The renovation and Erik's plans she could examine really moved Mahtab's imagination. She loved to think about buildings and she got more and more fascinated by Erik's architectural books and albums. She had never seen so beautiful things in her life. Papa really had so interesting books which even included blueprints of famous architectural masterpieces and Erik's nearly unreadable notes on the edges of the pages. Mahtab had no difficulties in reading Erik's handwriting, so she started to learn new words day by day, without even her father noticing it. She did not have clue about proportion regarding buildings, but she already knew how to draw structural designs, so she thought it could work the same way with house plans as well, so she started drawing a design she loved so much, looking at other plans for inspiration and model.

- What are you up to? – Erik approached her, noticing she was busy with drawing something.

- I am planning a house for Shadow.

- Shadow already has a house, all of the rooms are his. The thing even climbed in MY bed, but he will never do it again. – Erik remarked grumpily.

- No, he needs a dog house.

- But dog houses are the same always, why do you need to plan it?

- Because Shadow deserves something better. He is my friend and you don't just throw him a hutch created out of some rotten planks.

- Whoa. – Erik's jaw dropped. – You start to become just as sarcastic as someone I know. Well, you are right, Shadow is a good old boy, and he deserves something nice. And…? What did you come up with?

Erik took the drawing from Mahtab and he instantly burst out in a laughter.

- What are you laughing at? – She crossed her arms on her chest.

- Why do you design a broach and a clock on a doghouse?

- So that he can look at it, and know what the time is.

- He has a better watch than you do. His stomach always tells the time, and it is never wrong.

- But it would look nice.

- Mahtab I am not going to build a clockwork on a doghouse, no matter what you say.

- If you don't help I can do it myself and you will see it will be better than what you would do! – She retorted with hurt. This was the first time she and Erik did not agree with something and Erik clearly thought Mahtab's idea was nonsense. This fact hurt her feelings, and she was just like Erik in a way – if she got hurt, she took revenge.

- Really? – Erik leaned closer.

- Really. I don't need you.

- Well, don't even come to me, whining, then, if it collapses.

- I won't. And it won't collapse.

- You are such a skilled and experienced architect my child. – He remarked with a hint of irony.

- Better than you. – She stomped her foot against the floor and walked away.

- Impudent puppy. – Erik grunted to himself, waving in the air.

Mahtab was indeed a stubborn little thing, just as Erik. She started working on the doghouse, getting some wood from Erik's penthouse, and some paint as well. She had trouble building the broach. Maybe it is a hard work but she will show Papa that she is capable of it. Some of the planks had fallen on her head during the construction a few times, but she did not give up. In a few days, the dog house was built. It wasn't perfect, but it resembled the plans at least, and Mahtab only needed the clock on it and to paint it. She found it a good idea to just carry the clock out of the bedroom. They have so many clocks and watches and one can easily be sacrificed for the sake of Shadow having an own clock on his house.

- Where exactly you think you are going with that clock? – Erik questioned her upon noticing what she held under her arm.

- I am going to put it on my masterpiece.

- Have you lost your mind, my sweet child? – Erik grabbed the clock out of her hands and angrily carried it back to its place. – By dissembling a working clock, even fools can make up clockworks. If you really are better than me, do it yourself.

- You are very jealous.

- No, I just don't appreciate if my youngsters destroy my property for the sake of giving it to an animal, who can't use it for anything. Have some common sense!

Mahtab walked away again, seemingly being even more hurt. She did not understand why Papa does not support her with her plan. Does he not like Shadow? Is she not talented enough?

One morning, Christine carried inside the letters and found an envelope addressed to Erik.

- Erik, you have mail.

- Who sent it? – He asked with surprise.

- Charles Garnier.

- I don't care. – Erik turned his head away in frustration and dismissed the letter that Christine wanted to give him.

- Why? He is your friend.

- Was.

- Why the past tense? – She wanted to make sure she heard it right.

- Because we are not friends anymore. – Erik stated as a matter-of-factly tone.

- But you built the Opera together.

- It was back then, and now it is now.

- Did you… have a fight or why are you so angry with him?

- We could say we did, yes.

- About what?

- It hardly matters anymore.

- But what if he wants to apologize?

- I don't think so. I think he just returned to Paris, saw the tower, and he starts the fuss over. I am not curious about it.

- Erik, please let me at least read it out loud.

- Must you torture Erik?

- I will read it at first and if it is what you think, I won't read it to you. Fine?

- It doesn't matter if it is fine with me, you already have decided. – Erik sighed.

- It is not good to hold grudges. – She stated kindly while opening the envelope. After some silence, Erik heard the following words spoken by Christine's enchanting angelic voice:

Dear Erik,

I have just returned to the city, and upon realizing the construction had finished during my absence, I must admit: You were right, and I was wrong.

You know me, Erik. You know I don't easily admit that I am wrong – but now I was. You see, maybe that is why we had arguments from time to time- we both are too stubborn. If you allow me, I would like to meet you in person once more to apologize for my earlier words in a sudden outrage I am still ashamed of.

If you wish to talk to me, give me a time and place, and I am attending then and there, to talk.

Your penitent and most humble servant,

C. Garnier

Erik was sitting in his chair for a few minutes, then sighed.

- Give me a cigar, please.

- The doctor warned you that you start to smoke too much.

- If a cigar in two weeks is too much then yes.

- You are going to ruin your voice.

- It is too enchanting and hypnotizing, if I don't ruin it a bit, all the women will climb me like a tree. – Erik frowned, then stood up to go and get a cigar for himself if Christine did not have the kindness to move her little bottom to get it for him.

- What do you answer to Garnier? – She demanded a reply.

- Write him that I meet him in front of the Opera on Sunday at 8 in the evening. And as he likes to be late from every meeting, write him that I only wait for 15 minutes and return home if he won't show up. – He groaned.

As he was waiting in front of the Opera, he was walking up and down, letting out loud and irritated sighs. It wasn't even 8' o clock yet, he arrived first. He held a cigar between his fingers but he was just sometimes sucking on its end, he did not light it yet. He wasn't even sure if it was a good idea to get there. He, at least did show up. Five minutes after eight a cab stopped in front of the Opera and a man slowly climbed out of it. Who the Hell is this…? He just realized a few seconds later that it was Garnier. Only his hair gave it away, as neither his face nor his build was recognizable. Long time, no see… and well, Charles clearly wasn't a young man any more. He was already 70 if he remembered correctly… what a strange thing he always remembered Garnier in his form he was when they worked at the Opera… he aged a lot even since their last encounter when they had that fight back in 1886.

- Erik, my old friend. – He greeted, with an unusual kindness.

- Good evening, Charles. – Erik really wanted to be cold towards him, but he simply couldn't bear himself to be any more. What the Hell is happening to him lately? Did he at last, turn out to be a kind man or what?

- I am glad you were willing to talk to me. I know you were hurt by my words and…

- Well, calling the tower "just as damned ugly as me." Really did not lift my spirits. – Erik remarked.

- I know. I felt sorry about my sentence right away when it left my lips. But you know… I was too stubborn and angry to apologize at that moment.

- It was a crazy night, we both said things we did regret later. I did not mean to call you talentless either. You were the only architect I actually liked to work with.

- Other than Eiffel…?

- I did not work actively with him. I only helped his project with funds. I am already an old man, I am not well enough to actively work at a construction.

- Erik, you are younger than me. You are not even 70 yet. – Garnier laughed.

- I had lived up to my 63rd Birthday this February. – He shrugged. – But raising 3 young and too lively children does wear me out.

- Do you have more children? When we met for the last time you had a toddler girl.

- That toddler is turning ten in November. – Erik chuckled. – And she received two younger brothers throughout the years.

- Oh, that absolutely sounds fantastic. And did any of them inherit some architectural interest?

- The girl. – Erik nodded with pride. – She is a mini designer.

- Well, if any of your children need assistance in the future, let me know. You have helped me a lot in the past, and I am so ashamed of betraying you. In the end, I have to agree with you. That tower looks way better in real life than the designs. You know… I was afraid it would ruin the landscape of Paris… and yet it only adds to it. Indeed, you haven't lost your mind as I believed.

- Thank you.

- I would like to apologize about my insults.

- It is accepted. And please accept mines. – Erik returned Garnier's handshake and after some more talk, he helped the old fellow back in a cab and he got back in his vehicle to get home.

On the way home, he had been thinking. The argument between him and Garnier was actually similar to the one between him and Mahtab the other day. He found Mahtab's plan just as a nonsense as Garnier had found the tower's idea a nonsense. If Garnier, the famous and respected architect, was able to admit he was wrong, what is stopping him to apologize to a child?

When Mahtab woke up the next morning, she had found a completed doghouse in the garden instead of her miserable attempt. It was built according to her plans, containing a broach and a clock as well, even though Erik wanted to make a compromise by it being a painted clock face on a round piece of wood.

- Papa! – She exclaimed happily, running to Erik, jumping in his arms.

- I am sorry Mahtab. You had been right the whole time. It looks fantastic.

- Do you really think so? – She kissed Erik.

- I mean every word. – He nodded. – Well, let's show it to Shadow, let's see if he is happy about having such a nice house.

Mahtab ran away excitedly to search for the dog. She was calling him joyfully, but despite his habit he did not show up.

- Shadow! – She called out impatiently. – Come now! – She whistled a few times, but the dog did not run to her.

Finally she found him, laying in the backyard, near the stone fence. She called out several times, but Shadow was sleeping too deep.

- Come here, you lazy dog! You have a new house!

She got tired of Shadow's apathy and walked closer to him, poking him with her long finger. The animal did not move. She opened her mouth and gasped in a sudden realization and ran to Erik in tears.

- Papa… Papa please help Shadow… he won't get up… he WON'T…

Erik slowly approached the black furry friend and told some encouraging words to him while kneeling down next to it, but it was apparent that the poor thing heard nothing any more. He caressed his fur a few times while crying. Mahtab hugged Erik's neck, sobbing hard. Erik tried his best to comfort her, yet he knew well that it was not much he could do in this situation. It was to be expected though. Shadow was with them for the past eight years, and no one knew how old he was back then, but clearly an adult. He might easily have been more than ten years old, which meant he had spent his time on Earth.

He only hoped that time will heal Mahtab's wounds in her heart.