I really hope this chapter will be better then the last.
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Chapter 12: With the Music
Annette played with the food on her plate. She was very happy that Erik's plan had worked, but Carlotta had quite and the was stressing her father out. Carlotta was going to retire next after this opera. It still amazed Annette how young the toad was able to look through all these years. But she was gone now.
Well, everyone from the story was leaving. Madame Giry left, but she still would come to the opera every-now-and-again to see how the opera was progressing. Raoul had told Annette about the Opera Houses previous owners and how it was hard for then to manage Carlotta the first time they had met her!
Annette sighed as she put her plate in the sink and made her way to her room. Practice started tomorrow and she was to practice her songs at home. She sat at her piano and started her exercises. Erik would yell at her if she started with out singing her exercises first. Annette heard the front door open.
"Annette?" she heard her father say.
"I'm in here," she called. She felt bad for her father. When a new opera was to be practiced, he usually was gone for hours, and then he went start to bed. He probably was getting ready for bed by now anyway.
Annette sang late into the night. Once she began to yawn, she herself got up to go to bed. She opened her closet and reach for her nightgown.
"Boo!"
Annette screamed, who the heck would be in her closet!
It was Erik. He stood there, chuckling at her. Annette began to laugh when she saw it was Erik. "I guess he does have a sense of humor," Annette thought.
"What are you doing in my closet?" she asked with her hands on her hips.
"Just waiting for you," he said, "and to congratulate you on your success of getting the part of Marguerite and getting ride of Carlotta."
"Well thank you," she said, still trying not to laugh as she gave a small curtsied.
"Get your music," Erik said, "and follow me." Annette obeyed, and followed him down the passage. Erik asked for the music, and Annette put it into his opened hand. He scanned it, his eyes moving swiftly across the page. Annette loved watching his eyes, those deep brown, mysterious eyes...
Erik looked up from the music. "Not bad. I think we'll work on this for now. Let's started here..."
For many months, Annette worked very hard on the opera. Meeting with Erik each night, she conquered the music. Summer turned into fall, fall turned to winter, and the opening night of 'Faust' finally came. Annette was very worried, but Erik assured her that she would be great. Annette's life was running smoothly. She now considered Erik a good friend, but fate had another idea...
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Ciffhangers! Sorry I skip to the ending of the opera, it was the only way it would work! Next chapters coming soon!
I remain, your obedient servant,
N.C
