Ch. 9: Understanding
Maria ran out of the Paris Opera House, not knowing where she was going. Brushing away her tears, she stepped into the chilly Paris air. She started to head for her apartment, but decided halfway there she didn't want to meet up with Aime. Maria had no intention on talking to anyone. So she went toward the only place that might make her feel warm and at home.
Meanwhile Aime approached the Captain, who was sitting a bench in the lobby area of the Paris Opera house. Georg had been outside, but the buckets of rain that began to fall soon brought him inside.
"Captain?" Aime asked him. He glanced up at her with his blue eyes. He immedianly looked back down at his lap, not wanting to talk to anyone who was affiliated with Maria. While knowing the Captain didn't want to talk about Maria, Aime continued to speak.
"I realize you are not in the mood to talk, but if you would just listen to me…" She began.
"Why should I listen to you when all people around here do seems to involve lying?" He asked sadly.
"Well because it wasn't Maria's fault." Aime told him.
"Oh really? Who are you going to blame now? Me? For believing her with all my heart?" His eyes met hers and she calmly continued.
"No. Maria got the part for that night because they needed a last minute understudy. They were going to cast the part over, but after that night Paris was in love with the new Renee. They couldn't over how sweet and wonderful she was to interact with. The owners made her swear she would pretend to be Renee until the show was over, then they would tell everyone so she could make a name for herself." Aime told him.
"How did you know then? She can tell her best friend and not her fiancée?"
"No she never told me, I just happened to be in the room while they were discussing. I was sworn to secrecy as well. Maria was going to tell you today because she finally got permission to tell you…" Aime stopped.
"And?" He asked.
"She said before the show you wouldn't listen, and then Renee came back to claim her role." Georg looked at Aime for a long time, trying to decide whether she was telling to truth or just lying. Memories came flooding back. He remembered Maria for a good majority of the day trying to get his attention and telling him it was important.
"Why didn't she just come right out and say it today?" He asked, blocking the thoughts of Maria swarming his head. "I can't marry someone who is dishonest to their fiancée. How can I trust her when we are married?"
Aime just shook her head sadly. "You know I really thought that you would be able to understand this. She tried to tell you the truth, and Maria wanted to tell you who she was since the moment she fell in love with you. You don't know how many times she would tell me that you weren't in love with her, you were in love with Renee. I assured her that you were in love with Maria because of who she was so a small thing like a name wouldn't make a difference. I was very wrong."
"But I just can't…"
"Trust her?" Aime finished. "Well I have it on good authority that Maria means what she says and you can trust her with your life. She is deeply in love with you…that kind of love that never dies. Yet, if you fail to see what it so special about her then you just don't deserve her." Aime said sternly. She walked over to the other end of the bench and laid a small ring on the wooden beam. While taking one more glance at Georg she headed back into the Opera House.
Out of the corner of his eye Georg had seen what Aime laid on the bench. Its glisten drove his eyes toward it. Though his mind was resisting it his heart forced his hand to pick it up and finger it lovingly. After a few moments, deep in thought, Georg got up and walked into the Opera House again. Spotting Aime he quietly called to her.
"Aime?" She turned around. "Where is the owner's office?"
"Why?" She asked.
"I want them to give Maria some credit for this performance before it is over. What do you say?" He asked.
"Well…" Aime answered unsure.
"I have a plan."
"Okay then I'll come with you." She told him unconvincingly. They made their way up to the office of the owners. Aime was convinced they were there due to the fact they had snuck up there during the party.
"Are you in this with me?" He asked hopefully.
"I guess…" Just then the door swung open and Mr. Barret stood in front of the two.
"Good evening…"
"Mr. Barret a pleasure to meet you face to face." The Captain cut him off. "We would like to inform you that we know about your plan. We know you are in it for the money and plan to give Maria no credit. We demand that credit is given tomorrow and Maria gets her part back for closing night."
"Who told you all of this?" Mr. Barret asked in disgust.
"I told him." Aime glared.
"You told him?" Mr. Barret asked. Aime nodded angrily. "Well you just lied under oath. You are now fired from this company."
"You can't fire me." Aime yelled.
"Yes I can I have papers right here…"
"Only Maria signed those. She didn't tell a sole, but you pathetic little plan sure did. The whole world doesn't know who she is, but the know someone has been covering for Renee. We could have you arrested for this." Aime told him.
"You my dear, Aime have no money, whatsoever."
"She should be getting her paycheck in a week, right?" Asked Georg. Aime looked at Mr. Barret who was glaring at her harshly.
"Paycheck? Why yes we do pay are actors very well…"
"I have not gotten paid for over three months. They claim it is coming after the show is over, but I think they are smuggling money." Aime glared.
"What smuggling money? This is a noble honest business and I have never stolen and money." Mr. Barret said firmly.
"Then why has our pay lessened and we haven't gotten a franc for it? Hmm?" She asked. Mr. Legard overheard this a quickly made a phone call to the police. He knew that finally his colleague would be found guilty. The police walked to the room and once they were in it they heard Mr. Legard speak.
"Actually I just found all the transactions put into Mr. Barret's banking account, without anyone's knowledge."
"You are under arrest Mr. Barret." The police told him calmly as he put handcuffs on his hands. "Mr. Legard I give you full ownership of the Opera House until things are settled. I will be talking with you tomorrow morning." He nodded and watched them leave. Aime and the Captain stared at him blankly.
"I had that planned for a while. I knew he was up to something, it was just that no one knew exactly what he was up to." Mr. Legard explained.
"Oh really well I just was…" Aime started.
"It's all right. I was waiting for someone to complain for a long time." He told her. He noticed the Captain's presence. "I supposed you are Captain von Trapp?" Georg nodded and the two shook hands.
"Mr. Legard, about Maria…"
"You wanted to speak with me Mr. Legard?" Renee screeched, as she stormed into his office.
"I wanted to tell you my dear that you are fired." He told her gently.
"Fired!" Renee shouted. "You can't fire me! I am a glowing star. No one will come and see an Opera without me in it!"
"I believe otherwise. You are free to go now." Mr. Legard told her. Renee looked around and spotted Georg. A smile flashed across her lips.
"Do you want to have a nice dinner tomorrow? My wonderful handsome fiancée?" She asked deeply, while putting her arms around him.
"Renee I was never engaged to you and I would never even think of going out with you." He told her. She glared deeply at him.
"Fine then!" She yelled. "Go be with that little nobody!" With one last glare she stomped out of the room.
"I'm glad she's gone." Aime mentioned. The two men nodded at her.
"Now, about Maria." The Captain said.
"Yes, Maria can have her part back for closing, if she will even take it." Mr. Legard said.
"Are you going to do anything to make people realize it was Maria that performed all those times?" Aime asked.
"Yes, of course. The publicity department is working on a huge campaign for Maria in the future and…"
"Mr. Legard?" He stopped abruptly and looked at Aime. "Maria isn't planning on performing anymore. The performance tomorrow will be her last."
"Is there nothing I can do to keep her here?" Mr. Legard asked. Aime sighed.
"No, she wants to move onto other things. I couldn't even stop her if I tried." Aime answered him.
"Well then, we will have to give her a goodbye tribute then won't we?" Mr. Legard asked them. "Okay you two I have a plan if you are willing to help of course." Aime and Georg nodded as Mr. Legard began to speak about his plan to honor Maria, the greatest opera singer he had ever seen.
Georg and Aime walked out of the office later that evening.
"Aime? Thank you for coming with me today. It wouldn't have worked without you there. You're the reason he got arrested." Georg told her.
"You're welcome. I am glad I could help." An awkward moment of silence filled the air. "I can see why Maria loves you." She added helplessly. Aime looked into his beautiful blue eyes, but quickly looked away. She couldn't believe she was falling in love with him. He smiled at her.
"Do you know where she is?" He asked, pulling her back into reality.
"Who? Oh Maria…I don't know. I am guessing she took a walk. That is what she does when she's upset." Aime answered.
"I'm going to go and find her." Georg told her as he started on his way. After a few steps he turned around. "Aime?" He asked. Aime looked up, trying not to let her emotions overcome her.
"Yes?" She squeaked.
"Thanks for everything tonight. I can see why you are Maria's best friend." He told her and gave her a quick hug. "Goodbye." With a smile he parted from Aime and left to find Maria.
Aime let out a sigh. She could not believe the conflicting emotions that were dwelling inside her. She felt happiness for Maria and at the same time a tinge of jealousy.
To Be Concluded…
Notes: Please Review…wow I seriously thought I already put this up on fanfic…guess not…anyways review!