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Monday! Enough said.
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Chapter 44
~X~
Erik pulled into the garage, turned off his car and made his way to the side door, both anxious and nervous about what he would find. Christine's text had done wonders for his disposition, yet facing her again was still going to be difficult. He had always tried to appear strong in front of her, never wanting his wife to see the vulnerable side he kept buried deep within…yet last night, Christine had been witness to it, in all its hideous glory.
Still, Amir had been right about telling her of his past, perhaps he was also correct about Erik not underestimating Christine's compassion. She had been rather forgiving so far…might he hope that pattern would continue?
As Erik opened the door, stepping inside with a measure of caution, he was instantly assaulted by his adorable wife launching herself across the room and into his arms. Wrapping herself around him like a clinging vine, she kissed him soundly on the lips, pulling back as she gave him a wide smile.
"Welcome home, darling!" she greeted him. "Did you miss me?"
"More than you will ever know," Erik whispered, bending his head down so that he could sample her lips once more. Oh, this was more than he had ever hoped for…and certainly more than he deserved. It had been difficult for him to divulge his past to her last night, but if this was his reward for baring his soul, he might be willing to do so more often.
At last the kiss ended, though not their happy mood.
"It was lonely waking up without you," Christine confessed, taking him by the arm and leading him to the sun room, where she forced him to sit on the sofa, snuggling up next to him as she continued speaking. "The rose and the note were nice…but I missed getting my good morning kiss."
"A thousand apologies, my dear," Erik told her, reaching out and tipping her chin up so that he might rectify that oversight. "It might be a bit late, but far be it from me to deprive you…or me…of such pleasures."
Once he had bestowed yet another delightful kiss upon his wife, she curled up against him, just enjoying the feel of him beside her.
"And how was your day?" she questioned.
"Long and dull without you," Erik replied. "And your day?"
"The same," Christine told him, though she thought one part had been rather exciting…but she was not about to mention the fact that Meg was dating Raoul. At least not yet. First she needed to find out if it was all legit, or if it was instead a ploy to spy on her and Erik. Then she would confess her deceit…and just pray that he could find it in his heart to forgive her. Oh, she just felt terrible about deceiving him this way!
"Then what say we brighten things up with some time in the music room before dinner?" Erik suggested. "I have been quite lax in my duties by letting our practice slide a bit since your recital, and I very much desire to hear you sing for me."
"Oh, yes please!" Christine beamed, always loving their music lessons.
"Shall we then?" Erik offered, standing up and holding out his hand.
"We shall," she grinned, taking his hand with no hesitation and allowing him to lead her through the house.
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After a very enjoyable hour or so of music, Mrs. Murphy had announced that dinner was ready, urging them to head to the dining room. While they ate, they continued their pleasurable conversation, yet by the time desert was served Christine's mind had become focused on how she was going to arrange to meet Raoul the next day without anyone becoming the wiser. Then she got an idea.
"Erik…is Amir going to be at the charity ball?" she questioned, trying not to let her voice sound suspicious.
"Of course he will," Erik informed her. "Do you think I would give your bodyguard the night off, especially when you will be out in public? Anything could happen!"
"And what will his costume be?" she continued, pleased by Erik's answer.
"His costume?" This caused Erik to look up from his meal, his eyes a bit confused.
"Well, it is a costume ball…wouldn't he look strange showing up dressed like he usually does?" Christine asked.
"He dresses so odd anyway, that no one would even notice," Erik said with a shrug of his shoulders, continuing with his meal.
"Well, I think he needs a costume," she stated. "In fact, I've been meaning to get myself some of those fish-net stockings, so maybe I'll stop by the shop tomorrow and pick out something for him to wear while I'm at it."
"Very well…just be sure to make it something embarrassing," Erik grinned, giving Christine a sly wink.
"I will do no such thing…well, unless all the non-embarrassing costumes have already been taken," she giggled, causing Erik's grin to grow wider. "What is Antoinette dressing as?"
"Hmmm, I do not know," he admitted, trying to recall if she had mentioned that to him. "I did hear her say something to Elizabeth about a kimono and chopsticks for her hair."
"So, an Oriental theme then," Christine mused. Now that was something she could work with!
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Once dinner was over, the two retired to the entertainment room, with Christine choosing a western from Erik's array of movies.
"Are you sure you wish to watch this?" Erik asked, eyeing the case skeptically. "I never pegged you as the cowgirl type."
"Not usually, but come on…it has Chris Pratt in it!" she giggled, returning to the couch and plopping down next to him.
"And this actor appeals to you?" Erik asked, not liking the idea at all.
"No more than any other, I guess," she said with a shrug. When she noticed the frown on his face she gave a little laugh. "Now, don't be jealous of a man I'm never going to meet, and probably wouldn't give me the time of day even if we did."
"Then Chris Pratt is a fool," Erik huffed.
"Could be, but again, I'm never going to be finding out, now am I?" She then grabbed the bowl of popcorn out of Erik's hands and rested her feet on the coffee table. "Now…hit the play button and let's get this movie started."
"Yes, ma'am," Erik chuckled, loving the way Christine always seemed so enthusiastic about everything.
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By the time the credits began to roll up the screen, Christine was sound asleep, her head resting on a pillow in Erik's lap. Taking the remote, he pressed stop and then the power button, effectively ending their movie night…and yet, Erik had all the entertainment he needed stretched out before him. His wife always looked so angelic when she slept, often causing him to forget that she also had a will of iron, and a sharp tongue when needed. He loved that about her as well.
It suddenly occurred to Erik that this was the first time he'd ever had a woman fall asleep on his lap before. Yes, Christine had slept beside him, also with her head resting on his chest…but that had been in bed, where one was meant to sleep. Yet here, on the sofa in front of the TV, this showed a level of trust and comfort that he had never dreamed possible. It was very nice.
Erik's mind drifted to the three other women he had known over the years. Roshni had been by far the worst, and while the other two were nothing like her, he had never felt a hint of affection for them either. Erik had been twenty-five before he built up enough self-confidence to attempt to sample the pleasures of the flesh again, as well as for the opportunity to present itself.
He and Amir had been in the states for nearly two years, and they were making quite a name for themselves in certain circles. At one point, they had done a job for a rich widow named Monique, who hired them to take care of a sensitive matter her late husband had left unfinished, before he passed away rather unexpectedly. When it was completed, she had asked Erik to meet with her privately at her lavish home, in order to pay him. Well, he soon found out that money was not the only thing Monique wished to reward him with, and when it became clear what she was offering…Erik didn't say no.
Yet, to her credit, she did not comment on his mask, allowing Erik to keep it on throughout their encounter. She was a bit older than him, what one might consider a cougar these days, but far from unattractive. Monique also looked nothing like Roshni, with long blond hair, pale skin, and a slight southern accent. The best thing, however, was that she intended to move to the west coast, ensuring that he would not be running into her on a regular basis.
Even though she obviously possessed great skill in the art of sex, Erik did not recall his first time with Monique being anything spectacular, though it was not completely unpleasant either…simply awkward. It served its purpose however, allowing him to at last know what all the fuss was about, as well as relieving a great deal of stress he had been bottling up for a good many years. Still, when the act was completed they did not cuddle, or engage in conversation, Monique only smiled, gave him the money she had promised, and Erik had left.
Over the next several years Erik visited Monique in California a few times, the two of them revisiting their need for release, yet never forming an emotional attachment. They did not talk about personal matters, only current events, the weather, and then usually just got down to business, so to speak. Erik preferred it that way, and Monique appeared to as well. Yet when he read in the society column that she was planning to remarry, Erik broke off all contact, wishing her happiness in her new life.
A few years passed before Erik chose to engage in such activities again. Granted, he was now rich enough to afford even the most high-priced call girls, but the thought repulsed him. He also prided himself on his ability to control any urges he was sometimes plagued with, never allowing his desires to push him into doing something he would later regret. Still, during a lucrative business venture oversees, he met a woman who appeared intrigued by his mystery and power, and Erik once again took advantage of the offer she had generously made him. Her name was Hanaco Yamashita, an only child who had inherited her family's fortune and was taking Japan's business world by storm. She was shrewd, knew what she wanted in life, and was not afraid of going after it.
Hanaco, though hard as nails, had a softer side she chose to keep hidden, and saw Erik as a pleasant means of distraction, with no strings attached. From the start, Erik had been very careful to practice safe sex, never wishing to run the risk of contracting anything…or fathering a child. He would also occasionally have himself tested, making sure that he, and any he might sleep with, were safe. The last time he had been checked was five months ago, and he had not been to see Hanaco in over a year, the two of them far too busy of late to schedule any time to meet up.
Looking back, Erik had to wonder if in truth it had anything to do with his growing dissatisfaction with the lack of connection those rendezvous had offered. His times with her were pleasurable, but left him feeling empty and hollow, desiring something that he knew he could never receive from such a businesslike relationship. Even if he had never dreamed that having a true wife and a real home was possible, Erik couldn't deny that deep down he had always wanted exactly that. And as he stared down at the lovely creature resting in his lap…he knew he would never desire any woman again but her.
As he watched Christine sleep, Erik felt deep regret that he had not refrained, that she would not be his first, just as he would be hers. If only he had known, he would have waited forever. Yet the idea made him laugh, for never in a million years would he have dreamed that he would be here, with a woman such as Christine, sleeping on his lap. The past several months had been nothing short of miraculous, fulfilling nearly every wild fantasy Erik's younger self had never believed possible. That was what had driven him to accept those other women, the belief that he was too damaged…to broken, to ever have a wife of his own…and yet, here she was.
While Erik knew he would regret every moment spent in the arms of those other women, he could rest assured that Christine would be the last women he would ever sleep with…and the first that Erik would ever truly make love to. Love…it was such a small word, and yet to him it meant so much. It was the one thing that had eluded him throughout his life, the one thing his vast wealth and power had failed to obtain over the past thirty-eight years. Yet now, within his grasp was his heart's desire…his Christine, and Erik was not about to let her slip away. Ever!
Leaning down he kissed her cheek, causing her to stir, her eyes opening as she blessed him with a sleepy smile.
"Is the movie over?" she asked, stretching her legs and arms like a lazy kitten.
"Yes, the heroes rode off into the sunset," Erik informed her, assisting her to sit up. "Shall we do the same? Though by riding off, I mean walking up the stairs, and by sunset, I mean our bedroom."
"That sounds so far away," she pouted, laying back down on the sofa with a yawn. "Can't we just sleep here?"
"I am afraid I would not fit, my dear," Erik chuckled. "Yet, never let it be said that I left a damsel in distress." And scooping her up in his arms, he headed for the stairs, flipping off the lights as he went.
"Well, I rather like this," Christine smiled, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning her head on his shoulder as they went.
When they arrived at the bedroom, Erik set her down on her feet ever so gently.
"Now, are you awake enough to get changed…or do you need assistance in that as well," he offered, a slight quirk at the corner of his lips. "For I would be more than happy to aid you in that endeavor."
"Oh, I think I can manage," she assured him with an equally sly grin. "You just worry about yourself…I'll be perfectly fine." And with a small laugh she disappeared into her bathroom, leaving a somewhat disappointed Erik behind.
"Well…it was worth a shot," he said with a shrug, heading off to get ready for bed as well.
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The next day at breakfast Erik informed Christine that he would need Gerald and the limo once again, offering to drop her off at school and having Amir drive her to Leathwood and then home afterwards.
"And to the costume shop," she reminded him, not wanting Erik to forget that. "I need to get those stockings and a costume for Amir."
"Oh, yes, I do recall that," he nodded. "I am certain he will not mind an extra stop."
"I just hope he won't baulk about wearing whatever I find for him, he seems the fussy type when it comes to certain things," she mused.
"You have no idea," Erik told her with a roll of his eyes.
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All day Christine went over and over in her mind what she planned to say to Raoul when she saw him. She didn't want to come across as some jealous ex-girlfriend, or give the impression that she was so full of herself that the only reason she could imagine him dating Meg was to spy on her…but she really had to know! It would just kill her if Raoul broke her friend's heart, especially if it was somehow because of her.
At three, Christine found Meg and explained her need to do some last-minute shopping for the ball, before heading out to meet with Amir. He was parked in the same place that Gerald usually chose, making it easy to find him and his newly repaired car.
"Wow…you can't even tell I dented it!" Christine said, rubbing her hand over where the tree had originally left its impression.
"And since you have your own set of wheels now, I don't see it happening again," he told her. "Now, hop in, and let's get you to see your father."
"Actually, I need to make one quick stop first," she informed him, sliding into the passenger seat. "I told Erik I had to find something for my costume, and that I would need to stop by the same shop we went to last week."
"Very well, your wish is my command," he nodded, pulling out into traffic as he headed for the little store.
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Once they arrived, Amir parked a few spaces down from the costume shop, reaching for the handle to get out and escort her inside.
"Ummm, you don't have to go with me, you know," she stated. "I'm just going to buy some stockings…and really, do you want to be hanging around me while I do that?" She then pointed to the Starbuck's coffee place just next door. "Maybe you can go get us a couple of flavored coffees, and I'll be out in a jiffy."
"All right, but only because I can still see the door to the costume shop from the coffee line," he agreed. "Just be careful…and don't talk to strangers."
"Yes, sir!" she laughed. Yet all her mirth died when she spotted Raoul making his way down the street and casually heading into the costume store. Christine cringed as she glanced over at Amir, who was glaring out the window with narrowed eyes.
"Christine…" he began in a low and dangerous tone. When he saw her look of gilt, his expression grew stern. "What have you done? You can't tell me that boy being here is a mere coincidence!"
"Umm…no…it's not," she confessed, shutting her eyes and leaning her head back against the seat. "I'm sorry, Amir…I just…well…"
"YOU WHAT?" he demanded, pointing at the shop angrily. "Tell me what he's doing here…now!"
"I asked him to meet me, because I needed to find something out," she told him, doing her best to keep the regret she was feeling out of her voice.
"What knowledge would be worth upsetting Erik…as I'm sure you know this would ultimately do!" Amir went on in a scolding tone.
"I need to know if Raoul is dating Meg because he truly likes her…or if it is just a ploy to keep tabs on me," she blurted out.
"HE'S WHAT?" Amir yelled, causing a few people walking by to look over at their car. "That jack-dandy is dating Meg? Meg Giry?"
"Do you know any other girls named Meg?" Christine asked, giving the concerned pedestrians an embarrassed smile. "And I was just as shocked by the news as you are. So, can you now understand why I need to find out his reasons? I can't let him hurt Meg, but neither do I want to warn her off if he truly is in earnest." She then took a deep breath and played a card she knew would get Amir on her side. "Haven't you ever kept something from Erik, because he would totally disagree with you…but you knew deep in your heart what you were doing needed to be done?" She was referring to his intervention with Antoinette's jerk of a husband, and from the way Amir's eyes drifted off, she knew he was thinking of that situation as well.
"Damn it!" Amir growled, hitting the steering wheel with his palm in anger. "Yes…I see your point. You must protect Meg. But he better be dating her for the right reasons, even if I don't agree with it," he grumbled. "Or so help me, Erik won't be the only one who wants to string that boy up by his…"
"AMIR!" Christine scolded, stopping him before he could finish his sentence.
"Toes! I was going to say toes!" Amir protested.
"Yah…right," Christine responded, not believing him for a moment.
"Go on…get in there and grill the rat. But don't be too long, or I'll come looking for you, understand?" he warned.
"Perfectly," Christine nodded, exiting the car. Sadly she didn't feel the least bit overjoyed by her apparent victory. For by doing this, she was not only deceiving Erik…but she had now involved Amir, and that had never been her intention. She knew she should have just listened to her father.
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Christine spotted Raoul the moment she stepped in, his blond hair and good looks making him stand out very easily.
"Hey, Christine!" he called, waving at her from two racks over.
"Raoul…thank you for agreeing to meet with me," she said, coming to stand by him, but not too closely.
"I really didn't have much of a choice, now did I?" he chuckled, trying to keep things light. "I got the impression if I wanted to keep seeing Meg…I had to get your approval."
"Well…you do!" she stated, her ire coming to the fore. "And you can start earning it by telling me exactly why you first approached Meg."
"Well…aside from her beauty, grace, personality, and her smoking hot body," Raoul began. "I have to admit that I singled her out because I knew you two were friends."
"Ah ha!" Christine accused, poking her finger into his chest a few times. "So, you're dating Meg so you can spy on me through her! I knew it!"
"No! That's not true at all," he said defensively, rubbing his chest where she had jabbed him. "I mean, yes that was the original reason I struck up a conversation with her the night of the recital. I admit that I saw her in your box across the way, and after Philippe dropped me off and went home himself, I came back and talked my way into the party. But after we got to know each other better, I realized I really did like Meg…a lot! I might have been a real jerk back in high school, Christine, but I would never toy with a woman's affections just to get information."
"You seemed to have no trouble toying with my affections while kissing Trish in the broom closet," she pointed out.
"And I have never regretted anything more in my entire life," he moaned. "If I could go back in time, I would kick eighteen-year-old me right in the butt for the pain he caused you. But I promise…I've matured a lot since then, and my feelings for Meg are genuine. I haven't even asked her about you or your husband since that first night, and even that was only in passing…check with Meg, she'll back me up."
"So, you truly like her, as a girlfriend, and not just an informant?" Christine asked.
"Scout's honor," he promised, holding up three of his fingers in a sign of his sincerity. "Please Christine…I really, really want to continue dating your friend without worrying that you will get upset or try and turn her against me. Meg totally freaked out when I told her that we used to date, saying that if you objected, she would have no choice but to break up with me."
"Well, apparently that is part of the best friend's code," Christine sighed, still not liking this match at all, but what else could she do? "But you better swear that you are seeing her for no other reason except that you like her…and I mean like her a lot, since she apparently thinks rather highly of you." She then stepped closer, gripping him by his tie and giving it a firm yank. "And if you hurt her, Raoul Chaney, that tap on the chin I gave you before will be nothing compared to what I'll do this time, got it?"
"Yes, Christine…I swear," he told her in all seriousness.
"And if her threats don't sway you…perhaps mine will," Amir growled viciously from directly behind Raoul, causing the young man to jump in shock.
"CRAP, dude!" he yelped, spinning around so quickly that he was nearly choked by his own tie…since Christine had yet to let go of it. "What do you do, just follow her around wherever she goes?" Raoul demanded, doing his best to calm his racing heart as he pulled on his shirt collar just a bit.
"Pretty much," he chuckled, loving how he had spooked the boy. "So, you best watch yourself," Amir warned. "And I'll be looking out for Meg as well, understand?"
"Yah…sure…I read you both loud and clear," Raoul agreed, looking from Amir to Christine and back in what was obviously fear. "Now, if you're both done threatening me…can I go?"
"Of course, Raoul," Christine said with a devious smile, reaching out to straighten his tie in a somewhat nerve-wracking gesture. "Just remember…we'll be watching you."
With a heavy sigh and a roll of his eyes, Raoul left, and not as confidently as he had arrived either. Christine wondered if he was suddenly rethinking dating Meg after all.
"Well…that went well," Amir grinned, holding up his hand as he and Christine gave each other a high five.
"Better than well, I would say we make a very good team," she agreed.
"Agreed. Shall we get going then?" Amir asked, gesturing towards the door.
"In a minute, I still have to find my stockings…and a little something else." Christine reminded him.
"I think your little something else just left before he pissed his pants," Amir chuckled, pleased by his joke.
"Ewww, Amir!" Christine said with a scrunched-up nose. "Go get yourself that cup of coffee over at Starbucks, and meet me in the car. I'll only be a few minutes."
"Fine, but after tricking me like you did with all this, you're buying!" he told her, holding out his hand like a teen demanding his allowance.
"Men…I swear!" she grumbled, digging into her purse and giving him a twenty-dollar bill. "And get me an iced vanilla latte too, would you?"
"Sure thing," he grinned, turning and leaving the shop.
Shaking her head in amusement, Christine headed to the back where the hosiery hung on the wall. Yet, as she did, a costume caught her eye, making her stop and take a second look. "Oh…this would be perfect for Amir!" she said with a little giggle. "I have soooo got to get this!"
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Amir was waiting in the car when Christine came out, her purchase tucked into a brown shopping bag. He didn't look terribly happy, which was hardly surprising, but she did her best to smile, hoping to break the ice.
"Oh, no…that might work on Erik, but not me," he stated, handing her the coffee he had purchased for her, keeping any of the change there might have been for himself. "Now that you have your answer…what do you plan on telling Erik?"
"Everything," she said with a heavy sigh. "Though I'm not looking forward to it."
"I can't imagine why," he replied sarcastically with a roll of his eyes. "It's not like he's going to flip out, or imagine all sorts of horrible things, you know."
"Do…do you think he'll forgive me?" she asked hopefully, though not sounding very confident.
Amir was quiet for a few moments, and then gave a nod of his head.
"Yes, knowing him, he will find a way to overlook this…but only if you confess everything to him before he finds out himself!" Amir warned.
"I fully intend to…honest," Christine assured him. "I'm just afraid to, is all."
"Afraid…of Erik? Why?" Amir narrowed his eyes a bit, suddenly worried about something he never thought he would need to be.
"Not for my safety! No, never that," she was quick to guarantee him. "But afraid of hurting his feelings. You of all people know how unsure Erik can be about things like this. He might be a genius, billionaire businessman, but when it comes to personal emotions…he's often like a small child. I never want him to think he can't trust me…but I guess I kind of screwed that up now, didn't I?"
"No, not exactly," Amir stated. "Just be honest with him, Erik still might be upset, but it won't ruin everything between you…I hope."
"Got any suggestions about how I should do it?" she asked.
"Nope. For all I care, you could write it in the sky, or send him a text," he told her. "Just as long as you do it…and before the ball! You don't want Erik blindsided by this whole Raoul and Meg thing, do you?"
"No…that would ruin the whole night," Christine agreed with a heavy sigh of resignation. "Could we go visit my father before we go home?" she pleaded. "I won't get a chance to see him tomorrow, and I should probably get in one final farewell, just in case Erik decides to lock me away in the basement for a million years."
"I wouldn't put it past him to consider it," Amir said with a chuckle, as he started the car. "But don't worry, just bat those eyelashes at him, ply him with a kiss or two, and he'll most likely forgive you. What he might not forgive is finding out from someone else later on. And no one wants that…least of all me!" He reached over and patted her on the leg sympathetically. "But I'll take you to see your father, it will give you more time to think about what you'll say to Erik when you get home."
"Great…I'll consider this my final visit before my execution," she said with a heavy sigh.
"You and Erik are both so melodramatic," Amir laughed. "No wonder you two work so well together." He then gave her a wide grin accompanied by a waggle of his eyebrows. "And think of it this way…if you two get into a huge fight, just imagine how hot the make-up sex will be."
"AMIR!" Christine gasped, her face turning a deep shade of red. "I can't believe you said that! And after I bought you that coffee and everything."
"Ahh, but you also tried to trick me, and specifically disobeyed a direct order," he reminded her.
"What direct order was that?" she questioned, doing her best to recall anything Amir might have said earlier.
"Just before I spotted that boy walking into the shop, I told you not to talk to strangers…remember?" he said with a shake of his finger.
"But Raoul isn't a stranger," Christine argued.
"That's where you're wrong," Amir stated quite firmly, checking his blind spot before pulling out into traffic. "He's as strange as they get! How you were ever attracted to a jack-dandy like him, I'll never figure. You must be half insane yourself."
Christine just huffed a bit and crossed her arms over her chest and stared out the window, not quite sure if Amir was joking or not. Oh, yah…well just wait until you see your costume, Mr. Smarty Pants, she thought to herself. Then we'll see who the strange one is.
Well, it looks like Christine is going to be doing the honorable thing and confessing to Erik very soon. That or Amir will kick her butt.
Erik was very happy to come home to a hug and a kiss, not to mention movie night.
What did you think of Erik's history with women?
And it would appear that Raoul IS being honest about really liking Meg...I would believe him.
Guess we will just have to wait till Wednesday to find out what Erik will say or do about all this.
Oh...and what costume could Christine have possibly bought for Amir? If you can guess what it is, you will win a free snippet card!
Guest Reviews:
Cayla: Yep, Raoul and Meg will be attending! good call. Erik is never happy about anything when it comes to Raoul. ha ha. Charles and Amir should hire themselves out as life coaches...they ARE the only smart ones around. Don't go teasing Antoinette where her daughter is concerned, she will bite your head off, Erik. Thanks!
Guest: No, Erik did a good thing by opening up, no need for embarrassment. Yes, but if Erik ever found out Christine touched another man, he would flip. ha ha. And I love how kindly and gently you set Meg and Raoul straight...snapping his neck though, are you channeling Erik? ha ha. Thanks.
Kristin: She should just tell Erik...but where's the fun in that, and do you honestly think he would consent to her grilling Raoul about the whole Meg thing? And we NEED to know! Yah...if Raoul is hot for Meg, then Erik doens't have to worry as much...right? I hope Amir and Antoinette get together too. You know, I have a little bit of pull with the writer...I'll see what I can do. Thanks.
Guest: Oh sure, make me feel bad by using Erik's song on the rooftop against me! That betrayed me part got me right in the ticker. Yes...Erik would have happily paid for a ticket for Meg. Oh, Antoinette has no trouble at times telling Erik EXACTLY what she thinks. ha ha. I think if Amir ASKS her to dance...she just might. The ball is in his court. Thanks.
GuestRP: Yah, Father's are blind to their little princess' faults. Right, Christine didn't think of playing the "my X has happily moved on...aren't you glad" card. ha ha. Yes, we don't want Erik to stroke out over this. Erik already thinks Christine is trying to kill him by making him wait and wearing slinky night gowns. ha ha. The mob guys are creepy...enough said. Yep, Erik should have hung around for a good morning kiss. Daddy Daae is smart...no brain damage there! I'm so glad you liked Raoul in Siren of the Sea! And we just won't tell Phil about any of this, OK? Mum's the word. Thanks.
GuestWraithSnake: It was rather amusing. The tango will be fun...or at least I thought it was, I hope you do too. Anytime you stick Raoul in, it is not good for Erik. But all the things you imagined...they don't happen, thankfully. Amir and Christine are good friends, they respect each other and share the job of watching after Erik. Thanks and see you next time! FP33
Guest: If you would rather picture him that way, I don't mind. Just forget I said that! I think she probably did in the first few chapters...he's nice looking, strong jaw, etc. But you just imagine him any way you want. Thanks.
PG4044: Nope, never does...or will it...or won't it? You can find out on Wednesday! It's kind of in Raoul's contract to come in and make trouble. He gets paid well for it too. Serious maracas? ha ha, that made me laugh. Thanks.
