Chapter 14

Two weeks latter after the episode in the market, Erik was composing. He was taking a break from Don Juan. Finally, around seven p.m. in the evening he moved from his music. He found Cat in the living room painting the sunset that they had seen at the market, over the Paris streets. Her health had improved and at his request, was letting her hair grow. Where it had been not quite touching her neck, it now fell a few inches past her neck. "Very beautiful." He complimented her. He knelt down and asked "Would you like to see the entire city beneath your feet?" She nodded. He took her hand and led her outside.
"I'd love to get some fresh air." She commented. They rowed across the lake and Erik snuck her up the cellars to the left wing.

The Opera House was twelve stories high with five cellars below. He bade her be careful as they ascended the scaffolding. Suddenly she gasped. Paris spread out below their feet. Erik grabbed Cat's waist so she wouldn't fall, and he breathed in her heavenly scent. They had only been together for a month, but Erik had already admitted to himself he was in love. Again.
For the second time in his life, he loved someone. Cat leaned into him and he whispered in her ear. "I have a gift for you."
She smiled. "I don't want anything, just you."
Erik nudged her neck as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small, oblong box and opened it. It was a diamond and pearl choker! Cat almost tripped on the scaffolding, and Erik pulled her close.

The wind blew through her hair as he pulled it back and tied the choker around her neck. "Erik, it's gorgeous. Why did you waste your money on me?"
Erik pressed his hands on her hips and murmured. "It's not a waste. I must admit Cat; I may have have fallen madly in love with you." She closed her eyes and he turned her slowly to face him. "Will you consent to look upon me and grant me a kiss?" Erik asked shyly. His heart was racing as she nodded her head. It was the moment he dreaded. He felt stupid for bringing her to the thin scaffolding; if she tried to run she would fall immediately. Why did he always bring misfortune on himself? Cat held his waist tight as he lifted off the mask, and he felt her body stiffen when she saw him. "Oh, my, Erik." Her face was emotionless. No fear. None at all. Her lips trembled and Erik prepared himself for her loss. The loss of a great companion.
"I was born this way. I can not help my appearance." Cat's arms loosened from his waist, but he grabbed her before she fell backwards. "I'm so sorry! I never wanted to frighten you. Dammit. I just want to be like all normal, healthy men." Tears welled up in his mismatched eyes, and so did Cat's.

She placed her head on his shoulder and he stiffened. Suddenly Cat brought her head up and looked at him. She hesitated, and then brought her lips to his grotesque face. She kissed his cheek, then his chin, and finally his lips. Erik embraced her as the wind blew, and she kissed him faithfully. "It is bad than as I expected, but I don't really know what I expected. There is nothing to be afraid of. Your face...its only a face. All faces are masks. Your true face is what is in your heart." She whispered. Erik reached up to move a strand of hair from her face, and she leaned into his palm. Erik cupped her face in his hand and caressed her skin. He held her tight as the wind shifted, and then pulled away.

" If you want to find away home, I will help you." Cat stared at him, and then she pulled her hand back and slapped him hard. "You assume I want to leave? You dare to tell me what to do! I thought you had learned that lesson. Just because you're an ugly ass you always expected people to hate and fear you. Well, I'll tell you, sir, I don't find your body or face repulsive. I find your actions and your expectations to be atrocious!" She cried as he held onto the rope, reeling from shock.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her close, then slung her over his shoulder. He descended the rope quickly, and then raced with her crying into his shoulder down to the cellars. "Put me down Erik!" She screamed. "Please, they'll find us." Erik tried to calm her down. He placed her in the boat and began to row back to his lair. She looked up at him through her tear stained eyes, and he had nothing to say. It was true. He always anticipated people to run from him, to fear and loath him. He never thought that perhaps it was his actions also that caused people to leave. She had kissed him now twice, willingly, but he still could not accept her love. They came to the shore and Erik climbed out. Cat followed just as pissed behind as they entered. The first place Erik went was to his organ, and Cat sat on the couch. She stared into a pillow as if memorizing the stitching. Suddenly she felt his cold hand on her shoulder.

She had grown accustomed to his touch, but now in her anger and his depression it felt like the touch of death. She looked at his unmasked face, and reached up to touch him. He turned, and she started to get up.. "Stay." He snarled. She did immediately, and Erik came around to sit next to her. She did not say a word. He stared at the same pillow she held, not meeting her eyes. "What is your next course of action?" He asked.

If she wanted to leave he would give her enough money to leave the country and start over. Hopefully she would find a nice job somewhere and a man who deserved her. But instead Cat threw the pillow to the floor and grabbed Erik's arm as she kissed him tenderly. He did not move, his lips remained shut, but his body shivered in delight. "This is my next course of action." She said. He looked at the floor. He felt her hands on his face as she traced his hollow cheeks. She moved her hands over his forehead, and he closed his eyes. No matter how hard he tried to remain motionless his body betrayed his desire.

She finished her exploration at his neck, and she leaned in to kiss him. He tried to stop, but he moaned as her lips tickled his sensitive skin. Indeed, she was overly affectionate. Finally Erik caved in and began to nuzzle her earlobe. She sighed as he ran his fingers through her hair. Erik leaned back as Cat straddled his lap. He ran his hands up her legs and caressed her back. He felt his arousal burning within the confines of his pants, and she too noticed. "My dear, I will not do anything you do not want me to do." His voiced was deep and lustful.
"Don't stop." She murmured.

Cat slid her hands down his chest and began to peel off his shirt. He cringed as she saw his bony frame, but rather than startle, she kissed his ribs, his bones beneath his thin flesh. He moaned as her hair flowed over his stomach and she unbuttoned his trousers. His only area that was thick with flesh was now being coddled and sucked for the first time ever, and he groaned in ecstasy. She grasped his thickness and rubbed gently. "Cat" Erik whispered. He caressed her back and sat up, then picked her up and carried her in his arms to her bed.