More codes to remember for this chapter:
+++ Brady sings
--- Chloe sings
*** All together now!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter Seven: Come What May
(The following morning.)
All night he had waited for her. And for the first time, Brady could feel the cold stab of jealousy shooting through his heart. He had always been too wide-eyed and innocent, never seeing the dark side of life. But, now he understood what it was like to feel fear and jealousy.
Chloe had shown up that morning, explaining her absence away by saying that she had been sick. She did look paler than usual, and tired, but Brady was unsure that she was telling him the truth. He was trusting her with his heart and soul, but he couldn't help but wonder if maybe she had been with Phillip last night after all.
She was sitting on his bed as he sat at his typewriter. He was hardly able to type a word, as all sorts of thoughts ran through his head. He wanted to trust her, wanted to believe her story. She coughed softly and Brady turned to look at her with curiosity.
"Where were you last night?"
"I told you, I was sick."
Brady stood from his desk and sat down on the bed, he glared at her, the jealousy flashing in his blue eyes. "You don't have to lie to me."
Chloe turned away from him, she couldn't bear to look into his soulful eyes when she told him what she had to say. She had finally known true love, and now she had to give it up. Brady had made her feel things she had never felt before, and for once, her music, her acting, none of it was important to her. His love was so much more than all of that. But, still, she had made a promise to Harold and she would have to keep it. For the sake of the show, for the sake of the Moulin Rouge, and for her own safety and future, she would keep her promise.
"We have to end it. Everyone knows. Harold knows. And, sooner or later Phillip will find out too." She turned back to face him and now he turned away from her, facing out towards the window. "On opening night, I have to sleep with Phillip. And the jealousy will drive you mad."
Chloe stood and went to the balcony, a soft breeze coming from the west to blow her hair around her face. Brady left the bed and followed her outside, forcing her to turn around and face him. She could see all of his emotions written on his face, he was desperate to keep her love, and unwilling to give up on her without a fight.
"Then I'll write a song..." Brady lovingly put his hands on her face, pleading with her to listen to him. "And -- and we'll put it in the show. And no matter how bad things get, or whatever happens, whenever you hear it or when you sing it or whistle it or hum it. Well, then you'll know it... it will mean, it will mean we love one another. I won't get jealous.
Chloe knew that he could promise not to get jealous over and over, but those were just words. She could see through the words, and knew that there was no way to avoid the jealousy that would come because of her relationship with Phillip. She did love Brady, but the life she had chosen could now allow her to.
"Things don't work that way, Brady. We have to end it."
She looked away from him sadly, but Brady did not back down. His heart was struck down by her words, not wanting to believe that this could end. He loved her, and no matter what came between them, he always would. Brady was blessed with a gift, a talent for poetry, and he used his gift to tell her what was in his heart.
+++Never knew I could feel like this.
Like I've never seen the sky before.
Want to vanish inside your kiss...+++
Chloe turned and smiled at him, nodding in understanding. A secret song to represent their love for each other. One that would stand for all time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That afternoon, at another rehearsal, the cast stood on stage as Brady gave them the directions for the new scene they were rehearsing. Chloe stood on stage as the courtesan, and the Argentinean took his place as the penniless sitar player. Even though she was supposed to be reading her lines and singing to the Argentinean, Chloe kept her eyes on Brady the entire time. He did the same, smiling at her as the scene they were rehearsing took on even more meaning for both of them.
"Now this new scene is the scene where the... sitar player writes a secret song for the courtesan, so that whatever is happening... However bad things are that they -- they remember their love and then... We can take it from your line, Chloe. So let's take it."
Chloe turned back to the Argentinean and began reciting her lines. "We must be careful."
The Argentinean held on to her hands to reassure her as he replied in character. "Fear not, we will conduct our love affair right under the Maharajah."
Brady smiled again as Chloe's eyes turned back to his loving gaze.
+++Seasons may change, winter to spring...
But I love you, until the end of time.
Come what may, come what may.
I will love you until my dying day.+++
***Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place...
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace...
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste.
It all revolves around you.
And there's no mountain too high,
No river too wide!
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side.
Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide. ***
They continued singing to each other, thinking that nobody was noticing that Chloe was singing to Brady and not to the Argentinean.
+++But I love you...+++
---I love you---
+++Until the end...+++
---Until the end---
***Of time... Come what may, come what may, I will love you...***
Nini, one of the less pleasant women who danced at the Moulin Rouge was standing next to Phillip as they watched the rehearsal. She had always been jealous of Chloe's star status, and didn't mind at all pointing out to Phillip what was going on right under his nose. She could tell that there was more to Brady and Chloe's relationship than writer and star. Phillip had been far too oblivious to the truth, and Nini figured he was just an idiot to not see it.
Brady pointed at Toulouse who was halfway dressed in his sitar costume, and told him that this was where his part came in. "The magical sitar falls from the roof and says. 'The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.'"
Nini put her arm over Phillip's shoulder and grinned wickedly. "This ending's silly. Why would the courtesan go for the penniless writer?" She mocked as if she hadn't meant to say 'writer', when really she had completely intended to do so. "Whoops! I mean sitar player..."
Nini walked away with a satisfied smile, knowing that Phillip may have been less than bright, but he would certainly catch on now. He watched the cast end the song together, coming to a realization he should have seen weeks ago. From the very beginning, Chloe had been playing him for a fool, spending her time with the writer when she should have been with him.
***Come what May...
I will love you.
Come what may, I will love you until my dying day.***
There was a moment of silence as the music ended. Phillip spoke first, his temper beginning to rise to the surface. "I don't like this ending."
Everyone in the room looked at him with surprise and disappointment. Zidler glanced at him worry. "Don't like the ending, my dear duke?"
"Why would the courtesan choose a penniless sitar player over the Maharajah who is offering a lifetime of security? That's real love."
Brady stared at Phillip, thinking that the Duke was truly crazy. How could money or security mean anything in comparison to true love? How could Phillip believed that those things were real or involved love of any form? Was this man plagued with delusions of some sort?
Phillip looked at Brady and continued. "Once the sitar player has satisfied his lust, he will leave the courtesan with nothing. I suggest that in the end the courtesan choose the Maharajah."
Toulouse waddled forward, unbelieving of Phillip's request and insistent on keeping the ending that Brady had written. "But, but, but surely! Surely, that ending does not uphold the Bohemian ideals of truth, beauty, freedom and..."
Phillip's temper would not be held at bay, his anger quickly rising and his words cutting off Toulouse before he said the word 'love'. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR RIDICULOUS DOGMA! Why SHOULDN'T the courtesan choose the Maharajah?"
Brady felt his own anger rise, and before he could stop himself he shouted in anger at Phillip. "Because she doesn't love YOU!"
There was a horrified silence that fell across the room, as everyone realized what he had done. He had given himself away, and now everyone knew the truth. The damage was done and no amount of backpedaling could save them now.
Brady stammered with fear, trying to repair what his words would cause. "H-him. Him. Because she doesn't love *him*"
"Oh, I see." Phillip glanced between Brady and Chloe in understanding. He may have been betrayed by the actress and the writer, but he would still have things his way in the end. He was after all, the money behind all of this. He would have it his way, or he would own the Moulin Rouge. "Monsieur Zidler, this ending will be rewritten with the courtesan choosing the Maharajah and WITHOUT the lover's 'secret song'. It will be rehearsed in the morning, ready for the opening tomorrow night."
Zidler was in complete disbelief. He wanted a new ending in less than twenty-four hours? "My... My dear duke. That will be quite impossible!"
Chloe took a deep breath in, but she was trembling inside. She looked towards Zidler, using her acting skills to convince everyone that everything would work out. That there was nothing going on between her and Brady, and that the show would go on as planned. "Harold! The poor duke is being treated appallingly! These silly writers let their imaginations run away with them."
She walked off the stage and stood in front of Phillip. Chloe did her best to make him believe that she loved him. She couldn't let his anger and jealousy ruined everything they had worked so hard for. "Now, why don't you and I have a little supper, and then afterwards we can let Monsieur Zidler know how we prefer the story to end. Hmm?"
Phillip nodded in understanding. He would have her after all. She would be his, and he would make sure of that. No matter what he had to do to keep her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chloe came out of her dressing room, and found Brady waiting for her. He was nearly in tears, and had a look of desperation on his face so sad that it made her heart break. He had promised her he wouldn't get jealous, but he didn't know if he could keep that promise. The thought of Phillip even looking at her made his stomach turn.
He held on to her arms and pleaded with her. "I don't want you to sleep with him."
Chloe frowned, her own tears welling up in her blue eyes. She had no other choice, and she knew that Brady would never understand that. "He could destroy everything... It's for us..."
Brady shook his head and Chloe continued, begging for him to try to understand. "You promised... you promised me you wouldn't be jealous, you pro-..."
Brady couldn't speak, no words could tell her the mixture of jealousy, worry and fear that he was feeling inside. And he didn't need to, it was written all over his face. She did her best to reassure him, whispering her words to him softly. "It will be alright, yes, it will. He -- He's waiting for me..."
She attempted to walk away from him but Brady grabbed and pulled her back, begging her to stay. He pulled her into his arms and barely rasped out just one word, "No..."
Chloe rested her head on his shoulder and sang softly to him, reminding him that even if she had to be with Phillip tonight, it was him that she truly loved.
---Come what may...---
Brady knew there was nothing more he could do. No way to stop what was going to happen. His heart was broken, but he recognized that even their love couldn't keep her from a contract that was made. He whispered softly in ear. "Come what may..."
He quickly let go of her and walked away. He couldn't bear looking into her eyes again, as they were only a reminder of how much he loved her. And, a reminder of things and events that were out of his control. He couldn't stop her, no matter how much he tried. He had to allow her to do what was required of her, no matter how much it tore him up inside.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yes, it's true. I have promised a HAPPY ending for Broe. I really have. And, I *hope* that it will be a huge surprise when you get to it. Or maybe it will predictable. I don't know. It's a mystery. But, at least it will be *happy*.
-Hope-
+++ Brady sings
--- Chloe sings
*** All together now!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chapter Seven: Come What May
(The following morning.)
All night he had waited for her. And for the first time, Brady could feel the cold stab of jealousy shooting through his heart. He had always been too wide-eyed and innocent, never seeing the dark side of life. But, now he understood what it was like to feel fear and jealousy.
Chloe had shown up that morning, explaining her absence away by saying that she had been sick. She did look paler than usual, and tired, but Brady was unsure that she was telling him the truth. He was trusting her with his heart and soul, but he couldn't help but wonder if maybe she had been with Phillip last night after all.
She was sitting on his bed as he sat at his typewriter. He was hardly able to type a word, as all sorts of thoughts ran through his head. He wanted to trust her, wanted to believe her story. She coughed softly and Brady turned to look at her with curiosity.
"Where were you last night?"
"I told you, I was sick."
Brady stood from his desk and sat down on the bed, he glared at her, the jealousy flashing in his blue eyes. "You don't have to lie to me."
Chloe turned away from him, she couldn't bear to look into his soulful eyes when she told him what she had to say. She had finally known true love, and now she had to give it up. Brady had made her feel things she had never felt before, and for once, her music, her acting, none of it was important to her. His love was so much more than all of that. But, still, she had made a promise to Harold and she would have to keep it. For the sake of the show, for the sake of the Moulin Rouge, and for her own safety and future, she would keep her promise.
"We have to end it. Everyone knows. Harold knows. And, sooner or later Phillip will find out too." She turned back to face him and now he turned away from her, facing out towards the window. "On opening night, I have to sleep with Phillip. And the jealousy will drive you mad."
Chloe stood and went to the balcony, a soft breeze coming from the west to blow her hair around her face. Brady left the bed and followed her outside, forcing her to turn around and face him. She could see all of his emotions written on his face, he was desperate to keep her love, and unwilling to give up on her without a fight.
"Then I'll write a song..." Brady lovingly put his hands on her face, pleading with her to listen to him. "And -- and we'll put it in the show. And no matter how bad things get, or whatever happens, whenever you hear it or when you sing it or whistle it or hum it. Well, then you'll know it... it will mean, it will mean we love one another. I won't get jealous.
Chloe knew that he could promise not to get jealous over and over, but those were just words. She could see through the words, and knew that there was no way to avoid the jealousy that would come because of her relationship with Phillip. She did love Brady, but the life she had chosen could now allow her to.
"Things don't work that way, Brady. We have to end it."
She looked away from him sadly, but Brady did not back down. His heart was struck down by her words, not wanting to believe that this could end. He loved her, and no matter what came between them, he always would. Brady was blessed with a gift, a talent for poetry, and he used his gift to tell her what was in his heart.
+++Never knew I could feel like this.
Like I've never seen the sky before.
Want to vanish inside your kiss...+++
Chloe turned and smiled at him, nodding in understanding. A secret song to represent their love for each other. One that would stand for all time.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That afternoon, at another rehearsal, the cast stood on stage as Brady gave them the directions for the new scene they were rehearsing. Chloe stood on stage as the courtesan, and the Argentinean took his place as the penniless sitar player. Even though she was supposed to be reading her lines and singing to the Argentinean, Chloe kept her eyes on Brady the entire time. He did the same, smiling at her as the scene they were rehearsing took on even more meaning for both of them.
"Now this new scene is the scene where the... sitar player writes a secret song for the courtesan, so that whatever is happening... However bad things are that they -- they remember their love and then... We can take it from your line, Chloe. So let's take it."
Chloe turned back to the Argentinean and began reciting her lines. "We must be careful."
The Argentinean held on to her hands to reassure her as he replied in character. "Fear not, we will conduct our love affair right under the Maharajah."
Brady smiled again as Chloe's eyes turned back to his loving gaze.
+++Seasons may change, winter to spring...
But I love you, until the end of time.
Come what may, come what may.
I will love you until my dying day.+++
***Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place...
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace...
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste.
It all revolves around you.
And there's no mountain too high,
No river too wide!
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side.
Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide. ***
They continued singing to each other, thinking that nobody was noticing that Chloe was singing to Brady and not to the Argentinean.
+++But I love you...+++
---I love you---
+++Until the end...+++
---Until the end---
***Of time... Come what may, come what may, I will love you...***
Nini, one of the less pleasant women who danced at the Moulin Rouge was standing next to Phillip as they watched the rehearsal. She had always been jealous of Chloe's star status, and didn't mind at all pointing out to Phillip what was going on right under his nose. She could tell that there was more to Brady and Chloe's relationship than writer and star. Phillip had been far too oblivious to the truth, and Nini figured he was just an idiot to not see it.
Brady pointed at Toulouse who was halfway dressed in his sitar costume, and told him that this was where his part came in. "The magical sitar falls from the roof and says. 'The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.'"
Nini put her arm over Phillip's shoulder and grinned wickedly. "This ending's silly. Why would the courtesan go for the penniless writer?" She mocked as if she hadn't meant to say 'writer', when really she had completely intended to do so. "Whoops! I mean sitar player..."
Nini walked away with a satisfied smile, knowing that Phillip may have been less than bright, but he would certainly catch on now. He watched the cast end the song together, coming to a realization he should have seen weeks ago. From the very beginning, Chloe had been playing him for a fool, spending her time with the writer when she should have been with him.
***Come what May...
I will love you.
Come what may, I will love you until my dying day.***
There was a moment of silence as the music ended. Phillip spoke first, his temper beginning to rise to the surface. "I don't like this ending."
Everyone in the room looked at him with surprise and disappointment. Zidler glanced at him worry. "Don't like the ending, my dear duke?"
"Why would the courtesan choose a penniless sitar player over the Maharajah who is offering a lifetime of security? That's real love."
Brady stared at Phillip, thinking that the Duke was truly crazy. How could money or security mean anything in comparison to true love? How could Phillip believed that those things were real or involved love of any form? Was this man plagued with delusions of some sort?
Phillip looked at Brady and continued. "Once the sitar player has satisfied his lust, he will leave the courtesan with nothing. I suggest that in the end the courtesan choose the Maharajah."
Toulouse waddled forward, unbelieving of Phillip's request and insistent on keeping the ending that Brady had written. "But, but, but surely! Surely, that ending does not uphold the Bohemian ideals of truth, beauty, freedom and..."
Phillip's temper would not be held at bay, his anger quickly rising and his words cutting off Toulouse before he said the word 'love'. "I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR RIDICULOUS DOGMA! Why SHOULDN'T the courtesan choose the Maharajah?"
Brady felt his own anger rise, and before he could stop himself he shouted in anger at Phillip. "Because she doesn't love YOU!"
There was a horrified silence that fell across the room, as everyone realized what he had done. He had given himself away, and now everyone knew the truth. The damage was done and no amount of backpedaling could save them now.
Brady stammered with fear, trying to repair what his words would cause. "H-him. Him. Because she doesn't love *him*"
"Oh, I see." Phillip glanced between Brady and Chloe in understanding. He may have been betrayed by the actress and the writer, but he would still have things his way in the end. He was after all, the money behind all of this. He would have it his way, or he would own the Moulin Rouge. "Monsieur Zidler, this ending will be rewritten with the courtesan choosing the Maharajah and WITHOUT the lover's 'secret song'. It will be rehearsed in the morning, ready for the opening tomorrow night."
Zidler was in complete disbelief. He wanted a new ending in less than twenty-four hours? "My... My dear duke. That will be quite impossible!"
Chloe took a deep breath in, but she was trembling inside. She looked towards Zidler, using her acting skills to convince everyone that everything would work out. That there was nothing going on between her and Brady, and that the show would go on as planned. "Harold! The poor duke is being treated appallingly! These silly writers let their imaginations run away with them."
She walked off the stage and stood in front of Phillip. Chloe did her best to make him believe that she loved him. She couldn't let his anger and jealousy ruined everything they had worked so hard for. "Now, why don't you and I have a little supper, and then afterwards we can let Monsieur Zidler know how we prefer the story to end. Hmm?"
Phillip nodded in understanding. He would have her after all. She would be his, and he would make sure of that. No matter what he had to do to keep her.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Chloe came out of her dressing room, and found Brady waiting for her. He was nearly in tears, and had a look of desperation on his face so sad that it made her heart break. He had promised her he wouldn't get jealous, but he didn't know if he could keep that promise. The thought of Phillip even looking at her made his stomach turn.
He held on to her arms and pleaded with her. "I don't want you to sleep with him."
Chloe frowned, her own tears welling up in her blue eyes. She had no other choice, and she knew that Brady would never understand that. "He could destroy everything... It's for us..."
Brady shook his head and Chloe continued, begging for him to try to understand. "You promised... you promised me you wouldn't be jealous, you pro-..."
Brady couldn't speak, no words could tell her the mixture of jealousy, worry and fear that he was feeling inside. And he didn't need to, it was written all over his face. She did her best to reassure him, whispering her words to him softly. "It will be alright, yes, it will. He -- He's waiting for me..."
She attempted to walk away from him but Brady grabbed and pulled her back, begging her to stay. He pulled her into his arms and barely rasped out just one word, "No..."
Chloe rested her head on his shoulder and sang softly to him, reminding him that even if she had to be with Phillip tonight, it was him that she truly loved.
---Come what may...---
Brady knew there was nothing more he could do. No way to stop what was going to happen. His heart was broken, but he recognized that even their love couldn't keep her from a contract that was made. He whispered softly in ear. "Come what may..."
He quickly let go of her and walked away. He couldn't bear looking into her eyes again, as they were only a reminder of how much he loved her. And, a reminder of things and events that were out of his control. He couldn't stop her, no matter how much he tried. He had to allow her to do what was required of her, no matter how much it tore him up inside.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yes, it's true. I have promised a HAPPY ending for Broe. I really have. And, I *hope* that it will be a huge surprise when you get to it. Or maybe it will predictable. I don't know. It's a mystery. But, at least it will be *happy*.
-Hope-