Jaine's POV (sort of)
Jaine was unsure how to react. He was intimidating yet enticing all at the same time.
As Erik left, Jaine felt confused about the situation. She enjoyed her first day at work and was exhausted. Coming back to her room and finding a strange man with amber gems for eyes was a rather shocking sight. She quickly recovered this shocked and replaced with outrage.
When he had insinuated that she was a whore and not a lady she snapped. If he thought so ill of her already might as well show him how unladylike she could be. So she spit in his face. Big mistake...
She saw the anger in his eyes as he slapped her. In all honestly she didn't blame Erik for slapping, she would have done the same thing had he spit in her face. What she hadn't intended, was the flashback that occurred after the blow.
Jaine was back in Scotland not a day over 16.
"Jaine get in here, NOW!" yelled an angry male voice from the kitchen.
"Yes, father. What is it?' Jaine asked politely, not wanting to anger her father further.
"My dear Gwendolyn has informed that you still continue to keep that freak Daniel Butler company. Is this true?" Jaine's father said maliciously.
"Yes sir, that is true." Jaine said flatly but continued on. "Oh, but father he isn't a freak! He's become such a nice young man. Why can't I see him?" Jaine asked with soft eyes.
"Daniel is a freak, Jaine! Have you not noticed his grotesque face? Why do you continue seek the company of the disgusting peasant?" Jaine's father bellowed.
"I do not judge by appearance father, but by what's on the inside. A man's character is far more important to me than if he is handsome. Danny has a good heart father and that makes him beautiful to me! I seek his presence because I love him father!"
"Oh how sentimental, my dear. But you do not love him." Her father said as he approached her and grabbed her shoulders. She was met with a slap, then a punch. After the brutal beating she endured he began to shake her violently.
"You do not love that man. Do you understand me? I don't care what his heart is like; he is a freak and will never be normal."As he was saying this Jaine just kept shaking her head 'no'.
"You can't change what's in the heart father." Was Jaine's only reply.
"Now you listen to me Jaine! Unless you would like another punishment like the one you endured last week, I will hear no more of Daniel today." He yelled shaking her more.
As Jaine was getting ready to reply she kept hearing a faint voice growing louder by the minute saying, "Ms. Cahlagon."
Finally Jaine snapped back to reality and was met with those amber eyes that held a bit of concern in them. She decided that she better go along with what he said because she wasn't fond of flashbacks.
As he began circling her she realized how tall he was, towering over her by at least a foot. She cursed her short stature for no wonder he did not find her temper intimidating. As he told her his "names" she inwardly snorted.
What a bunch of rubbish! If he thinks I'm calling him any of those names, he is sadly mistaken! Jaine thought bitterly.
She was surprised that he actually told him her name, even if it was attached with a death threat.
Erik. Nice name. Too bad it is unbefitting. How dare you make fun of my song!
She found it unbelievable that he sought her out as an assistant. She felt more like a maid of some sort. Alas, she would comply because she could tell he was in need of some help and kindness.
As Erik removed hood, Jaine was bombarded with more visions of the past.
That mask.
It looked so similar to Danny's. How could he possibly know?
And if he did know, why would he make such a mockery of a wonderful man.
She felt herself becoming hysterical. She yelled at him out of pain.
Then she saw the confusion in his eyes.
As he questioned her, she found herself being calmed by his melodious voice. She realized that no one here could possibly know about her past. This calmed her. She quickly apologized for her strange behavior not wanting to upset him further.
Jaine felt her breath catch in her throat as he mentioned the title of the book she'd been reading.
How did he know that? No one had seen the book and after I finished reading it I stashed it under a pillow. How very strange.
The way Erik grasped her hand and lightly kissed her knuckles made her hearts stop momentarily.
She cursed herself for being so weak. She found his eccentricity endearing and actually found that she was looking forward to getting to know the man behind the mask.
She quickly changed into her nightgown and climbed into bed to read more of her book. Feeling herself grow tired she saved her spot, said a prayer and blew out the candle for bedtime.
That night her dreams were filled with a certain masked man with amber eyes.
She woke up to that same man, but he was not as gentle as he appeared in her dreams. He firmly shook her curvaceous frame. As her eyes fluttered opened Erik was surprised that his presence was greeted with a smile.
"Good Morning Erik! How are you? What can I do to help this morning?" Jaine asked cheerfully.
"Errm, well its ok I suppose." Erik answered slightly flabbergasted. He had never received a greeting that happy before. He quickly regained his composure.
"At any rate, Mlle. Cahlagon I have a list of items that I require from the market and other various shops. You will have these items to me by the end of the week." Erik stated firmly yet his gaze wasn't as hard as he wanted it to be.
"Alright, but just so you know; I'm not paying for any of this. I need the money I make." Jaine stated honestly.
"I hadn't intended on you paying for me, mademoiselle. Here, take this." Erik said handing Jaine a pouch of money.
"Alright, when I have time I will pick these items up along with some of my own required items." Jaine said happily still recalling her pleasant dream.
"Well Erik, I need to start getting ready for today's work. So I need to start doing my vocal warm ups and doing my stretches for dance. Our cast is going to go through another extensive workout." Jaine said happily.
"Very good, I am glad. They need to be pushed a little. Have you picked an opera yet?" Erik inquired curiously.
"Not yet. I would like to get to know everyone's abilities, strengths and weaknesses first. I need to know how far I can push them and how far they are willing to go to achieve greatness." Jaine exclaimed, her voice full of passion.
Erik had to admit. She was a dedicated instructor, this impressed him.
"Very well, Jaine. I shall see you in the evening time. So please no guests tonight." Erik said smoothly.
"Well I had plans to take Lu- I mean Meg and Antoinette out to dinner tonight. What time do would you like me back because I'm not canceling my plans for you." Jaine said firmly.
"Well, I want you back here by 8:00." Erik said smugly.
"Two hours for dinner? I think not Erik. I will be back no later than 9:00. That is what I can offer you. Do not give me that look. I had made plans prior to you breaking into my room and I will be DAMNED if you are going to mess those plans up. Do I make myself clear?" Jaine said as she slipped out of bed and put her hands on her hips.
Erik growled. "Crystal, my dear. You don't realize who you are dealing with. I will you give your freedom tonight but before you make anymore you are to check with me first."
"WHAT! How dare you ever assume that you have dictatorship over my life! Just because I am a women does not mean that I am weak. I refuse to allow you to control me." Jaine said as she continuously poked his chest forcefully.
Erik laughed. It was a strange sound because it had been so long since he had last laughed. He loved this woman. She was truly the muse for Shakespeare's quote "Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn." This was a woman that refused to be dominated and overpowered. He wondered where she got that for most women were extremely submissive. Including his Christine…He's laughter stopped abruptly. He straightened up.
"We shall see who will prove to be dominate, Mlle. Cahlagon." Erik said.
"Fine, Erik. Now is there some else you need from me? I need to get ready for my job." Jaine said through gritted teeth.
"Alright then, Ms. Cahlagon get behind the dressing curtain and I will pick your outfit for today." Erik said smoothly.
Erik say that Jaine was outrage and was about to protest. He wouldn't allow this to happen.
She WILL learn to obey me! Erik
She grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her behind the changing curtain.
"Now listen to me very carefully Jaine. You will obey whether you like it or not. Now stay here while I pick some out for you to where." Erik said roughly and Jaine just stared at him in shock.
As Erik was going through her closet, he was taken aback to see that there was a beautiful wedding gown in there. He wondered more about her past and hoped that they could get along enough where she would open up to him.
He finally decided on a long sleeve blue empire waist gown with a tan tweed floor length jacket to go over it. As he handed the clothing to her he saw her smile and nod in approval. As she was getting dressed, he snuck out through the mirror but he remained behind the mirror to view how she looked.
Arrogant Prat! He would be so bad if he were just nice. Eh, but what can you do? I liked what he picked out. I pray he didn't see my wedding gown. Jaine though as smiled inmirror and put her hair in to a French twist.
"Good day to you Monsieur Erik!" Jaine said in her best French accent which wasn't too bad for a Scotswoman.
With that she departed her room happily to meet Meg, leaving Erik breathless at her beauty.
