Chapter 15

After they screamed, they giggled at their own fears. Jacques had a confused look on his face, one that said I will never understand women.
The storm continued to rage outside the opera house. Inside the four friends sat and talked of everything and nothing.

"Well this storm is lasting really long!" said Belle.

"Yes, it is," said Anne, "Let's pass the time by exploring the opera house!"

"No!"

The companions all looked at Nicole, puzzling at her outburst.

She realized that she must seem out of character so she plunged into an explaination, "It's just that this place is old and, um, me and Belle have explored most of it and it's rather boring."

She looked anxiously at the three of them.

"Nicole are you feeling all right?" asked Anne, "Because I know you love this place! Why don't you want to look around?"

Anne had a strange tone to her voice and a large smirk on her face.

She knows! She knows why I come here! But, she couldn't possibly know about Erik? No, she couldn't. She just suspects I come here to see someone. She is far too smart for her own good.

But before Nicole could say anything Jacques spoke up, "I think Nicole is right actually, we shouldn't go looking around, my brother told me some strange things about this place."

"Really? Like what?" asked Belle, with wide eyes.

Jacques shrugged his shoulders, "He didn't really like to talk about it. He did say there were a lot of traps, and hidden passages. One could get lost easily."

"There see? Finally a voice of reason!" said Nicole with a nervous laugh.

She bit her lower lip again, and rolled her eyes at herself when no one was looking.

I look like a fool! I must be calmer, they will not find Erik!

"Well I am getting bored, so why don't we at least go onto the stage?" urged Anne.

They all three looked at Nicole, who nodded her head, "Yes, that sounds good."

"Good!" said Anne.

They all got up and walked up the large steps. Every little creek in the floor boards made Nicole jump slightly. She kept imagining that Erik would be walking around on stage and one of them would point and yell to run for the police. She had to calm herself, her breathing was becoming shorter, and faster.

Jacques noticing Nicole's stressed look asked, "Nicole, are you sure you're all right?"

Before she answered they all walked into the large room which held all the seats, and finally the stage. Nicole looked up at all the box seats, thinking for some reason Erik would be there. She scanned them all then before she turned to look at Jacques, who had a worried look on his face, she saw Erik for one brief moment. At least she thought she saw him. In one of the boxes closest to the stage, she thought for a moment that she had seen a white mask.
She breathed a sigh of relief.

He has seen us, he knows to hide now.

She looked at Jacques with a large smile on her face and said, "I am fine. Let's go up on stage!"

She ran up on stage leaving her friends with bewildered looks on all their faces.

She turned to look at her friends and said, "Are you coming or not?"

Anne, Belle, and Jacques all exchanged glances, and then walked to the stage with Nicole.

When they got up there Jacques said, with a glint in his eye, "Let's split up and search the area back stage!"

Nicole saw right through what he was doing.

He is trying to get me alone with him. But what harm could he do? He is a honorable man, he just wants some time alone. But what if Erik saw us? Ugh! Why would it matter? Erik does not feel the same way about me as I do him. I might as well play along with Jacques.

She said, "Yes, that sounds like fun!"

"Great," said Jacques and trying to sound nonchalant he continued, "How about, me and Nicole? And Anne you can go with Belle?" he turned to Anne, he had a pleading look in his eye.

Anne looked at Nicole with a look that said sorry.

"Sure," said Anne, "That sounds good."

Jacques walked up to Nicole and stuck out his arm for her to take. She slipped her arm into his and walked to the left of the stage. Anne and Belle walked to the right. When they got back there Jacques hadn't counted on it being so interesting. There were old costumes and props laying everywhere. Sheets of music, lighting equipment, and various other things were all over the floors. Nicole truly interested went looking through everything she found. Then she and Jacques walked to a room that held all the back drops. She leafed through them and saw many different scenes, such as a hillside, a lake and many more. She turned around to point something out to Jacques, when she realized he wasn't there.

Oh no! We got separated! We were supposed to stay together!

Thunder sounded from the world outside, and Nicole felt a presence in the room with her.

"Jacques? Jacques?" she spoke to the dimly lit room and received no answer.

The only light in there came from a window high above her and sometimes the wind would move a backdrop and the window would be blocked. The light of the room was blocked out for a moment and she stood there, waiting for it to return. She wasn't frightened. Darkness always made her feel comforted.
Then ahead of her she thought she saw movement.

"Jacques? Jacques is that you?" she whispered.

But then the light returned and she saw Erik standing before her. She smiled.

I should have known!

But then her smile faded and she whispered, "Erik, what are you doing! Jacques may come back any second and see you!"

She saw him smirk, "Do not worry he is lost in the wardrobe room."

Nicole sighed, wondering where he was.

"How did we get separated? I thought he was right behind me?"

"It's amazing how a shiny object can distract someone." said Erik as he held up a hand mirror, "I reflected the light into the wardrobe room and he walked right in. He should be busy for a few moments."

In the dim light of the room, she could barely make him out, but she didn't have too. She had him memorized. She imagined he was wearing a dashing black suit, with a deep maroon vest underneath. His face would be serious, and his eyes sad. His black gloved hands would be hanging at his sides, as if he didn't know what to do with unless he was composing music. His very presence exuded strength, power, and passion. No one ever made her feel weak just by standing in the same room with her.

She had no idea, of course that he had her memorized just as well.

He was staring right at her, no able to take his eyes away. Without even realizing it a mental picture of her came into his mind in the dim light. Her hair he could tell was down, and he imagined it as it was last night. Untamed and free. Her small, slender body would be covered in a simple dress of, blue, he guessed. It would be simple, but beautiful on her. It would hug her in all the right places. Her eyes would be shining, her lips turned upward in a smile. Her stance would be confident, unafraid. Her arms would be crossed under her chest, not knowing what a site she made. Maybe she would flip her hair out of her face with the back of her hand. Maybe her eyes would look at him filled with desire, maybe she would be bold and kiss him.

All right thats enough!

He berated himself for even thinking that.

When did this happen, when did I memorize her?

They stood there looking at each other until Nicole broke the silence, "I will try to come tonight, but I don't think I will be able too. Usually after our days together Jacques stays very late at my home talking with Mamma and me."

Erik nodded and said, "I understand. Please come whenever you are able."

Just then the light was blocked, and when she could see again Erik was gone. She smiled, thinking of just those few moments. Her heart pounded in her chest as she thought of his soft words to her.

He has such an affect on me! The air is still filled with his overpowering presence.

Then she heard Jacques calling her name, breaking her thoughts.

"I'm coming, Jacques!"

She ran to the door and looked over her shoulder. The room was quiet. Jacques came running up to her, panting.

"I am sorry! I got lost!"

She laughed and said, "Not to worry, now let's go find Anne and Belle. The rain has stopped and I am starving!"

Nicole linked her arm with Jacques, smiling. They found Anne and Belle looking through some props. They too agreed about wanting something to eat. They all walked to the grand foyer, talking happily. Before she left Nicole gave one last look over her shoulder. She saw laying on the very last step a red rose, with a black ribbon on it.