singing lessons." Aimee blushed in embarrassment at her sudden outburst. But he was right; she shouldn't use her body as a way to get things.
"Desolee, Monsieur. I didn't mean-"
"It's fine, Aimee. But I'll find a way to give you singing less-" Erik staggered backwards when Aimee's hands wrapped around his neck, hugging him tightly. If this was someone else, he would be silently screaming. Automatically, he wrapped his arms around her.
"Thank you," She said into his ear.
Cecile hummed a light song from her childhood as she stepped into Aimee's room. It was 7 in the morning. Few workers had gotten up and were having small talks and breakfast. Maids were set off to start wiping and cleaning any dirty spots. Matt was still asleep and Cecile knew Aimee is deep in her slumber; she wouldn't wake up if something dropped in her room.
Sunlight had shine through the curtain clits, leaving the room half lit and cold. Aimee was sleeping on her stomach, one hand over the edge of the bed. Her face was covered by her mass of hair and her bed cover was bunched around her bottom. Cecile placed the breakfast tray on the nightstand and walked over to the curtains.
She pulled them back, making the room brighter and sunnier. Aimee didn't even stir. Poor thing, she must be exhausted from the play last night. A meow came from Cecile's right side. It was Ayesha, sleeping on the vanity table.
Cecile made a small 'humph' and cross over to the water closet. She was glad the Opera house has indoor plumbing or else she would have been heaving and wheezing carrying two water buckets. Cecile tested the water; warm. She shut the water and used a small towel to wipe her hands.
With that being done, Cecile picked out a cream dress with flower prints on them, setting it over the vanity chair. She went over to Aimee's side, gently shaking her shoulder.
"Time to wake up, my dear." Cecile said softly. Aimee stirred but didn't open her eyes.
"Alright, I guess I'll have to make Matt come in here and pour-"
"I'm up!" Aimee yelled quickly. She flung the cover back, making a dash to the water closet. Cecile chuckled, and stripped her clothes. Aimee sighed as the water touched her sore muscles. She leaned back, soaking her hair and let Cecile shampoo it.
"Is it the lavender scent?" Aimee ask, closing her eyes as Cecile's fingers and nails massaged her scalp. She received tingles down her spine.
"Your favorite, yes," Cecile reply.
"Cecile, what do I do at a party? It's tonight. I think at 10."
"Well, I don't know darling. But at 10? If they keep making time late like this, you'll look like a raccoon with those eyes." Hearing a giggle from Aimee, Cecile placed a hand to cover her eyes as she poured water to rinse the suds out.
"Alright, I'm done. I'll leave you alone now. I've got cleaning to do," Cecile said getting up. She closed the door behind her. Aimee had insisted she was a grown lady and knew how to wash her hair but Cecile argued that she might grab the wrong bottle instead.
"I could sniff it and I'll know it's shampoo for my hair." Aimee argued.
"And the next thing you know, your hairs on the floor," Cecile retorted. Aimee placed three fingers on her throat, rubbing in a circular motion. She had belted out one of the lines from the song and suffered the consequences of a sore throat.
"Salt water will do just fine for the throat," Erik said. Aimee gasp and immediately crossed her arms across her chest. She sink lower into the water until she was up to her neck.
"Erik, you are like the lizards- always sneaking up on someone anywhere!" Aimee glared. She received a laugh from him.
"How much did you see?"
"Not much," he reply. "I only saw you rubbing your throat. Honestly."
"Get out!" She shrieked. She received another laugh from him as it dissolves into only echoes. Aimee waited for a few minutes to make sure he was actually gone. I can't get up. What if he's still there? Aimee called for Cecile and minutes later the door opened.
"I don't want a morning bath anymore," Aimee said, rising up. The water around her rippled by the motion; water dripped down her body and she was blanketed by a dry towel.
"Let's get you into a nice dress and breakfast."
Author's Note: Yay the story is now passed the 10 chapters (almost lol) and I'm glad that it's getting positive feedbacks because of the unique concept of how the main character is blind ^_^ Well please RxR and please check out the new batman story I posted. I spy a bat it's the prologue only.
I was actually surprised that I received my first hate mail O_o. my writing, according to anon (won't tell the name ) says that I can not write very well. well...what can i say to that? hmm nothing really. I have no time for hate mails because I am busy entertaining my readers with my story and I WONT BACK DOWN (evil smile)
please enjoy ^_^