Sorry that this is a little late, I have company. So, without further delay, I give you chapter 4
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Erik or Christine. They are the wonderful creation of Mr. Leroux – but ALW gave them depth and humanity – as did Kay. I do not own any lyrics that are used; they will be credited at the end of the chapter in which they appear.
I do however; own the plot and any original characters, which appear from the dark caverns of my mind.
Character portraits:
Erik – Gerard Butler (There is no other – not for me!)
Christine - Scarlett Johansson (with violet eyes, and a little more of a mature look)
Meckenzie -Emma Karwandy (from Butterfly on a Wheel)
Vince - Pierce Brosnon (slightly shorter)
Karen -Bette Midler (only about ten-years younger, seven inches taller, and long, brown hair)
Ms. Jennison-Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny from the latest Bond movies)
Mr. Lynch - Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly from the first X-Men movie)
All other original characters, you can use your imagination.
Enjoy.
CHAPTER 4
"You have to do what?" Karen asked with a pensive look on her otherwise calm features.
"I told him I couldn't do it, but you know Erik…he won't meet the girl, for reasons we are both aware of, so he gave her my description." Vincent was rather stupefied at the mess he seemed to find himself in.
Karen stared for a few minutes and then broke out in a full laugh. She was in the kitchen of her apartment, cooking dinner for them. She had invited Erik, as she always did, but he had declined…something he was doing less of these days.
"That is really quite ingenious…he is going to make you pay for that radio show – one way or the other." Karen choked through her laughter.
"I'm glad you find it so amusing." Vincent murmured, but could not help the smile that crept over his mouth.
"Oh, stop sulking." Karen teased.
"How is he ever going to find love, if he never allows anyone to meet him, let alone know him?" Vincent asked, looking Karen in the eye as she stopped laughing and understood the concern he had for his nephew.
His question was one that had plagued Karen for years. She had thought Erik to be one of the most attractive young men she had ever met when Vincent introduced him to her over eight years ago.
She had noticed the mask, but Vincent had explained the circumstances surrounding it, and she found it only added to his masculine beauty; it gave him an aura of mystery – and what woman doesn't love a little mystery in her man.
She, too, wanted Erik to find a woman who would give him the love he so longed for. She watched as the bitterness he felt after the loss of his parents and brother ate away at him; turning him from a reclusive, awkward adolescent to a belligerent, hostile young adult.
She had been there to help Vincent coax him out of that self-destructive stage and into a quiet resentfulness, which he turned on his own person, rather than anyone else. He never allowed her to wrap him in her arms as she longed to do, being unable to have children. Erik was like a son to her and she loved him deeply.
"You have to let these things happen naturally, my love…you know this." She stated to Vincent.
"I just want him to be happy…and right now, he's not; he never really has been." Vince shook his head, deep in thought.
"I know." Karen responded. "What are you supposed to get from this girl you are meeting tomorrow?" She asked, changing the subject.
Vincent smiled, knowing she had rerouted the line of the conversation to save him the heartache, "Her name and address so 'The Phantom' can contact 'Erik Trudeau', the owner and CEO of Trudeau's School of the Performing Arts for the Blind – who just happens to the same person as the 'The Phantom'." Vincent stated, emphatically.
Karen furrowed her brow, knowing it was a dangerous game that Erik was playing. "What's worse, is that she seems to be entranced by Erik's voice – almost to the point of being in love with him…how is my voice ever going to compare to his?" Vincent stressed.
Karen hadn't even considered that possibility. He was right; Vincent did not possess the sensual, mesmerizing abilities that Erik did. All ERik had to do was speak, and women were entranced – of course, he had no idea of this power, he was under the impression he was completely repulsive to the opposite sex.
She watched as the proverbial light bulb came on over Vince's head. His mouth slowly curved into an impish grin, "I know what I can do, I'll just tell her that there are devices used to enhance my voice and bring out the quality that is desired; hopefully, she will be disappointed and move on." Vince pointed out, "If not..." his voice faded off, "…I don't even want to think about it…"
Karen shook her head at him. "You are both asking for the wrath of a woman to come down on you should she discover this little scheme – at best, she may slap both of you." Karen pointed out.
Later, Karen was lounging on the sofa and her look was melancholy and thoughtful, "Vince, why do you stay with me?" She suddenly asked, "I mean…I can't give you children, I'm not beautiful like other women my age…and speaking of age, I'm quite a bit older than you."
Vincent walked over to her, sat down beside her, and pulled her into his embrace, "Now, I want you to listen closely, woman…" he teased her with the endearment, it was the name he always gave her when he was being stern. "…there is no other woman on this earth who makes me feel the way you do…I love who I am when I am with you, and that is because I love you." He tweaked her nose and watched her smile up at him, "I don't need children…I am still counting on Erik to come through in that area." He chaffed, "He can carry on the family name."
Karen shed rare tears at the assurance he had just given her, 'I may just have to break down and marry his man.' She thought, and those were her thoughts as she drifted to sleep in his arms.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Vincent really didn't care for the deception that was involved in this little plan of Erik's. He hated telling the young woman that he was "The Phantom" she had grown so close to over the past few weeks – especially since Erik deserved the recognition and the appreciation.
Traffic wasn't too bad for a Sunday. He made it to Hartford in a decent amount of time, found the Pub that Erik had mentioned, and went inside; waiting for the young woman to find him.
Irish music was playing over the speakers and Vincent discovered that he liked the lilting sound of the mountain music; it worked to relax his timorous nerves.
Christine looked around her quaint surroundings, hoping to catch a quick glimpse of the man she had been longing to meet. It didn't really matter what he looked like, she just longed to hear that voice.
She walked around the front room, and then turned the corner toward the rear dining room. He had his head down and was looking at the menu; he was not aware of her presence. She took Meckenzie's hand and headed toward the man with medium-cut, dark-brown, peppered with gray, hair. From the back, he had broad shoulders and was dressed very well.
As she approached the table and went around to the other side, his head lifted and she saw a classically handsome, barely aging face with astute, blue eyes and a full mouth. His dark hair was graying on the sides and at the temples, but she thought it only made him look wiser.
He stood as she approached, held out his hand and she placed her dainty one in it. He shook her hand vigorously, but gently, and then indicated for her and Meckenzie to sit down.
"Thank you for meeting with me, I don't like to give personal information out over the phone – not since my divorce." Christine offered, wondering why she had a disconcerted feeling in her stomach.
"It is no problem, child…I will do what I can to help you." Vincent said, trying to match Erik's sensual, lulling tone…but failing miserably.
Christine had waited so long to hear that voice, and found that she was slightly disappointed. She could not believe the lack of sensuality it possessed when he was not on the radio.
"You're voice doesn't sound anything like it does on the radio." She finally stated, not wanting to offend him; after all, he was going to help get Meckenzie into the school.
"I get that a lot." He said, hoping she would drop the subject – and it appeared, that she did.
Unfortunately, she scanned his face and he found that he could not look her directly in the eyes; he knew she was suspicious.
Christine wanted to ask more, but felt that she would be intruding into an area of discussion that he had no desire to enter. They ordered their meal and ate quietly, both of them deep in their thoughts.
She could not help but be disappointed at the loss of the voice she had so longed to hear. He had explained about the devices used to enhance voice and change pitch and tone; but for some reason, she wasn't convinced; what could he be hiding; and why?
He was a really nice man, and Christine started chastising herself on her shallowness. It was akin to having a singer you really enjoy listening to, but when you find out what they look like, you sort of lose interest; not that he wasn't nice looking, she had just expected to feel more – that was all.
"Here is my name and address; I hope you can convince Mr. Trudeau to accept my daughter into his school; I will forever be in your debt." The young lady recited, "I will move to Boston if she is accepted – it won't be a problem."
Vincent nodded his head, trying to avoid speaking to her. He looked over at the little girl and was amazed at how much she resembled her mother. The father must have had the weaker genes, for this little girl was the spitting image of her mother.
"Someone will be in contact with you, Ms. Daae…and please, stop fretting about your daughter; I see no reason why she will not be accepted into the school."
Christine smiled through the tears she felt threatening at the corner of her eyes, "I'm sorry if I have seemed a bit put off, you are just not what I expected." She smiled, "But I want to thank you for anything you can do."
It was really quite strange, on the radio, he elicited strong sexual feelings from her with his voice – but in person, he was more of a fatherly figure. She dropped a chaste kiss upon his cheek, took Meckenzie's hand and headed out the door.
TBC