From Heaven's Mind
Chapter Two
"Damn it, where is my black shirt?" Erik shouted. Christine looked up from the dresser in their bedroom as he stormed out of the bathroom with a face like thunder.
"Sorry?"
"My black shirt! I need it!"
"Erik, you already packed it. It's in the blue suitcase." Christine said. Erik stared at her for a moment and then swore, running his hands anxiously through his hair. She smiled.
"I'll get it. Why are you so worried about this anyway? It's only a meeting."
"A meeting with some of the world's leading operatic producers. I'm still trying to get over the fact that they even requested a meeting." Erik said as she unzipped the case and pulled out the shirt, handing it to him.
"Well, of course they would."
"You have to say that."
"I certainly do not. You know you're a genius, so stop fishing for compliments. What tie are you wearing?"
"The dark blue one." He said, realising his shirt was inside out and pulling it off again. Christine wrinkled her nose.
"Wear the dark red one. It looks much better."
"You think so?"
"I know so. It's in the drawer." He went to fetch it and Christine smiled as she closed the suitcase. It was Wednesday and they left on Friday for New York. She still wasn't happy and would much prefer to stay. But you couldn't have everything you want from life, could you?
Trister bounded into the room and jumped onto the bed, wagging his tail. Christine smiled and stroked him as Erik did his tie and pulled on a jacket.
"Well? How does this look?" He said, turning to her. Christine whistled.
"Damn sexy, as Max would put it."
"Max finds me damn sexy?" Erik said, alarmed. She burst into laughter.
"No, don't be silly! I find you damn sexy."
"Oh. Well, that's considerably better." Erik said, smoothing his hair. Christine smiled and kissed him as they went downstairs, where Nadir was waiting.
"Ready at last?" He smiled.
"Just about. We'll be back for dinner."
"OK, no problem." She said and crossed her fingers. "Good luck."
They left and she shook her head. One of the servants smiled at her amusement and she laughed.
"He's hopeless! He just falls to pieces."
"I'd hate to see him before a show, Mrs Destler."
"No, surprisingly, he's absolutely fine then. How's the baby, Peter?" She asked. She'd learned the names of all the servants by now and most of their family details as well.
"Growing faster by the day. He's a holy terror but I adore him anyway." Peter grinned. "Can I fetch you anything, Mrs Destler?"
"I'm fine, thanks Peter. I think I'll take Trister for a walk."
When Christine returned from the walk, Trister collapsed on the floor, panting. She smiled.
"Have a drink, boy. Go on." He trotted off to the kitchen and Christine went into the living room, just as the phone rang. A maid was cleaning in there and answered as they had all been trained to do.
"Destler residence. Hold on just one moment, please." She looked at Christine, who had picked up a book, "The local Opera House."
"Oh…" Christine said, surprised. She took the phone. "Hello?"
"Is that Christine Destler?"
"It is."
"Andrew Norton here." Said the voice on the end of the line.
"Oh, hello Andrew. Erik's not here but-"
"Actually, it was you I wanted to speak to."
"Oh! What can I do for you?"
"It's more what I can do for you, Christine. We've got a new show coming up. I don't know if you've heard of it. It's called Des Yeux d'Ange."
"I think I read it about it in the booklet from the Opera House. The love story? Between the angel and the human." Christine replied. Andrew sounded pleased.
"Yes, that's the one! We're all looking forward to it."
"Yes." Christine said, a little awkwardly. Why was he talking to her about it?
As if he had heard her thoughts, he said,
"The reason I wanted to talk to you about it is that there's a main female part, the part of the angel. I was talking to the director and he wants you. He saw you perform in New York and thinks you'd be perfect for the part. He'd like you to come and sing for him."
"Me? Really?"
"Yes, you! He hasn't even considered anyone else; he refuses to audition others until he's talked to you." Andrew said, clearly excited.
Christine could hardly believe what she was hearing.
"You're kidding me."
"I certainly am not. Will you come and sing for him?" Christine hesitated. This wasn't good. She was supposed to be leaving with Erik on Friday but this chance was… well, who knew when it would come again?
"Yes. I'll come straight away." She said, a smile spreading across her lips.
The producer was called James Pewter. He shook Christine's hand enthusiastically on her arrival. He was a cheerful looking man in his early thirties with thick, light brown hair, hazel eyes and a wide grin.
"Christine Danes, it's an honour to meet you." He said, clasping her hand.
"Destler." Christine corrected him.
"I'm sorry?" He blinked, confused. She smiled.
"It's Christine Destler. I got married." She explained.
"Oh! Congratulations! Anyway, as I was saying, it's an honour. I saw you perform in New York, you really were excellent."
"Yes, Andrew said. And thank you." Christine smiled.
James grinned widely.
"Well, let's get started!" He said, clapping his hands together enthusiastically.
"I may have a problem." She warned him. "The thing is, I'm supposed to be going to New York on Friday. My husband is working out there and I haven't discussed this with him yet."
"Oh… well, fingers crossed. Because I want you in this show. If needs be I'll come and explain to your husband myself."
He paused, looking at her.
"Destler… Erik Destler?" He asked, curiously.
"Yes, that's my husband."
"I thought I recognised the name." He said vaguely and went to the piano. "What song would you like to sing?"
Erik and Nadir returned to the house on Rochdale Avenue before Christine. Erik looked for his wife and then stopped one of the servants to ask where she was.
"She went out, sir. About two hours ago." The servant replied
"Do you know where?"
"No sir."
Nadir and Erik went to the living room.
"You certainly made an impression, Erik." Nadir said, pouring himself some water. Erik paced the room.
"I suppose so."
"I was very impressed. You handled it well."
"You think?"
"Yes, you were very good." Nadir said, sitting down. Erik continued to pace, thinking about the meeting. He sighed.
"I'm going to the office."
Nadir sighed. He always worried too much about these things. He'd done perfectly but now he'd shut himself up in the office for a few hours thinking about everything. He reached for a book but a few minutes later Christine walked in, a pretty smile on her face.
"How did it go?" She asked eagerly.
"It was fine. He did well, but he's in the office."
"Ah. I won't disturb him yet then." She said, chewing a nail. Nadir eyed her.
"Where were you? Someone said you'd been gone for a couple of hours."
Christine nodded and began to pace the room. Nadir rolled his eyes. She was picking up Erik's habits. If she started dressing entirely in black and glaring at everyone, he'd have to step in.
"Nadir, I have a serious problem…" She began and then stopped. Nadir frowned.
"Christine, what's wrong?" He asked, concernedly.
"I… I got a call from Andrew Norton. The producer of the next show at the opera house wants me to be in it. The main female role. Nadir, he especially asked for me! He's not even auditioning anyone else for the part until he knows whether or not I want it!"
"And it's an amazing opportunity." Nadir agreed, "Except for the fact that you're supposed to be going to New York."
"Exactly. I don't know what to do." She said, sitting on the window-seat.
Nadir sighed.
"It's a hard one. Obviously this is the opportunity of a lifetime."
"And if I go to New York I won't be able to work for months. I don't want to just wait around for another chance. I might not even get another chance. But… I don't want to leave him." She said quietly.
With a groan she rubbed her face with her hands.
"Oh, I don't know what to do. I was at the opera house just now. I sang for them and they want me. I want to do this, Nadir. I really do."
"Then you have to talk to him."
"I know. But… what if… I don't…" She babbled and Nadir stood and went to sit next to her.
"Christine, Erik did this once. He wanted to leave and he didn't tell you until it was too late. Don't make that mistake, OK? Go and talk to him. He may have many talents but psychic ability isn't one of them."
Christine looked at him. His friendly, open face was solemn. She nodded and took a deep breath.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm going to talk to him." She headed resolvedly for the door. But then she stopped and looked back at him pleadingly.
"Come with me?"
"No! This is between you two. Go on."
"Please?"
"No. Absolutely not. I made a deal with myself to keep out of things between you two." Nadir said firmly.
"Oh… fine." She pouted, going towards the office door.
Erik looked up as there was a knock on the door.
"Yes?" He said irritably.
"It's me." Christine called. He smiled and opened the door. She smiled. "You've been worrying about the meeting haven't you?"
"Not too much. Just a little."
"Good. You worry too much." She said.
He smiled and turned to kiss her. And not to say that she didn't enjoy the kissing, but Christine was rather preoccupied. She pulled back and Erik frowned slightly.
"Is… is something wrong?"
"Maybe. Well… yes and no. Something is really good but it might not be, because it depends." She babbled. Erik almost smiled. She looked particularly attractive when she was babbling and it took all of his self-control not to kiss her again, as she was clearly concerned about something.
"What does it depend on?" He asked.
"You."
He blinked and went to sit down, pulling out another chair for Christine. She sat and he took her hands.
"What is it?" He asked, with a slight smile. She shuffled nervously on the edge of her seat, looking like a schoolgirl who'd been sent to the headmaster's office.
"Is it about New York?" He said. She jumped and stared at him for a moment before swallowing hard and nodding.
"Yes… sort of. Erik… I don't want to go."
He sighed and stroked her hand.
"I know you don't."
"No, you don't understand. I really don't want to. I got a call from the Opera House. They want me in their next show! They especially asked me to come; they won't even audition anyone else until I decide!" She said quickly.
Erik had let go off her hands and fallen back in his chair, staring at her. She took a deep breath.
"Erik, this is… I might never get this chance again. It's the main part and everything!"
"You want to stay." He said flatly.
"Yes… I do. I want to be in that opera. But… Erik, I just don't know what to do. I want to be with you but…" She couldn't finish her sentence. Erik was staring at her with a strange expression on his face. Christine swallowed hard.
"I wish you'd say something."
Erik stood up abruptly, walking around the room.
"I don't know what to say, Christine. I just didn't think that anything like this would happen. I don't want you to stay here, obviously. But whatever you choose I'll support you." He said, in a very unconvincing tone. Christine stared at him.
"You think I'm being selfish, don't you?" She said quietly.
"I just find it very… shall we say, inconvenient that you decide two days before we leave that you've changed your mind." He replied dryly.
"Erik, I only got the phone call this morning!"
"And you appear to have made up your mind very quickly!" Erik snapped, turning to look at her crossly.
Christine got to her feet, glaring.
"Oh, don't you dare try and make me feel guilty about this. Not after you-" She bit her tongue. That wasn't fair. She wouldn't bring his leaving her up. But Erik knew what she had been about to say and looked furious. Christine breathed heavily and stood up.
"I want to be in this opera. But I want to be with you as well. I don't know what to do, Erik." She said quietly.
"And you're asking me?"
"Yes, I'm asking you, you idiot! Because we're married and that rather makes this a serious subject and it means you have to put your opinion forward before I make a decision!" Christine said crossly.
Erik was staring out of the window, with his back to her. After a few moments of silence, he said quietly,
"You should stay."
"What?" She said, surprised. He turned to look at her, an expression of undeniable guilt on his features.
"You're right. I can't talk, not after what I did to you."
"I didn't mean to bring that up." Christine mumbled ashamedly. Erik smiled slightly.
"I know. We'll… we'll work something out. Flying back and forward at weekends or something."
Christine gazed at him and then smiled.
"You mean it?"
"Yes. I'm not going to be stupid and selfish. You need to take this chance and it's not like you'd have anything to do in New York." He pointed out. But Christine could tell he was still rather unhappy she crossed to him and put her arms around his neck.
"Erik, I love you."
"I know… but I'm going to miss you." He said quietly. Christine swallowed and pressed her face to his shoulder.
"I don't want to leave you. But this is-"
"An opportunity not to be missed. So you won't. I won't allow it for one. You deserve an opera career and this is the only way to get one. We can take it in turns to fly out at weekends. We will make this work." He said firmly.
Christine looked up at him with a smile.
"You mean it?"
"Of course. Go and call the producer and tell him that you'll take the part."
"Thank you!" She cried, darting for the phone. Erik smiled and then asked curiously,
"Which producer is it?"
"Oh, he's called James Pewter. Apparently he's done quite a lot of work around the world, mostly in Australia and why are you looking at me like that?" For Erik's smile had faded and he was staring at her once again.
"James Pewter?" He asked.
"Yes."
"You're going to be working for James Pewter?"
"Yeah." Christine said, the phone in her hand. "What's wrong?"
Erik shook his head.
"Nothing. I… I've heard of him before."
"Sure. And you've gone that weird colour for absolutely no reason at all." Christine said dryly, putting the phone down again. Erik shook his head for the second time.
"It's nothing. Call him."
"Not before you tell me what's wrong."
Erik forced a smile. To his credit, it was rather convincing.
"I'm serious, Christine. It's nothing at all. Now call him before he changes his mind."
Not thoroughly convinced, Christine began to dial the number for the Opera House. It answered on the second ring.
"Andrew Norton speaking."
"It's Christine Destler."
"Oh, hello! Have you made up your mind yet?" He sounded extremely hopeful. Christine glanced at Erik. He met her eyes and nodded. She smiled.
"I have. I'll take the part, if you'll have me."
Elation did not begin to describe the feeling that she was experiencing. Nor did it seem to fit with Andrew Norton who immediately began to thank her and shout to someone in the room that Christine Destler had agreed to the part.
Erik listened in amusement as Christine spoke enthusiastically to the Opera House. He turned to look out of the window, a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach. James Pewter… an unexpected twist.
He would not get involved. This was Christine's chance and he would not take it away from her. Not when she was so happy. Because that was the most important thing to Erik. Before Christine, he hadn't really had anything focus on, nothing was as important as it should have been.
He would not lose her now. He wouldn't let his own selfish, jealous nature get in the way of her happiness. He would have done anything for the woman standing before him. He would have travelled around the world a thousand times if it would make her smile.
She hung up and caught him looking at her. She smiled and hugged him tightly.
"I love you so much." She mumbled into his chest. Erik slid his arms around her, trying to feel happy for her.
"I love you too." He murmured.
There was a knock on the door and Nadir looked in.
"Is it safe to come in?" He asked tentatively and Christine laughed.
"Yes, you'll be fine."
"Come to a decision?"
"We have. I'm going to stay. We'll work something out at weekends and see how it all goes." Christine said. Nadir smiled.
"Then I suggest you go and unpack your things."
"Good idea. I'll see you at dinner!" She left the room, humming cheerfully.
Nadir looked at his employer.
"Well?"
"Well, what?" Erik said calmly.
"I can't imagine you were overjoyed at the prospect of putting an ocean between the two of you."
"When I need marriage advice, Nadir, I'll go to someone with the training." Erik snapped, storming from the room.
Nadir sighed. This is EXACTLY why you're not supposed to get involved a smug voice in his head told him. Nadir promptly told the voice to shut up.
A/N: A pretty short chapter, but I got it up when I said I wouldn't so go me! I'm very much just trying to set this all up right now. I promise, there IS a plot coming soon! Thanks for all the lovely reviews. You guys are the awesomest. And no, awesomest is not a word. That's how cool you are. I made up a word for you.
I must warn you – there may not be any updates next week. I might be going away for a few days. I wish this were for a good reason, but it's not. My aunt is dying of cancer. She's got a couple of weeks left and I want to see her before… well, yeah. You get the idea. So please forgive any my irregular updates.
Lotsa luv
Katie