Chapter 14: Desire, Passion And…Jealousy?
Whirls of colors and cigarette smoke surrounded Christine as she rehearsed a song onstage with Toulouse and the lead male who was played by a young man named Christian. He had worked here once before, but no one spoke of his story. They said it was one filled with love and loss. Christine only knew too well how he felt, but she never told him so. She enjoyed working with him however, his imagination roared with ideas that were thrown into the show piece by piece. He reminded her only too well of the man that watched her with hungry eyes from above. Dancers were everywhere, engulfing everyone in the sound of the rhythmic stomping of the tango, a dance in the play.
"You remind me of someone I once knew Christine, you have her eyes." Christian looked at her intently, not with romance but with memory, as if remembering someone dear to him.
"Is that a good thing?" Christine asked smiling slightly.
Christian thought of an answer. "Yes, I like having a piece of her with me everyday." He smiled reassuringly.
Christine's eyes were drawn away by the icy blue ones above the stage; they seemed to call to her. "Excuse me Christian." She left him slightly confused, but not worried.
Christine made her way backstage, up the staircase and was suddenly pulled into a dark corner by a gentle but cold hand. She leaned in for a kiss but was pushed away by a slightly rough arm.
"Is he to be the next one Christine? The one that holds you, the one that kisses you? Tell me Christine, was I just a safety net, did you come back just to torture me?" He spoke harshly as if he were trying to control some urge. But if it was crying or murder, Christine could not tell. She was hurt, why couldn't he trust her with his love? Because he was scared, that's why. Scared of losing you again. Yet she felt the same way. "Answer me." He begged more than commanded.
Christine chose her words wisely, and then spoke. "Darkness has seduced me beyond belief and I love it, I love the darkness. Even if I wanted to leave it, I would soon return, I would be unable to live without my darkness and the angel that wanders, slightly lost within it. But I' am lost as well, and only together, can we find ourselves. I believe you, Erik, are the darkness, and my angel."
Erik couldn't help it, the tears came, silently. She watched him for a while, not pitying but loving, loving him for caring so much. She kissed him and tasted the bitter sadness within him. She wanted so much to make it go away. He held her possessively around the waist, wrapping her within his cloak. She giggled when they pulled away; he had lipstick marks all over his face. He smiled as she wiped it away with her thumb. He kissed her hand whenever it passed over his mouth. Erik's image had slowly come back into perfection when Christine had returned. He now had his perfect composure back, his black hair combed back and his white mask gleaming on the right side of his face. His complete black attire aided him with becoming a shadow. Christine loved the elegance that he possessed, it made him so mysterious, yet comforting to her. He leaned his head on her shoulder, feeling guilty.
"I just don't want to lose you, I let you go once and I'm not about to do it again." He nuzzled his face against hers softly.
Christine held him against her, kissing his ear.
Come what may, come what may,
I will love you,
Until the end of time,
I love you…
Angel of music,
I love you…
Until the end of time…
Her words faded away as she lifted Erik's sorrowful face and kissed his soft lips. She smiled as he started to react; she wanted so much for them to make love in that dirty corner. No that would be awkward, and they could be caught at any moment. She pulled away laughing as Erik tried to keep her in his embrace, failing miserably.
"Meet me in my dressing room." She started to walk away.
"How long?" Christine turned to him and almost burst out laughing. His face was again covered with evidence that she had taken him prey to her lips. His hair wasn't in a good state either.
"Five minutes." She couldn't help it she burst out laughing and he walked briskly over to her trying to silence her with a kiss, but was soon laughing himself. They held on to each other laughing so hard that they soon sank down to the floor.
"Five minutes?" Erik stood trying to put himself right.
"Five minutes." Christine confirmed, still giggling slightly.
Erik grinned and disappeared into the shadows.
Christine stood and rushed to tell Toulouse and Harold that she needed a break.
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Christian watched as Christine and the masked man sank down to the floor, still locked in a kiss. He had come running when he heard Christine's shriek of laughter. Christian only new love like this once before, a love so strong. It must have already come over many obstacles. He was reminded then of Satine. He lowered his eyes, wondering if this was her doing, sending him this couple. Of course it was! A love like this was not brought before him unless Satine wanted to remind him of their love. So right then and there, Christian vowed, on Satine's grave, that he would protect this love, forever.
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Raoul waited, he waited for them to return. He knew they would. He knew exactly why they had returned, and didn't miss a beat. He bought a ticket to the opening night and again waited for the perfect timing when he would take back what was rightfully his.
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Christine leaned back against the vanity as Erik advanced towards her, fiery passion in his eyes.
"I love you." Was the last thing either of them heard before Christine surrendered to Erik's kiss.
