This story will progress…thankfully; no one requested that I drop it. I am enjoying writing it.

Erik had to get to a point where he was ready to accept the fact that things needed to change (you know how stubborn men can be!)…the old way was not working and maybe…just maybe, Demi was right.

So, he has decided to allow the Erik that has laid dormant for all these years to surface.

This is one of those transitional chapters (that's author talk for "not a really exciting read, but it has some necessary content"); bear with me.

Next question – Should I bring Christine, Meg, and Audrey (Madam Giry) back into the story; either all three or a combination thereof? Your choice…majority wins.

hunting4max

- Girl, you completely crack me up! I cannot seem to read one of your reviews without laughing or at least smiling really big! Thank you for lifting my spirits and I am glad you are enjoying this story.

WildPixieChild

- Welcome, I hope you will continue to read, review, and enjoy my take on events as they could have been.

Mlle.Fox

- Thank you for reviewing and making the offer you did. How would we do that? Let me know, and we'll see if an agreement can be reached…my people will call your people…and we'll do lunch! Or…you could just email me.

SassyLassy

- Welcome! Thanks for your wonderful review. I am going to continue this story and I do hope you will continue to read and review. My readers are very special to me and I read each review and take it to heart. Thanks again.

Pertie

- Pertie the Faithful – that is the name I dub thee. Thank you for always being there with words of encouragement. If it were within my power to do so…I would knight thee!

Disclaimer: The only things that are mine are the storyline and any characters not created by GL, SK, or ALW.

A partner with different values won't just pull you in a different direction, he or she will pull you down.

God's Best for Your Success

I Surrender All

CHAPTER 15

Erik awoke to the sound of elated females wafting its way down the halls toward his quarters. He had slept remarkably well, in spite of all that had occurred the night before.

Karlie Bordeaux invaded his thoughts on more than one occasion and Erik had to admit that he found her attractive and intriguing. She was hellfire and brimstone one minute, and sugar and spice the next.

He had noticed entirely too much about her; the way her eyes were so deep and luminous that they resembled the midnight sky on a clear, crisp fall night. He had almost lost himself in their depths…and had to physically jolt himself out of his stupor to prevent being embarrassment.

She was tiny; barely over five feet, but her demeanor made her appear to be an intimidating figure. Her beauty was so much more striking than he was familiar with. She was not a gentle beauty…the kind that worked its way into your heart over a period of time; her beauty hit you right between the eyes…it took your breath away.

As much as Erik was certain that he needed to remove her from his mind, and therefore, his heart; he found he honestly had no desire to do so; she was a sweet, unobtainable treasure; one whose place in his heart could remain a cherished secret as he became her friend.

Erik washed and freshened himself, dressed in the green dress suit that Demi had purchased for him, and a black half mask. He left his hair unbound and loose, hanging to his shoulders and waving about his face.

He chanced a look in the mirror and found that his reflection no longer carried the bitter sting of self-hate that had so long been a part of him. Demi had made him look at himself in the mirror, while she pointed out all of his attractive attributes; completely ignoring what he knew were his horrifying ones.

Demi was determined to make him a new man. She had already informed him that if she caught him wearing gloves again, she would personally disembowel him. She said he needed to wear brighter colors to emphasis his gorgeous eyes; and she also said he needed to wear clothes that drew attention to his magnificent physique…her efforts had made Erik embarrassed, but flattered. She had assessed her handiwork and stated he looked extremely handsome and sexy.

The image Erik saw staring back at him from the mirror, certainly looked like a man who knew what he was doing; confident, strong-willed, determined and…something else was going on…Erik noticed his face had a glow to it that he did not remember seeing before. What made a man's face glow?

He glided down the hall towards the ruckus, leaving all thoughts of Karlie, and the way her image in his mind wrecked havoc on his heart.

Mr. Yung and his staff had arrived precisely at 10:00 a.m., just as Erik had instructed them to. His staff was every bit as impressive as he was in their professionalism and knowledge. The dancers and ballerinas had no idea that they were coming, so the entire ordeal was a surprise…and a very pleasant one.

The measurements were going well, and Ms. Chen, Mr. Yung's assistant, was finishing up on the dancers and about to start on the ballerinas, when Roland approached with a tentative smile.

"Mr. Yung, I don't mean to appear ungrateful, but where did this work order come from?" Roland asked, frantically. He knew there was just no money.

Mr. Yung made as though he was going to answer, but Erik chose that moment to come out of hiding. His sudden appearance startled everyone, but they all knew who he was and their respect for him and all that he was doing for each of them and the opera house showed in each set of eyes that focused on him.

"I commissioned it Roland. I visited my accountant on Saturday, and informed her to make sure that funding was available for this purchase." Erik's voice was even and non-flaunty; he was simply stating facts. "I examined the rehearsal outfits and shoes the dancers and ballerinas were wearing and noticed they were frayed and full of holes."

There was a great deal of whispering going on as Erik made his way to center stage. He tried to present an air of confidence in front of the employees, but his stomach was turning in circles.

Roland was shocked. No financier had ever taken the initiative to examine the any of the equipment or outfits; they just did not care about those who were not the stars. Roland had known Erik would be different…he was pleased to be correct.

Karlie had tried to ignore the her rising interest in Erik Clairvaux, the man was rich, eccentric, foreign, and gorgeous…all were traits she no longer trusted or desired in a man. So why did her heart keep tugging in her bosom and a voice keep echoing in her head, "This man is different. Yes, he's rich – but it really doesn't matter to him; yes, he's eccentric – but that is part of his appeal; yes, he is foreign – but so are many of the people that are your friends at the opera house, and you trust them; and yes, this man is gorgeous – but he has no idea that he is."

Watching him glide across the stage toward Roland, afforded her a wonderful backside view; he filled out those pants nicely…in all areas! Karlie blushed as her thoughts heated her body and sped up her heart rate.

She smirked to herself, "This is absurd, Karlie; you don't even know the man that well…and you're reacting to him like some love starved teen-ager.

She had thought herself in love once, but the man had broken her heart in to a million pieces. He had played her for a fool…and she had almost fallen for it…almost. Before she had completely given in to his charm and persuasion, she found him with another woman…in a non-to-innocent position.

Remembering the night she had found him was painful, but also liberating…

Flashback

3rd person

"Come on Kar…you know you can't hold this against me…I have needs…" Mason pleaded, hoping his more than handsome face would cause her to forgive him.

"…you won't put out…so I had to get satisfaction elsewhere." He sidled up to her seething figure and wrapped his slithering, snake-like arm around her tiny waist.

Karlie put all her force into the blow she landed him. She elbowed him in the groin and threw a mean right hook into his nose as he bent over from the groin hit. He hollered and bled profusely from the broken nose her petite fist had given him.

"Don't you dare touch me, Mason Anderson; I don't ever want to see your face around here again…is that understood?" Karlie's voice was low and menacing; she meant business. "If I ever lay eyes on you again, it won't take a great deal of effort to make sure you don't come to New Orleans ever again…do I make myself clear?"

Mason was shocked by her ominous tone. He'd never had any problem talking a woman down, once he put all of his assets to good use. He was an exceptionally handsome man, this he knew. He had wavy, shoulder-length, blond locks that framed a square, masculine jaw line, thin lips, fine cheekbones, a pert, upturned nose, and big, gray eyes.

His frame was not muscular, but was slender and toned. He had soft, talented hands and stood about five foot eleven inches tall. He was perfect…as least in his own mind. He wanted Karlie Bordeaux more than he had ever wanted any other woman in his life. She was a stunning beauty, but her chastity was getting on his nerves.

"Kar, don't you think you are being unfair?" his tone was wining and irritating to her ears.

He was making his way toward her again, and Karlie went on guard. His nose was still bleeding and it had swelled to twice its normal size. Karlie had to stifle her laughs, as she saw how his entire face had taken on comical proportions.

"Back off Mason…I mean it." Karlie was poised and ready to do more damage if need be. Her father had taught her to defend herself, and she was an excellent student.

Mason was either dense or desperate, maybe both, because he kept coming toward her. He approached her from the side and went around to her back. Karlie allowed him to approach, but as soon as she felt his clammy hand on her shoulder, all hell broke loose.

She stomped all of her ninety-six pounds down on this right foot with her high heels; as he was reacting to that, she threw her right hook into his jaw, coming at him from the bottom. His jaw clamped shut onto his tongue, causing him to bite himself…and now, he was bleeding from three orifices; two nostrils and his mouth.

Karlie resumed her poised position, just in case he needed another reminder, and gave another verbal warning, "Have you gotten the message, Mason? I do not want anything more to do with you."

Treacherous tears were falling down her cheeks, which only served to make her angrier, "You are a human being…not an animal." She vehemently spat at him, "You can control your sex drive, you beast." She wasn't screaming, her voice was calm and steady, "If you wanted my love, you would have waited…good-bye Mason."

End Flashback

With those words, she had walked away from his stunned, bleeding features and had not seen him since…thank goodness, she really did not want to have to kill him.

Her thoughts, once again, focused on the very masculine, very attractive form of Erik as he stood before Roland.

"It is my job as financier to make sure that all needs are met that deal with the performance of this opera house. Everyone needs the proper equipment if they are going to do their job efficiently." Erik stated, professionally.

There were words of thanks and even a show of tears in a few eyes as Roland thanked Erik for his generosity.

Erik did not know what to think of all the thanks, this was a new experience for him.

"I also noticed that the art and design department could use some new canvases for backdrops and new paints, chalk and charcoal for coloring." Erik said, matter-of-factly, "I will also be revamping the wigs, masks, and costume props…they looked very worn." He smiled, warming the hearts of every female present, "We want our production of "The Magic Flute", to be the best that anyone has ever seen."

Erik turned to leave; the number of eyes that were on him was making him nervous. He was almost to the edge of the stage when he turned back around, noting that many of the women averted their eyes when he did. "What is that all about?" he thought to himself.

"Roland, Mr. Yung said that the order would be ready by next Saturday and will be delivered in the morning." He looked around the stage, making eye contact with all the dancing girls and ballerinas, "Please be sure and remember what size and color you ordered– this will allow for quick and efficient distribution…thank you, all of you, for the hard work you are putting into this production…it will be well rewarded." Erik turned and strolled off, unaware of the admiration and respect in everyone's eyes.

To Be Continued…