A/N: Hey everybody. This could well be the last chapter I'm posting coz no one seems interested. :-( It was gonna be so sweet too...maybe I'll keep going for PD...shrugs Anyway, REVIEW DAMMIT! Ahem, man gotta hate those outbursts...coughs anxiously
Um yeah, here it is then..
Previously:
"You know full well I can't promise you that, though I will most definitely try. I need someone, Anne, even if it's for musical purposes only. You have no idea what it's like, to be always alone, night and day. All I ask is for you to help me…Please."
Antoinette looked into his dark pleading eyes and felt herself giving in. She had to help him or she feared he would fade away.
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5: "It's all in the hips girls!"
Erik reclined in the rafters up above the main corridor leading from the dormitories to the rehearsal room, watching the comings and goings of the stage hands, staff and dancers.
He used to do this a lot in his spare time, listening in on private conversations between the managers of the Academy, to being subject to the inane gossip of the rightfully named 'Academy tarts'.
But today he was on the lookout for a young girl he knew only as Alyssa, approximately seventeen years of age with long, raven black hair.
Antoinette had suggested he take interest in her if he was looking for a playmate, as rumors had it that she was a rather wild, flirtatious girl with a dark side waiting to be provoked.
Erik was told that she had been understudy for the leading soprano at her previous music college, and once kidnapped and gagged her to secure the leading role in an important performance. She also apparently owned a pristine voice and her dancing was impeccable, just in need of some fine tuning.
It had all sounded very inviting to Erik, so he had made himself a comfortable seat in the shadows of the rafters to keep an eye out for her. He had almost dozed off, when an unfamiliar voice rang out, laughing and shouting coyly, "It's all in the hips girls!"
Her answer had been in response to the question, how do you get male attention? She had laughed at this, then turned and paraded down the hall swinging her voluptuous hips as she walked, catching the eye of every male in her vicinity, including Erik.
She had stopped and turned quickly to face her posse at the other end of the corridor, then spread her stance and bent forward a little, exposing her cleavage. She then dropped one shoulder, flicked her abundant hair out of her face, ran her hands up her thighs to rest on the sides of her waist, straightened up and blew a kiss to the others.
A few whooped and cheered at her show and ran down the hall to join her, while others rolled their eyes and sniggered wicked remarks. She had not a care in the world as he sauntered along with her friends, laughing and talking about whatever they did, and Erik did not take his eyes off her until she had rounded the corner to the rehearsal room and was out of sight.
Yes, he thought with a smirk as his heartbeat settled, she is certainly one to watch…
As the weeks went by, Erik rose from the depths of his underground grotto to watch over Alyssa. He would shadow her through the Academy corridors on her way to and from rehearsals, keeping just enough distance between them so she never noticed his presence, or creep into her sleeping quarters in the dead of night to watch her sleep from a dark hiding place.
He found it was difficult to observe her closely though as she was never alone. More often than not she was flanked by friends during the day, and at night she sat up till late telling stories of every genre to the other girls, from adventure epics to erotic love tales.
He listened in one night, stifling chuckles as she spoke of things she obviously knew nothing about. Although Erik had lived in solitude most of his life, he had learnt the tricks of the trade by reading books and making rare visits to brothels close by, also using the extremely infrequent visits of Melody Giry to perfect his skills.
He made the quick assumption that Alyssa was very inexperienced in this area of knowledge, and chuckled to himself as thoughts of educating her filled his mind.
He had left quickly, retreating to the depths of his home before she got the better of him and hatched a plan.
He would begin her vocal tutoring within the week, and move her to the private sleeping quarters. He would make her the new leading soprano, helping her to outshine everyone else with the brilliant skills he would give her. He would do what he had done with Chantelle, drawing her under his lustful spell with his enthralling power and control, except this time there would be no middle man, and no love involved on his part.
Gone was the man who sought love, it had been his ruination in the not too distant past. No, once he had her, he would simply use her for his music, his company, to cleanse his sorry body and soul from Chantelle.
She would be his by the end, and he would be finally rid of Chantelle once and for all.
-
Antoinette read the note that she had received from Erik that morning and sighed, putting her head in her hands. It had barely been four months since the last female escapade and already he was giving orders, which usually meant business.
She had received it in much the same fashion as the time before, placed neatly on her vanity table seconds after she left, though this time the content was much different. She raised her tired head again and re-read it, making sure she had memorized the commands:
Dearest Antoinette,
Miss Alyssa Latrelle shall be awarded the position of understudy
to the leading soprano of this year, whoever you may choose.
She will begin her vocal training with me in two days time, in the chapel at 4:00pm sharp
No exceptions.
You will also move her out of the communal sleeping dorms to room 13 in the private quarters
She will be a star; therefore she must be treated as one.
I trust you will see to these issues as soon as possible, and make it
known toMissLatrellethe changes that will affect her.
Forever in your debt, Erik
Bloody men, Antoinette grumbled under her breath as she slipped the note back into the envelope and placed it in the small drawer on top of the previous one.
She reached for her cane that was hanging on the corner of her vanity and leaned heavily against it, pushing herself from the hard wooden stool on which she sat.
The stress of the past few weeks, with the new arrivals and worrying about Erik had taken a heavy toll on her, and her old age had finally begun to ruin her once fit dancer's body.
She raised her head defiantly and straightened up as best she could, before striding quickly out of her quarters and towards the communal dorms, ready to break the welcome news to Alyssa.
After searching fruitlessly for close on to an hour, Antoinette located her daughter and asked her to pass on the message to Alyssa, if she happened to come across her.
Melody had been unwilling to at first, as she hated Alyssa immensely. She called her slut or harlot behind her back and gossiped about her with her friends.
Their friendship groups were always feuding with one bitch session escalating to a tussle between the heads of the groups, Alyssa and Melody. Alyssa had managing to twist Melody's arm behind her back almost to breaking point until Melody cried out for mercy, and swaggered away victoriously.
After a few minutes of arguing with her mother though, Melody had grudgingly agreed to pass on the message that she was to see Madame Giry as soon as she could. Antoinette thanked her daughter and strode away, back towards her office to wait.
-
Melody found Alyssa later that day in her room with two of her friends, also known as the Academy Tarts, gossiping quietly about love parings between members of staff. "That old bat Giry would make a perfect match with Monsieur Firmin don't you think?" said Amelie, a devilish looking blonde girl with cat like eyes.
"Oh yes definitely!" Giggled Sarah, a small chubby brunette draped upside-down over the end of her bed,
"What d'you reckon Lyss?" They both looked towards the third member, awaiting her answer.
"No he's too stiff for her. I'd say he'd do better with Monsieur André!" replied Alyssa, reclining on her bed wearing only her corset and undergarments.
Laughter echoed around the small room in response to her remark, and Melody almost turned and left as she heard them badmouthing her mother. As she went to retreat, a loose floorboard creaked beneath her and caught the attention of the other girls.
Melody stopped in her tracks and turned to meet their cold stares. "Well, well, well. If it isn't little Melody Giry." hissed Alyssa, a smirk beginning to form at the corners of her mouth. The other girls giggled as she rose off her bed and sauntered towards the doorway where Melody stood.
"Come to join in the fun, eh Mel?" she whispered coyly. Her breath smelt of brandy and her eyes were slightly glazed, a sure sign she had smuggled alcohol in after their last trip into the city. Melody swallowed hard and met her drunken gaze. "No, actually. Madam sent me to tell you that you must see her right away." Alyssa's smirk faded and turned to a scowl.
"Oh. Am I in trouble with little missy's mummy again am I? Well that's too bad. Guess I'd better hot foot it then. But when I get back, you're finished for dobbing me in. Am I clear?" She nodded to the other girls and they grabbed Melody, binding her hands and feet with their stockings and gagging her with spare lamb's wool they used to cushion the ends of their pointé shoes.
They pushed her under a bed as Alyssa slipped on a casual dress and moved to the door. "Keep an eye on her." She teased and with that, she left the room.
Alyssa found Madame Giry's room easily and tapped on the solid mahogany door. After a few seconds it opened and she was ushered inside, the door being closed quietly behind her. "Take a seat Alyssa."
Giry gestured towards a small chair in front of her desk and Alyssa flopped down into it, arms folded and a scowl plastered over her face. She had been in this same chair many times after causing fights or bullying, and it was becoming second nature; coming in, sitting down, being accused of something obscene then leaving as if nothing happened.
She waited for the scolding to start but it didn't, except when Giry sat down wearily on the other side of the desk. "Wipe that scowl off your face, it's unattractive." Alyssa straightened in her seat and gave the madam the most plastic smile she could muster.
Giry sighed, "For once in your life, could you please try a little respect? You don't even know why you're here yet." Alyssa sighed and rolled her eyes, "Sorry madam" she mumbled. "So what am I here for?"
Antoinette shook her head, why was she doing this? Why was she helping this smart-arse bully to stardom? "You have been promoted to leading understudy and will commence vocal training in two days time. You will go to the chapel at 4:00pm sharp, no exceptions. As for your sleeping arrangements, you will be moved to the private quarters before tonight, understand? You must go now and move your things, but make sure you are on time for your two o'clock dance rehearsal."
Alyssa stared at the madam in disbelief. She hadn't sung a note yet and had already been promoted. "Oh…well thank you madam. Um, I'll go now and fix my things then, shall I?" Antoinette smiled and opened the door to the dazed girl. "Yes, quickly now. Oh by the way," Alyssa stopped half way through the door and spun round, facing Antoinette. "You haven't been drinking have you?" Alyssa's eyes widened and she shook her head anxiously. "No, of course not madam!" Antoinette smiled mischievously and shut the door as Alyssa swayed down the corridor to her room, still bewildered by the news.
When she reached her room, she flung open the door and cried out victoriously, "Who's the leading understudy?" The other girls stared at her as she pointed to herself and nodded. "No way!" Amelie screamed as she jumped up to hug Alyssa. "How'd you do it?" asked Sarah, still sprawled over one of the beds. "I didn't do anything; Giry just gave it to me!"
She flopped down on one of the beds and jumped off suddenly as she heard a dull squeak. She bent down and looked under the bed to find Melody bound and gagged staring at her. "Oh my god I almost forgot!"
She took hold of Melody and dragged her out, untying her and letting her spit out the wool from her mouth. "You tell, and you're dead. Got it?" Melody nodded her head fearfully and fled from the room, tears beginning to sting her eyes.
Alyssa went on to explain her promotion to the private quarters, much to her friends' jealousy, and began collecting her things. They followed her to her new room and said their goodbyes, even though they would still see her at rehearsals and meal times. "Ciao darlings, keep me up to date on the gossip now wont you?"
"You know we will." Sarah replied. "I am so going to miss your bed time stories Alyssa! It's not fair!" Amelie complained as Alyssa opened her door to reveal her new sanctuary, consisting of a large bed, vanity set and full length mirror. "Well you keep the tradition going for me, ok?" she answered as they hugged once more before the two girls turned and left.
Alyssa shut the door and sat down on her new bed, which was at least twice the size of her previous one. She let her gaze wander over her surroundings lit dimly with a few candles.
She set her linen down and lay back, relishing in the softness of the mattress and the quiet of her solitude. She felt herself drifting into sleep when a voice seemed to seep from the walls themselves.
"Alyssa…" She sighed deeply as the voice filled her mind, "Alyssa…Shouldn't you be at rehearsals?" She woke with a start. Rehearsals! She leapt from the bed and flung the door open, before looking back curiously. Had that been a dream?
She shrugged and trotted down the corridor in the direction of many voices. As the door swung shut behind her, she was unaware of the deep chuckle that resonated around her room, the type only one man could produce.
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A/N: Ha Ha! I wonder who that man is ay? Well you'll have to tell me to keep going if you wanna find out...evil laugh
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