Too surprised for words, Erik stood there gaping. Antoinette reached forward to cup his cheek, but Erik turned his head sharply.
"Why did you keep this a secret? Why didn't you tell me? Erik trembled
"I was afraid, Erik. Afraid of what people would think…what if people found out?" Antoinette replied, nearly in a whisper.
"So you lied to me, about my own child?" Erik now raged with anger.
"I didn't mean for you to find out this way…"
"Did you even mean for me to find out at all?" Erik interrupted.
Madame Giry looked away. She could feel her heart ache with pain.
"I never meant to hurt you." She forced the words out breathlessly. Antoinette could no longer hold in her emotions. A tear stained her porcelain face, followed by another. In a short time she was sobbing, nearly uncontrollably. Madame Giry turned away, not wanting Erik to see her in such a manner.
She could sense Erik coming closer to her, but before she could move away, he had cradled her in his arms. After the shock wore off Antoinette leaned into his touch. Erik moved around her so they were standing face to face. He felt himself being lost in her pure blue eyes. Madame Giry forced a half smile as Erik rubbed her forearm. His other arm wrapped around her small waist and pulled her a bit closer to him. Their lips met in a soft tantalizing kiss. No sooner had it begun in ended.
Erik turned and walked slowly to the organ. Madame Giry stood still, dumbfounded. She wondered if Erik still had feelings for her after all these years. Had the kiss been out of love, or just comfort? Why didn't he stay angry for long? This whole situation seems so out of character…
Erik looked up and motioned for Antoinette to join him at the organ. Nervously she sat down beside him on the bench. Erik shifted and turned to the side. Madame Giry places a hand on his shoulder.
"It's gone." He replies and shrugged her grasp away.
"What…what is gone Erik?" She replies
"What I hold dearly, the one thing that protects me from the hatred of the world"
"And what would that be." Madame Giry smiled to herself. Maybe he still has feelings for me after all.
"My mask, Antoinette. It's been taken."