AN: Sorry for the delay in updating at the moment. I was completely occupied during the weekend and just now had the opportunity to take up and write. Would've posted the chapter earlier, but my computer malfunctioned for awhile and then I was unable to log-in on the site. Hope you all enjoy this. Please R&R.
Chapter 34. Still According To Plan
"Stage right!" Cecille stood up from where she sat and cursed at the dancers in the background. "How do you expect us to perform this production when you all cannot even decipher stage directions!"
With one day remaining until this play, I could see the anxiousness that had taken reign of Cecille. On edge and irritable, just mumbling one line or stuttering for a moment set her off.
"I look ridiculous!" Giselle complained, stepping forward and holding out her arms so everyone could see her costume. "How do you expect people to find me worth Christopher's time dressed as a human peacock!"
"You look ridiculous everyday," Cecille motioned for Giselle to step aside. "If you have any concerns regarding costumes, please refrain until after rehearsals."
"You don't look ridiculous," Christian whispered in my ear when Giselle stomped off. "In fact, you are the most beautiful woman in this room. In all of Paris."
"Save your love for the play," I walked back to my position on stage, not letting go of his hand until I had to. "We shall blow them all away."
"Alright!" Cecille clapped her hands. "Set up for the last scene. Isabel. Christian. I need you to move to front and center. Everyone is cleared away and off stage. Christopher and Bella are meeting once more in the garden of her husband's home. They are professing their vows, not aware that Gabriella, that's you Giselle, is hiding in the shadows, ready to fulfill her jealous deed. She is full of murderous jealousy after seeing Christopher attend a party that Bella and her husband hosted. The man that she thought might someday love her was in fact in love with the wife of the wealthiest man in all of Paris."
My heartbeat accelerated as Christian and I were left alone onstage, with Giselle hidden in the shadows of a fake tree. Holding hands, I looked into his eyes and smiled, trying not to see the whole cast below us in the audience, watching our every movement.
"I never knew love like this before
Now I'm lonely never more
Since you came into my life
You are my lovelight, this I know
And I'll never let you go
You my all, you're part of me." (1)
A smile of relief passed my face as I let out a breath. Christian, sensing my tension, squeezed my hand and pulled me a bit closer when he began his lines.
"Friday night I crashed your party
Saturday I said I'm sorry
Sunday came and trashed me out again." (2)
"Once I was lost and now I'm found
Then you turned my world around
When I need you, I call your name
'Cause I never knew love like this before
Opened my eyes
'Cause I never knew love like this before
What a surprise
'Cause I never knew love like this before." (1)
"I was only having fun
Wasn't hurting anyone
And we all enjoyed the weekend for a change." (2)
Christian shrugged and I let out a laugh before setting my hands on his shoulders and stepping on my toes to look him straight in the eyes.
"This feeling's so deep inside of me
Such a tender fantasy
You're the one I'm living for
You are my sunlight and my rain
And time could never change
What we share forever more, ooh…hooo…" (1)
"I've been stranded in the combat zone
I walked through all my life alone
Even walked by my lonesome self in the rain
And you told me not to drive
But I made it home alive
So you said that only proves that I'm insane." (2)
"I never knew love like this before
Now I'm lonely never more
Since you came into my life
'Cause I never knew love like this before
Opened my eyes
'Cause I never knew love like this before
What a surprise
'Cause I never knew love like this before." (1)
Christian, knowing we were on the verge of kissing and professing our love further than needed for the production, released me and took a step back, ready to become the role of an outrageous, love-sick Christopher.
"You may be right
I may be crazy
But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
Turn out the light
Don't try to save me
You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right." (2)
I allowed myself a moment to get into character as well while approaching Christian, tossing back my head confidently and setting a hand on his chest.
"You are my lovelight, this I know
And I'll never let you go
You my all, you're part of me
Once I was lost and now I'm found
Then you turned my world around
When I need you, I call your name." (1)
Christian grinned before chuckling and staring at me like a love-struck fool.
"Remember how I found you there
Alone in your bedroom chair
I told you dirty jokes until you smiled
You were lonely for a man
I said take me as I am
'Cause you might enjoy some madness for awhile." (2)
"'Cause I never knew love like this before
Opened my eyes
'Cause I never knew love like this before
What a surprise
'Cause I never knew love like this before
Inside of me
I never (Never) knew love like this before
Opened my eyes." (1)
Upon me finishing my verse, Christian seized my hand and brought it to his cheek, closing his eyes for a blissful moment before kissing it and setting it at my side.
"Now think of all the years you tried to
Find someone to satisfy you
I might be as crazy as you say
If I'm crazy then it's true
That it's all because of you
And you wouldn't want me any other way." (2)
"Never (Never), never (Never)
Never knew love like this (I never knew, I never knew I never)
Never (Never), never (Never)
Never knew love like this (I never knew, I never knew I never knew)
Never (Never), never (Never)
Never knew love like this (I never knew)
Never (Never knew), never (Never)
Never knew love like this (I never knew)." (1)
"You may be right
I may be crazy
But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
It's too late to fight
It's too late to change me
You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right." (2)
Even as Christian and I held hands once more and looked into each others eyes, completely occupied with the love that surrounded us, I could feel Giselle's jealousy. Her eyes burned on eyes like hot coals, and I could hear her slowly stepping towards us despite our singing.
"Never (Never knew), never (Never)
Never knew love like this (I never knew, I never knew I never knew)
Never (I never knew, I never knew), never (I never)
Never knew love like this (Never knew)
Never (Never knew), never (Never)
Never knew love like this (Opened my eyes)
Never (What a surprise). (1)
"You may be right
I may be crazy
But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
It's too late to fight
It's too late to change me
You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right.
You may be wrong but you may be right
You may be wrong but you may be right." (2)
Resting our heads atop one another's shoulder as we embraced, I closed my eyes, hearing Giselle's ragged breathing when she reached inside her dress. Squeezing my eyes shut, Christian and I sang together in our final moment in the play.
"'Cause I never knew love like this before…" (1)
Although we had rehearsed the part numerous times in the past, when Giselle broke us apart, pointing the gun between my eyes, I let out a apprehensive scream nonetheless… just as Gregory was walking into the theatre.
"What is this?" I demanded Cecille while Isabel cried onstage in Christian's comforting arms. "What use is there for a gun onstage, Cecille?"
"It is part of the play," Cecille answered defensively, her eyes looking at me in fear of my anger. "We have rehearsed it many times before, Gregory. Isabel is only overreacting."
"I never knew of this scene," I ignored Cecille's last statement. "My cousin did not inform me that Isabel would be in such a position during this production."
"I am sure there are many things that Edmund does not inform you about."
"I refuse to have Isabel in this position again," I looked over at Isabel. "Isabel!"
"I am coming."
Behind the smile she offered me, I could still see the effect her last scene had put on her. Tears rolled down her cheek effortlessly, and I reached to brush them away tenderly, only wanting to hold her in my arms and never let her go.
Isabel walked into my outstretched arms without a second thought, her ragged cries muffled by my overcoat from the meeting I had just attended. Kissing her forehead, I looked up at Cecille and my anger came back.
"I do not want this production to occur," I ordered. "And if this play continues, Isabel will not be performing in it."
"Isabel is the star!"
"Find yourself a new star," I directed Cecille's attention towards a young woman dressed in a horrendous burgundy gown. "She seems quite able to take her spot."
"Giselle does not have the time, nor the comprehension, to play this part." Cecille crossed her arms, her usual defiance taking front. "Don't be stubborn, Gregory. We aren't children anymore. Isabel is a grown woman and can suck it up for one more day. The play is only tomorrow. After that, you two lovebirds can go get married and live happily ever after, just as you want."
"I do not care if I am being stubborn, Cecille. I am Duke and I will pay for every seat in this theatre, if need be, to prevent this same catastrophe from occurring again."
"I refuse to explain this to Edmund."
"Then I will," I told her. "So long as Isabel does not have to partake in this fiasco ever again."
"Gregory," Isabel brought her head up and wiped her eyes. "I… I can do this."
"No, you can't." I wiped her cheeks. "You look so distressed right now, ma belle. You do not need this in your life."
"I need to perform," Isabel pressed on. "If not for myself, then for all of the people here who invested so much of their time into making this play a reality. It is a commitment I took up when it all began, and it is one I should finish."
"If it means that much to you," I kissed her on the cheek. "I just do not want to see you hurt."
"Funny how love can have you so malleable," Cecille remarked.
To Cecille's comment, I could only smile and laugh.
She was right.
I would do anything for Isabel if she asked it of me.
"Isabel screamed?" Ziddler raised his eyebrows as I told him the events of the last rehearsal. "She has never went out of character before."
"She was so lost in character that she did not realize Giselle would interrupt her little duet with her lover," I scoffed, quite irritated. "Gregory walked in just as Isabel lost it and threw a commotion over the whole occurrence. He wanted to call of the production."
"Call it off?" Ziddler shook his head. "No. We cannot do that."
"Exactly," I agreed, thinking of Edmund. "But Isabel actually wants to perform. She said she wanted to and Gregory completely altered his position to obey her wishes."
"The boy is a fool for her."
"It's sickening," I clutched my stomach at the knot that formed. "And here Isabel is dallying with Christian."
"So all is still in order?"
"Yes," I nodded as Ziddler moved a box across his desk into my hands. "Just as you wanted."
"I trust you know what to do from here?" Ziddler questioned when I stood up with the box and walked to the door.
"Yes," I reassured him. "Isabel is not the only great actress the Moulin Rouge has to offer, as you all already know."
1. Stephanie Mills "Never Knew Love Like This Before"
2. Billy Joel "You May Be Right" (edited slightly for the storyline)