A/N: FINLLY! I know I know it's been so long since I've updated, BUT HERE IT IS! I'm not going to keep you, but pleeeeeease leave me a review!
Chapter Fifty
"I don't know what you're talking about…" I said flatly. Garrit made a face.
"Besides, why would you think that I am in love?" I whispered, leaning close so only he could hear.
I looked around where Garrit and I stood in the wings, with the singing auditions still in place.
"I can jus' tell, yo're always day dreamin' and-"
"-I'm always daydreaming!" I snapped.
"I know tha' but, yo' usually 'ave a blank look to yo'; now yo' 'ave this lovey dovey expression on yo're face."
I gave a good whack to his arm. "I do not!"
Garrit stifled his laughter. "Aye, yo' do!"
I rolled my eyes and turned away, too tempted to take off his cap and beat him with it. I tried focusing on the man that was singing on stage but my focus was drawn away by a shadow shifting from above. I tried not to smile as I searched for Erik.
"See! There ye go again, day dreamin'!"
"Grrr! Garrit, don't you have something to clean?" I hissed.
"Nope," Garrit said with a grin from ear to ear.
"Josephine!"
I turned to see Madeline making her way through the crowded ballet rats toward Garrit and me. She waved enthusiastically. Before I could utter a word, Madeline had me in a fierce hug.
"Oomph!"
"Oh, Josephine, your voice is so beautiful! I didn't know you could sing so well, why, I didn't know that it was you singing! I thought it was Mme Thomson."
I tried not to duck my head from her praise and settled with a, "Thank you, Madeline."
"Oh, Garrit, I didn't see you standing there… Hello," Madeline said, shying away slightly.
I raised an eye brow. Garrit cleared his throat and smiled broadly.
"Ello Madeline, my yo're lookin' beautiful today."
Madeline blushed red and giggled to herself; I couldn't fight the smile that curved my lips. I had forgotten that Garrit and Madeline were obviously fond of each other. Garrit removed his cap, stepping closer towards Madeline. I found myself somehow outcasted by them, so I watched the scene before me.
"I wan' to thank yo' for sewin' the hole in me shirt, yesterday."
Madeline ducked her head. "You are welcome, Garrit. It was only a tiny hole in the sleeve."
"Aye it was." Just then, Garrit gently took one of Madeline's hands to examine. He glided his long fingers over Madeline's smaller one, and then met her eyes whispering. "Bu' it was yo'r fine touch tha' mended it."
Madeline looked through long lashes to Garrit, and she searched his eyes and he hers. I counted five heart beats until they realized that I was still beside them. I fought a smile as Madeline looked at me as though she was caught taking a cookie from the cookie jar! I cleared my throat and turned my attention elsewhere.
"Ehem, well if you will excuse me, I must get back to my duties." Madeline stepped back a few steps. "Again Josephine, you did wonderfully..."
"Thank you, Madeline."
"Good day." Madeline curtsied towards me.
I did the same. "Good day."
Garrit straightened to his full height as she said her farewell, and as she left, Garrit followed her with his eyes. I crossed my arms and shook my head. Oh, has he got it bad!
I said, "Tisk, tisk," as he finally looked at me.
Garrit blinked. "Wha'?"
And it was then that I let my laughter soar. His love sick expression was still on his face once my giggles subsided.
"And you say I'm the one in love." I smiled as I wiped the tears from my eyes.
Garrit made a face. "Aye, who's the lucky man? Do I get to meet him?"
I pretended not to hear him, my eyes remaining on the person on center stage. And when I didn't respond, he didn't press the matter. I imagined then what the introduction would be like if I were to really introduce Garrit to Erik…
"Josephine! Pssst!" I looked over my shoulder to see Olive.
"Olive, why are you whispering?"
"Because he asked me to."
My heart skipped a beat at the thought of Erik. With a rushed 'excuse me' to Garrit, I pushed Olive aside so we could talk in private.
"What did he say, Olive?"
Olive made a face. "How did you know he was coming?"
"What do you mean? He said-"
"Oh never mind, he told me to tell you to meet him at the grand foyer."
I raised an eye brow. "In public?"
"No silly, he said he doesn't want to draw attention, but to meet him there."
I pulled a lock of hair and twirled it around my finger confused, but nodded anyway. "All right, thank you, Olive."
"Oh, Josephine?"
I turned. "Yes?"
"You were fantastic on stage!"
"Merci!"
Making my way from the wings and toward the foyer, I racked my brain to think as to why Erik wanted to meet me at the grand foyer. Why not in the prima donnas room, or even on the flies above the stage. It was very odd… As I rounded the corner, a hand pressed over my mouth while another wrapped around my waist! I was hoisted up and dragged to a darkened corner near a naked statue; I screamed and kicked but to no avail.
"Josephine, hush please!" whispered my capture.
"Edmar!" I mumbled into the hand that was pressed to my mouth. I recognized the voice.
I was turned around and pressed into the cold wall; the large statue hid any sign of our bodies. He checked over his shoulder before he pushed back his cloaked hood. Then I was staring into the hazel eyes of Edward Monte.
I pushed hard against the walls of his chest, knocking him back. "What are you doing, Edward? Why did you do that?"
Before I could yell at him anymore, Edward pulled me into his arms and stroked my hair. "S'il vous plait, pardonnez-moi, but if I am seen with you, my life will be over."
I pushed out of his embrace. "I will not forgive you! You can't do something like that and then - wait what did you say?"
"Josephine, I was warned to never see you again. If I did, my life would be taken!" Edward placed both hands on my shoulders and whispered, "That is why I haven't come to the opera house to see you, but I can't stay away any more; I care for you too much. I've missed you so..."
Edward then crushed me to his chest. He smelled of mint and soap.
"I was able to see you on stage. Oh, Josephine your voice was like an angel. So heavenly, so pure! I then saw Olivia sitting in the audience and asked her to have you meet me."
I blinked; Olive was talking about Edward, not Erik. Pulling away I looked up at him. "Edward, who has threatened you? Why would they care if you are here?"
"I do not know who he is, but he's not human; he came to me at night and warned me that if I was to come anywhere near you that I would die... He had a lasso and-"
"Not human?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, he was cloaked in black, and I could not see his face. One minute, he was standing before me and the next he's outside across the lawn. Oh, Josephine it was terrible; he went up into flames!"
"Who would do something like that to you?"
"I do not know, but whoever it was, I never want to see it again. I just couldn't stay away any longer, I miss you." Edward placed both hands on the sides of my face. "Have you missed me, Josephine?"
I looked through long lashes. To be honest, I had completely forgotten about Edward! With Erik at my side –and in his arms- nothing but the audition had been on my mind. I swallowed hard and pulled his hands away from my face.
"Edward, I've been so focused on the auditions that-"
"Say no more, I understand." He chuckled. "I'm just so happy to see you; I've forgotten how beautiful you are."
I swallowed hard looking around. If any one were to see us, it would look very tryst. Edward and I in a dark corner… And Erik, I could only imagine what he would do…
"Edward, come, let us move from here." I stepped aside.
"It is not safe, Josephine, I-" Suddenly Edward stiffened. He whipped around and searched the shadows. "He's here, he's found me."
"Who?" I searched the shadows along with him and saw nothing. Edward then grabbed my hand and pulled me along the corridor.
"Edward! What are you doing!" I yelped.
Edward pulled me along, going this way and that way, not knowing where he was going. All the while, I tripped over my own feet down the long corridors!
"Edward, there's no one following us! And we're headed towards the roof!"
"You don't know he isn't following us. I told you he isn't human. He was talking inside my head! I alone can hear him!"
We burst through the roof door and the cold wind racked my body. Edward rushed me onto the parapet. He then braced himself against the door.
"Edward?" I panted out of breath. "I don't think-"
"I know what I heard, Josephine, you must trust me. I know he's out there. You stay here all right, I'll be right back."
"Edward-"
"I'll only be a minute, Josephine; I don't want him hurting you."
The wind picked up and blew, I shivered holding myself. I was left speechless starring at the roof door. What in the world just happened? Is Edward going mad? Hearing voices, seeing spirits…
"Josephine…"
"Bahhh!" I yelped turning at the sound of my name. Before me was a brooding figure in black. "Erik, mon dieu, you scared me." I rushed to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. With his cloak around me, I was sheltered from the cold. I waited for Erik to enfold me but it didn't happen; instead he gripped my shoulders and pulled me to arm's length.
"What are you doing with him, Josephine?" Erik growled. His silver eyes bore into mine. Erik's face was pinched into a scowl. "Answer me, damn it!"
I flinch and stepped away. "Erik, what has gotten into you?"
"I saw you, I saw you with HIM; he had his hands all over you. I told him to stay away from you," Erik said through clenched teeth.
I started. "It was you, you-"
"Yes, it was me."
My mouth fell open. "How could you, Erik? The man is terrified that he's going to die."
"And now he shall," Erik murmured rather calm.
I gasped, appalled.
"Josephine, you are mine, I don't want him anywhere near you. I don't like the way he looks at you; how he tries touching you. It drives me insane."
"That doesn't give you the right to frighten him the way you did, people will think he's mad."
"Good, he will be sent to an asylum, and I wouldn't have to kill him."
I whacked Erik on the arm. "That's not amusing, Erik."
"Then why are you smirking, my dear?"
I bit my lip trying not to smile and stalked away towards the other side of the parapet.
"Would it make you feel better if I told you that I scared the hell out of him before we announced our love for each other?"
My mouth popped open with shock. "You what?"
Erik chuckled deeply, brushing my hair out of my eyes; he then traced my lips with the tip of his finger. I felt my entire body grow warm, and my heart thumped in my chest.
"Josephine? Josephine, where did you go?"
Startled, I peeked around the base of the statue of Pegasus where we were hidden and there was Edward searching for me. His worried expression pulled at my heart; he really cares for me. When I turned towards Erik my lips were captured by his. I groaned as Erik pulled me against his body. His fingers tangled in my hair, and I shivered from the sensation. As he ended our kiss, Erik nipped my bottom lip, causing my knees to go weak. Opening my eyes, all I saw was Erik's smiling, silver eyes.
"Am I forgiven?"
"For what?" I asked still drunk from his kiss.
"Josephine, are you still up here?" Edward called again.
"Perhaps you should assure him that you are all right," Erik purred, stroking my cheek.
I nodded numbly and staggered from behind the statue.
"Josephine! There you are; I was getting worried." Edward hurried across the parapet.
I looked over my shoulder to see Erik melt into the shadows with a smug grin on his lips. Edward was before me, hands on both shoulders and out of breath. "You're still here, for a moment I thought you left!" Edward chuckled.
I opened my mouth to reply and the first words the came out of my mouth were, "Edward, I'm in love."
Edward's happy expression turned to confusion. "I'm sorry, I don't understand."
I stared at him dumbfounded, oh, bother.
"You're in love, you say?" Edward whispered.
I sighed. "Yes…"
"With whom?"
I opened my mouth and then closed it. How am I going to explain this to Edward?
"My-My-with my best friend…"
Edward made a face. "Your best friend? And who is that?"
"His name is Erik, Erik Destler…" I bit my lips. Should I have told Edward Erik's name?
Edward shook his head, confused. His voice was almost desperate as he said, "His name isn't familiar. Who is he, what is his station-profession?"
I swallowed hard. "He is a wealthy man, he owns nothing but the best and he's a scholar; you could say, a composer, even a teacher… He's a very smart and talented man."
Edward stared blankly at me; I waited for a reply but he just kept staring at me like a gapping fish!
"Erik Destler, you say, and how long have the two of you been courting?" Edward managed to say in a harsh whisper.
"About two months and we've been very good friends for over a year."
"So have we."
I didn't reply to Edward's comment. Instead, I looked away, unable to hold his gaze. Edward turned from me then, his posture ridged and his hands clenched into fists. I waited for Edward to speak, and when he did his voice was hoarse.
"Do you wish to marry him?"
I swallowed hard. My heart pounded against my chest at the thought of marrying Erik. My dream seemed all too real…
"In the future, if he will have me…"
Edward nodded slowly. "Very well then…"
"Edward, you know I care for you… and I do love you… as a friend. You've known this."
"Yes, I-I I've known this, but I… I just… I must be leaving now." Edward cleared his throat and finally turned to face me. The hurt in his eyes broke my heart, they were rimmed with moisture and his lips were pressed into a grim line.
"Edward-"
"Good day to you, Josephine."
"Wait, please!"
Edward held up his hand to stop me from following him. "Don't."
I watched as Edward walked swiftly to the roof door and closed it silently behind him.
"Well, he took it rather well."
I glared up at Erik who had an amused look on the visible side of his face. "Don't be vexed, Josephine. Its better he find out from you that you love another. You did him a favor, now he can stop harassing you."
I shook my head. "He never harassed me, Erik. Sure he could be a little bothersome, but he was my friend…"
I felt the sting of tears burn my eyes. Erik took me into his arms then and held me tight. A part of me was glad that Edward knew that I am in love, but I couldn't help but feel terrible; the pain I saw in his eyes broke my heart.
A/N: Dun dun dun duuuuunnnnnnnnnnn! Poor Edward, so heart broken! How do you think he will act from now on around Josephine? And how cute is Garrit and Madeline? Please be kind and leave a review! Erik's POV next! If I get some good reviews I'll post ASAP! (I barrowed a laptop and I'm getting as much writing as I can with it! Yay!)
