Chapter 4: A Different Side

2 week later

The servants watched Erik as he escorted Megthrough the gardens of his estate.

" She's very pretty," a gardener said

" Do you mean her bust or her body?" Marie asked

" Come on Marie, it's a simple comment, no vulgar meaning," the gardener said

Colette walked out and watched them stroll through the gardens and she sighed.

" She's very lovely, is this the one everyone has been talking about?" Colette asked

" Yes, her name is Meg Giry, she's 20," Marie said

" How old is the master?" Colette asked

" You should know better to ask that," Marie scolded

" I don't know, he looks so young," Colette said

Marie looked at her and said, " He's 38, nearly 39 come next spring."

" Oh, he is old," Colette replied

Marie looked at the young girl and saw she was healthier looking then the last two weeks. Her clothing was nicer and well taken care of. Marie turned and looked at their master.

" He looks happy when he's around her," a servant sighed, " I wish she could stay with him…or maybe they'll sleep together, so he'll be happy."

" You and your mind," Marie said

" I'm sure he needs it more than anyone here," another servant said

" I can't believe I'm hearing this, you should know better," Marie said

Colette smiled and leaned against the stone railing and watched Erik and Meg.

" Maybe he'll marry her," Colette said

" Keep dreaming, he's the only man that I know that has a different woman on his shoulder every time I turn around. Yet, he has not slept with one," another servant said

" You four are all terrible," Marie said

" Have you seen his face lately, it's not a site for a woman's delicate eyes, just wait until she removes that mask of his," the gardener said

Marie looked at them and placed her hands on her hips. They looked at her and just shrugged with the same answer every time.

" What? It's true," they all stated

Erik looked at Meg as she looked at the different flowers in the garden.

" They're all so lovely Erik," Meg said

" I feel these flowers are the only part of me that has living color," Erik said

Meg stopped and turned to glance up at him. She grabbed his hand and kissed it, then reached up and touched his face.

" Your flesh Erik is full of color, your world around you maybe gloomy, but there is color beyond the darkness if you open up," Meg said

" And how should I do that, if there is no one willing to open up to me?" Erik stated, " I have only a past that draws me away from this world."

Meg looked at him and stood only inches from him. She reach up, but did not kiss him, she kissed his cheek.

" You must give someone a chance," Meg whispered

She turned away and walked on through the gardens and Erik looked at her. She looked from the corner of her eye at him. She smiled and Erik walked off after her, then walked with her. Meg looked at him as he looked ahead, she reached over and turned his head.

" You don't always have to look ahead," she said, " You can look at me or the world around, just not behind you."

" If I do not look forward, then I am blinded by what may step in my path," Erik said

" And what if it were I who stepped in your path?" Meg asked

Erik looked at her in slight surprise and she smiled.

" Erik," she said, " You and I have been writing to each other for many months, but you never explained to me one thing."

" What is that?" Erik whispered

Meg looked at him and reached up, then whispered, " If you love me."

Erik grabbed her hands and placed them over his heart.

" Is it not obvious," Erik replied, " Why would I beg your mother to take you as my student?"

" She has denied you that privilege," Meg said

She wrapped her arms around him and Erik took her into his gentle embrace.

" Would you look at that!" Marie exclaimed

" It would appear that our master actually has a heart," a servant said

Marie sighed and then went inside to tell the cooks to prepare lunch for two. Colette looked out in the distance and looked at Erik and Meg embracing one another.

" Perhaps he does have a heart," Colette whispered

Meg and Erik walked back and the servants lined up as Erik entered the house.

" Marie, have the cooks prepare lunch for Mademoiselle Giry and myself," Erik said

" It's already being done monsieur," Marie answered

Erik nodded and shoed her off and Meg looked at Erik. She looked at his dwelling and got a chill seeing the darken figures of night.

" Let me show you the music room," Erik said

He led her through the halls and opened the doors, a cool deaden feeling came from the room. He walked her to the piano and sat down on the bench and Meg sat beside him.

" Do me the honor Meg and sing for me," Erik whispered

" As you wish," Meg said

Erik began to play a soft melody and Meg and began to sing for him. Her voice was so young and yet it needed little work to make it magnificent. Erik looked at Meg as she sang and turned the pages for Erik, as he played. Delilah and Pandora walked in the room and sat one on each side of the bench. Meg looked at Erik as she finished the last note and Erik played on, but stopped.

" Beautiful," he whispered, " A beautiful voice."

Meg smiled and leaned towards him and touched his face, then brushed her lips against his. Erik felt her lips press against his own and he kissed her back immediately. Delilah whined and began to softly bark and Erik looked at her.

" Hush you," he said

She wagged her tail and sat up, then barked again. Meg looked at her and smiled at the Great Dane.

" She's jealous," Erik said

Meg tapped her leg and Delilah put her front paws on Meg's lap. Meg smiled and rubbed the dog's ears and Delilah licked Meg's face.

" Delilah," Erik said, " you traitor."

Delilah reached over and licked Erik's face and Meg smiled.

" I see someone is spoiled," Meg said

Pandora whined and nuzzled Erik's hand and he looked at her. She sat and Erik reached into his pocket and tossed her a bone. Erik fed Delilah her treat and shoed her off and Meg laughed. Erik wiped his face with his handkerchief and gently wiped Meg's.

" Master lunch is ready, where would you like it?" Marie asked

" In the dinning room," Erik replied

Marie walked off and Erik stood up, then escorted Meg to the dinning room. He pulled out her chair and then sat beside her in his usual chair. The dogs curled up at his feet and waited for scraps. Colette brought out he first meal and set it down in front of Meg and Erik. She then walked to the corner. Meg looked at the girl and then at Erik.

" You have achild servant, Erik?" Meg questioned

" A debt was to be paid off," Erik said

" She's so young," Meg said

Erik snapped his figures and Colette came to his side.

" Yes, Monsieur?" she asked

" How old are?" he asked

" I'm 11, I'll be 12 next month monsieur," Colette asked

" Where are you from?" Meg asked

" Paris," Colette asked

Meg nodded and said, " You look like a very intelligent young girl."

" She's ignorant, she can write, but can not read," Erik said

" Monsieur is very nice and is teaching me," Colette said

Erik silenced her and shoed her off, Meg looked at Erik as he did this gesture. Meg sipped her wine as they continued lunch. Erik and Meg engaged into deep conversation and it became deeper as each course came out. Marie and Colette walked off to get the final course and Colette looked out.

" He really is different, when around Mademoiselle Giry. Perhaps she reminds him of his youth," Colette suggested

" Why would such a young girl like her, be so interested in a monster like him?" another servant asked

" It is obvious that he is trying to impress her," Marie said, " Maybe he thinks she is the one."

" Ha, that's funny," the first servant said

" Maybe he will keep her for awhile and then get tiered of her," another servant said

" I hope not, she's really nice," Colette said, " I think they make a wonderful couple, their different obviously, but they match."

Marie looked at Colette and handed her the tea.

" They'll be in the sitting room, go girl," Marie said

Colette nodded and walked to the sitting room and brought it to them. Erik looked at her as she stood on the side, then turned his attention to Meg. Meg could see it in Erik's eyes, that he did not like the young servant girl and would be glad if she failed in serving him. She sighed and Marie walked out with the dessert and served them both, then stood on the side.

" How is Paris?" Erik asked

" This time of year, Erik you should know," Meg said, " It's warm with a slight northern breeze."

" What of the Opera Populaire?" Erik asked

" It's still standing, no one wants to touch it, in fear of the Phantom of the Opera," Meg said with a smile

Colette could only laugh and Erik looked at her. She stood up straight and Erik turned back to Meg. Erik stood up and set his plate down and cup of tea down. He walked to Meg and put his hand out.

" There is a lot to see," Erik said

" I can hardly wait," Meg said

She took his hand and they walked off, he slightly pushed Colette out of his way, with his shoulder, as he past. She looked at him and narrowed her eyes, then colleted the tea cups and saucers.

" He's such a dirty man, if he was allowing me to stay here, I'd spit on him," Colette said

" Now child, perhaps now is the time you know Comte Montague's past," Marie said