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DISCLAIMER: Please refer to Chapter Two

Erik awoke to the sound of his grandfather clock striking the hour of six. As the last chime rang through his ears, he sat up and stretched his back.

What a night. He recalled what had happened between Cecilia and him. As he rubbed his head to sooth his headache from his stale hangover, he looked beside him. He smiled as he saw Cecilia lying next to him still wearing the doll's wig. Erik lovingly stroked her bare back as he began to feel rather guilty for what he had done.

True, he had been drunk as she came to him that night, but he was always able to hold his liquor well. It would take more than the bottle of brandy to get him to the point of complete and utter loss of control. Even the mild herbs he had been taking were still not strong enough to completely tear him from his natural state of mind.

Then he remembered those herbs. Herbs from a distant land that absorbed through the skin. One could not smell them or feel the moment in which they entered the bloodstream. These were the same herbs that caused euphoria and desire in even the most unhappy of people. The same herbs he was going to give Christine on their wedding night. The same herbs, he realized, were put into all of Christine's lotions and bath oils. His face grew pale as he came to the conclusion. He had drugged Cecilia and himself in the process. He recalled painstakingly preparing the bath for her. As he poured the oils into the bath, he placed his hand in the water to blend the mixture and test the water temperature.

No wonder I felt happy. No wonder she became so jealous about Christine's pictures and the doll. No wonder she came to me in that lustful state last night! It all made sense to him.

She is going to kill me.

Erik sprang from the bed angry, shocked, and full of guilt. He paced back and forth as he contemplated what he was going to do.

Should I tell her?

Of course you should! Like she doesn't know what happened last night!

What if she thought it was a dream?

She isn't that stupid!

He walked toward the bed as through to wake her, but quickly turned around and walked to his fireplace. Placing his hands on the mantle, he leaned forward to catch his spastic breath.

If she was under a spell, then why did she pretend to be Christine?

He had thought she was playing a part. That she was acting in order to make the occasion seem more fantastical.

What is she going to think now? When I told her I loved her, I was speaking to her and not to Christine. She is going to think I thought she was Christine! I am only going to hurt her even more.

Erik realized he needed to approach this situation carefully. Even though she may love him, he knew it was not in her proper nature to beg him to make love to her. Even last night it seemed odd to him, but his need for some sort of wanting from a woman made him forget his conscience.

I have to tell her.

Erik walked to her side of the bed and collected his mask. Placing it on his face, he sat on the bed, placing his hand on Cecilia's head. As he removed the wig, he whispered her name.

"Cecilia. Time to wake up."

She moaned as she turned on her back. As she opened her pretty eyes, she looked at Erik. Suddenly, she jumped and grasped the satin sheets to cover her modesty. She saw the wig in his hand. I thought that was a dream!

"Erik….. I can explain…" she started.

"No," he interrupted, "I am the one who should be explaining."

She looked at him puzzled now. What does he have to explain? I am the one who posed as Christine and begged him to make love to me.

"First of all, let me say I am sorry. I did not realize what happened until this morning," he began, "I was rather curious why you came to me last night. I was so stupid! I should have known that you would not want me unless something was wrong."

"What are you talking about?"

"You were drugged Cecilia. All of Christine's lotions and oils have special herbs in them in order for her to feel some sort of desire for me. I was a desperate man. I would do anything to get her to love me even if that meant she would not be acting on her own accord. Those herbs were accidentally put into your bath last night. I promise you, I would never have used them willingly!"

"Wait a minute, Erik. You are telling me, I was drugged?" she said as she felt herself slowly becoming angry, "and that all of my emotions and actions last night were completely fabricated?"

"Yes," he said as his head fell.

She looked at him in disbelief. She did not know what to say. She was so confused. Did she love him or was that only the herbs? Did he mean to do drug her?

"How did you know I wasn't Christine? You were so drunk…."

"My dear, you are obviously not Christine. I have never been so drunk as to not recognize the people around me."

"What do you mean I am obviously not Christine," she snapped, appearing to look quite offended, "You played along the whole time?"

The guilty look on his face was all the answers she needed.

Of course I am not Christine. He wouldn't be stupid enough to fall for that trick. She is, after all, thin and beautiful while I am somewhat chubby and plenty bruised. He only wanted to pretend I was Christine! If he is desperate enough to drug her, I am sure he was desperate enough to pretend. All the while, I was so stupid! Stupid enough to think that he recognized me, and realize I was the one he wanted.

Thoughts continued to race through her head as she got up form the bed. Fastening the sheets around her, she stormed out of his room.

"Wait….Cecilia…. I am so sorry!" he said as he rose to chase after her.

She refused to listen. She shut her chamber door and locked it. As the flung herself on her bed, she began to cry.

What he must think of me. How could I have acted so foolish? I went against my entire standard of beliefs to be with him. Did I really want to do it? Do I really love him?

If you didn't love him, would this situation hurt so much?

Is it me he really wanted?

Of course not! Why would he want you when Christine has so much more to offer?

Maybe he has gotten over her.

How long did it take you to get over Fredrick? These things do not happen overnight.

She became disgusted with herself. She felt so stupid.

He must think I am a whore. I gave my virginity to a man who loves another woman. Am I ever going to get a break?