I slipped on the finished dress. It made me look so old, so mature. I unbraided my hair and let it fall down my face. It was even more curly then usual due to me braiding it. I slipped on my shoes leaning against the wall for support and heard that familiar Creek of floorboards then looked up to see Erik closing the secret entrance.
"Couldn't you knock first?" I asked with sarcasm.
He stood there looking at me not saying a word. His lips separated and his eyebrows were slightly raised.
I stood there looking at Addie. At first I didn't even recognize her. What was standing in front of me was not the child that I had tutored. I was looking at a woman.
I tried to hide my emotions but it was so difficult. She was beautiful. I could have sworn she was glowing like an Angel. I looked away from her and fixed my glance on the ground in realization of what had just happened. I didn't guard my heart again. I couldn't allow another woman to hurt me again. I bit my lip trying to hide the painful memory of Christine being rowed away along side of Raoul.
I looked up to see Addie still staring back at me, still glowing, still so innocent. I wanted to cup her smooth face. Oh how I wanted her to want me like I did her right now. I wanted to hold her and… I wanted to slap myself right now for my thoughts. She was a child. I was no better then those perverted men that wonder the streets of Paris looking for a whore not even half my age. I was treating her so disrespectful. My thoughts disgusted me. I turned away again now staring at the desk. Her mirror was on the desk and my eyes caught her reflection. I couldn't avoid her beauty. I knew no matter how much I wanted something I'd never get it. I had learned that the hard way.
I looked at Erik wondering why he was acting so strangely.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked.
"Um... I just,.. Um.. No." He headed back to the floorboards, released then and started walking down, but before he left he gazed at me one last time. His eyes were so sad. He quickly headed back down and covered the opening.
The ball was lovely, gold and silver decorations everywhere. People were all dressed so formal. There were so many people. I guessed more then one hundred. Christine and Raoul were there, they both looked so perfect next to each other. I spent some time talking with Jolie but she was asked to be danced with by a handsome young brown haired man. I stood on the side for a while until a rather obese man came towards me. You could tell he was very wealthy by his size and clothing. He carried a gold cane that he obviously did not need; a sign of showing off wealth and hate towards anyone of poor status. It is said wealthy men use the cane to hit any beggars that cross their path. He had red hair and green eyes. Any woman would feel honored to be embraced by such a man, despite his foul looks and weight problem. Women would marry any man if he had riches. He Wobbled over to me and gave his cane to a man next to him probably one of his servants.
"Will this beauty care to take a dance?" he asked me kissing my hand. I was utterly disgusted, but it was rude to say no. I didn't have a good enough excuse not to and he might be a man of power. He might make me regret my decision. I was not foolish enough to deny such a man's request and let him guide me to the dance floor.
He put his hands on my hips and pulled me into him, which I rather disliked. I felt like slapping him. He couldn't dance very well considering he took up so much room so he just swayed from side to side. He was smiling the entire time so I suppose he didn't notice my angry face. We were standing there swaying for the longest time. This was complete and utter torture. Then he let go of me after the song ended and guided me to the hallway were the bedrooms are. I wanted to run away but his enormous hand was grasping mine firmly. I was disgusted by the amount of sweat on his hands.
"Um can we go back please?" I pleaded him.
"No," he exclaimed angrily.
I suddenly regretted ever accepting his request to dance with me wondering if social embarrassment was worse then anything he was about to do to me.
He slammed me against the wall. Then he put his hands on either side of me and leaned against me, nearly crushing me. I tried to push him off but he was too heavy. I began to feel tears run down my cheeks as he started kissing my neck. I was so angry at him.
"This is my body you have no right over me!" I wanted to shout.
I was shaking from crying now. He put a hand over my mouth and told me harshly to shut up. I closed my eyes waiting for it all to be over.
Then I felt the weight above me disappear. I opened my eyes to see Erik holding the wealthy man by the neck. He was heaving in anger.
He Thrust the man on the opposite wall and started beating him viscously. He even beat him when the man had pleaded. Blinded by his anger he continued to strike this man. I Held his hand before he could strike him again and shook my head. Erik turned around to look at me. He was a bit surprised.
"That's enough." I said calmly. I grabbed Erik's hand and made him walk away. The man was curled into a ball covering his eyes with his hands in the corner. He had enough.
When we reached my room Erik grabbed me by the shoulders still heaving with anger.
"He better not have hurt you," he threatened.
"I'm fine," I said wiping tears from my eyes. "Why did you help me?"
Erik, still holding my shoulders pressed me into his body. His body was so warm and that familiar smell was still there. I began to cry again and wrapped my arms around him.
"Please don't leave me I feel so safe in your arms," I managed to say. My tears were soaking his shirt.
I looked up at him his eyes were closed. He lifted a hand and stroked my hair. I couldn't believe how things had changed so fast. I went from fearing my life to... I'm not sure what this emotion was. I felt like I needed Erik so badly. He took the glove off the hand he had stroked my hair with and wiped the tears from my eyes.
Then he started singing to me. His voice was so perfect. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sweet sensation the music gave me.
I felt my eyes start to get heavy. He was singing me to sleep. When he realized how tired I had become he guided me towards the bed and helped me get underneath the sheets.
"Please don't leave,"
He nodded and sat in the chair I used for my desk. He started singing again of the music of the night. The last word I remember before dozing off was him saying "You alone can make my soul take flight,"
