Gia brushed the tears from her eyes as she made her way toward her room. It would not do for the members of the company to see her in visible distress. She had already given the gossip mongers far too much ammunition over the past few days. She could have a good cry in the privacy of her room once she reached there. That would make her feel better. With that thought in mind, she picked up her pace, knowing the sooner she found the comfort of her own bed, the better. She was so focused on that, she did not notice that someone was waiting for her at her door.
"Another night away from your room, Mlle. Burnside? Whatever will people say?" came the smug voice of Adrienne Leveau.
God, she sounded so satisfied with herself. Gia was in no mood to deal with her, but it seemed she would have to before she could get some measure of peace.
"Adrienne, my comings and goings are none of your business. Now I would appreciate it if you would leave and cease spreading baseless rumors about me. I would not do that to you, no matter what I think of you personally," Gia retorted, but there was not much feeling behind the words.
"You became my business after you contrived to have me shut up in my room yesterday, you bitch! Who did it for you? Your pathetic lover, I imagine. He must be some sort of gypsy to know that much about locks. Either that or he's a criminal. No wonder you have no desire to be seen with him. Or did you give a private performance for one of the handymen now that you've lost your virtue?" the young woman returned snidely, not missing the chance to sneak in a sexual innuendo whenever possible.
Arguing with Adrienne would not solve anything, the more they went back and forth the more determined she would be to try to make a scandal. Gia looked down at Adrienne, and directly into her dark grey eyes, "I had nothing to do with that. I am sure it was an unfortunate coincidence. Why are you so concerned over missing one performance? It was only a matinee, and it wasn't a full house. There were no critics present. I'm sure you received lovely reviews in all the papers."
Playing on the woman's vanity was her best prospect of preventing the situation from escalating further, but Adrienne would have none of it. "Don't try to charm me! You have most of the company fooled, but I am not. They think you're so nice, so quiet. I heard all about what happened yesterday from Claire Margaux. I would not have thought that Michel St. Andre would be interested in you, but then again he'll fuck just about anyone."
If Adrienne would not back down when Gia had given her ample time to retreat, she would have to say something in response. She would not let this barely literate tramp make her feel like a whore for enjoying all she and Erik had shared. "Then why are so jealous of me? I noticed he never kissed you, even in rehearsal. Perhaps he is not interested in going where so many have before," Gia added cattily. "But if it will ease your mind, I am not interested in Michel or anyone else at the Metropolitan for that matter. And you know, my dear, I suggest you keep your voice down, because you never know who might be listening to you," she finished somewhat ominously.
"Or what? You'll arrange for me to have another accident?" Adrienne cackled.
Unwilling to listen to Adrienne any longer, Gia drew out the key to her room, and unlocked the door. She did not even extend the courtesy of a good-bye to the lead mezzo. Gia knew that she should be more respectful to her given her status as principal, but she felt nothing but disdain for the younger woman. If she had continued to converse with the woman, there was an excellent chance they would have come to blows. Gia could more than defend herself, especially given her height and weight advantage over the petite Adrienne, but she had no desire to attract more attention. It was best to simply withdraw. She had won this round anyway.
She closed the door heavily, enjoying the loud sound it made. Even better had been the look on Adrienne's face as it slammed in her face. Gia had always enjoyed a spotless reputation, and she found that to her chagrin, she was rather enjoying being bad. It wasn't simply because she could not seem to get enough of Erik in bed, although that was part of it. She had always been so concerned about ruffling the feathers of the people she worked and lived with that it felt good to finally tell someone like Adrienne what she thought of her. Still, it would not do to make enemies. Gia was fortunate that Adrienne was not particularly well liked. She had made the mistake of throwing her many suitors in the faces of the less attractive chorus members, and as a result most of them were not friendly with her. But Gia had no desire to start a war. She would let Adrienne make her nasty insinuations as long as there was no real proof she had a lover.
In a far better mood than earlier, Gia no longer felt the desire to cry over Erik. Why should she make a fuss over him? He would probably enjoy it if he knew she was in her room shedding tears over him. Christine would make him happy, and if she was willing to give up her family and social position to be with him, Gia could not say that she was unworthy of him. She just could not believe that the woman who had been so in love with her husband a couple nights ago would leave him for anyone. What would her reaction be when she learned that Erik yet lived?
There was nothing for her to do but speculate until Gia received a response from her. That would probably take days. Gia looked around her room, and immediately her eyes strayed to the still made bed. She'd gotten very little sleep over the past few nights, and since Erik had said nothing about coming to her this evening, she might as well rest. She undressed, slipped on her nightgown, then dove beneath the covers. No sooner had her head hit the pillow than she fell asleep.
Michel Dupoix had not been pleased to find the note from the purported Opera Ghost on his desk. His secretary had informed him that it had been dropped off by Gianna Burnside while he had been having his lunch. How much did she know about this man? Dupoix was not a stupid man. It had not escaped him that the rumors of Gianna having a lover coincided with the emergence of the Phantom who was using her as a go-between. Could this all just be an elaborate plot concocted by Gianna and her lover to become rich?
He did not want to think that she would be capable of doing something like that. But he could not discount the fact that she was intelligent enough to carry out such a scheme. Although he could not describe her as happy, she had always seemed content with her life as a chorus member so it seemed off that she would suddenly become to ambitious. Any ambition she'd ever had was laid aside with her failed ballet career.
Grabbing a pearl inlayed letter opener, he broke the seal on the note. It began rather cordially, congratulating Dupoix on the success of the production of The Magic Flute. He had been pleased with it, save for Adrienne Leveau as Papagena. She had a lovely voice but from what he had observed of her character, he felt that Mlle. Burnside deserved a chance to be in the spotlight for a change. He admitted to being the reason that Mlle. Leveau had been detained for the afternoon performance. The note pointedly suggested he find a way to rein in her tongue else other harsher methods might be employed to silence it.
He set the stationary down on his desk while he pondered the meaning of this portion of the note. It was yet more evidence that the mysterious O.G. was simply the guise of the man Gianna had become involved with. Hadn't she also received that dress from Madame Collette's not long after he had made his first salary payment to the Phantom? That was rather damning in and of itself. Had he been so blind as not to notice that Gianna was so desperate for funds that she had decided to steal from him? Dupoix was unsure if he was angrier at her or himself for being duped so easily. He thought of Gia like a daughter. If she had needed financial assistance he would have gladly provided it to her. He had been sure that if she ever did become involved with a man, she would have wanted a proper courtship. But lust can do strange things to people, and Gia was no longer a girl but a fully grown woman.
Who could O.G. be? Michel St. Andre? He was the only man Dupoix had seen display open affection toward her. It would not be the first time the people who portrayed Papagena and Papageno became involved with each other. St. Andre was simply not the kind of man he could ever imagine Gia being with. He had openly chased the skirts of most of the women who made their living from the Metropolitan; every woman from the ballet dancers to the cleaning ladies had not been immune to his attentions. He would not stay faithful to Gia, and she would end up having her heart broken, particularly once he absconded with their ill gotten gains. There were some rather vicious rumors he had racked up some serious debts in the gaming hells.
Dupoix picked up the note, and continued to read it. He gave a loud snort when he read the demands for the next production. He was not about to allow Gianna and her lover dictate anything to him no matter how close he had been to her over the years. Taking the letter with him, he paused a moment to check his appearance in a mirror before heading up to Gia's room to tell her he would not allow this expensive charade to continue.
Gia couldn't see a thing, but by God, she could feel. A silk blindfold covered her eyes and he had bound her to the bed using several of his cravats. The knots were tight but not so uncomfortable that they would leave marks. She was totally helpless beneath him as he used the opportunity to drive her mad with pleasure. There was no part of her that he had not ravaged with his mouth and hands. He'd even suckled on her toes. She could feel herself straining and arching against the bonds that held her fast. She begged for him to release her so she could touch him, see him, but her request had been met with a nearly breathless "No," and he'd pressed one finger against her lips as a warning not to speak again. In truth a part of her was enjoying this erotic worship of her body.
There was a certain freedom that came with being restrained. She bit her lips to prevent herself from screaming his name as he filled her. Every sensation was heightened as he brought her higher and higher. She could feel him straining with every stroke and his heart was thundering like a team of galloping horses. She could feel the explosion building within her, and when it happened she thought she'd surely die from the force of it. He had quickly followed, and whispered into her ear as he removed the blindfold, "I love you."
Now why wouldn't that pounding sound go away? Realizing it could not be Erik's heart any longer, Gia jerked herself into consciousness. It had all been nothing more than a dream. But the pounding was not. Someone was at her door seeking entry.
She took a quick look at herself in the mirror, and her hair was in total disarray. Then there was the fact she was in her nightgown during the middle of the afternoon. There was no time to change, so she would do her best to explain her appearance to whoever it was. Wishing to get this over with as soon as possible, she went to the door and opened it, only to find Monsieur Dupoix glaring at her. He had not done that since her mother had gone into a panic when she had gone missing for an afternoon when she was six.
"What is the meaning of this note? I am not going to allow you and this man you have become involved with to dictate to me how to run my theater! If you needed money you should have just asked instead of resorting to this foolishness!" he nearly shouted at her.
Gia had never seen Dupoix lose his temper in such a manner. Calmly, she invited him in and asked him to take a seat.
"Monsieur Dupoix, I admit I have delivered some of the notes from the Phantom, but I have no knowledge of their contents. Is he demanding more money from you?" she inquired, trying not to become upset. He was clearly furious with her for some reason.
"Gia, I am not the old fool the two of you think I am. Is Michel St. Andre your partner in crime? He never could have come up with anything like this. This must be your doing."
"Honestly, I have no idea what you are talking about. Why do you think I am involved with the Phantom? I am only doing his bidding because I was concerned with what could happen to me or the opera house if I did not," she lied. She only hoped that she could do a better job convincing him than she had Madame Giry.
"Ever since this 'Phantom' has made his appearance, you have been benefiting from his involvement. Not long after I paid him, you are seen wearing a rather extravagant dinner gown from one of the finest modiste's in Paris. Then Adrienne Leveau is locked in her room for a performance allowing you to go on in her place. He even admitted in this letter that he did it so you could replace her. He even threatens to do more harm to her if she doesn't behave herself. Finally, there are his latest demands," he said as he shook the note at her.
Gia asked if he would show her the letter and he acquiesced after a short derisive snort. Erik had told her he was only going to praise the production and mention why he had briefly imprisoned Adrienne. He had said nothing about new demands. Had he lied to her? She pored over the note, rereading the final paragraph twice in order to allow it to sink in. It read as follows:
I have been pondering what should be the Metropolitan's next production. I find that I am not in the mood to see another opera. You will instead give a performance of Adolphe Adam's "Giselle". Now that you have Madame Giry at your disposal this place should be capable of mounting a decent production. I'm sure you will agree the only person capable of filling the title role is Madame Giry's daughter Marguerite. I also insist that Gianna Burnside be given the role of Myrta, Queen of the Wilis. She has been absent from the ballet far too long. You should find her most amenable to my suggestion.
I am anxiously awaiting the first performance which will take place in two weeks time.
I remain, your obedient servant,
O.G.
Had Erik taken complete leave of his senses? He was demanding that she fill the largest solo role in the ballet after ten years of no real training. She supposed she should thank God he had not insisted she play Giselle. That would have been a complete disaster. The multiple pas de deux would have been ridiculous with the male dancers straining to lift her. She could play Myrta without much contact with other dancers if the ballet was carefully choreographed. Still, she was too old to be playing such a physically demanding role. The turns alone would be the death of her. And with only two weeks to practice? She would have laughed if it would not have angered Mr. Dupoix. This would not have happened if he had not seen her dancing in that damned practice room.
"You must believe me that this comes as much a shock to me as it does to you. Why would I want to embarrass myself publicly? I have not performed in a ballet for nearly ten years. How could I benefit from something like this?" she said, hoping he would see the logic of her argument.
"But Gia, is this not the action that a lover would take? He has obviously heard that you once had a great deal of desire to be a ballerina and he wishes to give you one final chance in the spotlight. It is precisely the sort of thing that would come up during the afterglow of sex when lovers share their deepest, most hidden secrets. I have no objection to the ballet itself. It has been a long time since we have done a production of it, and it remains quite popular. However, I will not see myself ruined by the outrageous demands of a man in love!"
Gia could only sit, her mouth agape. Was Erik in love with her? His demands were incredibly similar to the actions he had taken previously at the Populaire. Only then he was seeking to promote Christine Daaé. No, he was doing this because he knew this was one of her fondest dreams. If he could not fulfill his, he would do it through her. It was rather touching in a twisted way. She would tell him that a gesture like this was not necessary.
"I know you think that I am involved with this 'O.G.', but I assure you, I am not. If I had known of his plans, I would have told him he was making a mistake. When I see him again I shall tell him that I cannot play Myrta and that should settle things. I only want what is best for this place. I will find a way to reason with him."
Dupoix was rather surprised that Gianna had become so shaken by the note. Had he so misjudged her? It seemed she was as much a pawn as he was in this chess game that the Phantom was bent on playing. "Gia, mayhap you could convince him that you should play a smaller role. You could ably play Giselle's mother even if you are out of practice," he added helpfully. He then apologized to her, "I should have not been so hasty in assuming that you were involved with this man. But you must admit I had a good reason to be suspicious."
At that Gia gave him a small smile. "You would not be a good manager if you did not think that something strange was going on. The coincidences are rather fantastic. I am glad that you do not believe I would do something like this."
"It did seem rather out of character. But after what happened to Adrienne I could not be so sure. If nothing, I would say this Opera Ghost seems rather taken with you. I hope you are being careful around him. If he is the same man from the Populaire, I would imagine he will be unhappy when you tell him you will not perform as he expected," he said, his voice tinged with concern. She could be risking her life if she angered him, and Dupoix did not want her death on his hands.
"I am not afraid of him Mr. Dupoix. And I have every reason to believe he is who he claims to be. Sometimes I think he is nothing more than an overgrown child with his demands. But I realize he is a dangerous man." Dupoix seemed relieved by this bit of news and he quietly left the room. Now he would have to go about the process of informing the investors of what the next production would be, and that would be sure to raise some eyebrows. The Metropolitan had not mounted a full scale ballet in five seasons, mostly because the corps de ballet had not been good enough, but also because they could be dreadfully expensive.
Gia's first thought was to lock the door, than go through the wardrobe and head down to Erik's lair with the letter that Dupoix had left behind. She wanted some answers from him. He had deliberately deceived her, and he was putting her at risk. She did not need his assistance. Her career had been fine before he had arrived and began making a general mess of things. However, to get to Erik's domain would mean crossing the expanse of the sewers, and without the boat it would not be wise to attempt it.
All she could do was sit and wait for him to make his nightly visit. Tonight, she would be the one to catch him off balance.