Don't get too excited; I only managed to write this thanks to a sudden burst of inspiration. I haven't had any luck finding the old chapters, so I'm having to reconstruct. The process will speed up eventually, but I'm focusing more on my other two stories right now. Thanks for all of your encouragement and patience.

Chapter 36: The Overwhelming Unexpected

Christine

I hardly let Erik out of my sight for the next week. I was afraid he would just disappear one night, so I didn't sleep well at all, instead staring at my ceiling with wide, fearful eyes.

You see, as much as I hated to admit it, I knew that I truly needed Erik. Not that I loved him; I didn't think I could ever return his violent passion. Though he had said "yet," my mind said "never." I couldn't hate him and my admiration for him was undeniable, but my mind had built a barrier that refused to allow me to love him. At the same time, I couldn't bear to be without him now that I was without both of my parents. No one else was there to guide me, and after two years of heeding his every word, it was only natural for me to turn to him.

So, I followed him around like a skittish puppy wherever he went. I panicked if he wasn't where I could see him. And, though he didn't say anything, he began to grow annoyed by my pestering. As long as I shadowed him, he couldn't compose his Don Juan Triumphant or have alone time to think and create. He did his best to hide his irritation. He played song after song for me, he read aloud to me… he indulged me for five days.

We were going on two hours of chess when he confronted me. "What is going on?" he asked.

"We're playing chess," I replied. I started re-setting the board (he had beaten me for the eighteenth time, naturally) to avoid meeting his gaze.

He wasn't to be so easily deterred, however. He stopped my motions by reaching out and touching my wrist. I ceased my motions but didn't pull away from him. "You hate chess," he reminded me. "You have been acting strange."

"I'm not acting strange!" I insisted. "I'm simply trying to broaden my horizon and develop my mind."

A single eyebrow rose, and the right corner of his mouth curved upwards into a smirk. "You had me read to you from The Old Man and the Sea yesterday, Christine. As I recall, that was your least favorite book in school. I believe your words describing it were 'pointless, depressing, and disturbing.'"

He had me there and knew it. I blushed out of my embarrassment and tried to turn away, but his fingertips under my chin stopped me. "Why are you acting this way?" he pressed gently. I didn't answer; I couldn't answer. It was the strangest thing, but in that moment, he looked so very human that it was discombobulating. His hair was slightly messy and hanging around his face. He was only wearing a white shirt and the sleeves were rolled up. His eyebrow was still arrogantly, deliciously raised, and a confident smirk was still playing upon his lips. His eyes sought mine, and I stared into their golden depths. Almost without knowing it, I leaned forward slightly. His breath caught as my hand moved on its own accord to smooth a particularly unruly strand of his hair. My curious fingers lingered, surprised by the softness of his hair, and I watched his eyes turn into soft, golden lamps. "So beautiful," I whispered.

I didn't realize I'd spoken aloud until he stiffened and withdrew his hands. "Fine," he said, his voice suddenly cold. "Play your little games and keep your little secrets. Just do not mock me in the process." My mouth opened in shock, but he stood and swiftly exited the room.

I didn't attempt to follow him. I was too astonished by my slip. On one hand, I felt terrible. Of course he thought I was mocking him, I scolded myself fiercely. With a face like his – and if I'm going to be completely honest, I'll call it what it is: hideous – no one had ever called him beautiful before, at least not seriously.

But, what bothered me most of all is that I hadn't spoken in jest. In those few moments, I had honestly found him alluring. He had a face like Death, but to my surprise and wonder, I found that the thought of it no longer repelled or even shook me. In fact, all that had truly caught my attention was the powerful confidence exuding from him and the way his eyes had captivated mine… And, thinking of those beautiful eyes, the words had slipped from my lips…

I shook my head in utter bewilderment. What is wrong with me? I was going insane if I found a man who resembled a corpse attractive! I couldn't, wouldn't, allow myself to think this way! It wouldn't do either of us any good.

I rose from my chair, determined to uphold my resolve. I was almost to my room when I froze as I fully realized the impact of my turbulent emotions: Erik's face didn't bother me anymore.