AN: Thanks for the reviews! They are greatly appreciated. Hope you enjoy.
Melleth Nimithil: I know he's my dream ;-)
Priestess of Anubis: Glad you like it.
lavexToxThexPotionsxMaster: Err, what does OOC mean? Anyway, I hope he's getting to be more angsty for you
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"Ah, hello Antonio," I greeted him, "What are you doing here?" Then continued to walk, knowing that he would catch up soon enough. I had to get as far away as possible before Kristina came out. I couldn't see her yet. Otherwise I would do something rash, again.
"Erik you must be kidding me!" he said once he caught up to me., "You told me to come pick you up here. Of course, being the scatter brain you are, you forgot to tell me what time; consequently, I have been waiting here for thirty minutes. Then you finally come out, and walk away when the limo is sitting right out front, obviously waiting for you. So I have to get out and run 5 blocks trying to catch you, while calling your name a hundred times when you are off in your own little world! And, to top it all off, you're wearing that damn mask again, and people are staring! Mon Dieu! Devez-vous agir tellement étrangement toute l'heure?"
At this I started laughing. I couldn't help myself. When I was finally able to control myself again I tried to act like I was upset with him, "Antonio! Is that any way to talk to your employer? Haven't I told you to speak to me in English? Lord knows both of us need to improve it. And yes, for your information, I must act this strangely all the time. Life is too short to spend it being 'normal.'"
Antonio glared at me for this, and said in a mocking tone, "Ah. Whatever happened to you telling me not to think of myself as your employee, but as a friend who must do everything you say? Now I'm back to being part of your staff, am I? The maids will love this. They always said I couldn't be your favorite forever. "
"Hmm," I replied, "Do they say that? Just tell me which ones they are, Tony, and I'll make sure they're gone by tomorrow morning."
"Erik! I was only joking!"
"So was I!"
"Do you really expect me to believe that?" he asked in an exasperated tone.
"No, but I figured I'd try anyway."
"Are you quite done yet? The staff doesn't need any more threats. They are quite scared of your temper as it is. Who in the world would control you from being an imbecile the entire time if I wasn't around?"
"Don't give me another reason to look forward to you finally leaving."
"Ha ha, very funny," he replied sarcastically, "But really, Erik, are you ready to return home?"
"No, not just yet," I replied while taking off the mask, and handing it to him, it was just easier to give in to his requests sometimes. "I think I shall walk around for a while. I'll return home after that. Go ahead and take that back for me. I know it upsets you for me to wear it for some reason, and I have no need for it at the moment."
"Ok. Call me if you decide you want me to drive you home."
"But of course. Oh, and Tony, I need you to go to the Opera Populaire Montmartre, room 315 and pick a young lady named Kristina. She shall be accompanying me to the ball tomorrow night, and she needs a costume. Here, take my credit card. Make sure she knows money is of no importance while shopping. But don't let her go too crazy, she shall be going as Christine, so make sure she stays focused, alright?"
Toni had been staring at me with a slightly surprised expression after I said she would be accompanying me to the ball. "But, Monsieur, I thought you said-"
"I know what I said, Toni. But I have changed my mind." I replied coldly, "And for the last time, don't call me monsieur, we've known each other too long for that."
"Of-of course, Erik. Forgive me, It just slipped." He stuttered.
I sighed, I hated snapping at Tony, but he should have known not to say anything, he knows I have a short temper, "I know Antonio. Now please, go."
"Yes Erik" he said and quietly left.
I silently cursed myself for acting so coldly to Tony, and for referring to him as Antonio in the last thing I said to him. He hates being called Antonio, and I usually only say it to annoy him, but when I told him to leave I was mad, and he could tell. I hate being second guessed. Whatever I say should be enough for anyone employed by me. They should do it without question. Is that too much to ask for? This just so happened to be one of those times when I was painfully aware that Tony worked for me. Usually I just thought of him as a friend, he didn't have to do that much work for me. Only drive, so when he wasn't doing that we could typically talk as friends, but every once in a while I made sure he knew that he worked for me, generally when I was annoyed with him.
I walked around for a while, and started to feel better. I knew Tony would forgive me. He was used to it by now. He knew I had problems controlling myself, and would usually let such outbursts go without even acknowledging them. So once I was content again, I began to reflect on Kristina.
She really was a beautiful girl. And she carried herself as one who didn't know it. Her long brown hair was entrancing. It reflected the sun, and gave her an ethereal quality, and I imagined myself running my hands through it. But I quickly shook my head from the thought, because I knew it would quickly lead to much more lusty ones, and this wasn't the time or place for it.
After an hour of walking aimlessly I turned resolutely toward home to apologize to Tony, though I was sure he would blow it off and say it was nothing. It was only two o'clock, so I figured we'd have enough time to talk and play a game of chess before he had to go get Kristina.
"Ugh! I can't believe how much I ate Meg! Why in the world would you force all that food down my throat?" I complained.
"Excuse me?" Meg replied, "If I remember correctly. You were the one forcing food down my throat! You're the one who had to try all things French! And by the way, how the hell could you not know what escargot was?"
"Well excuse me for not being as educated as you. I'm sure I'm not the only person in the world who didn't know what it was. Besides it was really good. You should have tried some."
"Uh, no. Thanks. Eating bugs just doesn't appeal to me."
"You had a bug for dinner last night! Lobster's are bugs."
"No way! You must be Kidding!"
"Nope they belong to the phylum anthropoid."
"Great. You just ruined my favorite food. Thank you oh so very much."
"No problem."
"I hate your sarcasm, you know that?"
"So you've said. But it amuses me, so I think I shall keep it."
"Stop being a smart ass and hurry up and get ready. Our ride is supposed to be here in ten minutes. What did you need to get anyway?"
"I just needed to grab some cash for our costumes."
"What? We have to pay for the costumes ourselves?"
"No, I have to pay for the costumes myself. You don't need to worry about it."