Her body was nearing the lake. She was watching thoughtfully the large pool of water before her eyes, still full of fresh tears. She could feel the weight of the pebbles she had put inside her pockets. She knew what she had to do and she was not scared… Curiously, her mind was not invaded by alarmed and reasonable thoughts of backing out.

Her steps brought her nearer to the shore and the coolness of the waters of that lake. A last glance, a last breath and a new life, LIFE, would welcome her in the other side.

Only silence and quietness inhabited the place that only months before had been so full of music, soft and delicate notes entwined with their voices. She closed her eyes and her right foot began getting soaked as she walked forward…

That was not her ending, no. It was her beginning, her rebirth…

She came into her apartment as night fell over Paris. He had let slip that she should wear the dress… Ah, she was getting more and more intrigued with his secretive attitude, and, of course, he had never said anything about what he had planned for them. But she did not mind. In fact, there had been a long time since she had felt that happy and she did not want to sully that happiness with silly worries.

Bursting with joy, she took the dress out of her small wardrobe. She couldn't imagine what that night had in store for her…for them, but she was sure it would be something wonderful, unforgettable.

Ten minutes afterwards she was already leaving her room, smarter than usual.

She could feel water ascending up her height, reaching the level of her knees and soaking the skirt of her dress wet. She had the blind conviction that she would reach her objective very soon. Then, her soul would be allowed to soar at last and for all eternity. Her body was shivering and her teeth chattered with the change in temperature. Her muscles contracted spasmodically with every wave of freezing water that met her skin and would take, together with her corpse, the end of an era.

Water covered her waist after a few steps and it was starting to climb up her back, dampening some of the curls of her long black hair.

Her final rest was coming,

Come to me, don't look back, you are safe now…

She could listen to his gentle voice so clearly.

Soon…

It was the last thing she said to herself before she sunk completely into the peaceful waters.

She found herself down there once more. Seeing the room only lit by candle-light increased her excitement. There he was, in front of her, just behind the table. She did not know why but his presence looked more impressive, mysterious and elegant than ever. Watching him carefully, candlelight reflected itself on his face, giving him an intriguing air that bordered an unresisting sensuality. He was holding a glass of wine in his hand with an expression that suggested that he was aware that she had not stopped assessing and examining him since she had come through the door.

'Dear…', his relaxed and deep voice blocked all of Angie's senses. 'I'm glad to see it hasn't taken too long to you finishing off the chores for today'.

She nodded. 'It's not like everyday one has a chance like this, don't you think?'. She did not allow her shyness falter this time.

'True…', he came near her and stroked her cheek softly. 'Please, have a seat. I'd like to have a word with you', Erik smiled. 'Do you fancy a drink?'.

As if he was tempting her, Erik gave a sip to his glass. It was such a deliberately slow and graceful gesture that she felt that strange warmth go through her body again. How was it possible to be seduced by such a simple action?

She sat down, trying to hide the load of contradictory feelings she was experiencing at the moment. 'Something refreshing would be great, Erik, thank you'.

He nodded, leaving his glass on the table,and went to the kitchen for a brief moment. After a few minutes, he returned to the dining-room and offered her the glass of lemonade he had filled for her. Then, he served some of the delicious salad he had prepared on the dish which lied before her. She had been so engrossed in her thoughts that she had not even noticed that the table had been set for dinner.

'You shouldn't have taken so much trouble…'. Her voice was tender. She felt flattered yet bad for making him cook for both of them, in spite of the fact that she had not asked him to do so.

He finished serving their meal and looked at her quite seriously, though he wore an amused gesture on his face.

'It's no trouble. I do little more than my designs during the day and…', he paused to look directly into her eyes. 'Be with you'.

There was something in the way he pronounced those words that made her thank God for being sitting because she was sure her legs wouldn't have hold her if she had been standing. She knew that the complicity in his attitude would make her loose control any minute. Angie smiled as he sat down in his chair and helped himself some salad too. He was not too hungry but he had to feed his body with something.

Erik sighed, looking to an indeterminate spot of the room. 'Do you like music, Angeline?'. He posed the question in a nonchalant way, as he picked some of his salad with his fork.

The question took her completely by surprise. She swallowed and turned her gaze to him, who was patiently waiting for an answer. 'Oh…', both her eyebrows raised. 'Well, I never had the opportunity to receive musical education or be part of that world, unfortunately, but…', she smiled, almost blushing. 'The day I saw you playing the violin…I thought…', she forced herself to keep going. 'I thought it was the most beautiful sound I had ever had the pleasure of hearing'.

For some strange reason, this time she did not dare to look at him. She looked away as soon as the confession left her mouth and continued her dinner. Perhaps now she would be reminded of the imprudence of prying on his privacy and listening to his music hiding in a corner.

However, she heard his restrained laughter and that made her search his eyes.

'I'm glad you enjoyed it…', he left the fork for a moment and took his glass again. 'Because I'm sure you'll love the place I'm going to take you tonight'.

He reyes opened wide in amazement. Curiosity kicked in. 'Where do you plan to take me, Erik?'.

He smiled knowingly and held the glass to his lips. 'To the Opéra, dear, to the Opéra'.

He watched her reaction carefully for a second. He would never confess the whole truth but he would give her some (maybe with slight variations) retelling of his past. She looked especially hungry for new experiences and for his company that night.