Chapter 6: Man of Mystery
Victoire danced each show as lead for months at a time. She was a star in the ballet, the rising star that would go far. Meg instructed her with new routines and she thought nothing of bad comments and critics.
" Good, once more," Meg said
" Yes Madame," Victoire said
Meg watched Victoire break her fear as audience cheered for her. Captain Alexander watched from his usual box and smiled. Victoire looked at everyone as she bowed and then she looked up in box five. She saw him, the Phantom of the Opera, he was applauding her. She backed off slowly and let the other performers take their bows. She walked off stage and breathed deep, she saw him with the white mask. His eyes looked at her deep within her.
" He was there, staring at me, the Phantom of the Opera," she thought, " He is my biggest fan."
" Mademoiselle," someone said
She turned and the stagehand handed her a red rose with a black ribbon on it. Attached to it was a letter, sealed with the same seal. She opened it and pulled out the letter.
" Tonight you were beautiful, come to your dressing room and I shall come see you personally," Victoire read to herself
She looked around and then went off to the dressing room. She was eager to meet the man of mystery that had admired her from above. She entered her dressing room and shut the door. She walked to her vanity and saw 6 dozen roses through out the room. She smiled and then smelt them all. Victoire sat down and removed her make up and then changed into her night gown.
" He's not here," she thought
She went towards her door and then suddenly her room became dark. She looked around and breathed deep as everything seemed to become cold.
" You have come to see me?" a voice called
Victoire gasped and turned around feeling the coldness of death near her.
" Are you he?" she asked, " Are you the Phantom of the Opera?"
" Yes, it is I," the voice said, " You have received my letter and rose."
" Am I to see you for the first time?" she asked
The voice chuckled and said, " You are such an impatient child. Come, and stand before the mirror. There you will see me and I shall present myself."
Victoire walked towards the mirror and there see saw Nicolas standing there. The white mask showed brightly and his dinner dress clothes made him even mysterious. His wide brim, black hat cast a shadow over his uncovered side. Nicholas lifted his hand up then presented it to her. She looked at Nicholas and hesitated at first.
" Do not fear me child," he said
Victoire placed her hand in his gloved hand and his fingers wrapped around hers. He helped her step into the mirror. There was knock on her door, but she did not break her stare. The mirror closed and he led her down the hall, she stared at him with awe in her eyes.
" So, You are he," she said, " At last I have found the Phantom of the Opera."
" I was never hidden," he replied
He lead her down to the end of the tunnel and there a black horse waited for them. The horse stomped his hoof and Nicolas fed the horse with some oats, then looked at her.
" Where are you taking me?" she asked
" Down to my lair," Nicolas replied
He gently lifted her up onto the stallion's back and led the horse down the rest of the way. She looked at the Phantom as they went down deeper, to his lair. He helped her off, then helped her into a boat. He untied it and got in then pushed off down the darkness of the passage. Nicolas looked at her and Victoire looked up at him and then suddenly candles were lit before her eyes. Nicolas guided the boat towards another passage and then open the gate, which led them to the edge of his lair.
" I bid you welcome to the Phantom's lair," Nicolas said
She turned around and suddenly things were lit, like magic and Nicolas got off and stood before her. He removed his cloak and hat, he looked at Victoire with a soften look.
" This place is a place I only take those who are worthy," Nicolas said, " You have showed to me that there is something beyond the young opera singers."
She stood up and Nicolas grabbed her hand, she stepped out. He walked her around and she found there was more to this damp dwelling. Nicholas looked at her as she looked around, she came to one room and saw a beautiful light fixture. He walked behind her and she looked at him.
" Is that the grand chandelier?" she asked
" Yes, the one that was cut down," Nicolas answered, " I found it and began working on it a year ago."
She looked at the glass pieces and looked around the room, there was more things, Nicolas was working on. Old instruments that were not in bad shape, just worn out. Nicolas placed his hand on her shoulder as she reached for a second door.
" What is in there?" she asked
" The past," Nicolas replied, " Something that should never be revealed."
Victoire looked at him and he led her back to where they came in.
" You made a home down here, five cellars below the opera house," Victoire said
" I like it down here, no one bothers me," Nicolas stated, " I can write my music."
" Play me something Monsieur," she said
" I do not play on demand only when I feel like it," Nicolas said
" I wish to hear the ballet you said your wrote," Victoire said
" It is not finished, I will play something else," Nicolas replied
He walked to the organ and Victoire looked at him. He played a piece from the last opera, she walked over to him, to watch. He turned and looked at her and moved over, she sat beside him as he played. She could not help, but to stare at the white mask. He looked at her and stopped, she lowered her head.
" You stare at the mask," Nicolas stated
" I'm sorry," she said
" You do not have to be, it is natural," Nicolas said
" Please, can you continue?" she asked
Nicolas continued and Victoire watched him, and listened to the music. Victoire closed her eyes and remembering the routine to the opera. Nicolas looked over at her, as he finished. He reached over and touched her face and Victoire opened her eyes. She stared at him and he smiled.
" You're very beautiful," Nicolas whispered
" You flatter me monsieur," she replied
" I do not flatter many often," Nicolas stated, " Only those I feel can take it by a repulsive monster."
Victoire touched his uncovered face and he grabbed her hand.
" I can see there is a gentle side to the chorus girl I watch," Nicolas whispered
He rose and Victoire looked at him, he walked off into a room. She followed him and Nicolas looked at her.
" What made you become my admirer?" she asked
" I know talent when I see it," Nicolas replied, " Now, I wish that you stay with me just this night."
" Pardon me Monsieur," she said
" There is a room, that is for you my dear, come I shall show it to you," Nicolas said
He led her to the room and there, the room was nothing like she expected it. The sliver swan bed sparkled, she smiled softly. She walked to it and touched the softness that just curled under her fingers.
" Please rest Mademoiselle," Nicolas said, " No one will harm you."
Victoire looked at him and he walked beside her and he lifted her up into his arms. He laid her down on the soft bed and she looked up at him.
" Sleep well," he whispered
He pulled the black vale curtain and walked off, she closed her eyes to only hear soft music playing.
" A man of mystery, but what does he want with me?" she thought