Now we are getting somewhere. Read on and I own nothing!
Some of the Opera House walls knew the secrets of Erik and his Christine. While other walls were privy to the secret late-night visits of a Vicomte and a resident ballet girl. Raoul and Veronica met late at night, but sometimes they were not the soul of discretion. More than once they came so very close to being discovered, but Raoul was always well-prepared with stories of late-night casting meetings or losing his way from the Managers' offices again. Veronica would always play her part perfectly but inside, she would either be fuming or deeply upset.
Why am I always the one forced to hide? He has money and power. He doesn't need anyone's permission. He can see whomever he likes. Didn't he once bribe an entire restaurant so he could find Christine at a masked ball?
One afternoon Raoul spotted Veronica leaving for lunch and he intercepted her by asking loudly if she would be so kind to deliver a note for him. She rebuffed him and walked away. He carefully left the Opera House and stated to run after her when he was sure no one was in sight.
"What was that all about?" He caught up to her and grabbed her arm.
"Let go of me!" She pushed him away.
"Veronica, what the devil has come over you?"
"Oh, so now we can stop pretending to be strangers? Really Raoul, aren't you tired of this game?"
"What do you mean by game?"
"This…. The sneaking around and the lying. What is it for? You are not married, and neither am I. Who cares if people see us?"
"Veronica, you know that would present a problem."
"No, I don't see why it would be such a problem. You can do whatever you want, your nobility for heaven's sake."
"But that's exactly it. You think nobility has freedom? We are enslaved most of all. My family…. It's best to not get into that."
"So, if it is your family, you care so much about, why do you pretend at the theatre. Your precious family isn't there."
"I need to conduct myself in a certain way."
"And what way is that, Raoul?"
He moved closer to her. "A way that would be more appropriate behavior in broad daylight.
"Then why don't you conduct yourself like that all the time?"
"Because I can't help myself, Veronica." He grinned wolfishly at her and then stepped back. "Now please don't be like this. I don't want to waste time by fighting with you. I thought we had a mutually satisfying arrangement?"
"I don't want to be your little secret."
"And you're not… Not really."
"Would it have been this way with Christine?"
"Excuse me?"
"Christine. You made it clear your affection towards her not so long ago. That's how we met, remember?"
He stared at her for longer than he intended. "Christine is an old friend. I was merely looking to get reacquainted. That is all."
"Right and I was a virgin when we met."
"You don't have to speak so crassly."
"I'm sorry. I'll start taking lessons from little Ms. Perfect. Maybe that's how you want from to be from now on, eh?"
When he didn't reply, she huffed and walked away again. This time Raoul called her name and ran after her. He caught her again but froze when she turned around and spotted Meg right behind him.
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"Meg, what are you doing here?"
Meg looked at Veronica and then back at Raoul. "It's lunch time in Paris, what do you think I'm doing? Monsieur Vicomte, what a surprise."
"Mademoiselle Giry. I was…."
"The Vicomte was hoping I would deliver a message to Monsieur Andre. Seems as if he won't be able to attend the performance this evening and wanted me to give his regards."
Meg eyed the Vicomte. "How convenient that you just happened to be here."
"Quite." Raoul replied.
"Well, I'm sorry we won't see you tonight, Vicomte. I'm sure Christine will be disappointed."
Raoul's expression changed. "You really think so?"
Meg tried not to snicker. "Good day to you both."
Veronica called after Meg. "Wait Meg. I'm heading back myself."
Raoul looked at her sheepishly. "Thank you."
She nodded.
"Can I see you later tonight? I can send a carriage. After the performance?"
"Won't you be afraid to have me seen in the family crest?"
"Don't be silly. I'll order one."
She looked at him in disbelief. "You are something else." She then walked away but couldn't help herself to turn and look back at him.
He took it as a compliment. "Until tonight, then."
Meg waited until Veronica was walking beside her to speak.
"I thought you were smarter than that, Veronica?"
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Since when do you play second fiddle to any woman?"
"Second fiddle? You don't know a thing, Meg Giry."
"Don't I? Well, whatever you have going on with that man, I know it as sure as I know the Opera Ghost is real, if he thought he had a chance with Christine, you wouldn't even get the time of day."
"That's a lie. He has to be careful, is all."
"Right. And by careful, do you mean secretive? I can tell you plainly that he would wait inside Christine's dressing room when he thought he had a chance with her."
Veronica was fuming but she held her temper. "Maybe that was true once, but he has no reason to ever wait inside or outside her dressing room ever again."
"If you say so, Veronica."
"He loves me."
Meg pitied the girl. "Veronica, I know we aren't friends but from one woman to another, give that man a wide berth. Find someone who wants to be with you."
"You don't know anything, Meg. Christine is just a friend."
"And I'm telling you, if she wanted more, you would be yesterday's dalliance."
When they reached the entrance, Veronica picked up her pace and didn't say another word as she left Meg behind. Meg almost felt sorry for her.
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Meg went to her room to change when she heard a knock coming from the wall.
"Mama?"
Seconds later the wall opened, and Erik appeared.
She tilted her head. "Do I still have to pretend I am scared of you, Uncle Erik?"