Chapter 8
"Raoul," Christine placed her hand on his arm, "Please come with me, I'm sure Meg would love to see you again." she pleaded with him, but he just shook his head.
"I don't think so darling, I have already made plans with some old friends." She took her hands off of him, and folded them up under her breasts. "Please don't pout Christine, you knew before we came that I had no intention to go any were near that place."
"But, sweetheart, you're still the patron! And besides, you won't be any were near the Opera House, just Meg's house, please stay." She snuggled up into the crook of his arm, while she batted her eyes, and put on her most pleading look.
"I'm not going to debate this with you, go have fun with your friends, while I visit mine." She hung her head in defeat.
"Just, please don't go to one of those wretched places, it breaks my heart when you do." He kissed the top of her head, as he ran his hand down through her curly hair.
"I promise, my dear." In her heart she knew he was lying, but she excepted his word. "Now, go. I'm sure Meg will want to spend every minute she can with you." Christine nodded, and got out of the carriage. As she watched Raoul disappear into the landscape, Meg came scurrying out to meet her old friend.
"Oh, Christine!" Meg panted out, as she embraced her.
"Oh! Little Meg, I've missed you so much!" The women parted, but kept their hands clasped firmly together.
"yes, well fifteen years will do that."
"It's been to long. I never should have moved away." The women made their way into Meg's home. Despite Meg's small income, The house was beautifully furnished, and carried a simple elegance. Meg escorted her to the main atrium, were a rather large Persian man sat on the love seat. When he saw the two women enter, he raised and went to great them.
"Christine, I want you to meet my fiance, Nadir Khan." He bowed his head slightly, then took Christine's hand, and kissed it.
"It's wonderful to meet you, Madame."
"It's a pleasure." She said as he returned her hand. He turned to Meg, and kissed her cheek.
"My Dear, I'm sorry, but I have some affairs I must attend to, please excuse my absence."
"Why, of course." She kissed his cheek, while a flash of curiosity showed in her eyes, but she didn't inquire. He nodded, then left the room. Meg sat down on the chair Nadir had just occupied, as Christine found a seat across from her.
"So, The Persian?" Christine asked.
"Yes, what about it?"
"Didn't we used to make fun of him?"
"We also made fun of the phantom, or have you forgotten?" She retaliated.
"Well,that was different. I didn't go with him voluntarily, and that was so long ago..."
"Really?" Meg said mockingly, "Is that why you had his child, two years after you left the opera house?" She said in a hushed voice. Christine's eyes widened in horror.
"But, how did..." She was too stunned to finish her question, but Meg understood. She got up off the chair, and walked over to a small writing desk. She picked up a oval picture in it's frame, and brought it back to her friend.
"Do you remember that family portrait you sent me a couple of years ago? well, Nadir took notice of it." She pointed to the younger version of Sasha. "Her eyes, they look like they belong to a cat. Erik's eyes. Nadir had been friends with him for many years, he knew what was going on." Christine hung her head, embarrassing that someone who had never even seen him, could recognize his child.
"He disappeared right after, I never told him..." She looked up at Meg, "If Nadir is his friend, he would know surly were he went." A glimmer of hope shinned in her eyes, but Meg just shook her head.
"After he first told me he was friends with him, I asked what happened to him, but all he said was his addiction finally took him, he wouldn't tell me anything else."
"The Morphine." Christine whispered to herself. Meg tilted her head with curiosity. "He was addicted to morphine, it would help take his pain way, for a time." She paused to wipe her watering eyes. "He must have died then. I had suspected, but I hoped that wasn't the case."
"I'm sorry" Christine looked up at her friend and smiled.
"No need to cry, after all, my closest friend, getting married!"
"Ya, took me long enough."
"Now, let me see the dress!" The women giggled, and rushed off, like they were still in their dancing days.
