Chapter 19
Again Poppy was pulled along. This is getting old, she thought. But she dared not say anything. Erik was in one of his moods as was she so if they didn't want two bodies in the cellars; she decided to keep her mouth shut.
"I thought you was to help get Christine to love me, not make it worse by introducing that...fop to her," Erik snapped again.
They had arrived back in the lair. He let go of her, but stood in front of her. "You were supposed to help keep him away from her. Give her a chance to fall in love with me."
"A chance!" Poppy shrieked, "A chance? She had a chance. For the seven years you taught her never once did she ask your name or anything at all? No! No matter how hard I try, no matter what I will, could, or would do, will she ever love you. I know her kind. They look innocent and sweet, but under that mask is a spoiled, selfish, needy little girl. "People lesson" number 2! Everyone wears masks, not just you! This whole thing is a play that is to run its course. Raoul has to met her."
Erik was shocked. Of course she had yelled at him before, but right now, it was worse. Plus something was wrong with Poppy. She looked too pale. Before he could stop himself he snapped right back, "Run its course? Not mess to plot up? I'm afraid my dear, you messed the plot up when you showed up."
Something snapped inside of Poppy. She whipped her glasses off, showing her scars. She threw them down onto the stone ground. The dark lenses popped out. Poppy's white eyes actually darkened. She walked up to him, anger radiating off of her.
Erik, in his life has never been afraid of anything, much less a woman. But now with this tall red headed young woman advancing upon him, he backed up.
Poppy heard him back up, so she followed. A few minutes latter, she had him pinned against his organ. She heard his breathing. It was ragged, and strained. There was fear, but also confusion. She knew she had act quickly. He was not one to be dominated. She took a deep breath, before she lost her nerve. Taking his left hand, she place it on her cheek then glided it up to her eyes, so that his hand rested on her scars. Then before he could say anything or do anything, she took off his mask. She did in one smooth movement; all Erik could do was stand in shock. Poppy dropped the porcelain, and placed her hand on his face.
Poppy closed her eyes, as she let her hand softly trace his deformed cheek. It didn't feel ugly or gross. Only rough. Her fingers gently traced his scarring and deep grooves and ridges in his skin. He had flinched, but surprisingly relaxed into her touch. "Erik, whether or not you believe me, we are the same. We both want love. We both love someone that will never love us back. We both are scared physically and…mentally." She let out a soft sigh and pulled her hand away. Erik did the same, but not at the same time.
"You didn't flinch. You didn't shudder at my touch and my face," Erik's voice sound shocked, then grew hard," Why?"
"Erik, even if I can't see you with my eyes, it doesn't mean I can't truly see you. Yes, you are scarred, but it is only flesh. I see you as the person you truly are…"
"A monster," Erik interrupted bitterly.
Poppy shook her head, "Only your actions make you one. No, I see a lonely man that has been deprived of love and only wants love."
Erik gently pushed her away, "No."
Poppy allowed him to do so, "Erik, I'm to tell you this because her kind will never love you. They are the kind who is after looks. So-called perfection. I know it sounds like I don't want you to be happy. But that's wrong, I only want you to be happy, and Lord, I'm sounding like a Mary-Sue. But, ether way, apparently, you need to find out for yourself. So, I quit." Poppy threw her hands up. "I quit." She began to walk away, Erik made to stop her, but she turned and stopped him. "Don't. If you think I'm going because of your 'face', I'm not. You need to learn this lesson on your own. I'll tell you this: love does hurt, you may feel like you are dieing, but you won't. It will heal." With that she turned, and ran up the tunnel, leaving Erik dumbfound and speechless like when they first met. He bent and picked up his mask. Placing it back on his face, he ran after Poppy.
XxX
Poppy was laying face down, crying, on her new bed in the ballet dorms. Mme. Giry had taken one look at her and knew what was wrong. She'd seen many broken hearts in her lifetime. With out a word, she had led Poppy to the dorms to get her settled. All the Rats were gone, so she had the huge room to herself.
"Mme. Giry, why does it hurt so? I know that it's next to impossible to get him to love me, when he's loved Christine for so long."
Madame Giry patted her back, "Don't know Cherie, but you must know that for all his life he has never felt love, never had someone to love him. And now has two women in his life. One who he has loved since she arrived seven years ago. And one who loves him, but knows nothing of it."
Poppy stopped crying, "What should I do? Should I tell him? Or let him find out for himself?"
"Do what's in your heart."
"Mme. Giry?" Poppy sat up, "I do love him."
XxX
From his hiding place in the wall, Erik heard every word said. She loves me? How is that possible? His mind raced as he wondered behind the walls. His mind was still trying to sort out his thoughts and feelings, when he heard Firmin yelling.
"Mystery after gala night," it says, "Mystery of soprano's flight! Mystified all the papers say, we are mystified -we suspect foul play!" Bad news on soprano scene-first Carlotta, now Christine! Still at least the seats get sold-gossip's worth its weight in gold…"
Erik smirked and stopped to listen. The thing with Poppy will have to wait……
XxX
