Ball's Away
"I can not stand it Raoul! I can not stand it another minute!" Christine yelled hysterically,
"Stand what? I've done nothing to upset you!" Raoul yelled back. The servants listened at the door to the elaborate dinning room as the young couple argued. The old cook shook her head; not even married a year and they were already fighting.
"Yes you have! You have changed Raoul and not for the good; you act different and I do not like it," Christine's eyes shown with emotion and she crossed her arms tightly over her chest; hugging herself to try to keep her thin frame from trembling,
"We are adults Christine, we have responsibilities!" Raoul boomed, "We can not be the same way we were when we were children! There are differences between who we were then and who we are now,"
"Do not treat me like a fool Raoul!" Christine sobbed, "I know we are not children anymore and you have greater responsibilities now, but you have completely abandoned your old self! You are not the same man I married!"
Raoul stood in his grand dinning room; the table was a dark mahogany and the chairs all were decorated with ornately carved wooden backs. He had been so proud of all of the elegant, praise worthy décor in his perfect house, but now that his perfect wife was enraged all he wanted to do was hurl one of the beautifully crafted chairs across the room.
His face was almost expressionless, but in his eyes Christine could read a deep anger "Is this about him?" Raoul finally asked her, his voice seething with rage, "Do you still think of him? Do you wish he was here now!"
Christine opened her dark brown eyes wide, "You idiot," she whispered at first, before her voice came back to her in full force, "YOU IDIOT!" she screamed, "You think I wished I were with him? With the monster who kidnapped me and tried to take me away and force me to be his bride? I feel sorry for him yes! I take pity on that miserable soul for being too ugly to be a part of this world! But I love you Raoul! I have only ever loved you! But I do not know who you are any more!"
Christine stormed past her husband of not even a year and threw the doors open, not even noticing as all the servants of the house scattered and tried to look as thought they had been doing something other than listening at the door. The old cook looked tentatively into the room to see Raoul standing beside the table, his forehead resting in one hand while his other arm hung listlessly by his side.
The cook turned and walked back toward the kitchen. She knew what was bothering the young coupled. Her master was gone for long periods of time arraigning things and trying to make sure that the de Chagny fortune, which had begun to erode over the years, did not disappear completely.
It was not easy to fit into the snobbish, high class culture of Paris when you were a dreamer and an adventurer as Christine was, the cook knew, and it was not helping her that her husband was never by her side to support her and that he seemed to be completely immersed in traditional culture; something his wife was not at all interested in.
The cook sighed; it was a shame. They had seemed so happy when they had returned to the home after their marriage. She wondered what it would take to get the two back together.
New York
There are many things we as New Yorkers celebrate with the coming of spring; the thawing of the streets, the first time you can wear a sleeveless dress with out freezing, openings, sales, and summer collections.
For Erik and I, we had something else worth celebrating. There was of course the engagement and the wedding; but one day in late April we had something else even better.
"Do you want to keep them?"
"No; I think the dog would just chew on them,"
"There's really nothing we can do with them anyway,"
"Alright, are you ready?"
Erik nodded vigorously, "For about six months I've been ready,"
"Alright then, here we go,"
"To freedom!" I said later that day; Erik and I were sitting in a bustling restaurant, celebrating with a champagne toast,
"Thank God," Erik said; at long last his arm and leg were free of the casts from the car accident. To me it symbolized the last part of an old life falling away and now it was on to something new.
We both drank and then set down our glasses. I noticed what Erik was doing and I laughed,
"It's still bothering you, isn't it?" I asked him,
"One arm is bigger than the other!" He exclaimed, "It's so…odd,"
"That's normal, you heard what the doctor said," I smiled,
"Olivia, look," he put one arm next to the other, "Look! You don't think that's worth staring it?"
I laughed, "I'm just happy the smelly cast is gone,"
"So am I," Erik had never noticed just how much easier life was with a completely mobile leg and arm. His heart had not been this light in a long time; every day he wondered what he should do about telling me his past. Months ago, he had promised himself that after his casts were off and before we got married, he would tell me.
But he was not thinking about that now. Now all he wanted was to enjoy this day when he was really, for the first time, just a normal, unencumbered guy having dinner with his fiancé.
"How does it feel?" I asked him,
"Amazing," He said, bending his arm and leg like he had not been able to do since the accident, "I've never appreciated picking up a fork so much,"
"You just make sure you never get in an accident again alright?" I said seriously,
"Well as much as I enjoyed not being able to shower for six months I don't plan on doing that again," Erik said dryly,
I smiled, "I'm not kidding!" I put my hand over his recently freed hand, "That really scared me,"
Erik entwined his fingers with mine and sighed, "I swear I will never take a cab again,"
"Well you can't do that; you don't know how to drive," I teased him,
"No I don't," he admitted good-naturedly, "Something I'm sure you could help me remedy, and until then I could get a driver,"
I laughed, "No," I shook my head, "Drivers are for rich men who smoke cigars and…have fur coats,"
Erik laughed, "So you think I shouldn't get the fur coat?"
"Not if you want to marry me," I said quickly, still smiling,
Erik's hand was still over mind and I felt his fingers trace over my engagement ring; he stared at it and thought about all it promised. For the rest of my life I promised to belong to him. We would have years of happiness and love; that was if I didn't leave him after I found out about him…
"Erik?" his expression was spacey as he stared down at the ring between his fingers but when I said his name he snapped to attention,
"What?"
"What is it?" He looked confused at me, "What were you thinking about? You looked distant,"
"Oh…" Erik thought for a moment, "Nothing…I just can't believe I'm marrying you; sometimes it's too good to be true," He hoped that would make me stop prying; he wasn't ready to tell me anything yet.
It did work. I blushed and giggled and smiled like an idiot.
After dinner, taking full advantage of the warm night and Erik's increased mobility, we walked home. By the end of it my manolo clad feet were not happy, but the rest of me was and I sensed Erik's joy at being able to walk correctly and swing his arm.
"That was exhausting," I said once we were back in our apartment. In January Erik had sublet his apartment so now mine really was our one and only home. I crashed down on the sofa and put my feet up. Sammy was jumping all over Erik and finally he gave in,
"I'm going to take him for a walk, do you want to come?" He asked me, retrieving Sammy's leash from where we kept it on a hook by the door,
I groaned and hid my head under a pillow, "No more walking," I wined,
Erik laughed at me, "Alright," he came over and took the pillow off of my face. He cupped his hand around the back of my head and lowered his lips to mine. At first I thought it was just going to be a quick goodbye peck on the lips, but his lips pressed hard to mine. Hungrily he opened my mouth to his; his weight shifted as his knee came to rest between my thighs. Gently he lowered my upper body until my back rested on the sofa. Just when I thought he would have me right there, he pulled his lips from mine and lightly kissed my forehead.
"I'll be back in a few minutes; don't move," he smiled as he got up and called to the dog. I watched as he hooked the dog to the leash and left.
For the entire time he was gone, I lay on my back on the couch in the exact position he had left me; my legs still slightly parted from his knee having been between them. Just when unfulfilled desire was becoming unbearable he returned.
He laughed when he saw me, "I didn't mean it literally," he said as he took off the light coat he had been wearing, but I could tell that he was excited by the fact that I had waited motionless for him,
"Shut up," I said in a desperate voice as he came back to me,
"Where were we?" he asked as his lips locked with mine once more. He broke away and slid his arms beneath me. Strengthened by desire, Erik lifted me off the couch and carried me into our bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him.
"It was amazing," I was telling the girls about our night at our weekly lunch catch up, "I mean, we had done it while he still had the casts on…but it's just," I closed me eyes and sighed, "It's incomparable to without,"
"I know; I slept with a guy in a cast once; it just wasn't the same," Rebecca spoke in her usual matter of fact tone, "So how many times did you…"
"Uhh," Susan cleared her throat before Rebecca could finish her sentence and glanced at the family of four who was seated at the next table,
Rebecca rolled her eyes, "Well so how many times did you…you know…"
I sighed and thought about how good it had felt to have both of Erik's hands on my body, to feel his full range of mobility as he was inside me. I held up a number on my hands,
"Wow," all three girls spoke in unison before we all started laughing, drawing stares from the neighboring family of four.
"Good for you Liv," Jackie congratulated me, "But I have some news that may make all of us even more excited," We all looked at her seriously, our eyes wide,
"God you aren't getting married too?" Rebecca asked,
Jackie made a face, "God no…I like Brent but not that much," Brent was a man she had met at Blockbuster when they had both reached for the last copy of Charade. Jackie had later found out that Brent didn't even really like that movie, he was just trying to find a way to talk to her. The irony had amused her; a charade about Charade, and she had kept him around.
"What I have to say will thrill you," Jackie continued,
"Would you tell us already?" I demanded, practically bouncing up and down as I wondered what could be better than sex with Erik,
"Ok…I have tickets for all of us to the Metropolitan Costume Institute Ball!"
We all shrieked, now winning blatant glairs from the family next to us. The Metropolitan Costume Institute Ball was the New York even for fashion and Hollywood glamour. Every year Vogue covered it, so Jackie had been before, but none of the rest of us had. It really was better, or at least as good, as sex.
"Don't thank me," Jackie smiled at our excited reaction, "Thank all of my superiors who got food poisoning on a trip to Bermuda,"
"Oh God!" I was so excited, "This is almost better than sex," the family next to us got up and left, "We have to go shopping!"
"I know! I have no idea what to wear; oh and another thing," she pointed at all of us, "You are all going to bring a date, and make sure he has a tux, and that it's not ugly,"
"Fantastic, I can bring Jerry," Rebecca said,
"Now, is Jerry the one you met in the bar or in the cab?" I asked, it was hard sometimes to keep Rebecca's men straight,
"In the bar," Rebecca said smiling, "He's-"
"Great in bed we know," Susan said, and her voice sounded a bit downcast,
"What's wrong?" I asked her,
"I don't have anyone! The ball is in a week! I can't meet someone by then," Susan fiddled with her fork,
"Oh sweetie, don't worry about it, we will find you someone," I reassured her,
"I don't want someone! I want the one!" she said, her voice the perfect Susan mix of sad and angry, "I'm sick of going out on dates and being in relationships and none of them ending in marriage!"
We all looked around at each other, not quite knowing what to say. I felt awful; I knew how important finding the perfect guy was to Susan, "Well…maybe we can fix you up with someone," I suggested,
"Why? Do you know anyone who would be good for me?" Susan asked, a glimmer of hope in her eyes,
"Well…no," I admitted, but then I added quickly, "Maybe Erik does, you know someone he works with,"
"Yeah don't worry about it," Jackie assured her, "We'll find you someone to go with, and even if he's not prince charming you can still enjoy the ball,"
"Erik? Do you know any good men?"
He looked up from the design he was immersed in and stared at me, "Is this your way of telling me I don't pay enough attention to you?"
"No silly," He was sitting down on the sofa and I joined him, curling up with my law review book, "It's for Susan…for the ball,"
I had told Erik about the Costume Institute Ball only hours after I had found out myself and I had still been bubbling over with excitement. He had had no idea what it was and quickly googled it. He had shuttered when he realized that it was a lot like that damn Masquerade Ball he had once attended. However, I was so excited about it he did not want to ruin my fun by telling me he was less than thrilled. He also decided that he would not tell me about his past until after the ball.
"Umm…maybe," Erik thought about all the men at his work; he had become friends with some of them since he had been hired last summer. Of course it had not been easy; Erik was an unknown when he was given a much desired position. However, there were some who had been quite nice to him from the start, and as he had built his reputation for genius, he had earned some respect. After returning to work with a new face and a lot of sympathy after the car accident, his relations with his colleagues had grown even better. The only person he never talked to was Karen, for obvious reasons.
"What is she looking for?" Erik asked me, his eyes returning to his design,
"Prince charming," I said simply, opening my book,
"Well I know a bald guy in management, will that do?" Erik said, a wry smile on his face,
I hit his shoulder, "I'm serious, someone nice," I said, "Do you think you could do it?"
"Of course," he sighed, "but you know going to a fancy fashion ball with a girl you don't know is not entirely appealing to men,"
"It's not a fancy fashion ball it's the Metropolitan Costume Institute Ball," I corrected him, "Oh and whoever you ask needs to have a nice tux,"
"Does this mean I have to wear one two?" He asked me, turning to face me again. It amused him; before he preferred the gentlemanly attire of tuxedos and suites but now he found he would much rather just relax in jeans.
"Yes it means you have to wear one two," I said, putting down my book and wrapping my arms around Erik's neck from behind and rested my head against his, "You will look fantastic and handsome," I kissed the side of his head,
Erik put one of his hands over my arm and squeezed it, "And what will you look like?"
"Like the perfect picture of fashion," I said, then I looked down at Erik's work, "What is this for? It doesn't look like a building,"
"Well it's not," Erik explained, excited I was interested in what he was doing, "It's part of the Bronx,"
"What? It doesn't look like the Bronx,"
"Well it will if we win this bid," Erik explained, "City planning has been asking architects to design entire areas of the community; parks, buildings, and anything else, trying to rehabilitate run down areas; this used to never happen but it's become more frequent,"
"Wow…so this is a pretty big deal then?" I said,
"Yeah it is," Erik murmured, lost for a moment in his design,
I smiled and kissed his cheek again, "I'm so proud of you,"
Erik felt his heart beat a little harder; knowing the woman he loved was proud of him made him feel ecstatic. He turned and faced me, "I could never have done anything with out you," Erik knew that if he had come to New York after the mess with Christine and found just another neighbor in me instead of someone who loved him he never would have done as well at his job.
"Oh Erik I didn't do anything," I smiled at him, "You are talented without me,"
"But I'm no good without you," Erik said,
Shaking my head I kissed his lips tenderly, "You know at some point you are going to have to stop saying the exact right thing at the exact right time or you'll kill me," I pressed on Erik and forced him to recline onto the sofa until I was laying on top of him,
"Wait, Olivia, I have work to do," Erik said, trying to gently remove me from on top of him,
"So do I," I said in my most sensual voice, and I began to unbutton his shirt,
"Olivia I'm serious," He said taking my hand away from his shirt,
"So am I," I said, refusing to give up I moved my lips to his neck, sucking gently. Finally Erik gave in, groaning with pleasure and releasing my hand. I continued to unbutton his shirt as I felt his hand slide under my shirt while the other rested on the curve of my butt. I moved to the other side of his neck just as I felt him unhook my bra. It was good to have both of those hands back.
That night I fell asleep right away but Erik stayed awake. He lay on his back, my arm draped over him and my head nestled against his shoulder. He had his arm around me and he traced small circles over my back as he stared up at the dark ceiling.
He had never felt so torn. On the one hand, he was happy and in love and looking forward to our wedding. On the other hand, he knew the hardest thing he would ever have to do was yet to come. He had to tell me the truth; and he was worried that after he did so, he would lose me forever. He sighed and closed his eyes, trying to memorize exactly the way I felt as I lay beside him. At least he had this now he thought as he kissed the top of my head. At least he had had love once.
It was Wednesday and Erik had still not done anything about finding a date for Susan. He really wished he could just forget about it; asking a guy from work to go to a ball as his fiancés friend's date was an awkward position to be put in.
Still, I had asked him to do something and he had said he would. So, after his last meeting for the day, Erik made up his mind to just try to get it over with.
Since he had been employed there, Greg Ellison had been a friend of his. He worked mostly with other architects, making sure their designs did not overrun zoning laws. True it was not a very exciting job but it did pay well, and Erik thought that Greg was good natured, though not really the most attractive of men. Out of everyone he was the only person he even felt remotely comfortable asking.
After the meeting Erik approached him; when Greg saw him coming he spoke,
"Erik," he nodded his head, "Is this about the city planning? Because I did have a chance to check it over and it looked good to me,"
"Thanks," Erik said, sincerely wishing that was all he had to inquire about, "But actually no…there is something else I wanted to talk to you about,"
"Oh?"
"It's…well," Erik did not quite know how to say it,
"Oh God; Am I being fired?" Greg's eyes narrowed,
"No!" Erik said quickly, "It's nothing work related,"
Greg looked questioningly at him, "Well…what is it?"
"Have you ever heard of the Metropolitan Costume Institute Ball?"
"Well I did it," Erik burst into our apartment later that night, "I got Susan a date,"
My eyes lit and I rushed over to him, embracing him and kissing him swiftly on the lips, "Oh thank you thank you thank you!"
"Well, it was awkward and I had to promise Greg our first born, but he agreed," Erik set down the briefcase he was holding and ran a hand through my hair; I had let it grow and it was now down past my shoulders,
"So," I took him by the hand and led him over to the dinning room table, "What is he like? What does he do? What's his name?"
"Greg Ellison," Erik said yawning, "He is a lawyer I think; he does a lot with zoning laws, he's a really nice guy,"
I came back to his side with some Chinese food in hand, "Is he cute?"
"I don't know," Erik answered,
"Oh yes you do; I don't care what they say men know when other men are attractive," I said obstinately, "Now: is he cute?"
"Well…not conventionally attractive, but looks are not the only things that matter are they?" Suddenly I remembered all the ridicule Erik had had to endure because of his face and I realized how hurtful I had just been to him.
"Of course not," I said quickly, "He's nice though?"
"Yes, he's very nice,"
"And he had a tux?"
"Yes,"
I smiled and handed him a carton of takeout, "Well done darling; thank you so much,"
"My pleasure," And although it had been awkward, Erik thought it was worth it to please me.
The best part for me of the upcoming event was upon me; the shopping. The Costume Institute Ball was a major event and I knew I could look nothing less than fabulous. While the prospect of shopping excited me, it horrified Erik. Still, he needed a new tuxedo, and we had agreed to kill to ball gowns with one stiletto and go shopping together.
Our first order of business was to get Erik fitted for his tuxedo.
"I think you look very handsome," I told him as he stood and fiddled with his sleeves as the tailor marked adjustments,
"I better for the price I am paying," Erik still did not agree with the amount of money required to purchase quality clothing in the city.
I laughed, "Trust me you will be the absolute center of attention," Erik inwardly rolled his eyes. He was not used to his new status as a normal person and sometimes he found himself subconsciously trying to hide the once deformed side of his face. He would forget that he was like any other man in the eyes of those around him and he still tended to feel uncomfortable around large crowds.
Once that was finished, we moved to the true fun of the trip. As much as Erik hated it, he had to admit it was enjoyable to watch me flutter around the store, looking at everything and then trying on everything.
The first time I came out of the dressing room Erik had nearly had a heart attack. The first dress I had chosen to try on was not really anything I would wear, but it was so grand I wanted to see how it looked anyway. It was a pale pink, corset top, with a large skirt which was supported from underneath with yards of tulle.
It looked to Erik like what Christine had worn to the masquerade.
"Well, I know I look ridiculous but I couldn't help it; I just wanted to try it on," I said as I stepped out and looked at myself in the three mirrors in the dressing room,
"Uh…it's…" Erik did not quite know what to say, except that just looking at the dress sent chills up his spine,
"Don't worry I'm not wearing it," I said, watching myself spin in the mirrors. Truth be told I did not think the dress looked so bad, but it just wasn't my style.
The next dress was much more me. Black chiffon full length Vera Wang dress with a deep V neck. This was much more to Erik's liking. I smiled as I caught the way he was looking at me as I inspected the dress in the mirror.
Still, there was more. A short, black Vera Wang which fell just above my knees. I absolutely loved it but I thought it was too short of the event.
A strapless Diane vonFurstenberg ruffled gown with a lilac and black print and then a cream Vera Wang draped gown that I thought looked too much like a toga.
It came down to a what Erik amusedly called a war of the Wangs; There was a full length, crimson gown with spaghetti straps, and then another red print dress with a skirt that ended just above my ankles, a plunging neckline and spaghetti straps. In the end I chose the shorter dress; that way I could show off my shoes.
(this is a complete authors note: if you want to see the dress Olivia wears go to go to dresses, then cocktail, and the look at all of them! The one she wears in the end is the red printed one with the beaded hem)
Erik was a bit unsettled by the fact that I had chosen a red dress; just as he had once worn red. He pushed that thought aside as we left the store, trying to keep his heart light and mirror my own enthusiastic mood.
"So now all I need are shoes," I said lightly, and I looked out of the corner of my eye to see Erik's reaction; he rolled his eyes,
"Do you mean to tell me that with all of those shoes you have in your closet, you don't have one pair you can wear with that dress?" Erik sounded disbelieving,
"Erik, this is the event of New York City; I can't look anything less than stunning," I insisted happily; we were walking down the street, our clothes were on hold at the respective stores we had bought them at. We would pick them up the day before the ball; the store managers were more than happy to comply with our requests when they heard that their garments would be worn to the Costume Institute Ball and had a very good chance of ending up in VOGUE.
It was raining bullets and Erik and I were both huddled under a big umbrella; searching for a place to eat which would also serve as shelter from April showers. We ducked into an unobtrusive little restaurant where we were seated immediately.
"So tell me more about the guy we are setting Susan up with; what's he like?" I asked,
"Umm…" Erik was more interested in what was on the menu that talking about Greg Ellison, "What dear?"
I sighed, "This Greg fellow, what's he like?"
Erik looked as though he was about to say something and then changed his mind, saying instead, "Fellow? I didn't know you used the word fellow,"
I shook my head, "What? It's a word…people use it…it's not like…intrauterine,"
"What about the word intrauterine?" Erik asked confused,
"People don't use that word,"
"You just did,"
"Erik!" I cried finally, "Are you trying to frustrate me?"
I looked at him and I saw the sly smile spread across his face and I knew he had been trying to frustrate me, because frustrating me amused him.
"Sorry darling," He took my had and brushed his lips across my knuckles, sending a tingling sensation up and down my spine, "It's just that you look so adorable when you are frustrated,"
"None of this is amusing Erik," I knew I didn't believe my words and neither did he; my face was red and I couldn't keep a smile off my lips.
"Forgive me," he said, still holding my hand,
Goddamn him he was good. Sometimes when I was with him I felt like I was watching an old romance movie where the guy the girl falls in love with always says the most perfect, impossibly romantic things and does the sexiest, most charming actions. I had never believed that men like him existed in New York. Years of dating had taught me not to expect too much when it came to the perfect match. And then Erik had come along; I was convinced that there were no other men like him anywhere. I didn't know how right I was.
I was still staring starry eyed at Erik when the waiter came up to our table,
"Hi I'm Beth," She started, "Aw, let me guess; just engaged?" She smiled broadly and looked from Erik to me,
"Well, in December actually," I said,
"Wow, and the nostalgia hasn't warn off yet! Good for you two," we both laughed, "So when is the wedding?"
"June 25," I said quickly; we had only set the date a few weeks ago. It had all been very amazing; Erik's boss had been delighted when he had heard his favorite architect was getting married. He had been worried that perhaps Erik would tire of New York and eventually want to return to his home country of France. He had seen just how, when Erik had had to be out sick after the accident, his firm would be sourly weakened if he were to leave. Marrying a New Yorker seemed to him like a sign that Erik would not be going anywhere. To help secure Erik even further, he had pulled some strings and gotten us the Plaza Hotel.
"Excellent; would you like to hear the specials?"
We ordered and Beth shuffled off to place our order. I went back to drilling Erik about Greg,
"So what color hair does he have?"
"Who?"
"Greg!"
"Oh," Erik thought a moment, "I really never noticed…brown I think,"
"Is he tall? short?" Erik looked as though I had just asked him to decipher the riddle of the sphinx, "You do know this man don't you?"
"Yes I know him, I just never really noticed these things; I was under the impression that a man's appearance was secondary to his personality, but apparently looks are all that matter to you," He burst out angrily,
I sat stunned, "Erik..." I did not quite know what to say. I looked into his hardened eyes with wonder; had he forgotten how I had loved him before? Before the accident? Did my line of questioning really merit this?
And then the cruel man laughed. Even as I watched him his cold eyes sparked to life and glittered in delight; his lips parted in a wide smile, "You should see your face darling," he said through his laughter, "I really had you going!"
"Erik!" I didn't know if I should be amused or mad, "You were joking?"
"Of course I was; you know I could never be really upset with you," He was still laughing, very pleased with himself and his little acting job,
"Maybe not but I can be angry with you; that was a mean thing to do," Despite my attempt to sound incensed, I knew there was a hit of humor in my voice. Erik obviously knew this as he calmly sat across from me and sipped his wine.
"For your, and Susan's, benefit Greg Ellison has brown hair and brown eyes, he is about two inches shorter than I am. He is not fat nor does he smell. His teeth are straight and his hair is not greasy, is that enough?" Erik smiled at me, his eye brows raised in question,
I shook my head, "Yes…and you could have told me all that before and not made this so difficult,"
"But then what is the fun in that?" Erik laughed,
I shook my head but I finally gave into the urge to laugh at him, "You are so difficult sometimes,"
"But you love it when I am difficult,"
"We'll see," I said coldly and he took a second look at me. I could see his carefree wry manner disappear slightly at the thought that I might actually be mad. It was difficult because I was so amused by him but I held my poker face for several moments before smiling.
"Ahh I see how it is," He understood he had been fed some of his own medicine, "Cheers to you Olivia," he raised his drink as he smiled at me,
I raised my drink as well and laughed, "And the student has become the master,"
Erik understood what I meant and reacted with due amusement, but he couldn't shake what it reminded him of. Damn it, he thought, but lately everything was reminding him of his past life. Probably because he was going to have to reveal it to me soon, he reasoned. Soon, but not yet. He shook his head to clear it of these thoughts,
"Did you tell Susan you found her a date?" Erik asked,
"Yes; she's excited; I swear, even after all that she has been through with dating she still thinks she can meet the perfect man," I said,
"Has she had worse than that Grove person?" Erik asked, speaking gruffly of the man who had once elbowed him in the eye,
"Oh yeah, way worse," I nodded vigorously, "We all have had some real ass holes in our collection of ex boyfriends…and fiancés,"
"What is the worst date you ever went on?" Erik asked, interested in disusing anyone's past that was not his,
"Umm…this guy stole my wallet so that he had an excuse to bring it to me while I was out and then we had to walk around…" I said in a would be complaining voice,
"Hey!" Erik said, quickly realizing what I was doing, "That was me!"
"Ohhh…" I said, making a face as though I had only just realized this,
"Alright you have had your fun at my expense; ha ha," Erik said in a would be hurt voice,
"Oh darling," I laughed apologetically and took his hand,
"So seriously, worse date ever," Erik asked again,
"Ok…" I thought for a moment, "Oh! I remember…this guy took me to this horrible Mexican food place, flirted with the waitress, called me Olive the whole night even though I corrected him about a hundred times, spilled wine on my dress and then tried to get me to come back to his apartment where we could 'get the stain out'" I shook my head, "There was not a second date,"
"Ohh my poor Olive…I mean Olivia!" He laughed as I glared at him,
"Don't even joke like that Erik," I warned him, "Dating is enough to drive you mad; you have no idea how relived I am that I will never have to go on a first date again,"
Suddenly I wondered if Erik felt the same way. I knew how he loved me, but I also knew the fear men suddenly have when they realize they will be with the same woman for the rest of their lives. I wondered if Erik had this fear, but how was I supposed to ask him?
Later that night when we had returned home and were sitting in bed, each of us trying to finish something before we went to sleep I decided I would give the burning question a try.
"So do you ever think about it?" I asked him carefully,
"About what?"
"That fact that we are only going to be with each other…for the rest of our lives?" I studied him carefully, wondering if he knew what I was talking about.
"All the time," Erik responded quickly, "And it continues to fascinate and thrill me,"
"Really?"
"Yes," he took his eyes off his work to look at me, "Why?"
"Well I was just wondering," I said, trying to figure out how to put this, "It doesn't scare you does it? that you will never…have sex…with anyone else but me?" I realized I had no idea how to ask this do I was blunt,
Erik's eyes widened, "What?" he said shocked,
"I just know that some men get freaked out by the thought…it's ok if you are; I was just wondering,"
Erik paused. So this was how men of the future thought; not fortunate that they had found someone they really cared about, but nervous that they would get board with them in bed. This thought had not even come into Erik's mind. His whole life had been marked with rejection by women, from his mother to Christine. No one had dared to touch him at all, let alone get intimate with him. Erik was so relieved to find someone who wanted him, in an emotional and physical sense; he just hoped he could satisfy me.
"Olivia that is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard," Erik said sternly, "Do you think that there is a moment of the day where I don't think about being with you?"
I smiled at him, "That is the sweetest…most horny thing anyone has ever said to me," I leaned over and kissed his cheek,
We both went back to our work. But another thought popped into my head, "Erik, how many women have you slept with?"
"What!" Erik was shocked I would ask him such a thing, "Olivia what has gotten into you tonight?"
"I just think that there are things we should know about each other before we get married," I said, trying to defend my curiosity. In truth I realized that these were things that I had known about other boyfriends. Mark had slept with 54 women before he had met me.
"And these are the things you want to know about?" Erik asked, and I noted a definite anger in his voice,
"Are you doing the thing where you act mad but your really not?" I asked him hopefully,
"No," his voice was cold and he turned away. He put his book down on the bedside table and switched off his lamp. Keeping his back to me he lay down and pulled the comforter up to his chin and closed his eyes.
"Erik don't me mad!" I cried, shaking his shoulder, "I don't care what your number is! I thought that we could share things about ourselves and be honest with each other! What ever the answer is it won't make me change the way I feel about you,"
Erik rolled over and faced me, "You really want to know?" He reasoned that soon enough he was going to tell me everything; maybe it was best to ease me in bit by bit. He sighed, "One woman Olivia. I've only ever slept with you,"
I felt like I had been hit by a truck, "What?" I gaped at him, disbelieving,
"Yes it is," He said, looking away, "Go ahead, laugh if you want to," he suddenly felt like he had just shared too much. He felt like he had finally become someone he could be proud of, and he worried that when he told me the truth the man he had built up would crumble away. He worried he would reveal that underneath everything he still thought he did not belong and was desperate for acceptance.
"Erik I'm not laughing," I said, though I couldn't keep the shocked tone out of my voice and I was smiling ear to ear, "It's just…I never would have thought that you were a…"
"A what? A social freak who was too ugly to be with a woman?" he bit out this statement angrily,
"Erik just listen to me for a second," I said, getting over the shock of his confession, "I am trying to tell you something," I grabbed him by the chin and forced him to look at me, "I remember the first time we slept together very well, and that went down as the best night I have ever spent with a man. Now, I have slept with a lot of guys," Erik's eyes narrowed and I shook my head, "Wait a minute before you get mad…anyway, most of them had quite a bit of experience, and believe me you wouldn't have known it,"
"It that supposed to be a complement Olivia?" He asked, now feeling worse than ever as he imagined me being with other men.
"Yes! What I am saying is that you, with no experience, were much better in bed than other guys, who had experience," I waited, hoping this would make him feel better.
Erik stared at me for several seconds. He guessed that that was the best reaction he could have hoped for. And it wasn't a bad complement to hear, that at least out of all the men I had been with he was the best. The down side being that I had been with men before him.
"Come here Olivia," He motioned for me to come and lay next to him. I put down my work and switched off my light before I nestled down beside him. We were laying face to face and in the darkness I could see his eyes were still open. He circled an arm around my waist, gently pulling me close to him; showing me he wasn't angry. One of my hands rested on his chest and my head lay against his neck.
"Alright now it is your turn," Erik said once I had come to rest close to him,
"My turn for what?" I asked,
"You tell me something about your past that is terribly embarrassing,"
"Alright," I thought I owed him this, "Once I was walking down Madison Avenue and I was wearing this skirt that I had just bought on sale and it blew up,"
"You mean it exploded?" Erik asked wryly,
"You know what I mean! And I was wearing a thong so the whole street saw my ass," I laughed as I remembered how mortified I had been.
"Well that is embarrassing," Erik murmured,
I decided it was nice that I could share things like that with him. It was strange to think that Erik did not know everything about me and that I did not know everything about him. I always felt so close to him I was happy we could tell each other things, that we trusted each other enough to do that. It was so sweet…
"Erik!" I said in surprise as I felt his hand move from my waist to my backside,
"What? I was just wondering if you were wearing one of those thong things now," He said wickedly as his hand pressed the silk of my nightgown.
"Well?" I asked him slyly. He just laughed as he slid my thigh length nightgown up past my waist. I was not wearing anything underneath.
Later that night I was completely exhausted. It was four in the morning before Erik and I stopped. Satisfied and tired, Erik fell asleep. I stayed awake for only a few moments longer. I stared at him. His shirt was off and his arm was above the comforter. It was well defined; Erik had taken to exercising after the casts had come off. God, I thought as I fell asleep, I couldn't believe he had been a virgin.
The night of the ball finally came. I was so excited; nothing could go wrong this night. I had my gorgeous dress, my perfect three inch heals, and most importantly my fiancé. When Erik came out of the bathroom in his tux I was stunned.
"Honey you look fantastic!" I said, looking him up and down.
"You should start to get ready," Erik said; I was still in my robe and my hair was up in a towel.
"I know, I'm almost ready," I said, grabbing my dress off a hanger and picking up my shoes, "Just give me a few minutes," I kissed him lightly on the cheek as I bounced past him into the bathroom.
Erik sat down nervously in the bedroom. He was planning on doing it tonight. He had been developing an idea for awhile now. He had originally planned on proposing to me on top of the Empire State Building. He remembered from that first night in New York when he met me, I had said I wanted to be proposed to on top of the Empire State Building.
Now Erik had a new idea. One of the buildings he had designed was now far along in construction. He had arranged to take me up to the top of it tonight. It had a view he thought I would like. But I was not going up there to be proposed to. Erik had decided that tonight would be the night that he told me who he really was.
Completely oblivious to his plan, I excitedly got ready for the biggest fashion event of the year. For me, this was like day after Thanksgiving sales, great sex, good food and champagne all rolled into one.
"Ok," I said as I opened the door to the bathroom, "I'm coming out,"
Erik looked up as I entered the bathroom door. It was his turn to be impressed; from my red Vera Wang and strappy black heals to my now longer blond hair which hung in loose, wavy curls Erik thought I never looked so enticing.
"Wow…" he gaped at me, "You look amazing," he said, and I never felt more beautiful. And he looked good to, like something out of a woman's dream. His dark hair had grown out slightly since I had met him, something he attributed to better nutrition and grooming habits. A few strands hung down in his stunning green blue eyes. His black coat jacket fit him well and the white shirt he wore underneath was not buttoned all the way revealing a strip of his chest. His tie hung untied around his neck.
Wordlessly he stood from the bed as I came toward him. Smiling slyly, I gripped the edges of his shirt as he laid his hands on my waist. I buttoned his shirt the rest of the way up and then tied his black tie. What was it about putting a tie on a man that was so sexy?
"Alright then, I guess we are ready to go," I said; Jackie told us to be in front of our building and she would take care of the rest,
"Yes, I guess we should," Erik's hands were still around my waist and he stared at me, trying to memorize everything about me in case this was the last time he saw me. After he told me his secret I would probably cut him out of my life forever Erik thought.
"Ok," I said, making to move, but Erik's hands held me still, "What?" I asked in a soft voice as I looked up at him, resting my hands on his arms,
"Close your eyes," Erik said,
"We don't have time for this Erik," I smiled,
"Please?" I sighed and complied. Erik stared at me for a moment with my eyes shut. I looked radiant, Erik thought; my eyes closed and peaceful, my lips drawn in a small smile…
Erik leaned in and pressed him lips to mine. I was pleasantly surprised as he pressed against me. He wanted one last romantic moment with me, and as he placed one hand gently on the back of my head he thought about how much he loved me and how much he wished he didn't have to tell me what he had to tell me.
I have been kissed many times in my dating history. I had experienced many different kinds and heard about even more; the light peck, wet hungry kisses, the bad French kiss, the good French kiss, gentle, rough, weak, passionate…but this was unlike anything I had ever felt before. Love was the only word that came into my head. My heart pound and my knees were suddenly weak. I moved my hands up his arms and joined them behind his head. It was almost painful how much I loved his touch at that moment.
Erik wished that he never had to let go of me. He wished he could just hold me there forever; kissing me the way he was. But alas, all good things must end. Gently he pulled away from me. I opened my eyes and smiled at him,
"What was that for?" I asked, bewildered,
Erik shrugged and shook his head, "Do I need a reason?" he kissed me once again, lightly and quickly before he released me from his arms.
Still shaking slightly from the power of his touch I clumsily walked out of our bedroom behind him. Grabbing my clutch we headed down stairs. We didn't speak, but I had never felt more at peace with him. Erik was cursing himself; did he really have to give all this up? That all depended on me, he thought.
When we walked out of the building I gasped. There waiting in front was a black stretch limo.
"Oh my God!" I laughed as I saw Jackie and Rebecca pop out of the sun roof of the limo, drinks in hand,
Erik had to laugh as well as the two women beckoned us to the cab, "Come on honey!" Rebecca yelled at me, "Cosmopolitans wait for no man!"
"Alright wait wait!" I yelled, taking the small digital camera Erik had given me as a Christmas present once we had returned to New York City. It was tiny and a perfect fit for my purse. I pulled it out and snapped a shot of the two of them before Erik and I ran to join them.
Inside the cab already were Jackie and Rebecca and their respective dates Brent and Jerry. Quick introductions were made and more drinks were poured. The limo pulled away and we were off to get Susan. Greg had met her at her building; I hoped everything was going well between them, but it was hard to think anything might be going wrong. The ride to Susan's was a big blur of laughter and dress complements and drinks. Even Erik was having a good time.
At Susan's, things were going well. Earlier in the week Susan had called Greg to go over the details of the night. The plan was for Greg to come over to her apartment half an hour before we were going to pick her up. Susan reasoned that this would give her a chance to feel him out a little before the ball.
When he had arrived, there had been an instant attraction. Susan's plan to feel him out turned into letting him feel her up. When it was time for us to get them, neither of them wanted to leave the apartment and they showed up downstairs a bit disheveled and with messed hair.
We were having a very good time. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard or smiled so much, and I didn't even know what I was laughing or smiling about. When we arrived out in front of the Met there was quite a line waiting to drop of their contents of celebrities, society girls, and other rich, well dressed guests.
"Wow there are a lot of people," Susan said as she looked out the window,
"Well what did you expect; this is the party of the year!" Jackie exclaimed. And she was right. The Costume Institute Ball was a charity event, but it was no ordinary hundred dollar a plate dinner; tickets started at 5, 000 and went up from there. Hollywood celebrities, rich socialites, famous designers and dignitaries were the ones who made the guest list of only 700 people.
Finally we pulled up and got out. It was like being in a fantasy world; all around me sparkled the elite of New York City, Hollywood, Paris and London. Flash bulbs were going off everywhere as the media tried to catch a glimpse of what everyone was wearing.
I smiled broadly as we walked toward the entrance of the party. Around me I saw the faces of people I recognized but I never thought I would see in real life. We tried not to act star struck as we saw people like Heidi Klum, Nicole Kidman, Marc Jacobs, Harvey Weinstein, and Prince and Princess D'Arenberg. Everyone was there. Even someone Erik knew.
As we walked slowly toward the entrance Erik had to keep reminding himself that he had nothing to worry about as cameras flashed all around him; he was not deformed. The whole thing was making him uneasy just the same and he hoped he didn't do anything embarrassing. He was just thinking that he was way out of his league when someone called his name.
"Erik!" It was his boss, Richard Mont. Smiling happily he came over to his favorite employee. Erik had quickly risen in his favor after brilliant design and effeminacy had brought in a multitude of new clients, "I didn't know you were coming to this!"
"Mr. Mont!" Erik was happy to see a familiar face,
"We're not at work, call me Richard," He smiled as he walked over to us,
Erik was impressed; the boss having you call him by his first name was always a good thing, "Richard, this is my fiancée Olivia Moss," He placed a hand lightly on the small of my back. I turned and smiled brightly at him; I really wanted to make a good impression as this was Erik's boss.
"Richard Mont," he said taking my hand, "Now what is a beautiful girl like you doing with this guy?" he cocked his head in Erik's direction and laughed.
"Aw he's not that bad," I said, taking a step toward Erik and putting my arm around him.
"Yeah he's a good guy," Mont said laughingly, "I just like to give him a hard time," Someone from the press line called out to Mont,
"Richard! Who are they!" the man was motioning toward us; Richard Mont was a well known business figure in New York and it was no surprise that his name would be known. Before I knew what was happening, Mont yelled back, "Erik Duval; he's the best architect I have! And this is his lovely fiancée Olivia Moss!" suddenly twenty flash bulbs went off in our faces. "You watch him!" Mont cried smiling, "Erik will have his name on all the buildings in the city before he's through!"
Erik felt like he was caught in a whirl pool. He reacted like a deer in headlights as all the cameras went off. "Just smile darling," I whispered to him as I squeezed his hand. On my command he smiled casually though he felt like running away from all the bright lights. Erik was relieved when Brad Pitt walked by and all the cameras focused on him.
"Oh my God Olivia," Rebecca grabbed my hand, "That's Brad Pitt!"
"I know!" I tried to keep my excitement at bay because my fiancé was standing next to me and I didn't want him to get jealous. Still, he noticed,
"Who is that?" he asked me,
"Brad Pitt," I muttered,
Erik looked over at the man surrounded by cameras and various other people of high class Hollywood, "Do you think he's handsome?"
"Erik!" I cried and shook my head, "Not now!"
"You do think he's handsome!"
"Erik…"
"I bet I could take him," Erik surveyed him glaring,
I laughed and took Erik by the hand. We followed Jackie, who had helped in planning and knew exactly where we were supposed to go. Once we entered the party area we were absolutely stunned. It was beautifully decorated; gardenias and white table clothes and lavish silver wear and stage were all magnificent. The whole place was decorated to look like an elegant French garden. Erik couldn't shake the feeling that this would have been exactly what the de Changy gardens would have looked like.
In a whirl of color and sparkling gowns and laughing people we found our table. The chairs were the beautiful green slatted kind found by the fountains in the Luxembourg Gardens. The table clothes were made of Belgian linen.
"This is incredible Jackie," Susan said, "We are so close up!" we were very close to the stage, and nothing was blocking our sight line, which was not the case for some other people who were not so rich or famous.
"It really is Jackie," Rebecca added, beaming at her friend as she sat down,
"To Jackie!" I raised my glass and toasted her,
"I did help with some of the preparations," Jackie smiled around at the fruits of her fashion labor. As an editor at VOGUE, she had worked closely with people at the Met to get the ball off the ground.
First there was cocktail hour which ended when four trumpets signaled the start of dinner.
The dinner was fabulous. Jackie told us all that the menu had come from the Ritz in Paris. It was an elegant French style meal; lamb, vegetables and for dessert dark-chocolate cake with a white chocolate camellia.
But it wasn't the food that made it fabulous. It was the company. Everybody just seemed to fit; nobodies personality's clashed, nobody felt awkward. We talked, we joked, and Rebecca pointed out that you could see some woman's underwear. Amid all the celebrities, rich business men, and New York Socialites, there was no one I would have rather sat with.
After the dinner it was on to dancing. Normally everyone would have been a lot more reserved. However, we had been drinking the finest wine all night and we were all a bit more than relaxed. As Erik spun me around on the dance floor, he forgot where he was and who he was surrounded by. For once he just felt like a normal guy enjoying himself, at the most extravagant event of the season, with his friends and his fiancé.
Attending the Ball meant you had officially made it as an important person on New York City social radar. That night we achieved that feet; most people there knew Jackie and congratulated her for being a part of planning the event of the season. Quite a few people had heard of Erik as well; without knowing it he had garnered quite a reputation among rich people who had money to spend on lavish houses and other investments for being innovative and genius. Numerous times he had been approached regarding a design. Even one of the directors at the Met asked him if he would be interested in possibly creating and executing the theme of the ball the next year.
I was very proud of him for all this, and it was even better to see him handle it with such humble good humor. He proudly introduced me to everyone he met. It was the same each time. They would smile brightly and then ask me what I did; artist, designer, aspiring actress, model? None of them guessed that I was a lawyer. Each time this was revealed I was met with shock; most telling me that their lawyer on retainer was an old man with gray hair.
None more so than one of Jackie's superiors at VOGUE, André Leon Talley, when Jackie introduced him to us.
"You really do have fabulous friends Jackie dear," Talley said after being introduced to all of us, "I like them; they all have their own quirks…especially the couple, the French architect and the lawyer fashion plate, very chic…make sure they get photographed, I want them in the magazine,"
All of this future fame did not even register to us. What did were other funnier events of the here and now. Rebecca flirted with one of the male models for Chanel because Jerry was flirting with a socialite. I was standing waiting for Erik to bring back the drinks he had gone to fetch when Jackie came running up to me,
"You will never guess what just happened to me!" she squealed,
"What?" I asked her excitedly,
"Well…I was just in the bathroom, and you will never guess who asked me to lend her a tampon!" She was practically bubbling over,
"Who!" I yelled,
"SARA JESSICA PARKER!" she cried,
"NO WAY!" we loved SJP; she was on this show, Sex and the City, which we absolutely loved. Sometimes people drew parallels between the four of us and the girls on the show. I never saw the connection, but I was flattered that people thought that. "Aw, you always get to led the best people tampons,"
"It was incredible," Jackie sighed, blissfully scanning the magnificent even she had helped plan and was now enjoying so much, "Oh my God," she laughed, "Is that Susan making out over there?" Sure enough it was. Though most people never wanted this night to end, for some it was not over soon enough. At that moment Erik returned with out drinks.
"Oh good you got them," I said, taking the drinks from him,
"That's not all I got," he handed me a napkin on which was written a number, "I was talking to this girl while I was getting drinks…she gave me her number,"
"Who was she?" I asked, deciding to reserve judgment about being angry or not depending on who it was,
"She said her name was Adriana Lima,"
"Oh my God; was she tall, exotic looking with like…blue green eyes?" I asked him,
"Yeah…that was her; don't worry your eyes are much more beautiful," Erik added quickly.
"Oh my God…a really hot supermodel wants to sleep with my fiancé…that's awesome," I laughed up at him, "Do you know what that means? It means you are like…astoundingly sexy!" I kissed him quickly on the cheek, "But I am ripping up this number," I added, tearing the napkin in half and throwing the pieces away.
Erik laughed at me, "Don't worry darling! She was hideously ugly compared to you!"
"Aww, sweetie," I cooed, and at this point Jackie excused herself in search of Brent.
"Just like you think Brad Pitt is ugly compared to me, right?" Erik pressed,
"Ahh…I wouldn't say ugly…" I teased him,
"Alright," Erik said in mock exasperation, "I'm going to find the supermodel," he started to walk away,
"Ok! You win! He's ugly!" I said, grabbing him by the hand. In one smooth movement Erik tightened his grip on my hand and twirled me toward him. I was surprised and caught off balance so I nearly fell into his chest, something I was sure he planned on happening.
"Shall we dance Mademoiselle?" he whispered in my ear in French; a language I was coming to understand more and more of as Erik tried to teach me.
"Oui," I laughed as he spun me around again.
It was a wonderful night. It was a shame it had to end.
When the limo dropped us off at our building we were all so tired and happy. Rebecca had traded Jerry for the model, and Jackie and Brent appeared to be on the road to a happy relationship. Susan and Greg looked happy to, and no one doubted that Greg would be spending the night with Susan. We said good night to them all and the limo pulled away.
"God that was amazing," I sighed, "Did you have a good time darling?" I asked Erik, so tired he was practically supporting my entire weight.
"Yes," he said, and for the first time all night he felt nervous. Now was the time, now he had to tell me, "But I have a surprise for you Olivia,"
"What is it?" I asked,
Erik stepped to the curb and got a cab; in any other city but New York this would have been hard at this time of night, but here it was simple enough. "Come on," Erik motioned for me to get in the cab.
I was so tired but I got in the cab anyway. I heard Erik mutter an address to the driver before I fell asleep against his shoulder. When felt like seconds later he gently woke me and said that we were there. We got out of the cab and Erik led me to an unfinished building.
"Erik, what are we doing?" I asked curiously,
"Just follow me," he said mysteriously as he unlocked the building and dismantled the security system by entering the proper code.
"It this safe?" I asked him as we walked into the darkened building.
"Yes, it's fine," Erik said, leading me to the elevator. We went all the way up and when we reached the top floor Erik led me down a hall and up a set of stairs. He opened the door at the top and to my surprise; we ended up on the roof.
"Oh Erik!" My fatigue disappeared as I saw the beautiful view of all the New York City lights below. I walked to the edge and leaned on the barrier separating me from a long fall, "It's beautiful up here!"
Erik took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders, "I'm glad you like it…I know it is no Empire State Building…"
I turned to him and shock, "You remembered…the first night we met, when we went to the top of the Empire State Building!"
"Yes I do remember," Erik said with a slight smile, "I believe I lent you my coat then to, and thank God I did because I believe that it led to our relationship," I realized that in a round about way he was right. I had gone to return his coat; slipped my wallet inside his pocket by accident, which had let to a kind of second date which had ended in our sleeping together.
I nuzzled against him, not just for warmth but because I loved him as well. Erik wrapped his arm around me. I thought back to the time when we had stood on the Empire State Building. It was almost exactly a year ago that it happened. I shook my head. If someone had told me that day that I would fall madly in love with Erik I would have laughed at them.
"This is how I was going to propose to you Olivia," He said suddenly, "I remember you saying that that was how you wanted to be proposed to, on top of the Empire State Building…I know this is not it but this is one I designed, I thought you might like to see the view from the top,"
"Oh Erik!" I cried, "You really are the best man there is!" I turned to him and made to kiss him but to my surprise he pulled away,
"No I'm not Olivia," He said. He sighed heavily. Now more than ever he just wanted to forget about telling me the truth and take me home. He wanted to love me and live happily ever after. But he had to; he felt he had to tell me the truth. Lying to me and hiding that part of his life from me was too much to bear and he knew he could not spend a lifetime this way. He just wished he didn't have to.
For one last time he looked at me. He wanted to remember what I looked like when I was not angry with him. He tried to memorize exactly how my eyes looked when they looked on him with love.
I was getting worried, "Erik please, you are scaring me…just tell me what you are thinking,"
Here we go, Erik thought, "Olivia I'm not from here,"
"I know, you are from France,"
He swallowed, "Yes, but France in 1881,"
There was silence on the roof top. I shook my head, "What is this joke about Erik?" I asked him, my voice shaking.
"I'm not joking Olivia, I whish I was!" he stepped toward me, taking my hands, "I am from 1881; I used to live under an Opera House. Christine, the girl I fell in love with, was a dancer I turned into a singer. I knew she did not love me but I tried to make her stay with me…no one ever would because of my face and I was so lonely! What I told you about my mother and father was true. I was so lonely and miserable Olivia; I threatened people, I created plots to keep Christine with me. In the end I realized I had acted so wrongly, and I had angered so many people…I was running from them and I tripped. The next thing I knew, I woke up in New York City…"
I stared at him, disbelievingly; had he said he was from 1881? My mind buzzed.
"And then I met you and you are the most wonderful person I have ever known! You gave me love!" Erik looked at me and he saw the horror in my eyes as he spoke.
"Are you trying to tell me Erik, that you are from 1881?" I asked quietly,
"Yes," he said, gripping my hands tighter,
"And you expect me to believe that you were magically transported through time to New York!" I yelled, yanking my hands away.
"Yes…Olivia please…it's the truth!" He pleaded with me, watching my eyes and noting that the look of love had been replaced by hurt and rage.
"Oh my God," I started to shake and tears ran down my eyes, "You're mad!" I shrieked and then I ran. I threw his coat off me. I heard him coming after me but I beat him to the elevator and hit the button for the ground floor and then the close doors button before he reached me.
I was sobbing now by the time I got a cab to take me home. Why? Why just when I had thought I could not be happier and I had finally found a man who was romantic and sweet and smart and funny, he turned out to be crazy. I should have known better I thought as I trudged up the stairs to my apartment. I collapsed on my bed, not bothering to take off my dress or my shoes.
Why did he have to think he was from 1881? Why had I been so stupid as to believe he was perfect! I had trusted him; I had thought he was different from all the other men in the city. I had thought he was better. And he was mad. I had fallen in love with a madman.
Erik was completely devastated. He had told himself that I would react that way, but some how he had thought that deep down I would not. I hated him, he thought. I hated him and I would make him leave me forever. There would be no wedding, no happy ending. Though he was rich and handsome, he had never felt more like poor, unhappy Erik. He had nothing because he had lost me. Damn it! He growled as he reached our front door.
He opened it and came into out apartment. He could hear me crying in the bedroom and he could not stand the sound. Why did this have to be so hard all the time? Why couldn't he just be in love and happy?
In the room I cried myself to sleep. I hated everything and everyone. The man I had built up as so wonderful and so perfect was insane.
Erik slept on the sofa with Sammy by his side. He felt his heart had never been hurt worse, and he only had himself to blame. And if I could not handle the truth, what woman could? And what did that matter anyway he thought. He would never love again.
When I woke the next morning I did not open my eyes. I sighed to myself. Yes, Erik was mad because he believed he was from the past, but I still loved him. I decided that whatever mental illness he was in the throws of I would stay with him. Even if it meant that we could not be a normal couple and he would need extensive treatment; even if it meant that I would lose him before his time and his mind and sense completely deteriorated, I would stay with him. I loved him and that was it. Taking a deep breath I prepared to go tell him I was sorry and I still wanted to be his wife. I opened my eyes, and then I screamed. I wasn't in my apartment anymore. I wasn't in New York anymore. I wasn't in 2005 anymore.