Happy Easter! And finally I can eat chocolate! Hooray! (Gave up for lent)...So many reviews (grins ecstatically)I love you people...
Kerrie-A: I do my best to update quickly... just for you. Having a job's not that bad...I need one, I have no money (not in a literal sense obviously)
StrangeGirl: Shake no longer my dear...shake no longer. Glad you like it :)
Madamoiselle P: Phantomish moment eh? Ah well would we expect anything less from Jeremy? Ali maybe a attracted to Jeremy...but she also likes Sam...what's a girl to do? The photographer was based on this annoying guy who came to do our school photos. Really annoying. That 'phantom look more smug' bit came out of my world of how I'd stage Phantom and promote it... Ah well. One of your ideas is in this chapter...
AMLisdabomb: Hey, thanks for the hint of how spell your name...makes it much easier. I hope that you had a good holiday. I'm glad that you like Jeremy but what makes you so sure Jeremy and Ali will hook up?
LiTTleLoTTe1991: I'm very happy you like this...very happy. I saw the show in London (because I'm English) so I'll take your word for it that it's a remote controlled boat on Broadway. It could very well of been remote controlled here too but the stage was covered in smoke at the time so I couldn't really see. And I wasn't really paying attention. Grr...I want to see Phantom again...curse ALW for making his tickets so expensive...
AngeloftheOpera: Update as requested...and in return you updated yours (get it? The Return?) Sorry, I have a habit for bad jokes...that one really was awful wasn't it?
Emma-J-Riddle: You like my writing (turns bright red) wow! But yours is brilliant...don't put yourself down. I love it!
Anyway, this sees the return of Adam and he hasn't stopped being mean. Well what would you expect from someone being blackmailed?
Just to say Madamoiselle-P helped me out with ideas for this chapter so many thanks to her...
Maska (M.K)
I don't own Phantom yadda yadda...ALW in his multi-million Really Useful Theatre Company do with their expensive tickets...Grrr...lower the cost ALW! Damn you! Curse you!...don't sue (another awful joke)
11. Adam's secret and Jeremy's deception
Ali could hardly eat anything for breakfast as she was filled with nerves. Twelve hours from now, she would be standing in front of a full theatre, singing her heart out and praying that she wouldn't forget her words. After she left, Ali walked to the theatre via Sam's house. The door was answered by Adam, who looked less than happy to see her.
'Ali,' he said blandly. 'Looking for Sam I assume?'
Ali nodded.
'Well you'd better come in then hadn't you?'
Ali walked into the house under Adam's stare and as he closed the door, he called up the stairs:
'Sam, your girlfriend's here!'
Ali stood awkwardly in the hall, trying to notice the piercing stare that she received from Adam's blue eyes. Ali decided that she would make some conversation to break the tension.
'So how long are you back from University for?'
'A week,' Adam said. 'Why do you ask?'
'No reason,' Ali replied.
She could hold her curiosity in no longer.
'Adam, have I done something to offend you? Have I done something to upset you? Why don't you like me?'
Adam looked taken aback by her question and responded with a dark glare. He reminded Ali distinctly of Jeremy.
'I never said that I hated you. You just don't seem the type for Sam. I think that you're going to hurt him. He's my little brother and I look out for him. And look what a few months at university has done. Made him target to the likes of you!'
Ali's eyes widened in shock and surprise.
'What do you mean, the likes of me?' she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
'I mean gold diggers. You know who I mean. You saw Sam with a bit of cash and have decided to try and get in with him.'
Ali didn't know what to say. It was true that Sam's family were richer than hers. His house was far bigger. The rooms were far bigger. But it had never been an issue. It had never before even been mentioned.
'I like Sam for who he is Adam. I'm not like that! You don't even know me! Tell Sam that I'll see him later,' Ali said, her eyes filling with tears.
She walked out the door and closed it behind her, waiting until she had disappears round the corner until she allowed the tears that she had been fighting to spill down her cheeks. So that was what Adam thought of her! That was what Sam's family thought about her! She could never go back to his house again. Suddenly a terrible notion hit her. Was that what Sam thought of her?
When Sam came bouncing down the stairs, he was surprised that Ali was no-where in sight. His gaze fell on Adam.
'Where is she?' he asked.
Adam looked at him passively.
'She's gone.'
'What did you say to her?' Sam whispered, his voice full of venom.
'Stay away from her Sam. You know what she is as much as I do. She's tearing us apart.'
Sam shook his head in disbelief at his brother.
'The only thing that Ali has done is made me realise how much of a snob that you really are!' Sam shouted before bursting out of the door and running after his girlfriend.
He found Ali leaning against a lamp post, wiping her tears from her eyes. He approached her carefully.
'Is that what you think of me Sam? Is that what your family truly think about me?'
'No!' Sam said in a soothing voice. 'It's Adam. What did he say to you? I don't know what's happened to him while he's been away. He's got so hostile!'
Sam put his arm around Ali's shoulder and held her close.
'Don't cry Ali. You'll ruin your voice for tonight,' he said
Ali looked up at him with wide eyes. Saying something like that was not like Sam. That was like Jeremy.
'If you ruin your voice, our duet will get messed up and think about how that would look for me,' he grinned
Ali smiled. Back to the old Sam again. She had to put Jeremy out of her mind. Jeremy and that smooth chest that she had seen yesterday. She let Sam put his arm on her back and lead her towards the theatre.
The morning rehearsal was quite uneventful, despite the fact that everybody was overcome by nerves. Everybody, except perhaps Jeremy who showed no outward signs of nervousness and acted as he did every day. During lunch, Debbie decided to go over her dance again with Mrs. Sinell so Sam and Ali walked off together to the town, unaware that they were being watched by more than one pair of eyes.
Adam watched the couple bitterly from behind a tree. Sam had grown up while he had been away. Sam used to do everything that Adam told him. That had all changed now. Adam, bit his lip. How was he going to split the pair apart? Ali seemed like a nice enough girl, but he couldn't risk angering the voice. He watched as Ali and Sam walked into a café together.
'You're not doing very well are you?' a voice from above him said.
Adam looked up and saw a figure dressed in black sitting in the branch of a tree. It was impossible to see his face because his coat collar was up and he wore some kind of mask over his eyes.
'Who are you?' Adam asked, trying to sound firm.
The figure let out a chuckle.
'That is none of your concern. Your concern is to split up the relationship between Ali Connia and your brother.'
'This is my brother's chance for happiness! Why can't you just accept it?'
'I couldn't care less about your brother's happiness. I want this relationship broken up!'
'Why me? Why can't you just leave me alone? Why do you want my brother to hate me?'
'Don't be so self centred. This has nothing to do with you. It's your choice, your brother or your girlfriend. I know what you did Adam. How would Claire feel, knowing that you cheated on her with her best friend? Remember, I have the proof.'
Adam's mind flashed back the photograph that he had received of him kissing Helen. The thought of losing Claire was too much for him to bear. Anger swelled up inside him.
'You know what I think?' Adam shouted. 'I think that you're just desperate! You're jealous of Sam's relationship with Ali. I think that you want her for yourself!'
The figure paused and stared at Adam before whipping out his mobile phone.
'07768 943 276, that's Claire's number isn't it?'
'Alright!' Adam cried. 'Alright! I'll do my best!'
'Good,' the figure said. 'Don't disappoint me.'
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He waited until Adam had gone before he climbed down from the tree. Sam's brother was just as Foppish as he was. Adam would co-operate though. Unfortunately Adam had worked out his real motives for wanting Sam and Ali apart. Maybe he was desperate, but he needed Ali more than Sam could ever imagine. Well, Sam wouldn't believe Adam, even if he did tell his brother what was happening. He chuckled to himself and whipped out his sketchbook. Turning to the page with a drawing of Ali on it, he traced the curvature of her chin with his finger. She was so perfect. He found a pencil in his pocket and sat on a bench, sketching himself and Ali engaged in a passionate kiss.
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The rehearsal finished at 4:30 and the cast were instructed to be back by 6:00 for the 7:30 performance. Sam rushed home to get his camera leaving Ali in her dressing room to take off her costume. Sam had invited Ali to his house but she had declined the invitation. Sam was not happy about this although he didn't let Ali know it. Sam knew that Ali was avoiding his house because of Adam and the boy was getting concerned that his brother's behaviour could drive them apart.
Ali brushed out her hair which fell over her shoulders and down her back. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled at herself, trying to hide the sadness in her eyes. Her father should be there tonight. He should be sitting in the audience with the other people from the town. But he wouldn't be. He couldn't be. Ali looked up as she heard some distant music waft into her dressing room. She had never heard it before and there was something about the violin strokes that were possessive, it somehow consumed her. Almost mesmerised, she got to her feet and opened the door. The corridor was deserted and the music seemed to be even louder. She walked towards the sound, hoping that it would never stop. That sound that relaxed her and soothed her mind.
Ali approached the props room where she was surrounded by items that would be used in the evening performance. Suddenly the music grew to a climax and stopped.
'Don't stop!' Ali gasped into the room, expecting to see a violinist standing there.
She could see no-body but heard the rustle of clothes as somebody walked across the room.
'Please!' Ali cried. 'Play for me!'
The music started up again and Ali recognised the tune as one her father used to play.
'My Dad used to play that song,' Ali said into the darkness. 'It's the first time that I've heard it for six years. But he's gone now though.'
'Your father is always with you,' a voice from the shadows purred.
Ali had almost fallen into a trance.
'Dad?' she whispered. 'It cannot be.'
'Child, you cannot look on me. You must close your eyes and do exactly as I tell you.'
Ali nodded and closed her eyes, unable to refuse the soft intoxicating voice.
'I am proud of you Ali,' the voice purred, moving slowly towards her. 'You will perform well tonight. I will watch you.'
Ali gave a small gasp as a pair of hands rested gently on her shoulders.
'I want you to be proud of me Dad.'
'I know,' the voice whispered.
Ali felt a hand slip around her waist and she leant back against the figure, her eyes remaining obediently closed.
'Don't let go of the music in your life Ali,' the voice whispered.
Ali felt the figure move away from her and she held onto its arm.
'Don't go!' she cried. 'Stay with me Dad.'
Ali felt the arm slip out of her grip.
'I love you!' she cried
'I know.'
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He did not want to detach himself from her. For that moment, she was completely under his power. She told him that she loved him. He closed his eyes and sighed with contentment. Yet deep down he knew that he was not the person that she loved. She missed her father, she loved her father. If he could only have held her for two more seconds. For that moment, she had wanted to be in his embrace, she hadn't cringed or tried to get away, she wanted to be there. So he had to pose as her deceased father for that moment, but it was worth it. He went back to his dressing room and began to sketch her, her eyes closed, under his power, in his embrace.
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Ali stayed still in the dark props room, her eyes still clamped shut. It was only when she heard her name being called that she snapped out of her trance and looked around the room, utterly confused as to how she got there. She walked out of the room where she saw Sam.
'What were you doing in there?' he asked, with an odd look upon his face.
Ali stared back at him.
'My Dad was in there,' she replied, half to herself. 'He spoke to me, he played to me, he touched me.'
'Your father is dead Ali,' Sam said, very concerned.
Ali looked up at him and smiled.
'Yes. But he has returned to me!'
Sam shook his head and lead Ali away, incredibly confused. He had no idea what Ali was thinking but suspected that Jeremy my have had something to do with Ali's strange behaviour. He swore silently to himself that he would take his revenge on Jeremy, but this time, Ali wouldn't be there to stop him.
