Chapter 11: Box 5

Nikki and Jennie woke up early the next morning and rolled out of bed, still exhausted from a night of staying up late with girl talk.

Jennie was brushing her hair as Nikki came into the room, dressed after having taken a shower. Jennie twisted her hair high on her head and pinned it down into a bun. Nikki joined Jennie in front of the mirror and pulled her long curly hair back into a low ponytail.

"Want to stop off at Les Café for some caffeine before we go to the Opera House?" Nikki looked at the circles under her eyes. She quickly began to cover them up with some press powder.

"Ooh, that sounds wonderful," Jennie grinned. She saw a little calendar on Nikki's dresser, "Can you believe we have less than three weeks until the opera?"

"Time is slipping away," Nikki's face seemed to brighten as she applied a little blush and a little eye shadow.

"Why is the date circled twice?" Jennie questioned.

"That was my mother, she doesn't want my birthday to go unnoticed," Nikki turned around.

Jennie gasped, "Your birthday is the same day as the anniversary?! What a wonderful birthday!" She clapped her hands together, "I will have to buy you something," her eyes began to dance; thinking of ideas.

"No, you do not have to buy me anything."

"How old will you be?"

"Eighteen," Nikki grabbed her purse and put on some flats that matched her slacks and blouse.

"Ooh! Becoming a real lady!" Jennie followed her out and down the stairs.

It was long day, especially for Troy and Nikki. Troy was a fast learner and had already memorized three of the big arias. He stumbled through the blocking, though, but Nikki continued to encourage him. She could still feel a little resentment from him for thrusting him into this part, but she was secretly glad that her dream to sing with him was coming true.

Throughout the day, the opera managers would sit in on the rehearsals. Nikki could see their tension ease just a little as they listened to Troy and her sing. During Troy's breaks, he was hauled off to the costume department for numerous fittings. He was built considerably smaller than the previous tenor and drastic changes had to be made.

That night, when they were all dismissed, Nikki was so happy when Troy offered to drive her home, "Do you need a ride home?" He joined her as she collected her purse and jacket.

She beamed a smile, "I'd really appreciate it, but you need your rest. I'll grab a taxi."

Through his fatigue, he grinned, "Don't be silly. Come on, I'll feel safer anyway knowing that you arrived home in one piece," he took her hand and led her out.

The car ride was quiet, but that was understandable. Both were physically, mentally, and vocally exhausted. Every once in a while, Troy updated her on his progress and she would complement him on his hard efforts.

She bid goodnight and quietly entered the house. She did not want to wake anyone and slowly crept up the stairs and shut the door to her bedroom. She did not bother to change; she just flopped on the bed and pulled the covers over herself. In minutes she was fast asleep. She did not know how long she had been sleeping when a noise woke her from a dream. The wind howled outside her window and thrust a tree branch against the window pane.

The moonlight shined brightly in her room, illuminating dancing silhouettes on her walls. One shadow did not sway with the rest and it caught her attention. But her exhaustion overcame her and she quickly fell asleep again.

Nikki woke when the sunlight mercilessly pierced her face. She hid from the rays for a few moments.

"Nicole, you don't want to be late for rehearsal. I have breakfast," her mother called from downstairs.

Nikki groaned and rolled out of bed with a yawn. She sat on the edge of her bed for a few moments, trying to awake up, when she noticed something fall on the floor. She slithered down to the ground and blinked a couple of times.

It was a long stemmed rose. It was the most beautiful deep red rose she had ever seen. Next to it she saw a folded piece of paper. She unfolded it and read it aloud:

"My Angel of Music,

As the performance grows near, I cannot help but grow anxious to hear you sing. I shall be there in box 5, my usual seat.

Forever Yours."

It was him! He was going to be there! She would finally see him! Although a part of her was strangely elated to see him, another part of her was nervous. What if he became dangerous? She made a mental note to stick close to Troy that night.

Nikki put the rose on her dresser then quickly changed into a pencil skirt with long stockings and a nice blouse. She shook her curls out and quickly styled them to dangle past her shoulders. She absentmindedly put the note in her pocket and went downstairs.

When she sat down with her mother for breakfast, she could not help but think back to the previous night and wondered if that one shadow she saw was her mysterious stalker. Was he in her bedroom again? Nikki was so engrossed in thought that she overflowed her glass of water.

"Nikki!" Marguerite snapped her daughter out of her trance and both quickly grabbed towels to sop up the mess.

"I'm sorry," Nikki grinned and sat back down to eat.

"How is the show coming along?" Her mother joined her at the table.

"Oh, fine. Although, I feel Troy still resents me for suggesting him for the lead role, I believe he is coming around."

"You both will do wonderfully and don't listen to what the papers are saying. The managers have made the right decisions to cast you two as the leads."

Nikki nodded slowly, "Well, it is risky, hiring to unprofessional singers at the last minute. I mean, we have no big reputation in the opera industry."

"You will do wonderful. I am sure of it. Singing comes naturally in the deChagny family. I believe the last three deChagny men have sung at the Opera Populaire in some fashion. That's where your grandfather met your grandmother."

"That's right, Grandma Audrey was in the chorus and Grandpa was the leading baritone," Nikki smiled at remembering the love story between her grandparents. Her smile faded as she elusively prodded, "Did Grandma ever have problems when she was in the chorus?"

"Problems?"

"I don't know, weird things happen?" Nikki took a drink.

"I don't think so, you'd have to ask her. And she is so proud of you and wishes she could come."

Nikki looked at the clock; she had an hour before she had to be at the Opera House. She could swing by her grandmother's and ask if she too had experienced strange voices or had a mysterious stalker. Nikki quickly finished her breakfast, "I am going to get a head start. I'll see you later."

"Bye, my Dear," her mother started to clean up the dishes as Nikki rushed out.

Up Next...Chapter 12: The Legend