Chapter Nineteen: Gilded

Christine hadn't expected it to be so bad. At first, she thought the maid would return, and she hoped she could persuade her to help. Unfortunately, she didn't come back. To her dismay, Erik himself brought her food, which she only pushed around with her fork, for she couldn't stand to eat while he was watching her. He never spoke to her, and it drove her mad. What was the point in taking me if he's just going to treat me like a pet? She tried to provoke him at first for the sole purpose of seeing some emotion in him, but he remained aloof. She tried tears, threats, anger, everything… but he still wouldn't speak to her. He would come, wait for her to eat (or play with her food), take her tray again, and leave until the next mealtime.

Eventually, she ignored him just like he ignored her. She kept count of the time that passed by the times he came to her. Yet, she was lonely. She hated to admit it, but before long, she wished he would talk to her and they could be like they were not so long ago. Still, her pride and stubbornness kept her from apologizing for her behavior.

Erik endured it all patiently. He knew she was wearing down. As much as he wanted her to stop being childish and accept her new life, he knew she couldn't do that until she had satisfied her need to be difficult. Sometimes, he almost gave in, but he needed to teach her that there were consequences for disobeying him. So, he waited. He would win in the end… he always did. It was only a matter of time.

o0o

The woman hesitated at the door, unsure if she should enter. Mr. Campion did place a high value on his privacy, but she was worried. After all, the girl hadn't left her room for a long time, and she was hardly eating. She raised her hand to knock on the door.

"You might as well enter, Mary."

Trying not to look spooked, she entered her master's study. He appeared amused. How does he always seem to know everything?" she wondered.

"Yes?" he inquired, setting down his book.

"Forgive me for intruding, sir," she apologized timidly, "but about the girl…"

"What about her?" Though he continued to sound nonchalant, she saw his body grow slightly stiff, and his eyes darkened and sent her an unspoken warning. Mary hastily continued, "She… well, she hasn't left her room in quite a while…"

"Ah." His expression cleared, and he relaxed. "I wouldn't spend too much time worrying."

"But, sir, she won't eat."

He waved her anxieties aside. "Trust me; I know her. She will leave her room when she is ready."

Just then, they heard a young woman's voice crying, "Alright, Erik! I'm waving the white flag, here! Let me out, please?"

Marguerite's mouth dropped open. "Sir… you locked her door?" She had thought the girl was merely being stubborn when she saw the nearly full trays that were taken from her room! Her master's grin, however, took all of the doubt out of her mind.

"I did," he affirmed calmly as he rose from his seat. "I took her food, of course, but she wasn't hungry. It seems she is ready to leave her room now. If you will excuse me, I have a damsel in distress beckoning me."

The poor maid didn't know what shocked her most: Mr. Campion's grin or the fact that he had actually carried trays of food to the young girl's room. Shaking her head, she thought, If Mr. Campion did that for me, I'd have a hard time staying mad at him. I guess even he has a heart. Perhaps pigs are flying now, too.

o0o

She tried to keep herself from giving in, she truly did. But, it wasn't in her nature to spend all of her time alone. She craved company, and if her only option was to seek out her captor, then so be it. With an expression similar to that of a petulant child, she called the name she disliked most.

"Alright, Erik! I'm waving the white flag, here! Let me out, please?" Walking over to the door, she pounded it with her fist. "Hey!" Did you here me? Come on; answer me!" Right before she hit the door again, it opened. Startled, she stumbled forward… right into Erik's arms.

He smirked as her face turned red. "My, my, Christine! When you said you were waving the white flag, I didn't think you meant this!"

She glared at him as she pulled away. "It wasn't intentional and you know it," she snapped. "I tripped."

"Of course you did, darling." He barely suppressed his smile as she scowled. He loved every bit of her, especially that fire that made her so unique. It was quite amusing at times.

"Shut up. Leave me alone."

He couldn't help himself as he roared with laughter. "Leave you alone?"

"Yes. Go away," she said sulkily.

He sighed theatrically. "If you insist, my dear." She raised her eyebrows in disbelief. While his tone was solemn, his eyes were shining with mischief. "It's a pity," he continued as though speaking only to himself. "I thought she would like to go outside, but no… Christine prefers her little room…"

Outside. For the first time, she realized that she hadn't seen outside the house in days. Like most people, she took sunshine and fresh air for granted. Now that Erik had spoken of them, she longed for them with every fiber of her being. She knew his intention all along had been to make her leave her room, and he succeeded.

"You play dirty," she muttered. Moving quickly before he could change his mind, she left the room. Chuckling, he led her to a room filled with light. Blinking and trying to adjust her eyes, she saw a grand piano close to the center, commanding reverence. A violin case was next to it, and shelves filled with sheet music and books covered one entire wall. She inhaled in shock, awed by the room's beauty. While other parts of the house appeared dark and intimidating, this room oddly made her feel relaxed. Perhaps it was the sand-colored walls or the watercolors that adorned them, but for a moment, she forgot herself and eagerly walked over to the piano. She ran her fingers along it, greeting it like a long-lost friend.

"Do you like my music room?" She turned and saw Erik watching her. He hadn't known what to expect, but her reaction pleased him. She actually smiled at him as she said with sincerity, "It's beautiful."

"Thank you. It's my favorite room in the entire house." He walked over to her and gently lifted the lid of the piano. "Do you play?"

The offer was too great for her to resist, and although she berated herself, she sat down on the bench. "A little."

He reached over and looked through the pieces of music that were on the piano. For the hundredth time, she studied him. He was wearing black pants and a white shirt that exposed his throat. As much as she didn't want to be there or like anything about him, she couldn't deny that he was attractive. "Here," he said, not telling her that he noticed she was watching him. "Play this."

A simple minuet was before her. She read over it for a few moments, and then, she began to play. She faltered at first due to lack of practice and nerves, but she improved towards the end. Once she was finished, he applauded, making her blush. "My mom taught me to play a long time ago, but I'm very out-of-practice," she explained apologetically.

"Nonsense," he replied. "You did quite well. You are a talented sight-reader."

His praise flattered her, as always. I suppose that will never change, she thought ruefully. He's a musical genius; there's no doubting it. I guess I can't help it that I want his approval. Rising, she closed the piano lid carefully. He smiled at the care she took with the instrument. "I do believe you agreed to take me outside?" she pointedly reminded him.

"Yes, I did. But, if you ever want to come back and play, you have only to ask," he told her.

"I would like that very much," she said earnestly. Then, they went into the backyard. Christine's eyes widened as she took in the large, green lawn and fountain. Trees were towards the back, appearing to be the edge of a forest. Even though it was cold outside, she didn't care and she closed her eyes, breathing in the fresh air. When she opened her eyes, she saw Erik watching her once again with an amused expression on his face.

"You could have brought me outside sooner, you know." Her smile took any sting out of her words.

"All you had to do was ask," he stated as though it was obvious. She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You make it all sound so simple…"

"Because it is," he finished for her. "You are a proud person, Christine Daaë."

"As are you," she countered. He laughed then. When he laughed - truly laughed - he was a completely different person from the grim man she'd first known. The sound of his laughter was beautiful, like a kind of music. The wind ruffled his hair, and she had the insane urge to run her fingers through its slightly wavy tresses. Where did that thought come from? she wondered.

"I will not deny it," he said easily. "Still, don't be afraid to ask me for something if you truly want it."

One desire entered her mind, but she kept it to herself. I suppose my freedom would be too much to ask for, she thought, some of her frustration returning.

Erik saw her conversing with herself, and he was confused as her brow furrowed. What I would give to know what goes on in that mind of hers. "You don't believe me?"

Coming back to reality, she shook her head once more. "No, I do."

"What is it, then?" he asked softly, stepping closer. She could smell his masculine scent and see the flecks of gold in his eyes, which were gazing into hers anxiously. For a moment, she recalled the day at her father's grave when his hand caressed her face. Another mad impulse of wanting to feel his hand again raced through her. Swallowing and forcing herself to be logical, she looked away.

"Nothing," she whispered. "It doesn't matter."

Sensing she didn't want to talk about it to him, he changed the subject. "Come with me. I have something I want to show you." He offered her his arm, but she pretended not to see it. Pushing away the feelings of rejection, he led past the patio and farther back into the yard. As they went into the trees, she asked, "Is your yard a forest or something."

"Hardly," he replied. "But, I do enjoy them, so I made my own." He stopped suddenly, and she almost ran into him. "What?"

"We're here."

She looked around but didn't see anything. "Where?"

He pointed, and she could see a bit of white. "What is that?"

"Why don't you go and find out?" he suggested. Taking his advice, she walked forward until she reached a gazebo. Enchanted by its ethereal beauty, she sat on one of the benches. Erik followed her and sat next to her, though he allowed her room for comfort.

"This whole place feels like something out of a fairy-tale," she commented. The scene before her couldn't have been more picturesque. The sun was beginning to set, and the sky was streaked with gold and pink. She briefly wondered exactly at the extravagance of his house and lifestyle, but she didn't want to be rude by asking, "So, how rich are you, exactly?" Besides, she wasn't sure she would believe the answer.

"I'm glad you like it," he said, for once looking completely at ease. She couldn't help but think that he looked like he belonged here. While his mask was odd and intimidating when placed in the rest of the world, it was only mysterious and intriguing in the otherworldly setting of the forest. He looks like a prince or something. The idea made her giggle slightly. Erik raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.

"We should go inside now," he said after a while, rising. She looked up at the sky and realized that the sun was almost out of sight. Sighing, she stood. "I suppose so," she admitted reluctantly. "Can we come back here sometime?"

Pleased that she had asked we instead of I, he answered, "If that would please you, then yes." Again, he offered her his arm, and this time, she took it gratefully. As they walked, she thought, It really is sad… everything would be perfect if he hadn't felt like he had to force me to come here. This place is beautiful… but a gilded cage is still a cage.

Guilt kicked in at that moment. Erik has been nothing but a gentleman. Everything he has done has been for you.

Gentlemen don't kidnap young women, the logical side of her reasoned. That certainly wasn't for you; that was pure selfishness. Withdrawing from his side after they re-entered the house, she said, "Thank you for sharing that with me."

"It was a pleasure," he replied simply. "It's an honor to share my world with you." Checking his watch, he proceeded to ask, "Are you hungry?"

As though it had a mind of its own, her stomach growled. "Starving." Following him, they went to dinner. She enjoyed his company immensely, but at the back of her mind, she couldn't forget the blatant truth: He took me. He took me, and even though he's sharing all of this splendor with me, nothing will change that.

And, to her further dismay, the thought made her sad.

o0o

Nadir flipped through the channels, searching for something interesting in order to take his mind off his worries. Just as he was about to give up, he saw something that made him almost fall out of his chair.

"Christine Daaë has been missing for over three days now, according to her best-friend, Meg Giry. Her boyfriend, Raoul de Changy, has offered a reward of $20,000 for any helpful information regarding her disappearance."

A shot of a young man with blond hair and blue eyes appeared on the screen. "Please… whoever you are, let Christine go," he begged in a heartfelt voice. "No questions will be asked, no charges pressed. Just give her back to us, alive and well. Please…"

There was more, but Nadir didn't hear any of it as his blood ran cold. Erik… what have you done?

Posted on November 21, 2010