Phantom of Music: Thanks for your review, this chapter is just for you, because you wanted it.
Chapter 10- Sweet Intoxication
Rene's mind whirled with thought. Her angel had to be here. He had to be watching. He must be angry by now. She had to find him. She had to talk to him, to tell him that she was sorry for her insubordination. She walked to the middle of the room and stood for a moment, not sure what to do.
Rene turned to the mirror in the corner of her room. Her mouth was dry, and her heart thumped, nervous in her breast. She breathed in a strong breath and then opened her mouth the call for her Angel. "Erik?" She said. There was no answer. She would not give up. "Erik?" Once again there was no answer, and Rene decided to use a different tactic.
She knew that there was one thing that make him reveal himself. She was unsure what to sing so she started into the only thing she could think of. A song from the Opera, Carmen,
"The bird you caught by surprise
Beats its wing, and off it flies.
Love ignores you, you wait and mope,
Then there it is-when you give up hope.
Love's all around you. Quick, quick!
You have no man, or you have your pick.
Think you've found love?
It turns you down cold.
Think you've escaped it?
It has you in its hold."
She finished and waited in silence. She heard a voice behind her. She recognized it as Erik's. "My angel, is this really how you feel?"
Rene turned to see the Phantom sitting in s chair behind her, one leg resting atop the other. Rene saw a slight frown on his lips. She took a step toward him. "Erik?" she said.
"Yes." Was his short answer.
"You've returned." Rene said. It was almost a question.
Erik turned his eyes to digging in hers. He almost looked angry. "Did you think that I would leave?"
Rene shook her head, vigorously, not wanting to anger him. "I just thought that after last night…" she didn't know how to finish her sentence. She squeezed her lips together, to stop herself from saying something stupid.
Erik arose, powerfully. He walked to her and looked down at her with brilliant blue-green eyes. For the first time Rene realized how tall her was, and how handsome the side of his face that was visible was. She lost herself in his eyes. He was standing a few steps from her, and Rene closed the gap, swiftly. She pressed herself against him, taking his robust hand in hers and squeezing it.
"Rene…" Erik said, but she lifted her finger to his face quieting him. She shushed him, shaking her head.
"Don't tell me." she said. "I know that something is holding you back, and I wish that you could tell me, but you won't, so I will ignore it. I will let you have your secret. I will let you keep this from me… my angel." She finished.
Erik stared, skeptically at her. He didn't trust her. She could tell by the look in his eyes. She knew that he couldn't but she didn't know why.
"Erik?" Rene said, not daring to take her eyes off of him, for fear that he would disappear. "What happened? Please let me help you."
Erik stepped away from her. Rene reached for his shoulder. Erik took the gesture, and lay his head against her hand. "Erik, was it another woman?" Erik did not answer. "Erik, please, I want to help. I can help you, if it is about love, I would understand."
Erik rounded on her angrily, throwing her hand off of his shoulder and shouting at her. "What would you know about love?" Rene recoiled, in panic and alarm. Erik's eyes flashed with fury. "What would you know about suffering, and pain!" he demanded.
"Erik…" Rene pleaded. The tears running without restraint down her face. She hung her head again, and murmured. "I only wish to help."
"Help?" Erik did not shout this time, but spoke with loathing for the whole situation.
Rene's voice shook, but she needed to ask, and so she sang, softly, "Say you'll love me, every waking moment." Erik stopped his raging and watched her. "Let me lead you from your solitude. Share each day with me each night each morning…" Rene stood close to him again, once again clasping his hand. "Promise me that you could love me, too. Love me, that's all I ask of…"
Rene never reached the word 'you' for she had fond herself extremely close to him, and his lips enthralling. Without thinking she had pressed his mouth to hers and closed her eyes in the sweetness of it all.
Thanks to for the Carmen lyrics!
