by LiltingBanshee
"That was lovely Adora, I would say that does it for today" he smiled at her.
"Thank you, I enjoyed that. I fell it much easier to hit the high notes correctly now" she said enthusiastically.
"That's because you're much better trained now, it pays off. Maybe we should talk Zidler into giving you a singing job" he suggested.
She shrugged. "I don't think that would happen. You don't really get recognized for your talents here. Well, at least not those of dancing and singing" she grinned.
"Adora will you watch your mouth! That is not a very ladylike thing to say!" he exclaimed with slight amusement.
"But it's true!" she whined.
"That is not the point, a young girl like you should not be speaking of such things" he said.
"You mean sexual relations? Does it embarrass you when I speak about that?" she asked, a devilish smile forming on her lips and her eyes had a certain sparkle in them.
"No it most certainly does not! I am only trying to educate you" he scolded.
"It does! You're blushing!" she squealed with delight.
"Don't be ridiculous child, men does not blush!" he said in a stern voice.
"Well, you do" she snickered.
"Right, that's it!" he said and lifted her up easily and threw her over his shoulder.
"Erik! What are you doing? Put me down! Now!" she shrieked with laughter.
"No! You would not listen, now you have to suffer the consequences" he grinned as he carried her towards the door to the yard. He walked quickly over to the little fountain and held her dangerously close to the water.
"Erik no! You wouldn't dare" she said with panic, realizing what he was about to do.
"Watch me" he said with a grin and them dumped her in the water. What he hadn'tconsidered was how tightly she clung to his shirt and before he knew it he landed in the water beside her.
He wiped the water off his face and stared at her as she sat there laughing her head off with the water soaking her skirts.
"You think that was funny, don't you?" he said offended, trying hard not to laugh.
"No, I thought it was hilarious!" she snorted.
He gave in and joined her laughter. After a minute they began to relax and he looked at her.
"You know, you're absolutely beautiful" he said softly.
"Why thank you" she said stunned.
"You remind me so very muchof a girl I once knew" he said.
"Really? A friend of yours?" she asked, tucking her wet curls behind her ears.
"She was much more than a friend, I loved her with all my heart. She was not much older than you are when I asked her to marry me" he said, his eyes filling with tears.
"What happened?" Adora whispered.
"She left. She didn't love me. She kissed me and left to marry someone else. It was probably best that way, he was closer to her age and they loved each other" he said with a weak smile.
"I'm sure she loved you, maybe she was just confused" Adora tried.
"No, believe me. She didn't love me" he sighed.
"Why would she kiss you if she didn't love you just a little? she frowned.
"It's complicated, I think the kiss was just a trick to get me to let her go. I really don't want to get into this now" he said.
"Well, I think she loved you" Adora said determinedly
"Thank you sweetheart. Now we should get out of the water, you'll end up catching a cold" he said and helped her out of the fountain.
'Did you really love me Christine?' What Adora had said had made several thought spin in his head. 'Did I scare you so much that you were afraid to show it?' He fingered the ring and then kissed it before putting it away.
"Keep an eye on him lads, we don't want any incidents tonight" Zidler said seriously and gestured towards the man at the bar.
"Who is he?" Erik quietly asked Francoise when Zidler had left.
"He's some great businessman, but he's the one who beat the crap out of Rosa one night because she wouldn't do what he told her. He's sick" Francoise said with disgust.
Erik eyes the man. He was short and had ugly blood-shot eyes. Though it was still fairly early in the night he was already drunk. He was certainly one to watch out for.
As the night proceeded Erik's predictions turned out to be true. He had just said good night to Adora and watched her move towards the staircase when the little man blocked her way. Erik saw how she tried to avoid him, but she obviously didn't succeed. Before he knew what was happening the man had grabbed her and started dragging her up the stairs. Erik was on his feet in seconds and raced to the stairs. With strong hands he freed Adora from the man's grasp and sheltered her behind him before he grabbed the man's throat.
"You will never again lay a hand on her or any of these girls!" he hissed, his eyes shooting daggers at him.
"Who are you?" the man whined with whatever little sound that could make it passed the strong hold Erik had on his windpipe.
"You do not wish to know! If I ever see you here again you will be dead before you ever figure out who I am. Do I make myself clear?" he growled, adding justa littlemore pressure to his throat.
The man nodded and with satisfaction Erik noticed the wetness that pooled around the man's feet.
Roughly he gave him a shove that nearly made him tumble down the stairs and he almost ran to the door.
He turned to Adora and touched her cheek gently. "Are you alright?" he asked with concern.
She nodded. "I'm fine, thank you Erik" she whispered.
"Anytime my love, now go and change your clothes" he said and kissed her cheek gently.
Hours later the guests had left and Erik was alone in the dance hall. He sat at the piano playing a tune from old days. He was so absorbed in the memories the music triggered in him than he didn't hear the person approaching him.
He felt her presence before he saw her, her gentle hand softly running down his left cheek.
"Christine…" he whispered in his trance.
Then in the space of a second time was turned several years back. He was back in the cellar under the Opera and yet again a young curly haired woman stood beside him. Yet again she was holding the white mask in her hands.
"No!" he roared and his hand flew to the right side of his face. His other hand lashed out and connected painfully with her cheek sending her tumbling the floor.
"You devilish curious witch! You filthy little brat! Leave this instant" he bellowed at her.
Once the young woman had remained on the floor, watching him and crying for what she had done. This time she threw the mask on the floor, scrambled to her feet and ran for the door.
He gave in to his tears and picked up the mask. 'What had he done?' Only hours ago he had stopped someone from hitting her. Now he had been the one to slap her hard. She would never trust him after this. He had repeated the same mistake all over again. Clutching the mask close to his chest he remained on the floor and wept.