11. Masquerade

Belle

I looked down at my feet when he mentioned the masque. I had neglected to mention that I was not officially invited to the ball, nor did I even have a costume to wear to such a fancy gala. I walked away from him, standing off by a candelabra as I watched the flames flicker.

"What's wrong, my beauty?" asked Erik as he got up and strode over towards me. Tears welled in my eyes. "Oh, angel, please don't cry."

"I haven't been invited to the ball," I said softly. "And I also do not have a proper gown to wear to such a fancy event. I've been giving most of my paycheck to Madame Lucas in order to pay for board at the opera house. I don't really have any money to spend on such an extravagant dress…"

"Oh, Belle," he sighed as he kissed my forehead lovingly. "Don't worry about anything, my child. I shall get you a dress that will knock them off of their feet. You will be the most beautiful one there."

"You are so kind to me," I smiled through my tears. I hugged him, holding on to him for several minutes as he stroked my hair and rubbed my back soothingly. "Promise me you will never leave me again…"

"I will never leave you," he murmured into my ear as he nuzzled my hair. "Oh, Belle, you drive me insane…"

"How?" I asked meekly.

He grabbed my hand, and placed it over his tented, throbbing crotch of his pants. I gasped as he guided my hand to stroke him through his pants. "You drive me insane through your sweetness, and your passion. I need you, Belle. I feel like if I don't have you, I'll explode."

"Then take me," I whispered as his lips crashed onto mine. He steered me over to the gigantic organ, and lifted my dress up. He eased my panties down, and then unzipped his pants. My hands gently pressed the keys as I leaned back and took in his impressive length that was now rock hard and ready. Gripping my hips, he eased himself into me as I sat on the keys, their sounds resonating around us. I whimpered as he pushed himself deeper inside of me, and I slammed my right hand down amongst the lower keys in a steady rhythm as he set the pace. "Oh, Erik!" I moaned, his thrusts causing me to bound up and down on the keys. "Oh my Angel of Music!"

"Sing for me," he commanded softly. "Sing, my angel."

I sang, vocalizing on ah, working my way higher and higher as he brought me closer and closer to climaxing. He quickened his pace, and my hands and butt played a tune, an ode to pleasure. With one final, enthralling thrust, I belted out as I came for him. He spurted deep inside of me, and began to quiver and shake. I raised a shaky hand to his bared face, and stroked the baby soft skin. "What's wrong, my Erik?" I asked.

"Now I know what it truly feels like to make beautiful, sweet, passionate music," Erik said lovingly as he helped me off of the organ. "Because I made it with you…"

. . .

"Masquerade! Paper faces on parade! Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you!"

I walked into the ball wearing my soft pink gown with a plunging neckline with a pink mask to match. I smiled and nodded at the other masqueraders, searching among them for Erik, who I knew would be dressed as Red Death.

"Belle?" called out a man dressed in a black soldier's uniform with gold stripes. I turned, and saw that it was Gaston, and I quietly walked away. "Belle, come back!"

"What do you want?" I asked irritatedly.

"May I have this dance?" he asked with a graceful bow.

"I don't dance," I said as I turned to leave.

"Please, just one?" begged Gaston.

"Ugh, fine," I said, giving up. He put his hands on my waist, and we slow danced.

"Belle," Gaston stammered nervously. "There's something I want to ask you. From the moment I saw you up on that stage, I fell in love with you. Please marry me?"

"What?!" I shrieked, pulling away from him.

"Think of it, a secret engagement, look, you'll be my future bride. Just think of it."

"Please stop talking right now," I moaned, about to feel sick.

"What have we to hide?" asked Gaston. "It's an engagement, not a crime. Belle, what are you afraid of?"

"Let's not argue," I said, sighing. "You will understand in time..."

I strode quickly away from him as dancers began to move quickly across the floor, blocking him from pursuing me. The music picked up, and I walked off by the stairs, wondering where on earth Erik could be, and still quite upset over Gaston's unwelcome advances towards me. The music began to swell, and I felt a tap on my shoulder. I spun around, and Gaston crashed his lips on mine. I pulled away, wiping my mouth, and slapped him hard across the face. "When will you ever get the hint?!" I shrieked. "No means no!"

The music swelled loudly, and the room grew silent. I glared at Gaston violently, knowing that he had made me cause such a scene. But as I turned, I saw a man in a red dress coat with matching velvet red pants and a white mask plastered across his eyes. It was Erik, and by the look on his face, he was quite angry and bemused.

I gulped. Had he seen Gaston and I kissing? Was he angry at me? I stood there, frozen at the spot as Erik descended the stairs in front of me, looking like a vengeful and wrathful god.