"L'Ange de la Musique"
Chapter 8
"The Rose and the Ring"
A few weeks had passed and Christine and Erik were quickly adjusting to their new jobs, working, as two normal people should.
Erik's students were first fearful of their mysterious Voice Teacher, because of his mystifying appearance, his black garments, and his white mask. Some of them had only attended Erik's classes out of mere curiosity and to stare at the "man in the mask". They had first been scared of him by his authoritative form, but after some soothing words of encouragement from Erik (who was by then totally nervous on his first day of work), they quickly grew fond of him. With their fears diminished, they eagerly paid attention to every word Erik said. Not only did Erik taught them the basics of music and singing, but also came up with some interesting story once in a while that left the younger ones craving for more tale-telling. He would talk about the adventures he had read once in the books in his younger years, stories of how music came to be what it was, and much more.
In their breaks, some of them would stay behind, begging for Erik to tell them more stories. And so Erik would tell them little snippets from Jules Verne he would remember, fragments from Shakespeare, and little bits of stories written by other famous writers.
In a matter of days, Erik had made even the most horrid singer sound like an angel. Not like Christine of course, Erik thought, but good enough to impress the managers to an extent that the bond of trust between them grew bigger and bigger, especially with Firmin.
Firmin no longer deviated his gaze at the sight of him, and chatted with him comfortingly without any sign of apathy. Andre treated him even better than how he used to. He treated Erik like if he were a member of his own family. What had caused this unexpected change on the managers, Erik would never know, but he knew it had something to do with Andre's forgiving nature.
Christine had done quite well in her job as Ballet Assistant. She had not lost the grace she had acquired as a chorus girl during those 3 years of absence, and had much of her elasticity left in her limbs. She helped Mme.Giry teach the little apprentices, and correct the older ones. She gave them tips as how to maintain balance when doing a particularly complicated ballet pose, and how to adopt each of the different positions correctly with the less exertion possible.
They had both made a very good work at performing their jobs, and Erik had certainly changed a lot of people's view of him as a mysterious, dangerous man. Erik changed greatly, and Christine, more than anybody, had noticed this change; she loved him for that, for she knew that change is extremely difficult to accomplish. But she also knew, and it formed a little lump of anxiousness in the pit of her stomach at the sole thought of it, that Erik's old habits had not disappeared entirely and were still well hidden within his soul; should someone provoke him to the extent of making him utterly mad beyond reason, and the Opera Ghost would return.
Christine had seen it in his eyes. Every time Raoul was mentioned or they came to a close encounter with him, an indescribable rage flashed in Erik's turquoise eyes; that unmistakable, murderous glint that signaled the indubitable desire of killing resurfacing inside of him, flickered. But he controlled it; he knew that Christine didn't want him to do something that would get him into severe trouble, she loved him so.
Their working areas were almost adjacent. Christine worked on one side of the opera with the ballet girls, behind the stage; on a space beside it, with only some wooden beams dividing them, was Erik's working area, where the piano he had played for the managers was. There, he gave class to his students, mostly girls who were not unto the ballet business and would rather train their voice than their legs. Amongst the students were also some younger boys, youthful rafters and stable boys, who had taken a keen interest in musical education and therefore acceded into taking Erik's classes.
He taught them to sing. He trained their young voices to sing like they had never sung before. He had a singular, yet understandable, issue with the adolescent part of his class. The problem with the teenagers was the phase they were going through; it was the most difficult stage, the interval between childhood and manhood. The apprentices' voices broke frequently, sign of their adolescent development, and they usually had problems reaching very high notes, or very low notes.
Erik understood them fully, he himself went through that, and did his best to help them.
He didn't have problems with the feminine part of his students. From the youngest to the oldest, he made them sing so beautifully, that even God's chorus of angels would be jealous. Though, none of them could sing as beautifully as Christine did, Erik thought proudly, she had been his first apprentice ever, the first to hear his plea, and the first one to really understand the pain he was going through.
He had been a fatherly guardian for her when her father died, giving her constant support and training her in the art of singing, while she repaid him with her voice, her obedience and her blind love towards him.
In her younger years, he had been her invisible mentor, guardian, and angel. He was sometimes strict with her, but never too harsh on her. She had learned real obedience and discipline under his instruction. She learned perseverance and improvement; he had sort of fulfilled the education his father couldn't complete. For her, Erik had been some type of adoptive father, as to say… her Angel of Music, the angel her father had promised to deliver to her when he deceased.
Those old times… The reminiscence of those times swept over Erik, filling him with a tiny hint of nostalgia that subsided rapidly. She had been so innocent, so oblivious…
The chatter of his students brought him back to earth, and he snapped back to reality. He dismissed his class and took out his pocket golden clock. 6:45 pm. His time was already over. But Christine's was not.
As his class left noisily, he arranged his papers on the piano's top and meekly ventured a quick glance to Christine. He stared surprised as he noticed that Christine had turned exactly at the same time to gaze at him too. Both smiled humbly at each other, her eyes burying unto his pleasantly, his eyes regarding her cordially.
Their affective exchange didn't last long when Christine was called back to work. She returned with Mme.Giry to correct and instruct the little girls in their dance.
Erik sighed and gathered his papers. Placing them securely under his arm, he strolled back into his and Christine's office.
The office was totally renewed now. They had changed the velvet curtains for the crimson ones with the golden embroideries. Erik had polished the desk and the table neatly, giving them a beautiful shine as if they were new, although there was nothing he could really do for the termite-bitten leg of the table.
Erik threw the papers into the desk and stared at the grandfather clock he had moved from his lair to the office. It was 7 o'clock. Christine was out at 7:30 pm.
He sighed and decided to wait for her by the window. He had finished his report that same morning so he had a free evening that day. He placed his hands behind his back and sighed once again, adopting a pensive manner.
He opened the window and gazed down at the Parisian streets, watching the carriages pass by with the horses' hooves clattering noisily on the pebbled road. He looked up at the sky, placing his hands on the windowsill and leaning out. The heavens were already turning a dark blue hue. The sun was setting down, with the last streaks of light barely touching the ground. The yellow and orange quickly changed into a dark pink and purple color and finally, after the sun settled entirely, did the mantle of the night descend.
He decided to sit down on the couch to relax and he did. The ticking of the aged clock was soothing and pleasant. He started to feel drowsy. The silence and the constant ticking of the clock were soporific. The first rays of moonlight filtered through the curtains as a soft wind blew past the open window, making the curtains flow beautifully like water. The room was dark, except for the little rays of moonlight illuminating everything they touched.
He glanced once more at the glowing face of the clock being hit by the light. 7: 20 pm. Christine should be here any moment now. He gave a big yawn as he rested his head back on the puffy couch. Drowsiness was washing over him, and he found it hard to keep his eyelids from falling.
His calmness was interrupted by a knock on the door. Why was Christine knocking? It was her office too, after all, Erik thought. But it was not Christine the one that came through the door when he muttered 'come in'… It was someone that brought his heart to his throat and a deep feeling of anxiousness to his being.
Raoul…Raoul was standing on the threshold, holding Christine forcefully in front of him like a shield with his right arm around her neck, and with a pistol on his left hand resting loosely at his side.
Christine had tears streaming down her face and was very pale with fear. She also had her hands tied securely behind her back, and her hair was in slight disarray, signaling that she had tried to fend him off, but to no avail. Raoul wore an evil grin across his face as he glared straight at Erik. The clock had stopped ticking and the curtains flowed fiercely against the now gusty wind that entered through the window. The only things that broke the silence were the roaring wind, Christine's fearful sobs, and Erik's heavy breathing.
Erik sprang up from the couch defensively, glaring back at Raoul with a hint of fear in his eyes.
"You want her?" Raoul muttered as he slowly lifted the gun and pressed it painfully against Christine's jawbone. Christine gave a cry of both pain and fear at this, gazing helplessly at Erik with new tears flowing down her cheeks.
"Free her!" Erik shouted at Raoul, still frozen to the spot.
Raoul gave a sickening chuckle and his grin widened. He tightened his hold around her neck, strangling her. Christine gave a choking gasp and struggled against him, but there was no use, it only made Raoul tighten his grip on her even more. Raoul now lifted the gun to the side of her head and pressed the revolver tightly against it.
"No!" Erik shouted apprehensively, "Let her go!"
Raoul chuckled again and cocked his gun menacingly against her head. Christine could hardly breathe from the hold Raoul had on her neck, and made no further struggle out of fear and weakness.
"No! Please!" Erik pleaded with a shaky voice. He had never pleaded. Never. Let alone beg to someone like the Vicomte. what happened? Somehow, he couldn't move, no matter how hard he tried, his legs wouldn't move from their spot, but his mind would be urging him to protect her and knock the gun out of Raoul's hand. "Don't hurt her!"
But Raoul didn't listen. He laughed maniacally and glared at Erik evilly while pressing the gun even further against her head. Christine gave a weak gasp of pain as more tears rolled down her cheeks in terror.
"Bid farewell to your precious love, Phantom!" Raoul screamed as he pressed his finger on the trigger.
"NO!"
Raoul pulled the trigger and a deafening, ear-splitting shot rang through the room.
CHRISTINE!
---
"ERIK! WAKE UP!"
Erik eyes shut open suddenly as he was being shaken awake. He looked up and saw Kyrian staring worriedly at him. Erik had fallen asleep. And it seemed he had slipped sideways off his sitting position, for now he was resting flat on the soft cushions of the couch. His breathing was fast as he pulled himself up wit his arms. Kyrian backed up to give him some space as Erik stared around at the room.
It was already nighttime outside, but the room was vividly illuminated by the gas lamps that now burned lively. Erik glanced at the clock. 7:25 pm. He had just fallen asleep five minutes? It had seemed like an eternity for him. Then, everything had been a dream? Raoul, the gun, Christine, the shot… No, a nightmare… it had all been a nightmare. Erik reached with a hand and brushed a bit of sweat of his brow with the palm of his hand.
"Are you all right, Erik?" Kyrian asked him with concern, "You were trembling all over when I found you…Is anything wrong?"
Erik looked at him with confusion and then shook his head, sighing. He looked away. Everything had seemed so vivid, he couldn't believe he had fallen asleep, he hadn't noticed. Suddenly, Renna, Jean, and Yvonne came through the door towards Erik and Kyrian. Renna carried a glass of water on her hands and she offered it to Erik.
"Here you go," Renna said, giving him the glass, "It looked like you were having a seizure… are you all right monsieur Erik?"
Erik took the glass and took a sip of water. It refreshed him greatly and he regained some of the little color he had lost.
"Yes, I'm fine…" Erik said weakly, "I…where's Christine?" he asked all of a sudden, remembering the nightmare, hoping it wouldn't be a premonition.
"She's just having a word with Mme.Giry," Yvonne said reassuringly, "she'll be here in some minutes; the class is over."
Erik nodded, still a bit shaken from the vision he had had. He then looked at the four people before him.
"Can I ask…" Erik started, "Why are you here? Is there something I can help you with?" Erik said, for students weren't technically allowed into the offices unless called for or if in doubt of something concerning classes or important matters.
"Oh, that…" Kyrian started, "Well, Colin and Briand wanted to know…"
But just then, the young twins bustled into the room at the sound of their names.
"We wanted to know if you are in love with Mademoiselle Daaé!" Colin, the more lighthearted of the two, said happily. They may be young adults in age, but they still had the spirit of little children.
"With all due respect, sir, if you don't mind us asking…" Briand added, clearly embarrassed by his brother's carefree attitude against such a question, but at the same time admitting he was curious about the matter.
"You'll want to answer monsieur, unless you want Colin following you around asking the same question countless times…" Yvonne informed Erik, staring at Colin dully.
"Hey! I don't do that!" Colin retorted defensively.
"Actually, brother, you did that with Kyrian before he asked Renna to be his girlfriend…" Briand said with thought. He was the calmer of the two, the dreamer, and the planner. These two were like the Yin and the Yang. One was carefree, light, and playful, while the other one was reserved, calm, and pensive. But just like the Yin and Yang, they needed each other to keep that so called "balance".
"Thanks for the support, Briand!" Colin snapped sarcastically at his brother's answer. "It's good to know you're on my side!"
Briand just shrugged.
"So… do you have feelings for Miss Daaé?" Renna asked.
Erik chuckled and smiled. Such young and curious hearts, they had.
"Am I that obvious?" Erik asked them, smiling slightly.
The youngsters seemed to relax when they saw that Erik didn't find the question at all impertinent or rude, and felt much more comfortable. Erik too felt comfortable talking to them, for they acted with maturity that was almost beyond their age, well, except for Colin and Jean, if that was the case; they still had much to learn.
"You always look at her in-between classes…" Jean said smiling slyly, "I've seen the looks you give her."
"Me too!" Colin added.
Erik chuckled again. Renna, Jean and Yvonne were all in ballet lessons, while the boys were in Erik's voice class.
"Perceptive, are we?" Erik asked young Jean, smiling.
She shrugged, giving off a playful smile. She was the youngest of the lot, maybe about 16 or 17 in age, but still youthful at heart.
"Then, you do feel something for Mademoiselle Daaé?" Yvonne asked again.
Erik nodded silently, giving them a reassuring smile.
"Then… why don't you ask her out? I mean, invite her to supper or dinner!" Yvonne said excitedly, "I'm sure she feels the same way you do!"
Erik stared at her, like if failing to understand the idea.
"You know, ask her if she wants to be your companion, your soul mate." Kyrian said, wrapping an arm around Renna, who had sat just beside him.
"Just ask her if she wants to be your fiancée…" Colin said childishly, "You know, go straight to the point…"
Erik laughed.
"You don't want anyone to take her away from you!" Jean said.
Erik's expression then grew slightly somber as Raoul came to his mind.
"No," Erik said, seriously, "I don't want to."
"Then take the opportunity! Don't let it slip away!" Yvonne said.
"Why are you so concerned about my relationship with Mademoiselle Daaé all of a sudden?" Erik asked them curiously.
"Well… we want you two together…" Briand said, "With all due respect, monsieur, it's frustrating to see you both so deep in love but not being together in any matter…"
"So frustrating…" Jean said, sitting on the couch beside Kyrian and heaving a sigh.
"Come on, Erik!" Colin said, "Ask her out for dinner and ask her to be your fiancée! Don't be a coward!"
"Whoever said I was afraid of asking Miss Daaé out for dinner?" Erik challenged him, smiling slyly.
"Then that means you are going to ask her out for supper?" Briand asked.
"Yes," Erik said, "I just hope she accepts…"
"Oh, don't worry about that, Erik!" Jean said, "I'm sure she will."
"When are you going to ask her?" Colin asked.
Erik thought for a moment and then said, "Tonight… I'll ask her tonight and we'll have supper tomorrow, if she accepts of course."
"I'm sure she will-" but Yvonne got cut off. Just then, Christine's voice was heard out in the hallway.
"We should get going," Renna said, "Good night, monsieur Erik…"
Kyrian, Jean and Renna stood up from the couch and joined Colin and Briand.
"Good night," Erik said as they started to leave. Jean winked an eye at him and Colin mouthed 'Don't be a coward!', to which Erik only responded with a playful, incredulous frown.
Just then Christine came through the door, just as they were all leaving.
They courteously bid Christine good night each before exiting the room.
"Good night boys," Christine muttered back, smiling at them at the threshold. Just then, Jean, the last one, muttered rapidly to Christine:
"Whatever he asks you, just say 'yes', don't think it twice!" Jean said mischievously before winking an eye at Christine and leaving. Christine stared at her retreating back, clueless. What did she mean with that?
"What was all that about?" Christine asked Erik, closing the door behind her.
"Christine…" Erik began, standing up from the couch and advancing on her, "I would like to ask you something…"
"Tell me…" Christine said curiously.
He took her hand on his and gazed at her. He bowed slightly and kissed her hand in a courteous manner. Christine stared at him inquisitively. He straightened up and locked eyes with her.
"Would you grant me the pleasure of going out with me tomorrow night for dinner?" Erik asked her.
Christine smiled and couldn't help uttering a little chuckle at his query.
"What is so funny?" Erik asked her curiously.
"You're asking me out for dinner?" Christine said, smiling incredulously.
"Um…yes?" Erik said, confused.
"I mean… you're actually asking me?" Christine asked again.
"Yes, what's wrong with that?" Erik asked, arching an eyebrow inquiringly.
"Wherever did the Phantom method go?" Christine asked playfully.
"What do you mean?"
"Three years ago, your method of "asking me out" was kidnapping me without my previous consent and taking me down to your lair…" she said, smirking.
Erik couldn't help chuckling a little.
"I don't recall you having any problem with it when I did so!" Erik said defensively.
Christine couldn't retort to that. In those nights, three years ago, she could've easily run through the door and escape, but no, she stayed. Every night he came, she stayed in the room, listening intently to his singing voice.
It was his voice what kept her in there, it was that man and mystery who drained her of fear. And so, she had followed him, deep down to the catacombs of the opera, where he dwelled. His mysterious demeanor had entranced her to the point of succumbing to his wishes without vacillation. Luckily for her, he loved her so much that he did not abuse of this power he had over her, with which he could've done many awful things, but that he refrained to do just for her sake.
"You always have to be the one with the last word, don't you?" Christine asked him calmly, smiling softly at him.
Erik shrugged and smiled back. He wrapped his arms gently around her waist and brought her slowly closer to him.
"Do you want to have dinner with me tomorrow night?" Erik asked her with a slight whisper.
"I'd love to…" she replied in the same whispery tone while giving him a small smile.
She leaned a bit closer to him and gave him a tender kiss on the left cheek. But just when her lips touched his skin, all the memories of the nightmare came back to him; Raoul killing Christine right before his eyes, and Erik not being able to stop it.
He shook at the scene replaying before his eyes and embraced Christine closer to him, unconsciously.
Christine was aware of this and, though she didn't budge against the gesture, she stared at Erik curiously.
"Erik? Are you all right?" Christine said as she looked up to his eyes, a vacant stare meeting her inquisitive gaze.
Erik blinked several times before snapping back to reality. He looked down at her and tried to manage a smile, but failed.
"What is troubling you?" Christine asked him, frowning slightly in a worried manner.
"It's nothing…" Erik assured her, caressing her cheek with his hand.
"No… it is something…" Christine said defiantly, "Not only do I see it in your eyes, but I can also feel it…something is troubling you. You can tell me."
"It was just a memory… that's all." Erik said, "Nothing to worry about."
Christine nodded, though she looked quite unconvinced as she averted her gaze.
"You know you can tell me anything," Christine said, "You can always count on me."
"I know, and I do." Erik said gently. Erik couldn't bear to think about the face Christine might adopt if he told her what he had dreamt some moments ago. Besides, it was only a dream; it was nothing to really worry about, wasn't it?
Christine absent-mindedly rubbed her eyes and gave a soft sigh.
"You're somnolent…" Erik said as he turned his eyes to the face of the clock; 8:30 "We should go to rest."
Christine nodded and made her way to the door, Erik behind her. They walked silently down the hallway, their fingers entwined between them. Christine rested her head over his shoulder and gave a small smile, closing her eyes. Erik wrapped his arm around her waist to guide her, resting his own head on hers.
The Opera was silent; almost everyone had gone to bed. Mme.Giry was surely awake, making her night stroll around the Opera, and the managers must be in their office, arranging important matters. The lights had begun to dim out slightly as Erik and Christine walked to her old dressing room.
Christine now slept on her dressing room; her clothes have been moved back from Erik's lair and now she settled there. Christine sat on the bed, stretching her arms above her head and sighing. Erik walked to the old mirror and opened it. Before stepping through it, Erik turned his head around to Christine and bid her good night.
"Good night, mon ange," Erik muttered softly at her.
"Good night, mon ami," She muttered back, offering him a smile. Erik returned the gesture and stepped through the mirror. He closed it behind him and made his way down the dark, cold steps that led to the lake. He reached the landing and climbed on his gondola, taking the long, black oar and rowing to the shore opposite.
As the tiny boat bumped into the shore he jumped out. He stretched his arms over his head and headed to his room, drowsiness flooding him completely with every step he took. All the candles were quickly dimming out, their light reducing to a mere flicker as he approached his chamber.
As he entered his room, he took off his cape, hanging it over a lonely chair that stood on one corner of the room. He took his coat and vest off, tossing them to the same chair; he only wore his white shirt and his pants.
He walked over to his elegant swan bed and slumped over it. Sighing tiredly, he placed his arms behind his head, staring at the ceiling above. He turned his head to a side and saw his beautiful Music Box on the nightstand. The monkey's little, beetle-like black eyes stared back at him. It lay still, its cymbals unmoving on its little paws.
However, what immediately caught Erik's eyes was the gleaming diamond ring resting on the monkey's lap. It was the same ring he had kept on a little box. He had taken it out, surveying it many times, sometimes for hours as he pondered on a very important thought in his head.
He stretched out his hand and took the Music box. He turned the little key some times and the little monkey started slamming its cymbals together, the happy tune filling the room. Masquerade. Erik took the ring and placed the box back in its place on the nightstand, its music still playing vividly.
Erik brought the little ring in front of him, running his fingers over the cool, silver hoop, caressing the cold diamonds that sparkled beautifully against the candlelight. This ring was only to be worn by one sole person. But, would Erik be brave enough to ask? He had been rejected once; he couldn't afford to bear another rejection, it would bring him to the brink of his sanity. But he had to try. He would never know the answer if he never tried. Though the first rejection had almost deprived him completely of rational thought, he knew what her feelings were now. She had repeated countless times to him, trying to carve it into his mind. He had more confidence now, but… he was still unsure. What if in the last moment he received a negative answer? What if he found out that the only thing she felt was just a temporary infatuation? It would break him, yes. But he had to try. This was the last proof he needed to really know. Tomorrow night, he was going to be ready.
As the Music box's tune came slowly to its end, Erik placed the ring back in the monkey's lap. After regarding it one last time, Erik slowly dozed off to sleep, the tune ending as his eyelids feel over his tired eyes.
Sunday. This was the night; the night in which he would have a normal date with Christine without kidnapping her. Anxiousness built up in Erik's insides as the due hour approached that evening. He would meet her on the Opera's roof, where Erik's friends had kindly set up a nice table lit by candlelight under the night sky.
"So romantic!" Jean had exclaimed when she had come to tell him everything was set up.
Erik got ready. He wore the most elegant suit he had, and a satin red handkerchief was tucked sophisticatedly on the scruff of his shirt. Black leather gloves encased his hands as he put on some cologne. He was ready now. His hair was slicked back neatly and his mask was gleaming clean.
Before he left, he returned to his room and opened one of the drawers in his nightstand. He took something thin and long wrapped in a black silk cloth. He handed the hidden object with extreme delicacy as he tucked it safely inside a pocket in his inner coat.
He then clambered his gondola hastily and rowed as fast as he could to the other side. He took out his pocket clock and glanced at the time; 7:50 pm. They were going to meet at 8 o'clock on the rooftop. As the ship bumped into a halt, Erik jumped off and climbed the stairs two at a time. He reached Christine's room, which smelt of a sweet fragrance of lavender. As the perfume filled his nostrils with the sweet odor, Erik darted across the room into the door, running through it and down the hallway. He reached the Entrance Hall and dashed toward the stage. He went backstage and ran through the beams, costumes, items, and props unto a winding staircase that led to the rooftop. He scaled the circling metallic staircase up into another floor, in which he found another set of stairs. He dashed toward them and climbed them with ease, bumping into a door at the end.
He hastily rearranged the hankie on his neck and brushed his sleeves. He regained his breath from the long run and brought himself together. Adopting a calmed expression, he pushed the door open slowly.
As he opened the door to its full extent, Erik was met with the refreshing night air that caressed his face and the scent of the lavender perfume he had smelt on Christine's dressing room. He stepped into the roof, gazing at the elegant woman that stood beside a Pegasus' stone statue a few meters away from Erik, contemplating the star-filled sky, her back to him.
The Pegasus stood like a titan beside her small self, its wings spread upwards imperiously as he stood on its hindquarters on a big cubic stone base; Its mane and tail flew with an imaginary wind and it watched the city below with a defiant stare in it's menacing eyes.
A few meters away to the left, a table for two was set with a gleaming golden candlestick in the center of it, holding three candles alight. Two white china plates lay on each side of the table; the utensils lay aside them, their silvery surface reflecting the candles' light. Two wineglasses stood aside the utensils with a white napkin underneath.
Beside the table was smaller table holding a big silver plate with a silvery dome above it, which contained the food inside; there was also a bucket of ice with a single green bottle of wine tucked into it.
Erik returned his gaze to the woman, who had remained quite oblivious to his presence since he arrived.
Erik stepped forward, a bit closer to her and cleared his throat. Christine startled and turned around, quite surprised. She smiled as she saw that it was only Erik. Erik smiled back and took her hand in his. Bowing courteously, he kissed her hand in a gentlemanly manner and straightened up to meet her eyes.
"You look beautiful," Erik complimented her. She certainly looked radiantly beautiful. She wore a pale blue dress with a U-shaped cleavage. Thin, silky strands of white satin circled her upper arms and a white, artificial rose decorated the middle of her cleavage. She had another white rose tucked in her hair, which briefly reminded Erik of the costume she had worn in "Don Juan Triumphant", but in this case it was a white rose, not a red one. She also wore a lovely silver necklace with a gorgeous sapphire as the pendant around her neck and a silver bracelet with a little diamond rose in it. Her lavender aroma was particularly conspicuous now.
"Thank you," she replied, "You look really handsome as well."
He smiled and took her hand. He guided her to the table and offered her a seat. He pulled the chair backwards and motioned her to sit down.
"Thank you," she said sweetly, sitting down on the chair Erik offered her as he pushed it forward again. He then sat on the seat opposite her and began serving them both with the steaming food that was on the little table. After serving some steaks and side salad on each plate, he took the bottle of wine and poured a generous measure of crimson liquid into each glass.
They had a relatively silent dinner, occasionally venturing glances to each other, but never really uttering a word. The only disturbance, though, was that where Erik almost choked on his wine as he saw Colin waving at him from behind the Pegasus statue just in front of him. He coughed several times as the liquid traveled erroneously through his respiratory canal.
"Are you all right?" Christine asked, concerned.
"Yes, I'm fine," Erik said, cleaning his mouth with the napkin. Christine nodded and went back to her dinner.
Erik frowned at Colin who smiled happily at him. Suddenly, Colin reached behind the statue and took out a violin. He showed it to Erik, waving it at him. Erik now cocked his head in confusion. Erik saw how someone else's hand snatched the violin out of Colin's hand. Erik saw Colin discussing with someone behind the statue. As Colin returned his sight to Erik, Erik mouthed, "What?". Colin then dragged the "someone" from behind the statue; it was Kyrian. Colin started imitating a waltz with Kyrian, who looked totally irritated. Kyrian freed himself from Coin and hid behind the statue again. Colin pointed one hand to Christine and made an impersonation of someone dancing, placing one hand on his chest and the other one lifted at his side, dancing in circles.
Erik then understood their message and nodded his head. Colin hid back behind the statue.
Some minutes later, they both finished their plates. Erik stood up and walked to Christine's side. Christine looked up at him inquiringly. Erik bowed his head again and offered his hand to her.
"Would you provide me with the pleasure of dancing with me, milady?" Erik asked her, smiling tenderly.
"Of course, monsieur," Christine answered, giving him a sweet smile and taking his hand.
Erik helped her up and guided her to the center of the rooftop. Erik looked hesitant when he tried to place his hands on the right places. Christine smiled. She placed her hand on his right palm and placed his left hand on her waist. She placed her right hand on his shoulder and let Erik begin the dance.
It began quite hesitantly. Erik had never danced with a woman before, so he was foreign to the sensation. It began with a slow pace; Christine followed every step Erik took. It began with the usual one, two three, in a delicate order. Then, out of nowhere, a sweet music resounded across the sky. It was a violin, and it was playing none other than "The Music of the Night", Erik's song. The sweet melody reached both Erik's and Christine's ears and they totally lost the notion of the world revolving around them. They danced as if they had done it several times before, following the rhythm of the music perfectly, their eyes never leaving each other as the music consumed them. They went into a slow and calm "one-two, one-two" pace. Christine broke her eyes from Erik's as she rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes. As her hands moved to rest on his chest, Erik wrapped his arms around her waist, still following the "one-two" pace. Erik rested his head on hers and glanced momentarily to where Kyrian and Colin hid. Kyrian was the one who played the melody on the violin. Erik saw Colin wave goodbye as Kyrian ended the tune with a soft note. They both sprinted to the door and left, leaving Erik and Christine dancing in the night.
Not even the calmness interrupted their dancing. They had barely noticed when the music ended; they were both deeply submerged in their silent reverie. The stars above glimmered, like if they were regarding them jovially, and the full moon shone brightly in the far horizon. The chirping of the crickets soothed them as a soft wind blew past, caressing their faces.
Then, Erik remembered. He had to tell Christine something.
"Christine?" Erik asked.
"Yes?" Christine replied without opening her eyes or stopping the slow dance.
"Can I ask you something?" Erik asked her again.
They stopped dancing. Christine lifted her face from his chest and looked at him. She noticed that Erik had become slightly anxious, and his eyes reflected nervousness.
"Sure," she replied calmly, but with a slight curious tone on her voice.
Erik nodded. He guided her to one of the titanic statues and made Christine sit on the edge of the base like a bench. Erik turned away from her and hesitated a moment, muttering something Christine couldn't understand under his breath. With his back to her, Erik took something from inside his coat pocket with slightly trembling hands.
He turned back to her and advanced to her slowly, holding a black silk-wrapped object in his hand.
"Christine," he started.
Christine's stomach gave a tiny lurch when she saw Erik fall into one knee in front of her, his eyes burying unto hers. With rather reluctance, Erik unwrapped the object from its silky cover and brandished it in front of Christine. Christine brought her hand to her mouth in wonder.
It was a bright red rose in plain bloom. Around its vibrant green stem was wrapped a black satin ribbon, and over the knot of the ribbon was… a diamond ring. Christine choked back a gasp of surprise as she gazed at the engagement ring.
"Christine," Erik began again, a slight tremor in his voice as he held the gift in front of her, holding it with both hands as if offering a prize.
"Will you make me the happiest man on Earth…by becoming my wife?"
Feri- Chapter 8 done! I decided to put the rest of chapter 8 on chapter 9.
Erik- Oweee…. X,x
Feri- What's wrong?
Erik- I have a headache….
Feri- I told you too much chocolate is not good for you!
Erik- -grumbles- Why didn't you tell me before I ate the chocolate?
Feri- I TOLD you, but you were high on sugar.
Erik- -grumbles-
Feri- Awww…. -gives Erik headache pill-
Erik- No more chocolates for me… at least, till I get rid of this migraine.
Feri- And then you'll go back eating more chocolate which will produce you ANOTHER migraine afterwards?
Erik- Shut…up -lies down-
Feri- n,n
R&R! Please!