Chapter 9: Sisterly Chat
The next morning found Caroline alone in her bed. Beside her was the flower Raoul had brought with him and a note. He had left early for his business breakfast meeting. Caroline was changing when she heard a knock. She opened the door to find Christine standing on her threshold. "How did you find where I lived?" Caroline asked. "The records that Firmin keeps. Can I please come in now?" Christine asked. Caroline nodded and granted entrance to Christine. She laughed as Christine sat down on Caroline's couch. "What?" Christine asked. "Nothing. It's just the thought of you in L'appartments du Napoleon," Caroline replied. "That explains why the lady asked if I was here on a charity mission," Christine remarked. "A short woman with black hair sitting on the rocking chair in the front parlor?" Christine nodded. "That's just Monique. Don't mind her. She's most likely drunk. Either with a bottle now or from last night. Says drinking makes her forget about her job," Caroline explained. "Can I get you anything?"
"Oh, no thanks," Christine replied. Caroline nodded and asked, "Do you mind if I got something? I just woke up." Christine replied, startled, "No, I'm sorry, I didn't know you just woke up." She paused for a minute. "Are all the tenants in this building like Monique? Except you, of course," Christine asked. "No," Caroline replied, coming back into the room with a glass full of juice. "There are some who are 'women of the streets' but most aren't. A couple of us are nightclub performers—maybe a few of them are like Monique. Yet, most are seamstresses, teachers hatmakers or work in the local shops of the quarter." Christine smiled at Caroline's reply. "That's nice," she said. Caroline smiled back. "Now, what brought you here to my home this morning? Or are you here for some girl talk?" she asked. Christine held a bunch of blank invitations. "Here. You can make these out to whom ever you wish. They are for the opening night and proceeding gala."
Christine and Caroline talked for another half hour. Caroline grabbed her coat and the two headed to the Opera together. When Christine entered the stage, the entire chorus flocked to her side. All that Caroline got when she came in was dirty looks. Reyer called Christine over to talk with her. The minute she left, the other members started to circle Caroline like a flock of vultures. "Good morning," Caroline said, determined to make the best of the day. "So, enjoying the Opera, so far?" one person asked. "It's alright. Why?" Caroline asked. "I'm sure the Admiral would want to know how his son's fiancée was doing in the spot he bought for her," the same person said. 'Damn' Caroline thought. "Listen I was engaged to Captain Dupont, but I ended the engagement years ago," Caroline explained. "Really?" someone else asked. "Honestly," Caroline replied. Christine returned and the rest resumed their worship of her.
Caroline's day went down hill from there. Whispers were passed about her when they though her back was turned and she wasn't listening. Many of the chorus tried to continually trip her during rehearsals. Some of her understudies sometimes tried cut in when she was singing and out sing her. Reyer had to stop rehearsals because of these numerous attempts that day and he had had enough. "Stop!!" he called when another understudy tried to out sing Caroline. "Caroline, you can go now. As can you, Christine," Reyer said to the two female leads. "as for the rest of you, we are going to have a little talk about some of the attitudes I've been seeing." Caroline and Christine left the stage.
A half hour later, Caroline left as Reyer continued to berate the chorus. She ahd hand written out all her invitations to everyone at Le Cirque Boheme. She walked the streets, imagining the look on the chorus' faces when all her friends came to Opening Night and the Gala. Further more, the look on their faces when they realized she was popular—somewhere at least.
Caroline finally made it to Le Cirque Boheme. She walked into the nightclub and worked her way backstage. She made it to her old dressing room and tried the know. It was unlocked and with Caroline's touch, opened slightly. "I'm sorry," Caroline went to apologize to the new occupant, only to find the room empty. She walked in amazed. She had been working at Le Cirque Boheme for six years and knew how Monsieur Myrcel worked. Whenever a performer left, he normally hired a replacement within a week. This empty dressing room left Caroline with a feeling of confusion, but also of happiness, knowing that Myrcel wasn't willing to replace her.
"Can I help—CAROLINE!" she heard a much sought after voice say. "Carly!" Caroline screamed and went to hug her friend. Carly's and Caroline's screams had brought the other girls. Soon Caroline was enveloped in hugs, tears and shots of joy. "I am so glad to see you here again," Marie-Antoinette said. "I'm glad to be back," Caroline replied. Laughter went through the crowd that gathered around her. "Oh, this feels good," Caroline sighed. The others looked at her. "The opera that bad?" Elisa asked. Caroline rolled her eyes in response. "Oh," the other eight responded.
Caroline spent the next twenty minutes explaining how her last two weeks had been. "Dreadful. I sat we show them up at that Gala," Tymara said. "Chocolate Countess promoting violence?" Blaise asked. "No, just some carefully planned revenge," the African beauty replied. "Teach them to mess with our sister!" shouted one pf the Gemini. "Then teach them to mess with us!" the other Gemini replied. "How did I know talking with you would make everything feel better?" Caroline asked. "Because we are the closest thing to family you have her in Paris?" Blaise replied. "Because you've known us for too long?" the Gemini suggested together. "Because we know you deepest, darkest secrets?" Dove suggested. "Because we have this natural tendency to know what's bothering you?" Aphrodite said. "Because we care about you?" the Chocolate Countess mentioned, hugging Caroline. "Because in the end we are sisters forever!" Caramel proclaimed. At this, the nine girls gathered together for a group hug.
Caroline was in tears now. She had eight of the best friends a girl could ask for. So what if Christine had Meg and the entire Chorus worshipping her every move? Caroline had something better. She had her sisters here at Le Cirque Boheme. And Caroline knew their loyalty was fierce and would never waver, unlike L'Opera Populaire's chorus. From what Meg had told Caroline, she knew that they just followed who was ever in power, not caring who that person was. She knew that one day, another person would usurp Christine's place in their hearts and the woman would be left only with Meg by her side. Bud in the hearts beating the chests of the eight faces surrounding her, Caroline would always have a place, out of joy.
M. Myrcel had Jean escort Caroline to Balcony 5 so she could watch the performance. After Jean left, Caroline went down on the floor to talk to some Le Cirque Boheme's patrons. Many also attended the Opera and were looking forward to seeing her perform on the stage. She told them she looked forward to seeing them there. Yet Caroline wasn't saying this to be polite, but from total honesty. She was more nervous performing in front of strangers, than her own usual public. Other performers jumping venue to venue preferred it the other way around.
The lights dimmed, signifying the approach of the show's beginning. Caroline made her way to Balcony 5. Her heart jumped to her throat when she saw Raoul, the Admiral and the Captain climbing the stairs to Balcony 5. She didn't want to deal with the Duponts. Her heart skipped a beat to see Guilliame and Erik in the back of Balcony 5. She gave a soft smile to the two.
The stage lights went up as the Dove came out alone to perform the opening song. Caroline found herself staring at Guilliame during the entire song. In return, he too was staring at her. As Dove finished the song, both broke the gaze and turned away, blushing. Erik gave the two a knowing glance and a gentle smile. During the rest of the performance, Caroline tried to concentrate but her mind kept wandering to Guilliame. New emotions ran through her. She didn't feel this way about Jean, Pierre, Robert and Christophe. Those four were older brothers to her and she was their little sister. These emotions weren't even aroused around Raoul. What did this mean? Caroline couldn't answer that question, but she was going to find out. Tonight.
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A/N: Is anyone reading this? I understand if you are too busy with school, but if you do read this, please leave me a review. They mean so much to me. They brighten a really bad day. And they let me know my work is good. There's only so much praise my Creative Writing teacher can give me. Thanks. ~*Mac*~