From Heaven's Mind
Chapter Six
Christine and Erik spoke on Sunday night. After a great deal of apologising from both parties, they agreed that the entire incidence had been someone else's fault and agreed to forget all about it.
After all, communication is the basis of a good relationship.
It would be Christine's turn to fly on Friday and she looked forward to it. It was good that she had something to look forward to because Monday's rehearsal turned out to be something of a disaster.
Rebecca had been onstage with Stuart when there was a power cut. There was a great amount of shouting and calling. Christine felt around, trying to figure out what had happened when there was a crack and a scream. Several people rushed in with torches to reveal Rebecca lying at the bottom of the steps leading to the stage, a nasty gash on her forearm from a splintered edge that had broken when she had fallen. Christine and Stuart rushed to her as James shouted for someone to sort out some lighting.
"Rebecca!"
"Are you alright?" Rebecca nodded, wincing at the wound. There was also a large bump forming on her forehead.
"Yeah… yeah, I'm OK. I mean… ow…"
"I think that's going to need stitches." Stuart said. Christine had found a scarf in her bag and was wrapping it hastily around Rebecca's arm to stop the bleeding.
"Max, call an ambulance!" James shouted.
Half an hour later, Rebecca, James and Stuart bundled into the ambulance and went speeding off. Christine and Max exchanged a glance.
"I'd guess that rehearsal is cancelled?" Christine said. Max shrugged.
"Well… there's no point in cancelling. We're already missing one this week."
"We are?"
"Yes, Friday morning is cancelled. There's some health and safety check. I guess they should inspect those steps." He joked, gesturing at the spot where Rebecca had fallen.
Christine smiled happily.
"Fantastic! I can take an early flight out to see Erik!"
"OK, but run through a couple of songs. That way I can tell James we got something done."
Monday in New York was going a little better. Erik's bad mood had decreased after talking to Christine and Tony, who had been expecting fireworks, was surprised. But he was very careful to keep on Erik's good side.
It was nearly the end of the day when Tony came in and said,
"Mr Destler? There's someone who wants to talk to you." Erik looked up and saw a very attractive woman standing before him, a smile on her face. She had light blonde hair, tanned skin, blue eyes and was dressed in an expensive charcoal grey suit.
"Yes?"
"Kelly Delaney. I'm a freelance journalist and I was hoping to talk to you." She said, holding out a hand, her smile widening to reveal blindingly white teeth. Erik shook her hand briefly.
"I make it a rule not to discuss current works before the opening." He said but she shook her head.
"Oh, that's fine. I'm a huge fan of yours; I'd love to discuss your previous works. I want to write a sort of biography for a culture magazine."
"I don't think so." Erik said.
"You won't consider it?" Kelly asked, looking disappointed. Erik sighed.
"…Ten minutes. In my office."
"Thank you so much!" She said, the smile returning in double force.
Erik led her to his office, unlocking the door. She stepped in an admired the neat room, with its dark furniture and tasteful décor. Erik sat behind the desk, shuffling some papers and putting them into the drawer. Kelly sat opposite, crossing her legs and pulling out a notepad and pen.
"Now, you've been working in theatre for some time. You started in London, right?"
Erik answered her questions briefly but politely. After a while he got up to pour them coffee and when he returned, she was examining the picture of Christine that was sat on his desk. Erik loved that picture. It had been taken in Italy, on their honeymoon. Christine was stood on a balcony, overlooking a pretty town. Erik remembered it had been one of those rare, perfect days when the sun was wonderfully warm and a deliciously cool breeze tossed Christine's dark locks around so that they framed her face. She was smiling, not a 'camera' smile, but a genuine expression of happiness. She was dressed simply, in a white t-shirt and denim shorts, happy, loving, simply perfect in Erik's eyes.
"Is she a friend?" Kelly asked, breaking his line of thought. Erik took the picture and sat back down, looking at it.
"No. She's my wife." He said. He loved saying that, being able to proclaim to the world that this gorgeous creature was his. Money meant very little in comparison to having her. Kelly smiled as he placed the picture back on the desk. It was the only photograph there, she noticed.
"You're married? Pity, the female readers will be distraught!" Erik was sure how to react to that, but she was already talking again.
"Her name?"
"Christine."
"She looks pretty young." Kelly noted.
"She'll be twenty-five this September."
"So she's quite a bit younger than you?"
"About ten years." Erik confirmed. "But it's never been an issue."
"How long have you been married?"
"Almost three months."
"How did you meet?" Kelly asked, scribbling the information down.
"We worked on a show together."
"So she's in the business? Is she in this show?"
"She's performing in England currently."
"Is it difficult, working so far apart?" Kelly said, looking at him. Erik made a non-committal noise.
"It's not exactly ideal. But I'd prefer not to discuss my private life," Checking his watch, "In fact, I'll have to end it there."
"Of course. Thanks so much for this, Mr Destler. I really appreciate it." She said, leaning down to put her pad away. As she did so her blonde hair fell across her face. She was very attractive, Erik thought, but in a very different way to Christine. Whereas Christine did not seem to be aware of the delicate beauty and charm she possessed, Kelly definitely knew about her own appeal, and did not appear to have any qualms about showing it off. It was hard to imagine Christine wearing something as provocative as that dark suit Kelly wore. But then again, Erik knew of many women who were the same. He didn't think there was anything wrong with being aware of their looks. He simply found Christine all the more charming because she didn't know about it.
"I don't suppose I could organise another interview? Sometime when you're not so busy." Kelly asked. Erik nodded, reaching for his briefcase.
"Talk to the receptionist, she'll sort it out."
"Thanks again." Another dazzling smile and she left the office. Erik sat back in his chair and looked again at the picture of Christine.
This was not working, this situation, he decided. As soon as Christine's opera was over (hers opened at the end of November and ran until the end of January) he would ask her to fly out to be with him. Then they would return to England and he would find work there. Five days out of seven was too long to be apart from the woman he loved.
When Christine got back from the Opera House on Wednesday afternoon, one of the maids informed her that her Aunt had called. Christine eagerly dialled Trisha's number.
"Hello?"
"It's Christine."
"Christine, sweetheart! How are you? It's been so long since we saw you!" Trisha said, sounding delighted.
"I'm fine. How are Jack and the kids?"
"Jack's fine. Melanie and Kelly miss you, they keep asking when we can come and see you again. And Nicholas is getting bigger by the day."
"I miss you all too. I've just been so busy lately, it's crazy." Christine said, settling down in a comfortable armchair with the phone. "Between flying to America and back at the weekends and working on the opera, I just never get a chance to call you."
"Don't worry about it. We'll come and see you at some point. See if we can pop down for a weekend when you and Erik aren't too busy."
"Hmm…"
Trisha didn't speak for a moment, as though translating the simple sound into words.
"Are things… alright with you and Erik?"
"Yes. Well… yes, they are. It's just hard, you know? I miss him during the week. As soon as this opera's over I'm flying straight out there to stay." Christine said, fiddling with the buttons on her shirt. "I don't like being away from him for so long."
"Of course you don't. You've only been married a couple of months, it's a perfectly ridiculous arrangement." Trisha said in her most sensible aunt-voice. Christine smiled.
"I know. But it's the only one we've got. Anyway, we talk on the phone every night, and we see each other at weekends so it's not that bad. I mean, it could be worse."
They spoke for another few minutes and then Nadir came in, looking disgruntled. Christine quickly said goodbye and looked at him in concern.
"Nadir, what's wrong?"
"Your husband is what is wrong." Nadir said, dumping a heavy briefcase onto a chair. Christine frowned.
"What's he done?"
"He took half of my paperwork with him when he went rushing off. I now can't complete any of the work he gave me to do, which means my free weekend has just gone out of the weekend." Nadir grumbled.
"Well, did you call him and tell him to fax it back?"
"I haven't been able to catch him. He's been at the opera house and his assistant is apparently too scared to tell him to answer his calls." Nadir said exhaustedly. Christine patted his arm comfortingly.
"Take the weekend anyway. I'll bring the papers back with me. I'm leaving on Thursday, by the way. I did tell you, didn't I?"
"You did, yes." Nadir checked his watch and looked at her. "Have you got any plans for tonight?"
"I thought I'd see if Meg wants to see a film or something. You?"
"I'm going out, but I wanted to make sure that you won't need me for anything."
Christine sat up curiously. Nadir was goin out? He never went out!
"Where are you going?"
"To dinner with a friend." He said awkwardly. A grin crossed her face.
"Is it a date?"
"Well… maybe." He said, eyes fixed firmly on the ceiling.
"Who is it? Do I know her? Or… him?" Christine said, a little curiously. Nadir scowled at her.
"Her. And… well, yes. Sort of."
"Who?"
Nadir stood up abruptly.
"I have work to do."
"Nadir! Tell me!" Christine said, kneeling up on her chair.
"No."
"Why not? Come on, you know everything about me and Erik!" Christine pouted.
"I know, and that fact still disturbs me."
"Nadir Khan, if you don't tell me who it is I won't bring that paperwork back and you won't be able to go out this weekend!"
He glared at her ferociously.
"Christine!"
"Tell me. I promise I won't laugh. Or comment. Or do anything." She said, clasping her hands together. Nadir sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in defeat.
"Fine… if you absolutely must know-"
"I must."
"It's… June Winters."
Christine stared at him.
"June?"
"Yes."
"As if in, the costume designer from The Phantom of the Opera?"
"Yes."
"The one with the filthy temper who kept making me wear those indecent outfits?"
"Yes."
She blinked and Nadir watched her closely. She smiled.
"Wow… so, how long have you been going out with her?"
"We haven't yet. I saw her last week and we had coffee to catch up. And then I asked her to dinner and she said yes." Nadir muttered.
"I can't believe it! I mean, I haven't seen her in ages. What does she do now?"
"She's working at a theatre in town and doing an apprenticeship in a fashion office." Nadir said, sitting down again.
"Well, she's great at making costumes and stuff. Aw, good for you. And don't worry, I won't tell Erik. Because you know he'd love teasing you about this."
Nadir looked slightly ill at the thought. Christine smiled and got up.
"I think I'll take Trister out for a while. Have fun. Say hi to June for me."
"No way! June and Nadir? You're kidding me!" Tom said, when Christine got to Jameson Street that evening.
"I know, I couldn't believe it either." Christine said, helping herself to the Chinese food that had just been delivered. Max, struggling to eat noodles with his chopsticks said,
"Well, I reckon they'd get on well."
"I'm surprised Nadir wasn't already with someone." Meg said, sitting down with her plate. Christine looked at her.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, look at the facts. He's well-dressed, wealthy, got a good job, kind, funny, reliable and he's not exactly bad to look at."
Christine stared at her.
"You think he's good looking?"
"You don't? Well, you've always been completely wrapped up in Erik, you might not have noticed. But Nadir is actually pretty hot." Meg said, spearing a mushroom on a chopstick. Christine blinked and thought about it.
"I never really noticed it."
"You wouldn't. As I said, Erik had you in his thrall from day one. For us lesser mortals, Nadir's a pretty good catch."
"Hey!" Tom said, looking crossly at his girlfriend. She patted his knee comfortingly.
"Don't worry, I still love you. I'm just saying that I expected Nadir to be seeing someone already. But hey, June's the lucky girl."
Christine considered it. Now she stepped back and thought about it, Meg was right.
"That's so weird. I actually know nothing about Nadir. That's it, I'm sitting him down for a heart-to-heart one of these days. I've known him for two years; I should at least know him a little better."
"Good for you. What film do you want to watch?"
On Thursday afternoon, Erik met with Kelly again. This time she had a photographer with her.
"Mr Destler, this is Rick Collins. Is it OK if he gets a few pictures of the Opera House and stuff?"
Whilst Collins went off to take photographers, Erik and Kelly sat in the front row of chairs to do more questions. Erik noticed various male workers around the room casting Kelly approving glances before continuing with their work. This confirmed his earlier suspicious about differences in woman. Kelly, undoubtedly gorgeous, was only looked at briefly before men moved on. Christine could drive a man insane. The sight of her was enough to preoccupy a man for days at a time. Although Erik supposed he might be slightly swayed by the fact that he was married to her.
Kelly asked in-depth questions about his past works. To his surprise, she knew almost every single one of his productions and where they had taken place. She had even seen one in Australia. Erik wasn't sure why he'd agreed to do this interview. He normally refused point blank and got someone else to answer any questions from reporters. But then again, no other reporters had been doing an article specifically about him.
He was answering one of Kelly's questions when Tony tapped his shoulder.
"Mr Destler?" He grinned knowingly, "There's someone here for you."
"Oh?" Erik twisted in his seat to look at the door at the back of the auditorium. To his amazement, Christine stood there, watching him with a little smile on her face. Erik was on his feet and moving to the back of the room before anyone could say a word.
"Christine! I thought you were arriving tomorrow!" He said. Tony marvelled at how animated his voice became at the mere sight of Christine.
Christine laughed as he caught her up in his arms, hugging her tightly. Clearly he didn't care that the staff were watching with wide grins.
"We had the day off so I came early. I take it you're glad to see me?" She teased. His reply was to kiss her. She put her arms around his neck, clinging to him tightly.
"I'm sorry about Saturday…" She whispered. But he shook his head.
"Don't. It wasn't your fault. I'm just relieved you're still talking to me."
She smiled at him and Erik returned it. Then he remembered.
"Oh… I'm supposed to be doing an interview."
"You? Do an interview?" Christine eyed him. "Who are you and what have you done with my husband?"
"Hi, you must be Christine." Kelly said, appearing beside them.
"I am. And you are…?"
"Kelly Delaney." She held out her hand and Christine shook it. "Mr Destler was letting me ask him a few questions."
Christine blinked at her and then gave Erik and amused look.
"Oh, I see."
"See what?" Erik asked. Christine smirked.
"Nothing. Nothing at all. Carry on with your interview."
"Well, why don't you join us? It'd be awesome if I could ask you some questions as well." Kelly put in. Christine smiled.
"I'd love to."
They sat down again and Kelly smiled brightly.
"Mr Destler's been a little vague about how you met. I know it was during a show, but that's all." Christine proceeded to explain briefly about The Phantom of the Opera.
"Did you attract instantly?" Kelly asked. Christine looked at Erik, a smile on her lips.
"Well… I was rather withdrawn at the time. I'd lost my parents and I didn't really know many people. But… yeah, I thought he was attractive."
"What about you, Mr Destler?" Erik looked decidedly awkward and the two women smiled. Christine looked as though she were thoroughly enjoying herself.
"I… well, yes." Erik finally managed to say.
"Did you get together right away?"
"No, it was a while after we first met."
"You've been married two, three months, right? Was it a big wedding?"
"Just family and friends. It was very small." Erik said.
"How did you propose? We love these romantic stories." Kelly smiled.
Christine started to laugh and Erik sighed.
"Well… I didn't mean to."
"You didn't mean to propose?"
"I would have eventually, of course. I knew I was going to ask her but I hadn't decided how to. We were practising some music for an opera we were working on together and she was writing something down and her hair was falling into her face and I just thought 'I want to marry her'. So I asked."
Kelly sighed.
"That's so sweet."
"He's a hopeless romantic at heart." Christine agreed. Erik cleared his throat and she smiled. Kelly grinned and looked at Christine,
"You're working in England, right? What show?"
"Des Yeux D'Ange."
"I haven't heard of it."
"It's a new show."
"Who's your director?"
"James Pewter." Christine replied. Kelly wrote the name down and was about to ask another question when three screens collapsed, crashing onto the stage and sending screaming performers everywhere. Erik leapt up and began shouting orders, running around trying to sort things out. Christine winced.
"Oh dear."
Kelly bit her lip.
"I'd better come back another time."
"Oh, I'm sure it'll be fine."
"But you just got here-"
"Seriously, it's fine. I'll just take my stuff to the penthouse. I could use a shower anyway." Christine insisted. "You finish the interview. It was nice meeting you, Kelly."
"Ditto." Kelly smiled.
Christine glanced at Erik, who was ranting at several stagehands and then signalled to Tony.
"I'm going to the apartment. Could you tell him? I don't like to interrupt him mid-rant."
"Sure thing, Mrs Destler."
"Thanks Tony. Bye." She waved, picking up her case and leaving. After about fifteen minutes of continuous shouting, Erik turned away from the terrified workers. Tony moved forward swiftly.
"Mrs Destler's gone home."
"Yes, I was going to recommend she did. Get those screens back up and tell the bloody dancers to stop screeching." Erik grumbled. "And if someone doesn't get those costumes done by next Wednesday, I am going to be extremely annoyed."
Tony had seen Erik extremely annoyed. He rushed off to the costume department. Erik glanced at Kelly, who said,
"I'll organise another meeting, Mr Destler. You've got enough on your plate at the moment."
"Of course."
"Thanks." She called for the photographer, who hastily ceased in his shameless flirting with the dancers and hurried to the exit.
Christine had been through the shower and was cooking happily when Erik got home. The radio was on and Christine sang along, unaware that Erik was in the doorway, watching her with a smile. After a moment he said,
"That smells good."
Christine looked up quickly and flushed.
"How long have you been standing there?"
"Two verses and a chorus."
"That's mean! You have to tell me you're there. Did you sort everything out?" She said, putting a lid on the pan and turning to him. He sighed.
"Eventually. And I've had to postpone that interview."
"Oh, yes. The interview." Christine said slyly. Erik looked at her.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You said that before and nothing always means something with you. What is it?"
"I'm surprised. It's not like you to be drawn in by a pretty face."
Erik stared at her.
"What on earth do you mean?" She grinned at his expression.
"You, Erik Destler, the man who refused a thousand interviews. Then a very good-looking woman walks in and you agree instantly."
"Are you implying that I'm doing this interview because she's attractive?" Erik demanded.
"Ah ha! You think she's attractive!" Christine said dramatically, pointing at him in accusation. Erik blinked, wondering if he'd made a serious mistake.
"But… Christine…" He stammered.
"Erik, I'm only teasing you." She laughed, moving around the counter to hug him. Erik rolled his eyes.
"Well don't. Another scare like that and I may have a heart attack."
"I'm sorry." She said, in a tone that suggested that she wasn't sorry in the least but rather highly amused. "But to make it up to you I came a day early."
"Yes, I'd noticed that." Erik smiled. Christine turned back to the counter to slice vegetables but his arms slid around her waist and he buried his face in her hair. She smelled sweet, he noticed vaguely. What was that smell? A little like vanilla and flowers. He loved finding out little details about her. The little thins that made him miss her all the more when she was gone.
"Erik?" She murmured, leaning back into him a little. He tightened his grasp around her.
"Hmm?"
"Do you think Nadir is attractive?"
Erik's eyes snapped open and he stared at her. She smiled sweetly up at him.
"Good lord, no!" He said, horrified.
"Don't be so ridiculous, I didn't mean it like that." She said, pushing his arm. She explained what she had and the others had been talking about.
"June Winters? The crazy costume designer?"
"I know, it didn't make sense to me either. But there you go." Christine said airily, peeling potatoes.
"Do you think Nadir is attractive?" Erik asked, half-curious and half-apprehensive. Christine smirked.
"Do you think Kelly Delaney is attractive?"
"Christine, that's hardly the same thing."
Christine laughed and shrugged.
"I never noticed. Nadir's my friend. But according to Meg, he could be considered extremely hot."
"And according to June." Erik added.
"It's a crazy world." Christine said, putting the potatoes in a pan of water and setting them on the oven. Erik nodded. He couldn't, under any circumstances, deny that. And he was rather grateful.
Because in what sane world would someone like Christine love someone like him? God bless the insanity that was mankind.
Moonlight fell through the bedroom window. Christine lay sleeping peacefully, her head on Erik's shoulder, his arms wrapped around her. He did not sleep though. He could not. Moments like these were too rare and perfect to waste with mere sleep.
But he knew he should sleep. Because in three days time he would have to suffer that hardship once more and let her go. It would be easier to do that again if he had fewer of these moments. But then again these moments made it easier to be alone. It was a constant struggle and one he longed to put an end to.
She sighed softly in her sleep and one hand reached out unconsciously for him, resting on his chest. Erik swallowed hard and closed his eyes. But he knew it would be a long time before he slept.
A/N: OK, you guys have GOT to stop with the reviews! My head is getting so big I keep falling over!
… Nah, I'm kidding, you can review! In fact, please do. Because I love reading them and knowing that my writing is appreciated. I hope the E/C moments here make up for the trauma of the last chapter. Treasure them while you can! I say no more than that.
Lotsa luv 'n' huggles
Katie