Chapter 11
Our first week of vacation proved to be wonderful. Erik had each day planned out for what we would do, but still, I hadn't received my 3rd present yet. But my little puppy, Almonzo, held my attention. He certainly was a cute puppy. I never had a dog before and I had always wanted one, but father was too busy to have a dog in the house. But now that I was older, I could take care of it.
"Where are we off to today, Erik?"
"To your next surprise."
"What is it?" I asked with delight.
"You shall see later, but for now, we must practice your songs."
Erik and I hadn't had lessons in many weeks, so this seemed a bit odd, but I didn't want to question my masked lover, so I went along with him.
After my lessons, we left for lunch and a walk around the town. Italy was so beautiful. I could have never imagined that there was so much romance here. It was simply wonderful.
"Christine, it's almost time for your next surprise."
"Where is it?"
"The Opera House."
We got into a small car as we drove quickly down the road towards the grandest Opera House I had ever seen. As we stepped out, people began to flash pictures at me with no end, but Erik helped drag me away.
"What was that about?" I asked.
"You'll see soon."
He led me to a door that read backstage and as we opened it, two woman and a man pulled me in and sat me down to begin makeup and hair.
"Erik, what's going on?"
"You're singing on stage tonight love for an audience of 10,000. Tickets have been sold out for weeks."
My heart stopped beating for at least 2 seconds.
"Erik!" I screamed and tried to hug him but the man who was doing my hair gave me a look to sit still, so I dared not move.
As everyone finished on me, it was soon my cue. As I made my way out to the stage, Erik sat at the piano and began to play, "O Mio Bambino Caro" for me so sing. That was one of my favorite Italian songs. After the immense applause, I sang I new aria he had taught me called, "Sebben Crudele." I sang "Figlio Perduto", "Pie Jesu", and as my last piece, "Nessun Dorma." As the crowd grew wild, roses were thrown at my feet as I took my bows. But one man in particular came up to the stage with a bouquet of wild flowers. He handed them to me with a smile and kissed my cheek gently. I blushed and thanked him quickly to turn back to Erik. Erik took his bows with me, but as soon as we both came back up, that man was gone.
"Who was he?" I thought.
Little did I know that wasn't going to be the last time I would see that man...