A/n
Hey everyone! Here's chapter twelve! Yeesh I'm so angry I could like blow up! One of my old time guy friends is being a total player/ass! Erg! Liz, can I borrow a knife to kill him? Pretty please! Anyways….Ummm…my friends are morons…
Editor's note: Um, sorry about the delay. I've been sort of lazy lately. Now, after editing the wrong chapter yesterday (I edited chapter 15 first; that should be up if this one is posted), I've decided to edit the right one. As I do so, I am watching Get Smart. Have any of you readers ever watched Get Smart? Max is an idiot.
Disclaimer- I do not own POTO, sadly enough
Chapter 14- Part two…yeah
Chase pulled me with him, his hand grasping mine softly and his fingers lightly intertwined with mine. For a second, I felt my heart speed up and my mind turned blank as he led me to the unknown place. He could have been leading me to my death and I wouldn't have realized it. My brain couldn't seem to focus on anything besides his hand holding mine.
Yeah, I know, that sounds completely mushy, but it's true.
I felt like I was being swallowed into a world of happiness and everything was made of uber sweet sugar. Pure sugar.
He finally stopped in front of an old door that I instantly recognized. The door of Madam Giry's bedroom, or at least that's what it reminded me of from the movie.
"It's a little dusty." Chase said as he brought out a small black key and unlocked the door before pulling me in.
I followed him willingly, my heart speeding up as I realized there was no light switch on the wall. Chase squeezed my hand gently and led me further in before crouching down to flick at something that illuminated the room with a dull light.
"Remember at the dinner we first had together, when I told you that the phantom of the opera was real."
"Yeah, still don't believe you."
"Well, if you haven't guessed, this is Madame Giry's room. And inside of here," Chase said crouching down lower, "Is a file of her personal diaries and other nick knacks of hers that would prove that the legend is real."
My mouth opened and closed. I was a loss for words, my mind went blank, and I felt the room spin slightly.
Chase stood up smiling lightly and rubbed my shoulder. I smiled, without realizing it, and then kneeled down to open the bottom drawer. Papers spilled out, along with small worn books that I guessed were her diaries. I fished a hand into the mess and pulled out a photograph I caught sight of.
Holding it into the light, I stared at the embarrassed smile at that stared back at me.
A petite woman with shoulder length blonde hair and a woman with a swelling belly and dark curly brown hair stood side by side in a small, half hug.
Oh, dear god, it couldn't be! Could it?
Turning to glance at the back it read in scratchy letters…
December 11, 1887
"Is this who I think it is?"
"Seulement vous pouvez decider." ((Only you can decide.))
I nodded lamely and looked back down at the picture, my brain still not believing what I was seeing.
"Christine and Meg…oh my god….and Christine was pregnant!" I murmured letting my wildest dreams give in to the photo's reality.
"Yes, with Raoul's son." Chase said nodding when I turned to him.
Holy crap!
From the picture on, I scooped up everything and set it on the lone bed that lay under an oval window at the east side of the room. Chase sat down on the bed besides me and leaned against the wall, the top of his head resting on the window sill as I dug through the papers in my wild amazement.
Finally, after glancing over everything, I squealed in excitement before jumping around happily. Chase watched me with a grin, his arms crossed and his head now tilted to the side. When I was out of breath, I threw myself on his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck giving him a huge hug.
"Can't breathe," Chase gasped and I pulled away quickly.
"Thanks," I mumbled.
"You're welcome."
"Can I borrow all of this? To look at."
"What's the magic word?"
"Now?"
Chase glared at me and crossed his arms again.
I sighed and then smiled before saying, "Please."
"Actually…that wasn't it."
"Um, then what was it?"
"Sex," Chase murmured in my ear, quietly as he slowly wrapped his arms around my waist.
"Is that all you ever think about, pervert-boy?" I asked, glaring at him playfully.
He gave me a look of disbelief and said, "No!"
"Then, what else do you think about?" I asked, rolling my eyes.
I could already guess all of the disgusting things that I would have to edit out of my brain before images came.
"You."
Umm…
"Me?"
"Yes."
"Why me? Why not…Liz! Or Tiff!"
"Because, I don't love them."
"How could you not love them? Everyone loves them, you moron!"
"That's not what I meant."
"So, you do love them? God, you horn dog."
"No, I don't love them, I love you."
"No duh, everyone loves me, too!"
"I'm not surprised, but that's again not what I meant."
"Oh, really?"
"Let me get this straight…I. Love. YOU; not as a friend, not as a family member, but as a man loves a woman."
I blinked several times, staring at him, then sighed softly and set my head on his shoulder. His arms held my tightly against him and I closed my eyes, willing myself not to cry.
We sat there like that; Chase weaving his fingers through my hair as I held my tears. Eventually, we came back and began helping out Liz and Tiff decorate, while Nathan and Jeron did whatever.
I couldn't even think about what he had said to me, I couldn't even imagine why he would ever, EVER, say he loved me.
And I didn't believe it.
You might have noticed, I have a low self esteem, and I have realized over several years that nobody is ever supposed to be lovable. Like Sherlock Holmes, I was born not to be loved.
And even if someone broke the impossible, I would never truly love them back. I don't want to take that risk and get hurt, because I know I will.
"Let's turn on some music." I exclaimed, stretching my arms out and flashing a fake grin as I walked towards the grand staircase as they discussed where to put the cobweb.
"Alright," Both say at once, not even realizing my discomfort.
I quickly grab Tiff's radio, which she always brought with her and put in a random CD before sitting in the middle of them and watching them point out where the decorations were going.
I'd
do anything
Just to hold you in my arms
To try to make you
laugh
Somehow I can't put you in the past
I'd do anything
Just
to fall asleep with you
Will you remember me?
'Cuz I know I
won't forget you
Chase came into the room not long after I started blasting music and brought three maids with him. He explained they were going to help us divide and conquer the Halloween decorations. Agreeing to it, we explained in French slowly what we would have them do and set off in our teams of three.
Working down the grand staircase, I stretched out the spider web and hooked it onto random parts. The whole time I glanced around to see if I could get a view of Chase. Every time I did see him, his eyes were drifting over me.
He's a pervert, a playboy, an annoying French playboy to be exact. He just wants to woe you with his sweet sugar-dripped lies and screw you for fun. He doesn't feel anything for you at all.
But what about if he does…
Shut up, conscience! This is none of your business. I don't need an annoying little perky voice in the back of my head.
Yeah, it is my business. I am YOU. So deal with it.
Shush you.
You can't make me shush, I'm going to annoy you until you admit that Chase does like you, and you want to screw with his hot body!
I said shut it, NOW. You sicko.
How am I the sicko? You're the one who was checking out his butt earlier.
Was not.
Sure. Want me to give you a flash back?
Go away.
Never.
"I said GO AWAY!" I screamed, kicking the bottom stair. Then, turning crimson, I turned to see Chase and Megan his secretary staring at me. I waved with a large grin and ran up the stairs quickly before anyone could ask me anything else.
Oh god, how embarrassing.
Stopping as I turned the corner, I smiled as Liz stood next to Rick, who was leaning against the wall. I moved silently behind the corner so they couldn't see me and strained to hear what was going on.
"Liz…would you like to go out with me tonight? For dinner, and maybe a movie. You don't have to feel obligated to go or anything…I was just thinking it might be fun…"
"Sure, why the heck would I feel obligated? As long as I don't have to dress up, 'cause I'm not the type to dress up and bat my eyelashes like a girly-girl."
"No, dress like yourself. I'd hate to see you getting dolled up for me. Is seven alright?"
"Sure. Pick me up at seven."
"Will do."
I quickly glanced around the corner as Rick leaned down and kissed Liz's cheek before turning on his heel and going around the other corner.
Not able to resist my urge any longer, I jumped over to Liz giggling insanely and giving her a hug.
"Eavesdropper," Liz muttered, glaring.
"As if, now, you do know I get to dress you up like a doll, right?"
"Oh crap."
Hours later, Liz now sat in a dark blue skirt that went to her knees, a white zip up blouse, converses, and her black neck chocker with cross; all thanks to myself.
The neck choker, as you can tell, was something rather special to us four girls. Originally, it started with Liz and me when we were fourteen and bought the chokers at Icing, an annoyingly preppy store inside the mall.
Ever since then, we wear our chokers on special occasions, such as dates. For good luck.
A knock came, making a smile spread across Liz's lips and she rushed over to it glancing at the clock quickly.
Lizzy-wizzy is officially going on a date with the French hottie! Score! My wildest dreams, for my friends, are coming true!
Liz's POV
When I opened the door I said, "Hello." Quickly.
Rick was in a black turtleneck, dark blue jeans and a white scarf. He looked uber hot, and I mean Orlando bloom hot. I tried not to drool when he said hello back and offered me his arm as we walked down to his black Jaguar.
He had the tall dark and handsome thing defiantly going on. Or in Amber's words…I shudder to even think I'm saying this…he was a freaking hottie!
Offering me his arm, which I gladly accepted, he led me out of the hotel, after I waved off my friends, and out to his sleek car.
"How are you doing?" He asked as I slip into the passenger seat.
"Good as usual. You?" I said, looking out the window as he pulled the car out.
"I'm doing good. Thanks for coming with me to the movies."
"No need for thanks. You did ask me." I said.
Yeesh, he's so charming!
"Yeah, I did. Sorry about all the media and news about last night. I was hoping nothing would happen for them to go hounding around about things." He said, giving me a sweet smile and then making a turn.
"Oh, that's ok. It's understandable."
We sat in silence for a few minutes, until I asked, "So how is being a Vicomte? Besides the media junk."
He laughed and said, "It's really boring, but at times it gets pretty interesting. Luckily, I have a brother who keeps me busy with things. The media is what it's mostly about."
A brother? Hmmm bet he's not as cool as him. "What's he like?"
"He's quiet, shy, and meddlesome, but he's my brother. Do you have any siblings?"
"Yeah, a brother. He's most definitely insane, but I love him for that." I said laughing. My brother disappeared from the opera house, shortly after appearing. Supposedly, when I called his cell phone, he had a date and is having another one tonight. The creepier thing was I think the date was Crescent.
I just hope nothing really…adult rated is going on between them…I mean…eww!
Getting to the theater, we picked a comedy about a road trip and grabbed some popcorn before sitting down in the front row seat. Sitting through the first half an hour, he put his arm around my shoulder and didn't even try to hide it.
Somewhere inside of me, I felt myself doing inner somersaults and cheering for victory.
Suddenly, a man on the screen dropped dead and someone started clapping behind us. Turning, I found some idiot clapping, with a girl next to him, giggling onto his shoulder. He had red hair and- Oh no, that idiot was my brother Matt. And the girl was Crescent.
Creepiness. But, hey, I guessed it would be her already, at least they're somewhere decent and not…anywhere else…
I turned, making sure he didn't notice my date and I, and went back to the movie. My brother was a little overprotective and the last guy I dated got two black eyes and a bloody nose. I didn't want that repeated with Rick.
Somehow, we managed to get out without my bro noticing and now stood before the door to my room in the hotel. He leaned down- Oh my god! -And kissed me cheek before going to the elevator and saying, with a wave, "I had a great time! Later."
Well, it was still cute although I was expecting to get a kiss on my lips. This was turning out great. My heart was still beating like crazy when I slipped into bed and tried to fall off to sleep.
The only thing that made me worry is my friends; they were going to ask for details in the morning.
"Liz, do you think you're going to sleep before telling us what happened?" Came a voice from besides me.
Never mind the morning… Can you say sigh?
