A/N: Thanks to Indea Moore and Meaghan, you're the only reviewers so far…I'm glad you both like it, Meaghan; you'll find out more about Monifa's past next chapter (I can't believe I misspelled erik, argh!)! Thanks to Cinafran! I couldn't do it without her expert edit/beta job!
Disclaimer: I do not own any sexy disfigured men of mystery with angelic voices or their stories. This means Erik. (Sigh)
It's next time! So here it is, the promised something!
Chapter 2: Calm Before the Storm.
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"That was very bold," Madame Giry scolded, "I expect that we will not witness any other such outbursts." Despite her harsh words, Monifa could see a flicker of humor briefly pass the other woman's eyes. This was only noticed because of the years of having to be able to read others.
"Expect what you will," Monifa said jokingly, letting out the laughter she'd held back for the last few minutes. This time, a brief smile touched her lips before Madame Giry could stop it. "Come, I will take you to your room," she said as she set off through the unfinished labyrinth that was the back of the Opera house. Monifa hurried to keep up with Madame Giry, and had to doge the many pine beams, ladders, and workers finishing the reconstruction after the fire.
When Giry finally stopped she was in front of a plain door, with a key in hand. She put it in the lock and, with a little trouble because of its slightly rusted state, a click sounded allowing the door to be opened.
"This room is all yours to do whatever you like with," Madame Giry instructed and added as an after thought, "within reason of course."
"Thank you so much," Monifa said seriously. She appreciated what her uncle was doing for her and this woman's part in it, however small it may be.
Madame Giry smiled at the girl before her and left her last instructions. "You must be tired after your long travel. On the table in the corner, there is a bit of food you may eat for lunch. Your uncle requests your presence for dinner tonight at 7:00 sharp. Since you are new to the Opera, my daughter will return to help you find your way. Also, because you are new, I suggest you stay here till then. We do not want you to get … lost." She placed the key in Monifa's hand and set off back down the hall.
Looking around the room Monifa saw that it was a rectangular shape and that the back quarter was elevated, with single step leading up to it. The floor was a finished wood with a few scattered purple rugs of various shapes and sizes that matched the lavender wall paper, all slightly worn and faded. The front three fourths of the room contained a small off-white and lavender sofa and wood chair along with a medium size dresser and a vanity table, next to which, was a full size mirror. In the elevated part of the room lay a twin canopy bed, also lavender, and a curtain to pull around for privacy.
This part of the Opera, she noticed was far enough back that it had escaped the fire that had ravaged much of the stage and area behind it.
Monifa had never been one to tire easily, but realized that she was hungry after her long journey. Noticing the food on a small tray on the table in the corner, Monifa sat down and ate some of the cheese, bread, and grapes on it. When she was done, Monifa quickly became aware of the emptiness pressing around her, and though she was not a stranger to it, she wanted to keep from her mind the memories it brought with it. Against Madame Giry's advice she decided to go explore the Opera that was to be her home.
"Besides," she reasoned with herself, "I cannot expect someone will always be here to help me find my way. And as it is my uncle's Opera house, what could possibly happen?" This decided, she opened the door and started out. Monifa decided to start at the top and move down, so she set off for one of the furthest corners where she saw a metal spiral stair case. The stars led farther than she'd first thought and soon she found herself at a door in the topmost part of the opera.
Monifa opened the door and discovered that it led not into a room, but onto the rooftop of the Opera Populare. It was not as light as it should have been at five o'clock, and the first thing that greeted her as she stepped out onto the roof was a strong gust of wind that slammed the door behind her. The normally brilliant blue sky was dark with storm clouds, and the city, unusually quiet. The still before a storm fell upon her.
Monifa took a deep breath, absorbing the strange powerful calm, and wonderful scent that came before the rain. Her train of thought was broken when a movement beside a statue at the very edge of the roof caught her eye. She approached the statue and when she looked behind it, saw nothing.
"That's strange," Monifa thought, "I could have sworn I..." Her thoughts where immediately cut off as a strange hand caught her shoulder. She stiffened, as her reflexes took over, and used her elbow in a swift backward stab, in the direction she thought the stranger to be in. Monifa felt her arm make contact as the breath was knocked out of the person behind her.
She turned around quickly to face the intruder ready to take further action if necessary. She was met with the sight of a man dressed in clothes that couldn't be mistaken as those of anyone but a worker. He was about six foot one, very tan, had light brown, almost blonde hair and fascinating grey eyes. When Monifa finally noticed his face was an interesting shade of red, she couldn't decide if it was from her hit, or the embarrassment clear on his face. At any length it was clear that he had no intention of harming her.
"I'm very sorry," she stammered, "I thought you … well I don't know exactly what I was thinking. It was just a reflex, I suppose..."
"Don't worry about it," he said apologetically, "I'm afraid it's my fault for sneaking up on you."
"But that's really no excuse for my actions. I am sorry." Monifa apologized silently berating herself for her actions.
"No, really its fine," he said, "I just came up here to make sure you made it back alright."
"I can take care of myself," Monifa said slightly offended.
"I'm quite certain you're right," he assured her, rubbing the spot where she had hit him, "but you see, I had just come in off the street from fetching supplies not a minute before I saw you climbing the stairs up here. The wind was strong enough almost to make me lose my balance, and I was worried you might fall…or something"
Realizing he'd only been concerned and that her anger was a bit uncalled for, Monifa tried to show her understanding. "I'm Monifa; it's nice to meet you..."
"Oh forgive my manners, my name is Beau." He clarified, holding out his hand.
"Don't worry about it. It's my manners that need forgiving." Monifa said taking his hand and shaking it. They stood in silence for a few moments, enjoying the fresh air and watching people below hunting for shelter from the storm, before Monifa broke the silence.
"Don't you love the weather right before a storm?"
"I can't say I do. It makes me feel a little jumpy and it seems a bit dismal. Though, I guess I can see why one would." Beau said truthfully. As the last words left his mouth, a terrible burst of wind came that nearly made them both lose their balance and fall backwards.
"I guess we should be getting in. You were right about this wind," Monifa said as they both rose to their feet. Beau nodded, motioned for her to go first, then followed behind so as to catch her should she loose her balance again.
As they reached the door, Beau turned to her and said "I do hope I'll see you again, after all, you'll be here all week right?"
"You heard that?" Monifa laughed, "I didn't realize I had such an audience. I do hope no one else remembers."
"What, something that priceless?" Beau said, laughing too, as he opened the door for her. "There's no way anyone could forget that." When they reached the bottom of the stairs Monifa turned to face Beau.
"I'll be sure to keep an eye out for you. I need a little humor now and then," he joked.
Monifa laughed, "Well don't count on any more 'priceless' words from me. It was a pleasure meeting you Beau." With that, she turned away and headed back to her room. When she reached her door, she was careful to be sure Beau wasn't watching as she let herself in. She wasn't quite sure she wanted anyone to know where she slept, as of yet.
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A/N: Hope you liked it! I know this chapter still didn't have much phantom at all, but it's coming! I promise a better look at Monifa next chapter! Till then! Review! Oh and thanks to my two new reviewers and Silverwolfsingstothemoon! I am working on another chapter now that I've got these how I want them!