Chapter 2: Accustom to Darkness
1 week later
Colette walked into the dinning room and Delilah and Pandora growled.
" Delilah, Pandora," Erik growled at them
They returned to rest and let Colette serve Erik. He looked at her, seeing she was becoming accustomed to her new life. Erik looked at the meal and began to eat it with displeasure. Colette stepped in the back with the other servants as he ate and she sighed. Erik looked at her and she quickly straighten up. Colette watched him eat, ever so perfectly, it was as though he was trying to impress someone.
After breakfast Erik saddled his horse and went for a ride and Colette cleaned the windows.
" You missed a spot," Marie said
" Why do we have to clean these windows if he never opens the curtains?" Colette asked
" There you go again, running your mouth. If you knew how to keep that trap shut, just maybe the master will promote you to something higher," Marie said
" If the master promoted me, it would be the end of the world," Colette replied
Colette cleaned the panes and got down from the ledge. She flipped her hair and Marie saw the red ribbon in her hair.
" Child!" Marie exclaimed, " Your wearing a color in your hair!"
Marie took it out and Colette looked at her.
" Why can't we wear color?" Colette asked
" It's forbidden," Marie said, " I don't want to see this in your hair."
" But, Marie," Colette said
" You will be beaten by him if you wear this color or any other color," Marie said, " Trust me it's not a pretty sight."
Colette sighed and tucked the ribbon in her bodice. She and Marie walked to the next set of windows and cleaned them and then entered Erik's office. Colette looked at the portrait hanging on the wall.
" She's beautiful," Colette said
Marie looked at the young girl and said, " Madame de Chagny, she is the woman that the Comte loves."
" She's a married woman?" Colette asked
" Yes, to the Vicomte de Chagny," Marie said, " The man who the Comte is rivals with."
" Oh, I see," Colette replied
They cleaned the panes and Colette looked at the portrait.
" Why does he have a portrait of her?" Colette asked
" I don't know child," Marie replied, " It's not my place to ask questions."
Erik rode into Paris and walked to small house and knocked on the door. The door opened and Erik removed his black, wide brim hat. The woman smiled and Erik kissed her hand.
" Madame," he said
" Come in Erik," she said
Erik walked in and was invited for tea.
" Is your daughter about Madame Giry?" he asked
" Erik you know as good as I, that Meg does not stay home all day," Madame Giry replied
She brought out the tea and poured him a cup. She got up and pulled a envelope out and handed it to him.
" What is this?" he asked
" Her letter to you, I have forgotten to send it," Madame Giry said, " Erik my daughter has read your letter over a hundred times."
Erik opened the letter and pulled the scented page out. He opened it and began to read it to himself.
" Do my letters intrigue her?" Erik asked
" In her dreams Erik," Madame Giry said
Erik shut the letter and took a few sips of tea.
" Why pursue my daughter Erik?" Madame Giry asked
" Why not?" Erik replied
" Erik tell me this, are you just seeking her out for a friendship or marriage?" Madame Giry asked
Erik slightly choked on the tea and said, " Excuse me?"
Madame Giry got up and got a cloth for him. She handed it to him, he wiped the spilt tea.
" I am not a man that easily attracts women, you of all people should know that," Erik stated
" Haven't you worn your mask long enough, you are a powerful man Erik. People shouldn't care what you look like," Madame Giry said
" Madame, I have come here to ask to teach your daughter," Erik said
Madame Giry looked at Erik for a second and sighed.
" Why are you doing this to yourself Erik? Why put yourself through torture?" Madame Giry said
" The only torture that I put myself through is falling back into the past," Erik said
Madame Giry shook her head and poured herself another cup of tea. She sat back as Erik told her that he only dwelled in the past when he needed to. He was trying to assure Madame Giry that if she allowed Meg to be taught by him, that she would draw him away from the darkness.
" Erik, your friendship to my daughter is more than enough for her, but she doesn't need another obligation," Madame Giry said, " I don't want you to be heart broken Erik, nor her. You've put yourself through torture long enough."
Erik nodded and rose from where sat and kissed Madame Giry's cheek.
" You have my friendship too Madame," Erik said, " Please, think about it. There will be no reason for you to pay."
He left and returned to his dark estate, Gaston took his hat and cloak and gave him his usual news. Erik addressed the letters he was given and sighed, he went to his study and there spent his afternoon.
Colette and the other servants looked up at the study door and then gave a sigh.
" He's in one of those moods," Marie said, " He's going to be up there even for supper."
" Is that a good thing?" Colette asked
" Very good thing, see he's probably thinking of that woman," a servant said
" Christine?" Colette asked
" No, child," Marie said, " the daughter of the woman who saved him."
" Oh," she said
Erik pulled the letter from, Meg, out of his coat pocket and opened it. He read it to himself over and over again. Her words burnt into his mind and imagined her beside him, telling him everything. Erik leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes, he clasped his hands into one another.
" Words, they are nothing without that person beside you," he thought
That evening, Erik came down and everyone was lined up, as he came down the stairs. His usual dark presence walked past them, sending chills down their spine. His dogs followed behind him and looked at the servants. Erik whistled and the dogs came, then the servants followed behind them. Colette looked at Erik, as he entered the dinning room and waited to be served.
" Bring me my meal," he ordered
The servants did as he asked and Colette placed the utensils on the table. Erik gave her a look as she placed them neatly on the table.
" Leave it," Erik said
She backed off and stood beside Marie and another servant poured him wine. He ate as though he had been starving and anxiousness in each bite. Colette looked at Marie and Marie looked at their master as though he had become ill.
Once he was finished they cleared the table and fed the scraps to the dogs, then he rose from his seat. He was off once more to the music room and played the piano, he shut and locked the door. so no one could enter.
" I thought he was going to stay in the study?" Colette questioned
" I guess I was wrong," Marie said
Marie got the servants back to cleaning and she lit, a fire so the house would warm up and fend of the eerie feelings. Colette dusted and went upstairs to tend to those rooms, there were nine and they were not small either, she started one. She looked around the room and saw a box on the vanity, she opened it and it chimed a melody. She looked at the jewelry and then turned to the standing closet. She opened it and there were beautiful dresses of multiple colors. She touched the fabrics and pulled one out, seeing their styles. Colette smiled and laughed out loud of joy.
" Oh, they're so beautiful," she whispered, " Who, wears such garments?"
" Not you," a dark voice said
Colette turned around in shock and saw Erik standing there, the dogs growled at her. He walked over and grabbed the dress and placed it back in the closet. He then grabbed her by her arm and dragged her downstairs. The servants looked at her as she tried prying his grip from around her arm.
" Let me go, I didn't do anything wrong," she cried out
Erik threw her into a cold drafty room and locked it.
" Think about what you have done," Erik snarled
" But…I didn't do anything wrong," Colette cried
He turned to the servants that looked in fear.
" If any of you come near this door, then you will regret the day you ever set foot in this house," Erik ordered
Erik walked off in anger and proceeded to his study. Marie looked at the other servants and then looked at Colette.
" You were only suppose to clean, it's my fault I let a child do a woman's job," Marie said
" How long will I be in here?" Colette asked
" Until the master has calmed down," Marie said, " Do not worry child it won't be long."