Note: Here's the next chapter and let me tell you, this one is a doozie! I was nice to all of you and I wrote it nice and long. In my word document, it says it's eight pages long. So I am really hoping that you all enjoy this part in the story. It took me forever to a) write it and b) I had a severe writer's block so bad that I couldn't think on where to take this...but where I did take it, I hope you all enjoy it a LOT!
Chapter 21
The next day passed uneventful. Madame Griolia had called Ana out of practice early to try on the lovely ball gown she had found in the costume shop. Since Ana had no idea what to go as, she decided a lady from court. That seemed appropriate and she had no idea what Erik would be. Maybe he would be her lord that would protect her from Alex. She felt immense relief when Erik had scared Alex away yesterday. She was glad that he had been sitting in Box Five otherwise Ana would have been quite sore this morning.
"Come out from behind the changing screen my dear so that I can button you up in the back." Madame Griolia said, interrupting her thoughts. Ana hesitantly stepped out from behind the screen. The mirror that was in a corner of the room showed her what she looked like in the dress. There was no way to describe the dress that Ana wore, it was beautiful beyond compare. It had been used in La Boehme, worn by Mimi in one of the acts. The woman who had played Mimi had been Ana's size or somewhat close to her size. The dress was a light pale green that hugged her chest and stomach, the collar of the dress came up to the tops of her breasts. The cream shirt that she wore beneath the dress touched in the middle of her throat, hiding any scars that were on her collarbone. The shirt's sleeves ballooned out on her upper arms, pinching together at her elbows, then flowed down her arms, buttoning securely at her wrists. Decorated on the dress was faux emeralds, dark green contrasting greatly with the pale green. The fabric that appeared in the front of her dress, the triangular part of her skirt was a dark forest green that was lined with faux pearls. Around Ana's neck, Madame Griolia had placed a huge emerald necklace that was surrounded by a halo of diamonds. The buttons on the back, that Madame Griolia was finishing up, were also faux pearls. The corset beneath the upper part of the dress squeezed so tightly that Ana's chest strained against her shirt.
"You look like a princess my dear. Now, do you have any ideas for your hair?" Madame Griolia said, coming to stand by Ana's side.
"I have a few." she spun around, feeling the hoop follow her.
"Alright. Now, come let's get you undressed so that you can bathe. You don't want to go to this Bal Masque smelling like a peasant." Madame Griolia laughed and unbuttoned Ana. Ana hurried stepped out of the dress and put her normal clothes back on. She took the dress, gave two kisses on Madame Griolia's cheeks and rushed to her room to clean up and then head off to the Bal Masque. Just as she reached her door, Madame Griolia came waddling up, breathing heavily.
"My dear, you forgot the most important thing...the mask!" she placed the beautiful emerald green mask that had pearls adorning it on top of the pile of clothes that Ana had in her arms.
"Thank you Madame Griolia." she pushed her door open and begun her beauty treatment.
An hour and a half later, Ana sat in front of her vanity applying her makeup. Madame Giry and Meg had left just a few moments before hand, after helping her with her hair and costume. Madame Giry had to nearly drag Meg out when Ana had let it accidently slip that she had an escort that night, and he would to be arriving soon. Meg had begged Ana to tell her who it was, but Madame Giry interceded and told Meg that they would go out for some dinner. Meg whined and complained, but seeing the stern look on her mother's face, immediately quieted down and slipped out of Ana's room with a backward glance. Madame Giry just merely smiled at her and wished her a good time tonight then left her as well. As she was painting her eyes, the mirror slid open. Ana turned to look as Erik came through the mirror. She sucked in a breath when she saw him. There was only one word to describe Erik's appearance: handsome.
Erik was dressed as a knight of the olden days, a silver breastplate seemed to be molded to his chest. There was a cream shirt that matched Ana's shirt beneath the breastplate. His legs were clothed in dark green leggings that showed the defined muscles of his legs. His feet were in black leather boots that reached to his knees, just barely brushing the bottom part of the his knees. In his right hand, he held his helmet with a visor that would cover his entire face. His left hand was resting on his sword which was beautifully designed and strapped to his side. The protector for the hand was shaped as a skull, it's design glimmering in the candlelight. Erik gave a sly smile when he realized she was still staring at him. Ana realized this as well and tore her gaze away from him, her cheeks flushed crimson.
"You...ah...look nice." she commented, turning back to her vanity mirror.
"Thank thee, mi'lady. The costume shop housed all my needs. And I see Madame Griolia has catered to your every needs. The ivy interwoven in thine hair is a nice touch." he said mockingly, a slight smirk on his lips.
"Yes she did. And I see that you had no problem raiding the costume shop." Erik's slight smirk grew into a smile as she smiled into her mirror.
"Art thou ready to go mi'lady? Our gallant carriage awaits." he said, sweeping into a bow.
Ana put the final touches on her makeup and stood. Erik offered her his arm, which she took, and started to lead her towards the mirror. "Why are we going this way? I'll ruin my dress." she said softly. Erik chuckled and turned them around.
"How silly of me." he placed the helmet on his head and opened the door. Ana walked through and the two made their way to where the carriage was waiting.
Ana was having the time of her life. Erik had only danced on waltz with her and then more men swept her away from him. They had found each other and now Erik was getting her some punch.
A hand clapped down hard on her shoulder, giving her a start. She spun around seeing Erik offering her a glass.
"Thank you." Erik merely nodded and Ana took a sip. The orchestra struck up another waltz and Ana looked at Erik.
"Do you want to dance?" she asked him. Although she knew the rules of society, she decided to ignore them. Once again, Erik nodded and took her glass from her. Placing it on one of the tables, he took her hand and led her into the sweeping crowd.
"I have to admit Erik, when you were sick I was afraid that I would lose one of my few friends that I have made here at the Opera Populaire." Silence just came from Erik. "I am also glad you saved me from Alex the other day. I don't think I could have faced you after what he planned to do to me. I fear him, but not you. It's odd, considering your past. You make me feel safe." Again silence came from Erik. Ana gave Erik a puzzling look and stopped dancing. Something was wrong, when she had danced with him earlier she had felt safe and a warm feeling had spread through her. Now she felt nothing; no warmth, no comfort of safety, nothing at all. The hand that was around her waist tightened in anger. Ana looked at the hand that held her own. The hand didn't belong to Erik but to...
"Excuse me Monsieur, I believe you have my dancing partner." Erik's cool voice drifted from behind her. Alex's grip tightened even more around her waist and Ana winced in pain.
"So...this is Erik. Is he a good lover? Does he get it done with quickly so he doesn't have to look at your scars? I assume he doesn't find you beautiful. Who could, with your horrible scars. They make you ugly and repulse anyone." Alex commented.
Although Ana could not see Erik's expression, she could tell he was angry. It seemed to billow off of him in waves. "If you wish to discuss such matters Monsieur, I suggest we go outside." the tone in Erik's voice was clipped and sounded dangerous.
"As you wish, sir." Alex let go of Ana and led the way. Ana prayed that Erik wouldn't hurt Alex...too much.
Erik had to keep his anger in check. If not it could blind him, making him unresponsible for his actions. He could very well end up killing Alex. The man who tormented Ana walked through the double glass-paned doors that led to the veranda. He took off his helmet and faced Erik.
"So tell me, does she beg you; plead with you to take her quickly. For four years she has had a lover, and now I finally get to meet you. How did she get you to leave America? Begged you to come?" Alex taunted Erik. Before he could let another scathing remark fly. Alex found himself thrown against a pillar, a hand around his neck.
"I am only going to say this once Monsieur McKinley. If I hear you threaten Mademoiselle Knoll again, it will be your head." Erik saw a small spark of fear in Alex's eyes. He turned around and started to stalk off when he thought of something better. He whipped back around and strode back to Alex who was rubbing his throat from where Erik had held him. Alex looked up and before he could duck, Erik's fist slammed into his jaw.
Ana was wringing her hands anxiously. She saw Erik pushing through the crowd, drawing near her. Before she could open her mouth, Erik grabbed her arm and dragged her back to the carriage.
"What's the matter? What did you do to Alex?" She asked as soon as they got into the carriage.
"I gave him something he deserved. Back to the Opera Populaire please." He said, rapping on top of the carriage. The carriage jerked forward and Ana was flung backwards, her head lightly bumping the wooden back of the carriage. Silence hung thickly in the air, making Ana uncomfortable. Erik had risen his visor and was looking through the curtain that hung in the window.
"So, did you...ah...enjoy yourself?" she asked hesitantly. Erik grunted and Ana looked down at her hands which were beginning to worry her dress. She didn't want to ask him the details of what had gone on outside. She was afraid that his anger may resurface and he may take his anger out on her. In her nervousness, she began to babble incessantly, about everything and anything.
"Did you see Madame Aliane's gown? It was gorgeous and Monsieur Daeley was fabulous as King Louie III. The food was fantastic, as rich as it was. I am afraid that I will have to go back and dance off all the pounds that I have gained from eating the food..."
Erik interceded. "Cease with your female prattle! It is enough to drive one to jump out of this carriage." He could see that Ana was hurt and somehow felt kind of bad about it. But it was the only way, for he knew that when he punched Alex that night, he had done it to protect Ana's honor. He knew that he had fallen under her spell, the final ultimatum being his fist connecting with Alex's jaw. Now there was nothing to stop him from having his way with her, nothing except maybe the horrible memories that Alex had instilled on her. He was angry, angry at himself and angry at her for stirring up feelings inside of him.
The carriage reached the Opera Populaire and Erik threw open the door and was out of the carriage before the footman had even gotten off the top of the carriage. He spun around, the visor now back over his face, and nearly pulled Ana down the carriage steps. Dragging her into the now dark Opera Populaire, he pulled her to the only place where he felt somewhat comfortable at yelling at her and not being overheard: the stage. Ana stumbled behind him, her shoes catching on the front of her dress. She bumped several times into the seats. She was dragged up the stage stairs and only when they reached the center of the stage did Erik let go of her arm.
"Erik...why are we here? What is the matter with you?" she asked him, trying to see through the visor that still in front of his face.
Erik tore off the helmet breathing heavily as anger pulsed through his blood. "Why? This is the only safe place we can talk without being overheard. And as concerning the matter of something being wrong with me it is because I have just defended your honor for no apparent reason. Now Alex really does believe you have a lover. For no man would punch another man out of the clear blue sky."
Ana didn't understand at first but slowly it dawned on her, Alex would now believe in all honestly that Erik was her hidden lover in America, the one that had apparently made her pregnant. He would come here, attempt to hurt her, drag her away from the Opera Populaire or even worse...kill Erik.
"But surely he wouldn't put two and two together. I mean, does he really..." Once again Erik's temper flared. But this time he closed the difference between himself and Ana and took her into his arms.
"He has put two and two together! Do you know what this could do to you! If he comes here and announces that you have left him for a little amore, why it would ruin your reputation faster than what you could imagine."
"Erik, please you're frightening me...let me go. I haven't..." but Ana never finished her sentence for Erik took her lips in a bruising kiss. Just as quickly as he had kissed her, he pushed her away and left her in the middle of the stage, shocked. Ana couldn't move for the life of her, she had suddenly become numb with shock. When it finally began to fade, Ana walked quietly back to her room, fingers on her lips.
From behind one of the curtains came a figure. The figure smiled sly at what she had just witnessed and went to write a letter to a certain person.
A few weeks passed since the whole kissing incident between Ana and Erik. The two didn't mention it and Ana continued taking her weekly lessons from Erik. Even though they never discussed it, the feelings inside of Ana were jumbled and mixed. How could one hate a man one believed they were falling in love with? Surely it wasn't possible, it couldn't be for that was unheard of. Alex had been hovering over her ever since the Bal Masque incident. The bruise that Erik had given him was slowly fading away and every ballet slut fawned over him. Alex kept giving her glares as she danced.
It wasn't until a good month and a half later that Alex finally approached her before a rehearsal.
"When you are done today Ana, I wish to speak to you." he said, an edge in his voice. Ana just merely nodded and took a quick glance towards Box Five where, undoubtedly Erik sat watching. She saw something dark move and knew that Erik had heard what Alex said, even though he had whispered it to her.
"Ana dear, we're going to need you to fill in for Sarah. Apparently she's under the weather and won't be coming in today." Madame Giry called to her. Ana slowly nodded and went to warm up with the other singers, with the thought of Erik still on her mind.
Erik saw Alex approach Ana and whisper something to her. Ana had seemed petrified and he saw her glance up towards his box. He swirled his cloak to signal to Ana that he was there and watching to make sure Alex didn't harm her in any way. He reclined in the chair, watching as Ana warmed up with the other singers. He heard Madame Giry say that Madame LeBrana was out sick and that Ana was to take her spot. That was good for Ana, she would show everyone that she could sing well, and that Erik had trained her voice to almost the level of Christine's. He thought she could go beyond what Christine had done. Her voice carried well and it had excellent vibrato and tone. He remembered one of the first few lessons, after the bal masque, when Erik had to teach her how to breathe properly.
(Flashback)
"Il est bel et bon, bon, bon, bon, bon com-me-re,
Il est bel et bon, bon, bon, bon, bon com-me-re, com-me-re, com-me-re mon ma-ri..."
"No! Stop, you are not breathing correctly. Your body is not straight at all, your shoulders are too hunched forward. The air has nowhere to go." Erik said, accenting each thing that she was doing wrong by slapping his hands together. "Let me show you." He came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. He drew them back causing her chest to be pushed forward. Then he trailed his hands down her arms where her hands were laying against her hips. Pushing them away from her hips, he put his own hands there and aligned her lower half of her body with her upper part. Running his hands back up her arms, he went further running them up her neck to rest right underneath her chin. Lightly he pushed her chin up so that her chin was slightly elevated.
"There. Now try it again." he said, letting go of her.
"Il est bel et bon, bon, bon, bon, bon com-me-re,
Il est bel et bon, bon, bon, bon, bon com-me-re, com-me-re, com-me-re mon ma-ri." She began to sing. Erik stopped her once more. "That is much better, continue through the end my dear."
Ana nodded and put her focus back on the wall behind Erik.
"Il e-tait deux fem-mes tou-tes d'un pa-ys.
Il est bel et bon, bon, bon, bon, bon com-me-re,
Il est bel et bon, bon, bon, bon, bon com-me-re, com-me-re, com-me-re mon ma-ri.
Il ne me cou-rous-se ne me bat aus-si,
Il fait le me-na-ge; Il don-ne aux pou-lail-les
Il don-ne aux pou-lail-les.
Et je prends mes plai-sirs,
Com-me-re, c'est pour ri-re,
Quand les pou-lail-les cri-ent.
Quand les pou-lail-les cri-ent:
Petite coquette, petite coquette, petite coquette, petite coquette, qu'est ceci?
Il est bel et bon, bon, bon, bon, bon com-me-re,
Il est bel et bon, bon, bon, bon, bon com-me-re, com-me-re, com-me-re mon ma-ri."
Her last note quivered beautifully as she slowly opened her eyes. She didn't even realize that she had closed her eyes. Her gaze fell on Erik who was nodding, his eyes still closed as if he was savoring the very last note as well.
"That was very well my dear. Now, sing it again but with feeling this time."
(End Flashback)
Ana had continued to sing that song for more than an hour and a half. He smiled, remembering her realization of the words. It was about two women farmers talking about their husbands and how they were pleased with their husbands in their marriage beds. She had blushed furiously, mumbling to Erik how he was cruel to make her sing such a song. Erik on the other hand, gave her his famous sly smirk that seemed to be appearing on his face more and more frequently.
Rehearsal was wrapping up and Erik decided to stalk off back to his lair. He had a special plan to let his presence be known in front of everyone.
Ana was stretching her legs, warming down her muscles, when Meg came hurrying towards her; Christine in tow.
"Ana, look who has come to visit for the day! She just got back yesterday from her trip and wanted me to come to town with her! She's invited you as well, we were going to shop! Do you want to come?" Meg asked excited about the prospect of shopping with one of her best friends.
Ana glanced at Alex who seemed to have fire in his eyes. "No thank you Meg. I fear that I am tired having to learn two different roles." Meg slowly nodded and both of them headed off the opposite side of the stage. Alex strode to her, anger in every step. He raised his hand and drew it back.
CRACK! The sound resounded through the quiet opera house. "That is for getting your lover involved with our private affairs. And that is also for him punching me, defending your honor. Now, let's go to your room; I wish to have you." the coldness in his voice scared Ana to her very bones. "Come my dear, let's go..."
But he never got to finish for at that exact same moment a sound wafted through the opera house. It was soft at first, barely audible unless one was really listening hard. Then, the sound grew louder as if the instrument was drawing closer to the stage. The music seemed to be coming from everywhere, the back of the house, the front, in the orchestra pit, from the walls, and from the ceiling. The sound was unmistakable; it was an organ being pounded on. The passionate, haunting notes flowed through the air. The organ seemed drawing everyone onto the stage like a huge magnet. Dancers, singers, Madame Giry, the managers, the stage crew, Meg and Christine all appeared on the stage. Above the stage, hanging from the ceiling, the new chandelier was trembling and shaking as if it remembered who was playing the organ. The people on stage, save for Alex and Ana, looked around with knowing, watching every direction waiting for something to happen - for him to appear.
Christine began to tremble and shake with fear. Her face had paled considerably and her eyes were wide. Ana walked over to her, noticing Meg had her arm around her shoulders. Other people were facing Christine, watching her intently. Ana saw that the same fear that was in Christine's eyes was in everyone else's eyes as well.
'What is the matter with everyone? Why was everyone afraid of this sound? Surely it was just someone practicing in a back room.' she thought to herself. To Christine she asked, "Christine what's wrong?" she placed her hand on her shoulder. The people on the stage turned to look at her, they couldn't believe what Ana had just said. Even Meg sucked in a sharp breath at her words.
Ignoring the stares she got from her cast members she turned to Christine once more. "Christine, what is it?"
Christine's voice was trembling and cracking as she answered Ana. Even though her voice was barely above a whisper, it was so silent on the stage that her voice could even be heard by the cleaning maids in the last row of seats. "He's back...the Opera Ghost is back."
YAY! Alex get's his just rewards although he did abuse Ana. I am sorry for all of you who don't want to see Ana get hurt anymore, but too bad. Alex will be around until I decide for Erik to kill him off. Which I am still toying w/ the idea. Okay I believe I will have to move the rating to 'R' because of a huge major love makin' scene coming up. And if you are under the age of 17, then I strongly suggest that I am warning you now, I will take no responsibility to whatever you may learn and/or read. If you understand the content, don't blame me, blame our stupid society who thinks it's okay to allow our young ones to watch sex, people doing drugs, and various other stuff...but I shall not rant here...that's for my xanga! Which reminds me, if ya really like my story and ya want to get to know me better ya'll can visit my xanga site which is posted below...and as always...please REVIEW!
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