Chapter 43
La la la la. Sorry. Wasn't paying attention. So, was you all surprised? You'll be even more surprised later.
Poppy was pacing back and forth. She was worried. It was now past Don Juan. Even if everything didn't go by book or movie, it had still followed a pattern. Now she didn't know what would happen. Firmin and Andre were both fools. It could be a trap. Why they would want to would really be idiotic. Erik didn't kill anyone. She killed Buquet. Not that she was going to let anyone else know that. Piangi, she wasn't sure about, but Poppy had a feeling he wasn't dead, so there were no murders that they knew of to convicted Erik with. There was no intended sabotage to his opera. That was an accident. The only unlawful thing that they could pin on him is living under the Opera house. As an hour passed, she got increasingly agitated. Ayesha was setting on the couch watching her pace back and forth.
Poppy jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She let out a small gasp and spun. "Erik? Are you all right? What happened?" Poppy fired the questions off.
Erik laughed, "Slow down."
Poppy took a deep breath, "Sorry, but I was worried. You can't imagine all the things that could have happened."
"I believe I could," he told her grimly.
"So, what happened?"
Erik took her by the hand and led her over to the couch. After they set down Erik preceded to tell her what happened.
"So, now you are the now official manger of the Opera Populaire?"
"It seems that way, yes. But I don't think I can do it." His voice broke. "I should not have agreed!"
Poppy's heart broke. She hated hearing the fear in his voice. It sounded so foreign coming from him. She hugged him close. "You can do it. Did you not truly run the Opera house when Lefever was manger? This will be no different. Only this time you don't have to hide. You will have full control. This is chance for you to live your life to the fullest. Isn't that what you have always wanted?"
Erik gathered her even closer into his arms. "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Poppy was confused.
"Be so wise, yet childish."
"Oh. That. I just tell the obvious. And I speak what's in my heart. Erik, you are a genius. It is wasted down here." Poppy's voice turned from gentle to dill instructor, "So shape up. Be a man. Face the world with your head up high."
Erik shook his head, "My mask. My face. They…"
"Show them not the mask. But the man you are. Wear the mask if you must, but don't use it as a distraction. When you go up there, be not the Phantom, but as their new manger. I know that the prospect of facing people is terrifying, but if you want, I'll be by your side."
"Yes. By my side. As my wife." He sighed, "I'll do it."
"It'll be fine. You'll have me and Madame Giry to keep you in line."
Erik's eyes widened, "Keep me in line? More like keep you in line Cuquelicot."
She laughed and pushed his chest, "Ha! You wish! You ever heard of that line? "Behind every great man, there is a woman? It's us women who keep you men in line."
Erik pushed her off of his lap and onto the couch. He started to tickle her and grab her sides. Poppy started laughing so hard that she couldn't breathe. She tried pushing his hands away but he kept tickling her. Poppy began to yell for him to stop, because she couldn't stop laughing. Erik was still laughing a little when he stopped.
When she was breathing normally again, Erik brushed her hair out of her face.
"That was uncalled for. Paybacks are a bitch."
Erik chuckled, "So they are." He stood up, "Come. We have many things to prepare for."
Sorry about making Poppy a little preachy. But Erik was a bit unsure and some times one has to sit down and point out the facts to him. Erik's a genius, but not truly so when it comes to stepping out into the world to face people. Like me. (in a small voice) but I like my dark little corner.
