Chapter 4: A Meeting
A/N: As I said before, this was moved from the Miscellaneous section to the POTO section under Books. Thanks! Mac
Caroline sat crying in her dressing room, Adellina, Adair, Elisa and Elena trying to comfort her. Carly was trying to dry Caroline's eyes to get ready for the show. "I can't believe I didn't get in—again!" Caroline sniffed.
Olga tsked and said, "Well, they are the idiots in my eyes." That statement was agreed to by everyone in the room.
Marie-Antoinette was preparing Caroline's costume and said, "Their loss. Our gain."
Caroline started laughing, causing her friends to think she had gone insane. "What is it?" Elena asked, concerned.
"Screw the opera! I have the best friends anyone could ask for right here!" She took the tissue from Elisa's hand.
"Now, I love you all but I need everyone OUT so I can get ready!" The other girls smiled and left the room. After closing the door, Caroline ran towards her costume to change. As she applied her make-up, Caroline got the feeling she wasn't alone.
And she was right, too. Guilliame held his breath in his hiding spot above Caroline's changing room. He half wanted her to find him and half feared his discovery. Caroline walked closer to her bureau, where Guilliame was crouching behind. She reached her hand behind the space and got his arm. She yanked him out to the light.
Guilliame was now standing in her full view. Caroline was unable to scream, only able to hiss "pervert." Guilliame had also lost his ability to speak as well. Caroline finally recovered her wits and it triggered her mind to become angry. Caroline's demeanor changed as she placed her hands on her hips. "Who are you?" she demanded. Guilliame still hadn't found his voice. Caroline asked, "What do you want?" Still no answer from the masked man. Caroline sighed and turned towards the door threatening, "I am getting the security here to escort you out."
As Caroline went to open the door, Guilliame finally recovered his voice. "No, wait. Let me explain!" he exclaimed.
Caroline stopped and crossed her arms. "Okay, I'm listening. Start explaining," she said.
Guilliame began his story. "My name is Guilliame. I live in the lair underneath the Opera House and I was at you audition today. I felt that you were the best one there. Unfortunately, the managers are idiots and missed their opportunity." Caroline's arms remained floded, but she wasn't so upset any more.
"Why are you here?" she asked again.
Guilliame smiled. "To make you an offer," he said.
Caroline's eyebrow went up in a questioning manner. "Oh? What would that be?"
Guilliame's smile deepened. "If you agree, I would like to coach you, improve your voice for the next auditions. Then, you can blow them away and get into the opera, where your talent belongs." Guilliame finished his offer while Caroline considered it.
"I think I like you," she said before falling quiet.
Caroline pondered over this offer. This man's lessons could work towards her and Raoul's advantage. If this masked man delivers, she could get into the opera and begin the process of becoming Raoul's wife once and for all. Caroline smiled at Guilliame. "Go to Balcony Five," she told him. "No one sits there because it is too far away from the bar. Watch tonight's performance and meet me here afterwards." Guilliame bowed his head and left to find Balcony 5.
Caroline entered on to the stage at her cue. She started her lines and kept glancing up at Balcony 6, where Raoul sat. After looking there, she would sneak a glance at Balcony 5, where Guilliame sat in the shadows. Caroline knew what she had to do to help get what she wanted. She wanted to be both an opera prima donna and Raoul's wife. She knew Guilliame had already seen her opera auditions, but she wanted him to see—or rather hear—what her talent could really do when she wasn't very nervous.
Carly and Caroline went into the preceding part of the big middle number sung by Caroline. The whole song was about hope, as Caroline's character hopes her lover will return to her and is defining hope to Carly's character. Caroline waited for her cue and began to sing:
"Hope is a spring day
When the wind blows
And flowers bloom
"Hope is a baby
Laughing, giggling, cooing
Playing without a care
"Hope is a sunset
A day done
Another one to improve
"Hope is a friend
With an encouraging smile
Who is there, no matter what
"Hope is Christmas Eve
Excitement high
Presents waiting down below
"Hope is an angel
Always there
Watching, guiding
"Hope is there
Always loving
Always caring
"Hope is the fact
He will return
To me"
The audience burst into tumultuous applause which shook the rafters. Caroline smiled as Carly waited for the applause to die down to say her next line. Caroly started her line and finished the scene. The curtain dropped as Tymara and the Gemini took their places for the dance number.
The night's show ended as Raoul headed towards Caroline's dressing room. Guilliame waited in the wings, watching Raoul meet with Carolien backstage. "You were wonderful tonight," Raoul said.
"Thank you," Caroline replied.
"If only Reyer, Firmin, and Andre could've been here tonight," Raoul commented. "Maybe I can get them here, so they can watch you and hear you at your best!" Raoul's mind was turning.
"When can they come?" Caroline asked.
"Not soon enough. There is a week until opening Gala," Raoul said.
"They held an audition a week before Gala Night?" Caroline asked.
"That's why she was in the Chorus," Raoul said.
"So our plan would've only taken a week?" Caroline asked. Raoul nodded.
"Good God, Raoul, another half-planned plan?" Caroline asked. "Why can't you think things through? A week is not enough!"
Raoul sighed. "Okay, but this time we will have longer to carry out our plan. As soon as Gala Night is over, I will get the Opera's managers here to see you. Good night, Caroline," Raoul said, kissing Caroline on the cheek.
Caroline sat down in her dressing room, waiting for Guilliame. He snuck into her room, careful not to be seen. "You were wonderful tonight. Even better than before," Guilliame said.
Caroline smiled and replied, "Thank you. The only reason I was better was because I was doing what I've done for the past six years." Guilliame stood there, waiting for Caroline's reply to his offer. Caroline was busy finishing undoing her hair. "I've decided to take you offer," Caroline said. "Care to start tomorrow, here? No one hangs around this place during the day. We will be alone. Agreed?" Caroline said.
"Agreed," Guilliame replied, shaking Caroline's hand. Guilliame climbed out Caroline's window.
"Caroline?" Carly asked, coming into her friend's dressing room.
"What?" Caroline asked. Carly was all ready to leave and Caroline had only fixed her hair.
"What is taking you so long?" Carly asked. "I thought I heard voices in here. Who were you talking to?"
Caroline shut her window and door. "A man. He saw me today at the Opera House and came here to make me an offer," Caroline explained.
Carly was interested now. "What? What did he ask?" she asked.
"He said that he would give me private voice lessons in hopes of getting me into the opera!" Carly and Caroline were both bursting with excitement.
"Oh, Caroline, if this man is as good as he seems, there will be no way the Opera will turn you down at the next audition," Carly exclaimed.
"That's another thing," Caroline said. "I may not have to wait until the next auditions." Carly looked confused. Caroline lowered her voice. "You cannot tell a soul. I'm not even supposed to tell you," Caroline said. Carly leaned forward, curious to what her friend's secret was. "Listen, Raoul and I are back together. He is going to get me into the Opera, send Christine abroad and we will get married."
"That is an utterly stupid idea!" Carly said, shocking Caroline.
"What?" the other girl asked.
"Getting back with Raoul!" He's only going to break your heart again," Carly said.
"He's serious this time!" Caroline said, starting an argument.
"Caroline, he was serious last time. And then he left you!" Carly's voice raised a few decibels.
"He told me his brother was the reason why he broke it off with me!"
Carly laughed. "And he does everything his brother says? Give him up Caroline, he isn't worth it!"
The argument between the two dancers had grown so loud, other girls were now coming near the dressing room. Adair was the first one to open the door. "What is going on in here?" she asked.
"Nothing," Caroline shot back bitterly.
"Nothing? It is certainly doesn't sound like nothing," Marie-Antoinette replied.
"It's Caroline," Carly said. "She's gone loca is seeing Raoul again." This last statement created an uproar.
"Carly!" Caroline shouted. "I told you no one was supposed to know!"
Carly answered back, "I'm not going to sit by and watch as he ruins your life again. Friends don't do that." The other girls agreed. Adellina stepped forward and placed her hands on Caroline's shoulders.
"I told you not to let Raoul be a skeleton in your closet. This isn't going to help. Raoul is just going to hurt you again. Please listen to us, as your friends—as your sisters," the Italiam pleaded.
"No, you're all wrong! You don't know what's best for me—I know what's best for me. Now, if you will excuse me, I wish to finish changing and go home!" Caroline pushed her friends out.
She changed furiously. She had trusted Carly enough to break her promise to Raoul. Caroline blinked back tears as she fought her way out of Le Cirque Boheme. She hailed a carriage and went home to sulk.