Love of a Stranger
Ob1MegOb1
I want to thank all who continue to read and review this story. Those of you who have been with me all the way thank you and to all of you who are new I thank you too. Now its on to the next chapters.
Chapter 11
(Jasmine)
We separated and my heart was beating a hundred times faster than it should be. I had not forgotten the afternoon he had left, when we had first shared our love togehter. But now it seemed so much more, more real and passionate. I was not afraid like before, now I was sure that this would be something my mind was willing to pursue. But I could still tell from our confessions to one another that we still had barriers to break. They weren't going to be accomplished now but I hoped we would in the near future. We both had demons and it was time we put them behind us.
I turned my head at the sound of footsteps though. They weren't light and simple like Rebecca's, nor slow and cautious like William. They were steady, regal, and yet there was still a playful air to them. "Elizabeth," I said standing up, and I could hear her step back in surprise at me greeting her so quickly.
(Erik)
I did not blame her cousin for being startled at her greeting. I had had no idea she was approaching us, but then again I had been greatly distracted. When we had separated I had seen in Jasmine's eyes a sign of hope and longing. But there was also doubt intermingled in the defiant darkness of her brown eyes. For not being able to see, I always got the feeling she could see better than any of us.
"Jasmine," Elizabeth said politely, "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something."
"No of course not," Jasmine said smiling, "We were just discussing some issues that needed to be worked out."
I could tell by the expression on her face that Elizabeth had come to witness more than me and Jasmine having a polite conversation beneath the willow tree. But I thought it better not to say anything. The longer this was a secret the worse it would get, but if it was told right away I knew chaos would follow on its footstep.
"I just needed to talk to you Jasmine," Elizabeth said quietly, "Alone if it is alright with you Monsieur."
I only bowed and gently gripped Jasmine's hand, "Please she is all yours," I leaned forward and gently kissed Jasmine on the cheek, "I will talk to you later."
She smiled gently nodding her head as I left her to discuss things with her cousin. I did not need to stick around to know what they were going to discuss. Paul.
(Jasmine)
"So Elizabeth what is it that you wish to discuss," I asked reaching for her hand. She took it her hand shaking slightly and I placed my hand over it in hopes of comforting her.
"Jasmine you know what I want to discuss," Elizabeth muttered, "You avoided it in the house but I feel I must speak to you about it."
I sighed in irritation, "There is nothing to discuss Elizabeth, you are engaged to Paul what you wish to do with him is your business. He is no longer apart of my life."
I could feel her slightly pull away from me even though our hands were still entwined. "I know you have hard feelings towards him Jasmine," Elizabeth muttered softly, "But he's a changed man. He changed a long time ago. He told me and I believe him."
I only stood there in absolute shock that she was even believing what he had told her. I shook my head in dismay, "Oh Elizabeth."
(Erik)
I was heading back to the house my mind swirling around recent events and how to handle them. My passion was always getting the best of me but this time it felt so different. I began to naively hope that this passion was not misplaced like so many times before. I did not love her because of her voice or musical ability. I loved her for her fiery temper, her sensitive nature, and I think I even loved her for her blindness.
And I'm sure they thought it was because she could not see my horrible scarring that she liked me. What they didn't realize was that she had. She had touched it and therefore seen me exposed and vunerable.
(Jasmine)
Elizabeth yanked her hand away from me, "How dare you insult me like that. You don't think I know when a man is lying to me? Thats all my father ever did was lie to us and I had him figured out. Don't you think I would be able to tell if Paul was lying or angry or beating me?"
I sighed, "I'm not insulting you Elizabeth its just that..." I turned away from her and my heart ached at the first time I had heard Paul mutter that he would never harm me. "His words are the worst kind of poisen Elizabeth," I said softly, "It is a poisen that attacks both body and soul. Through his words he pulls you in making you sure you have him figured out. But then the one time he becomes angry or you make him lose his temper he attacks the body with his most powerful weapon...his fists."
(Erik)
As I was approaching the house though I saw a familiar figure apparently waiting for me. William was standing there very calmly and he seemed completely different in my eyes. He seeme grown up, mature, something had changed in him as I appraoched. He looked up at me a determination in his eyes, "I need to speak to you."
"What about?" I said simply staring into his eyes searching for some sign of what he wished to speak of.
He sighed scrunching his eyebrows in frustration, and I could tell he was going through some effort to say this to me, "I was wrong," he said softly. "My actions and words back at the house and even at the fire were misplaced. I was stupid and immature about the entire thing. I wish to apologize for anything I said that may have hurt you or my sister as well."
(Jasmine)
She was silent after my words and I feared I had strained our relationship even further now. "Elizabeth," I muttered, "know that I say this only out of concern for you. I don't want to see you hurt--"
"Its time for supper. That is the real reason I came to fetch you," she said her voice strained and very stern. I felt my heart ache knowing I may have lost her now. I could feel her footsteps begin to head back toward the house and I followed slowly behind her. I wanted to speak to her further and make things right again but now it seemed it was too late for that. So I only followed her, a position I disliked but I knew I would soon have to get used to it."
(Erik)
I was quite frankly surprised by his words. They were not the same fiery words he had muttered a few days ago, but the words of a gentleman. I gripped his shoulder, "I accept your apology," I muttered, "But don't think your words were displaced. They came from a scared heart that has not fully developed yet and I was not hurt by your words."
He smiled, "I figured you weren't." He looked at me a brightness in his eyes, "You don't seem like one to take things without a fight." He smiled looking at me a new look in his eyes. "My sister was right, you are different then they say." Then he turned back towards the house, his moment of maturity over, "Aunt Ev wanted everyone to know supper was ready so whenever you are ready," he said motioning inside. As I was about to step inside though I saw Jasmine and Elizabeth come over the hill and I knew their talk had not been a good one.
(Jasmine)
I could hear William's voice as we approached and I recognized the other as Erik's. I smiled hoping things had been resolved between them. "William, I would have thought you would be anxiously waiting at the table by now!" I called.
"Ha, ha very funny Jasmine," he said walking up to me. Then suddenly he embraced me while whispering in my ear, "I am sorry for my actions." His tone more grown up then I wanted. In my memory he was still the little boy who loved adventure and driving me crazy.
"There is nothing to forgive brother," I said softly. Then I heard Aunt Ev call impatiently from the house, "Now where is everybody! Supper is getting cold!" I smiled pushing my brother forward, "We had better get going or Rebecca will eat our suppers for us."
He laughed, "Oh yeah because we know what a big appetite she has." I let him continue to walk ahead as I waited for Erik. I just knew he had been watching us the entire time waiting for me to be alone. He gently slipped his hand in mine and I smiled, "Making up with my brother were you?"
"Actually he was making up with me, surprisingly," he muttered.
I laughed, "Well the fact you both have come to peaceful terms for now makes me happy," I said leaning forward. And he gently met my lips kissing them softly and separating I knew with a smile on his face.
"Come," he said softly, "We should not keep your Aunt waiting."
I nodded my head following him with a smile on my face. But deep down in my heart I became very nervous about the upcoming dinner. It would be the first time we were all together and I had a bad feeling it would not be pleasant.
(Erik)
I could tell there was certain amount of tension as Jasmine and I entered the dining room. Everybody was sitting and staring at us as we entered. And for me, who was still uncomfortable in situations like these, my heart was racing. Jasmine must have felt my nervousness for she gripped my hand in comfort and I led her to her seat and then took mine next to her.
And then the silence got even worse. The only sound was of our silverware hitting against the plates and of our breathing otherwise it was so quiet one could hear a pin drop. The only one who did not seem bothered by these events was Rebecca who was very involved in eating her dinner. And then suddenly quite out of the blue Paul was the first to speak, "So Erik, what exactly do you do?"
I looked up at him, and his blue eyes met mine and they sparked with challenge. It seems the man was looking to pick a fight. And then his eyes turned toward Jasmine and they suddenly seemed very possesive. And Jasmine looked up as if she knew that Paul's eyes were on her. She only stared back her eyes steely and not revealing any emotion, so for all I knew she was either nervous, fighting him, or both.
So I answered him a slight edge in my voice, "I am a composer and musician."
"Really?" Paul answered, "And would I know of any of your works Monsieur?" His eyes blazed and it was then I knew he knew who I was.
"Maybe you know of my recent one," I said defiantly, "It was called Don Juan Triumphant."
"Really? The one that was considered so...destructive a few days ago. I am pleased to say I was not there to witness that one."
Suddenly Jasmine gripped my hand and leaned towards me, "Please Erik don't continue this with him. I know what he is trying to do and believe me his arguments never end well. He will become angry and I fear of what he will do."
"So you still feel the need to keep secrets from me do you Jasmine?" Paul said mockingly, "Its interesting to see how things never change. You are still a liar and a cheat."
"Paul that is enough," Aunt Evelyn said sternly but he could not be stopped.
"Tell me Jasmine do you still keep the same profession? Do you still keep the children healthy through prostitution? I often saw you still on the street corner willing to take any man who would give you even the most lousy of tips."
"That is enough Paul," William said suddenly interjecting.
"Ah the brother now speaks, tell me it seems that the man of the house has diminished quite a bit. You allowed a man to enter the house and nearly kill your sister I hear."
"Wrong," I said suddenly stern and my voice now deep with menace, "He shot me while protecting his family including his sister from harm."
"And yet you sit before me, seducing her and her family into loving a monster. You should have finished him when you had the chance William. Because the things I have heard about you Phantom are the most horrible. A man who hangs all who stand in his way," he smiled evilly, "And I can see it in your eyes now, a man on the edge of madness. Do I instill anger in you Phantom?"
Yes he did, my blood was boiling, and my face hot with embarrassment and anger. But Jasmine's hand on mine kept tightening and I had to keep everything back from strangling this man on sight.
"Please Paul," Elizabeth finally said placing her hand on his shoulder, "thats enough."
"Get off me!" he said shoving her away and Jasmine's eyes became alarmed.
"I think it is time to calm down," she said, "We don't want anyone getting angry now," she said her voice emanating with calm and I looked at her as she attempted to calm everyone at the table down.
Paul's eyes turned away from those of his fiance and back in our direction and they blazed with vengeance and now I understood why Jasmine was afraid of what he would do in his anger. She was not afraid of what he would do to her or me but how he would take it out on Elizabeth. She was the closest target he had and Jasmine was only concerned for her cousin's well being.
"You all are weak," he muttered getting up and exiting the dining room. Jasmine sighed in relief and her grip on my hand relaxed a little. Her Aunt Evelyn sighed as she took her own plate, "It is interesting to see that some things never change."
"Please Ev," Jasmine said her voice full of irritation, "save this for another day," she rubbed her forehead in irritation, "My head hurts enough already."
"I wonder why," she muttered and then I saw something in Jasmine's eyes. She looked in her Aunt's direction eyes piercing, "That has not happned in quite a few months Ev."
"Well I am only going by what happened the last time I saw you. I find it hard to believe you have overcome it so quickly."
"Please Aunt Ev," William said interjecting, "We are trying to get passed that."
"Addicts never get past anything," she muttered as she headed into the kitchen. Jasmine closed her eyes in pain of something. I on the other hand was absolutely confused as to what her Aunt was speaking of. Although when Jasmine said this next sentence I wondered why I of all people did not understand what they were speaking of.
"What is she speaking of?" I asked gently not wanting to upset Jasmine more than she already was. Her face once more contorted into a visage of pain at the remembrance of something. Finally she got up and headed toward the doorway and I thought she was going to ignore my question completely until she stopped at the door way, and said a sentence I had come to utter too many times myself.
"I was addicted to morphine," Jasmine muttered.
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