Erik adjusted his mask for the tenth time as he waited in the foyer for Christine to arrive. He'd finally convinced her to join him for dinner at his home at the end of their picnic a few days earlier, and he wanted everything to be perfect. Nadir, who had been watching television in the den nearby, had seen Erik enter the foyer fifteen minutes earlier and fuss over himself while simultaneously peek through the window beside the front door. He bit his lip to keep from laughing and decided to wait and see how long this would last. To his shock, Erik remained in that area for a long time, and towards the end had begun to pace in every direction possible. Finally, Nadir stood and walked out into the foyer.
"Ok, I have to put a stop to this, despite how entertaining it was to witness."
Erik glared at him.
"You've been watching me?"
"Quite unashamedly." he snickered, "It's ok if she's running late, Erik, don't worry."
"She's not late. She's due to arrive at six."
Nadir glanced at his watch.
"It's only 5:35. Why in the world did you come down forty minutes early to wear a hole in the rug that I bought you for Christmas last year? By the way, if you do make a hole with those shoes, I'm not replacing it."
Erik sighed and turned away from him.
"I'm just anxious."
"Duh." said Nadir, "Tell me something new."
"Look, I'm begging you, Nadir, none of that tonight. You wanted to meet her, fine. But you will do it on my terms. You keep your conversation with her minimal, no personal and embarrassing stories about me, and most importantly…."
"….leave immediately following dinner, never to show my face again for the rest of the evening. Gee, thanks, pal. You're the best friend I've ever had." finished Nadir, sarcastically.
"I'm trying to let her into my life slowly; she's growing curious."
"I told you, you wouldn't be able to keep her to yourself forever."
"Well I tried as long as I could." he grumbled.
"It'll go just fine, Erik. Relax in the den for a few minutes. Dinner's done; the place is spotless, just chill."
"No…no, I don't think I can right now." he said, going back into the kitchen.
Nadir rolled his eyes and went back to his couch.
Christine popped a couple of pain killers in her mouth before walking out the door to her car. She'd had a growing headache most of the day and finally broke down and took something for it. Despite being a nurse and encouraging/administering painkillers for patients, she herself did not like taking pills to feel better. Watching her father go through treatments and seeing the side effects slowly deteriorate him just turned her off to the sight of drugs. She'd always been able to power through most head or body aches with rest and relaxation, but once in a while, she had to cave and take over the counter meds. Today was one of those days. She got off work early to prepare for her date with Erik, and didn't realize until she'd been sitting down for a good ten minutes just how exhausted she was.
Randy's Covid test returned negative, much to their surprise, and it was because of that reason alone that Christine agreed not to cancel dinner at Erik's home. She still felt a little hesitant, but Erik swore over and over that he was not worried and wanted to see her more than anything.
By the time she reached Erik's…well house, though to be fair it was more like a mansion…her head was feeling a little better. She parked in the circle driveway and walked up the stone steps to the front door.
Erik was sitting at the head of the dining table, double checking that everything was laid out where it was supposed to be. He put Christine's plate right next to him, and Nadir's clear at the other end of the table…with a rather large, obnoxious centerpiece in front of it.
When the bell rang, Erik jumped up and bolted for the front door. Nadir reappeared in the foyer, standing ready for him to open it.
"Remember…."
"Oh shut up and open it." he said, getting fed up with Erik's instructions.
Erik pulled open the heavy door and beamed upon seeing Christine. Nadir couldn't see her yet from his position behind the door, but based on the grin coming off of his stoic friend, she must be radiant.
"Hello my darling," he gushed, reaching out to guide her inside, "Please come in."
"Thank you, Erik," she smiled. She looked around in awe. "Wow, you're house is so beautiful!" she breathed out.
"Thank you, love. Please, let me take your coat."
Nadir kept quiet and watching Erik reverently remove Christine's coat, giving it a subtle sniff before hanging it on a hook. He rolled his eyes, glad Christine hadn't seen it.
"Dinner is ready, let me show you to the dining room."
"Ahem…" interrupted Nadir, clearing his throat. Christine looked over at him and smiled.
"Oh, is this your friend?" she asked Erik.
Erik sighed and nodded, "Yes, forgive me, I forgot. This is Nadir Kahn, my business partner and….housemate. Nadir, this is Christine Daae."
Nadir smiled and stepped forward, extending is hand.
"Very pleased to meet you, Ms. Daae."
"You as well," she smiled, "It's nice meeting more people in Erik's life."
"You were probably beginning to think you were the only one, hmm?" he asked jokingly.
"No," she smiled at Erik, "I've heard a lot about you."
"Really, well that's good to know. Now you know I'm real."
"Right, yes, here he is, and here we go." said Erik, ushering Christine to the dining room, leaving Nadir to trail behind.
Erik pulled out her chair and waited until she was seated before he sat beside her. He began offering her dishes and she accepted politely. When she was finished plating her own food, she graciously passed the bowls down to Nadir's end of the table so he could serve himself. Erik hardly even glanced at him.
"How was work darling?" he asked.
"Good. I got off early so I could get ready."
"You look breathtaking." he said, honesty radiating from his eyes.
"Thank you." she said, "Oh, I should probably tell you, Randy's test came back negative. No Covid. The doctor said it must've just been the flu. Pretty bad case."
"Oh, well that's a relief." said Erik, but Nadir could see right through it. He knew deep down that Erik had been praying the boy had Covid. Why? He wasn't sure, but that was a part of Erik's possessive nature that made Nadir a little…wary. Yes, Erik was his friend, but he knew firsthand what his friend was capable of if he felt threatened or provoked, and even though he didn't say it out loud, he knew Erik felt threatened by that boy, despite the fact that Christine had ended their relationship.
"He should be discharged tomorrow." she added, taking a bite of her salmon, "Oh, this is wonderful."
"Thank you, dearest. I think it's only fitting when you work such long hours that you have a delicious meal to end your day with."
"And pleasant company." she added, smiling at him.
"Yes, indeed."
Christine turned to Nadir, "I'm sorry we're leaving you out, Mr. Kahn."
He chuckled, "Oh, don't worry about me, you two talk."
"No, I'm really sorry. It's rude of me. I would really like to get to know you. How long have you two worked together?"
Nadir looked to Erik, silently asking permission. When Erik nodded, he returned his gaze to her.
"Twenty years." he said.
"Wow, long friendship. That's great." she said.
"Yes, he's a brilliant inventor, Christine." said Nadir, "Bit immature when he wants to be, but it's always fun putting him in his place on occasion."
Erik glared at him while Christine giggled.
"I suppose that's what friends are for." she said.
"True."
"Christine, after dinner, if you like we can go upstairs to the music room. I've just had the piano tuned."
"Oh, wonderful!" she said, "We've been practicing for the church's Christmas concert in a couple months and the director has already told me she's seen a remarkable improvement in me."
"Oh, nonsense, you always sounded perfect; you just lacked confidence. Confidence is key."
"Yes, I suppose that's what she meant." said Christine.
"Oh, the Christmas concert!?" exclaimed Nadir, "Wow, it's hard to believe it's time for that again. I'm looking forward to it."
Christine crinkled her brows.
"What?"
Erik internally began to panic. This had never been brought up in his conversations with Christine. While Nadir knew Erik had first seen her sing, Christine was unaware of this.
"Well, we went to a Christmas concert last year at….."
"…..at another church." Erik cut him off, "Yes, it was a church that our client had invited us to, and it was quite good. He just meant he can't believe it's almost time for Christmas again."
Erik narrowed his eyes at Nadir, who looked absolutely lost.
"Uh…right." said Nadir, as it slowly dawned on him that Christine didn't know he'd been to her concert, "Yes, time is just moving so quickly."
Christine nodded, and returned to her plate.
Nadir's eyes found Erik's and he gave him an "Are you serious? You didn't tell her!?" look. Erik clenched his jaw and gave a subtle shake of his head, before returning his gaze to Christine's and softening it drastically.
"Christine, are you ready for dessert?"
"Oh my, there's more? I don't know…" she said, sighing contentedly.
"It's nothing heavy, sweetheart. Just a berry tart."
"It sounds wonderful, yes please." she said.
He placed a kiss on her head before standing up.
"Nadir, help me please."
Nadir, who wasn't even halfway through his meal, sighed and stood, following Erik into the kitchen.
Erik rounded on him almost immediately.
"Look, what part of keep your mouth shut did you not understand?"
"Well, pardon me, Erik, but if you're giving her singing lessons, I just assumed you had told her you've seen her sing before."
"No, I haven't. She thinks we met the day of the accident, and I intend on keeping it that way."
"Why? What's the harm in telling her you've seen her sing before and that she was phenomenal."
"It's been too long now. She'll think I'm some kind of stalker or something."
Seriously, that's exactly what you are. Erik thought to himself.
"I don't think she would," said Nadir.
"Well, I don't care what you think; I only care what she thinks. Now help me take these out, and no more outbursts." he hissed.
Nadir picked up his fruit tart and the bowl of whipped cream while Erik carried the other plates.
Oh, Erik you've got it bad, my friend. So bad that it's starting to worry me.