Yay, I'm finally updating this fic! Huray!
As always thanks to Irena for wonderful review and to Michelle for catching up. That really made me happy. I'm so glad to have you two as my readers.
Disclaimers: see chapter 1.
Chapter 21 Birthday Surprise
As said the 18'Th birthday of Maria Cholet did indeed arrive and as it is custom with the crème of Paris, a huge birthday party was arranged for her honour in Opera Populaire. Although some would say it is incredible for Alan Cholet to arrange a birthday party in such a place, Maria would only say that her father wants to show off.
Maria huffed from behind a curtain where she was watching people entering. If she didn't know better she could have sworn it was her father's birthday, with the way he was smiling broadly and shaking hands with all those who entered. The nobility of Paris, they call themselves. As if they differ from other people, Maria thought. I was born in a privilege life but I don't find myself any different from those who clean my mother's clothes.
Speaking of her mother, Maria noticed how much make-up she had. Carlotta was putting on a show to make people think she was her bright old self again. Maria knew better though, her mother had not been herself lately. Ever since her fainting scene in Count Paradise's villa she had stayed in her room, wallowing in misery and drinking. Only people she allowed close to her were her servants and lovers. Alan Cholet probably knew this but didn't care. If it either didn't make money or cost him it had no interest to him.
The de Chagny family entered the lobby. Count Raoul had his uniform, Countess Christine was dressed in a beautiful purple dress and their son, Vicomte Charles had a plain evening suit. In which, Maria noticed to her amusement, he looked uncomfortable.
"Ah, Count de Chagny. Pleasure to have you here" Cholet said as he shook hands with Raoul.
"Well, Cholet, you know me. I'm not fort the party but Countess here would never forgive me if I didn't attend" Raoul said, earning a playful scold from his wife. The two men laughed.
Charles exchanged pleasantries but left as soon as possible. He looked around himself to see any familiar faces. Firmin was talking to an open window, so Charles concluded Andre must be on the other side smoking. Winslow Leach was talking with Meg d'Arcy about something to do with latest technology no doubt. Maria on the other was no where to be found. Probably hiding from the crowd, so typical of her, Charles thought.
He patted his pocket and felt the gift he had. It weighted like sin and just thinking the moment he would give it to her made his heart pound. He wasn't sure if he had done the right choice with the gift. It was either a stroke of genius from his part or the stupidest thing he had done, overshadowing the fact that he had end up kidnapped last New Year.
"Ah, Count de Chagny, monsieur Cholet, pleasure to see you both" said a rich deep voice behind Charles. He turned around to see that Count Paradise had entered also. He was wearing a black tuxedo and a white mask, his long black hair pulled back neatly. Behind him stood Anatole Garron, a self satisfied smirk on his face and huge bunch of roses in his hands.
Those roses are better to be meant for Madame Cholet…Charles thought as his hands closed in fists.
"Hallo Charles! Great to see you here!" Charles nearly yelled liked a girl when the hand of Harry Hunter just suddenly dropped to his shoulder. He hadn't even heard Harry approaching him.
"Harry, for God's sake, do not sneak behind people's back like that" Charles growled.
"I didn't sneak. You were just living in a world of your own, glaring that Garron guy over there" Harry said to his defence. Both turned back to the door where Anatole was still standing behind Count who was talking with Cholet.
"Anatole has informed me that your production of Don Juan is coming nicely" Count stated with a pleasant voice.
"Yes, but truthfully we have been forced to spend great deal of efforts and budget for it. It's a very ambitious opera after all" Cholet said, laughing uneasily.
"Oh, do not worry. You will be getting everything you deserve, monsieur Cholet. That I promise" Count said. "But instead of having opening night next month I'd like it to be held two weeks from now".
The colour disappeared from Cholet's face as he gape the Count like he had grown a second head. However, before opera manager had time to say anything another voice stopped in. "It was you who ordered Don Juan Triumphant?" asked Countess de Chagny.
Count Paradise looked at the woman for a moment before answering simply "Yes, Madame".
A strange smile appeared in Christine's face. "Why doesn't it surprise me?" she said and walked to the crowd.
"What was that about?" Harry asked.
"No idea" said confused Charles. He shook himself out of it. "I heard your engagement with Meg was finally cancelled then" he said, changing the subject.
"Yes, rather suddenly, under the circumstances I promised not to talk about. Yet, that predator Meg has for a father just refuses to acknowledge loss. Phillip told that he would be wanted for kidnapping if he would take Meg out of the house. And he himself is not permitted to enter" Harry told.
"I didn't think d'Arcy would go that far" Charles said.
"Old farts are weird. But Phillip and I are already planning have to deal with it. Since I was partly to blame of that engagement fiasco I've promised to help them" Harry said.
Charles rose his eyebrows and was about to ask further explanations when applaud was heard to the crowd. Charles turned around to see that Maria had finally come out of her hiding place. And the sight of her in a black dress made his jaw drop to the floor. Harry noticed Charles' reaction and wondered it for a moment, before comprehension kicked in and he wondered should he tease or encourage his friend. He settled for amused chuckling.
The crowd begun to sing 'Happy Birthday' as Maria greeted most of them. Charles wondered should he give his present for her personally or put it to the huge stack of presents that would be taken to her room. Then again she just might not even bother herself with them, Charles thought.
Maria walked to them and Harry immediately pulled her in an enormous bear hug. "You're 18 now, Maria! I'm so happy for you, you're finally legal. Shall we find bedroom now or later?" he teased.
"You're incurable" Maria scolded, knowing Harry well enough to deal with his sense of humour.
She turned to Charles who felt every muscle of his body turning to jelly. "C-Congratulations, Maria…y-you look really p-pretty…" he stammered while cursing himself to the lowest pits of hell.
Maria seemed to be surprised by Charles' reaction and a slight blush spread to her cheeks. "Thank you" she said. Harry had to bit his lip to not burst laughing.
Charles put his hand to his pocket and started to pull the little wrapped gift out. "I…I have here…"
"Ah, Miss Cholet! How lovely you look. Please accept these modest roses" said Anatole Garron who seemed to have materialised out of thin air handing his roses to Maria. Maria, too startled by his sudden presence, could only nod and accept the flowers.
"If it is not too bold for me to ask", Anatole spoke, his voice hinting something that wasn't quite right, "can I have the first dance with our birth day….heroine?"
Maria could suddenly feel almost every eye on her and it made the declining all the more difficult for her. Her gaze met her father's who was all but demanding her to dance with Garron. Signing, she knew that declining would only cause more trouble to her than one little dance.
"For the first dance, alright" she finally muttered, satisfying the audience around her. She just hoped her voice had enough ice to make it clear to Garron this would also be their last dance.
Garron's smirk didn't disappear, but stayed on his face even when they started dancing. Charles found himself thinking of different ways of wiping the smirk of his face. All of them had something to do with Garron suffering an internal bleeding or broken ribs.
A hand landed on Charles' shoulder, more gently than Harry's. "Well, Charles, I must admit that I didn't expect you to look so grim on your friend's birthday" Count Paradise said, his white mask looking straight to Charles.
"Ah, Count…it's nothing really…" Charles said, laughing uneasily.
"If you say so". Count looked at the dancing couple. "Say, don't they make a beautiful pair? You must be very happy for your friend, Mademoiselle Cholet. It seems she will be celebrating very soon again after all".
"What are you talking about, Count?"
"Their engagement of course".
Charles gaped at the masked Count. E-Engagement?! What engagement? No, Count must be mistaken, he couldn't have meant an engagement between Maria and that…that person! But Count's mask didn't betray his true feelings and Charles was left with a sudden need to be anywhere but here. Without realising it he dropped his gift to the stack of other gifts and walked away from the crowd.
To be continued…
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