XII.

Malika busied herself over the next few days to make sure that everything was perfect for the dinner. She did not want for him to look bad...and she did not want to lose the bet. Erik had had the same behavior pattern for the past week. Go to work, come home angry, have hot sex in some part of the manor, then finally get ready for dinner. Erik had torn several of her dresses in his rampage and now she was waiting for a few to come in from the tailor. She wanted to look especially nice for their guests...and most importantly, him.

She explained to her siblings, in detail, that they were not to interrupt them and if they did there would be serious consequences. So far, since their intrusion on them in the garden, they did not want any trouble. Malika was glad that everything would be going accordingly. Her only thought was how well she would play Erik's wife.

Erik had announced to her that he had told them that his wife had invited them. He had also told her that they had taken great interest in this. Malika did not know how they would pull it off, but they would. Erik had told her that they would say that they had met and fell in love shortly after meeting. It was so much to take in for Malika.

She sighed then heard a knock on the door. "Yes."

"Mademoiselle, your dresses have arrived." A maid said through the door.

"Thank you. Bring them in." Malika replied with a sigh. Now the hard part would begin.

xxxx

Erik waited impatiently at the foot of the steps. "Come on Malika." He grumbled.

"Monsieur Garnier. The Vicomte and Vicomtess are here to see you." A butler announced as Erik saw three figures entering the foyer. One being the butler and the other two Christine and Raoul. Erik felt a sudden hatred flow through his veins.

"Greetings Monsieur Garnier." Christine broke the silence.

"Vicomtess." Erik acknowledged. "My wife should be here shortly."

"We are most interested in meeting her." Raoul replied with a smirk on his face.

"I'm sure you will not have to wait long." Erik said as he caught the sound of fabric rustling along the floor. He turned his gaze upward as he saw Malika descending the staircase in an elegantly cut deep sapphire colored dress.

"Do forgive me for being late Erik. The maid and I had some time deciding which dress would best be appropriate for tonight." Malika said in her best voice.

Erik smiled as he took her hand and kissed it gently. "You look appropriate in anything cherie." He paused, "May I introduce the Vicomte and Vicomtess de Chagny."

"Welcome to our home. I hope you will enjoy the dinner that has been prepared." Malika said to them as she stepped off the final step.

"I am sure we will." Christine responded as she watched Malika grasp Erik's arm.

"How was work dear? I do hope it was well." Malika said as she turned to Erik.

"Work was fine cherie. I am glad to be home." Erik responded. "Let us have dinner hmm."

Erik led them into the dining room and pulled out a chair for Malika then once she was sat down in her chair, he sat beside her. "I hear chef fixed us some wonderful roast duck." Malika said as Erik eyed her.

"May I ask your name Madame Garnier?" Christine questioned her.

"Malika." She responded as she felt Erik's hand grasp her knee.

"Odd name. It does not sound French. Where do you hail from?" Raould inquired as their dinner was served to them.

"Hungary. Erik met me there. We fell in love with each other there." She responded then she looked at Erik happily.

Erik smiled back. He knew that he was lying and he hated lying for any reason, but if this got him out of a contract he would do anything. Malika, so far, played a wonderful role. She was an excellent hostess which made him happy. She could charm anyone if she wanted to and he personally hoped that she lost their bet so he could have fun.

Throughout the night they enjoyed food and conversation. Everything was pleasant until they discussed the contract. Erik was vehement in the fact that he did not want to work for them. "I can recommend some other architects for you."

"No Erik. We want you to build." Christine said firmly.

"Why is that Christine? So you can torment me more?" Erik suddenly snapped.

"Erik please. There is no need to be hostile now." Malika said as he grasped her knee tightly.

He threw her an enraged glance. "I do not wish to build you a house Christine. I do not care who you think you are. I am not interested in building you anything."

"But Erik, you have a contract!" Christine shouted in a spoilt manner.

He growled loudly. "I don't care."

"We're paying you for it damn it!" Raoul finally interrupted.

"Enough. How about Erik builds just the foundation of the house? Would that be agreeable?" Malika interrupted.

Erik glared at her then sighed and said, "Fine. The foundation only." He paused to look at Christine and the Vicomte, "If that is acceptable with them."

"Fine." Raoul agreed.

Malika knew she would have to deal with an angry Erik after their guests left. She knew he did not want to do anything with them but she did not understand why. He didn't want to tell her why or what had happened in the past. She hoped she would be able to understand why he hated them so much. She hoped he would trust her with the secret soon enough.

After about another half an hour of talking the Vicomte and Vicomtess left leaving Erik and Malika to themselves. When Erik knew that they had gone and they were alone he finally said, "Excellent work Malika."

"I know you don't want to work for them, but it is best just to get it out of the way." Malika replied.

He turned to face her and said, "I told you not to override my authority and you do it again."

"What do you mean?" She questioned back, wondering how intervening on a fight was overriding his authority.

"You know what I mean. I could have made them agree to something else." Erik told her.

"Well all I wanted was for you three to stop arguing. I don't seem the harm in building the foundation."

"You wouldn't." He snarled at her.

"Take your anger out on someone else because I haven't done anything to deserve it." Malika responded angrily then stomped out of the room. Erik watched her stomp away and felt such an anger overcome him. Damn Christine for ruining his life again.

xxxx

Malika finally went to the bedroom after cooling off somewhat. She hoped Erik was cooling off as well. She did not want to deal with an angry Erik when she came in and got settled. She sighed as she began undressing herself. Where was he? She began working on her undergarments when she heard the door open then slam. She winced at the sound of the door and his heavy footsteps. She cried out loudly when he suddenly turned her around and pressed heavily against her body.

"Malika, you are the most stubborn woman I ever met. But God, I want you!" He said huskily in her ear as his hands grasped her waist and he nuzzled his mouth against her neck. Malika struggled against his body as he used one hand to pull her camisole over her head.

"Not tonight Erik. Please." She begged as he dropped the garment in the floor.

"Why not?" He questioned as his fingers went to unlace her pantalets.

"I'm not feeling well." She told him as his hands pushed her pantalets down her waist and legs.

"You look fine to me." Erik responded while pushing her onto the bed.

Malika gasped loudly then said, "No Erik. I said no! I don't feel well and it doesn't matter if you think I am lying or not. I do not wish to have sex."

Erik glared at her, molten amber meeting crystal azure, "I don't believe you have a choice my dear."

"Erik please. I do not wish this. Please Erik." She begged him as she watched him undress himself quickly. "Is this your answer to our earlier argument?"

"It wasn't an argument. Our arguments are more...passionate."

"Erik please stop." Malika begged him once more as he climbed onto the bed and over her. She felt his hands grasp her waist as he settled between her legs. She struggled against him, but his body kept her pinned effectively to the bed. He bent down and passionately claimed her mouth. His tongue thrust into her mouth as she tried to pull away from him.

He nibbled her lower lip as his hands moved from her waist to her breasts and massaged the mounds softly. Erik pulled away from her lips then said, "You'll be begging me for a different reason."

Erik heard her groan softly as he kissed down her neck and along her collarbone. "Erik please..." Malika begged him. "No more."

"It's too late to stop." He responded as he pushed her legs open further.

"God Erik no." She cried out as her nails dug into the skin of his back. She felt him suddenly thrust into her as his fingers dug into the flesh of her breasts. Erik pressed his lips against hers as he began rhythmatically thrusting into her. "Please Erik! It hurts. No more!" Erik ignored her cries as he thrust harder until he felt himself go rigid. His hands grasped her harshly as he emptied himself into her then collapsed.

Malika pushed him off her as soon as he had recovered and rolled on her side. "What's the matter with you?"

"Leave me alone." Malika responded angrily.

"Jesus Malika, i'm not going to guess."

"Are you an idiot or did you go deaf and blind while you were enjoying yourself?" She snapped at him.

"Come here." He whispered as he grasped her waist.

"No." She responded firmly then pushed his hand away. "Leave me alone."

"I don't know why you are so unwilling tonight but you need to stop being in a bad mood."

"I told you I didn't want to and you wouldn't stop. You would be angry with me if I did the same."

"No I wouldn't." Erik replied as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

She struggled to break free from his embrace. "Get off me! I don't want anymore. Stop it!"

"No!" He shouted at her. His lips found her neck as he reached to stroke her thigh. Malika clenched her thighs shut.

"Not tonight!"

"I don't give a damn what you say Malika! You are mine and i'll do what I want with you and if you don't like it, that is too bad for you!" Erik shouted in her ear.

Malika pushed Erik off with a sudden burst of strength and ran into the bathroom and locked the door. She heard him shout and beat at the door as she kneeled beside the tub, feeling some queasiness settle over her stomach. Why did she feel so sick now? Why was she feeling dizzy? She ignored the sounds of Erik's anger as she leaned her head against the edge of the tub. She had never felt so weak and sick in one day. Surely she did not have food poisoning. She pressed her hand against her stomach as if that motion would settle it. Malika decided it would be best to let Erik finish his tirade before going back out. She didn't want to argue with him. Feeling tired, she situated herself and let herself rest for a while.

xxxx

Malika opened the door to the bathroom carefully and peeked out to see where Erik was. She found him on the bed, he looked as if he was sleeping. She sighed softly as she made her way to the bed. She hoped that Erik hadn't heard her vomiting. She didn't want him to be concerned. She yawned then climbed on the bed and covered herself up with the sheets and blankets.

Erik opened an eye slowly then said, "Are you feeling well?"

"Yes." Malika responded.

"Don't lie to me. I heard you."

"Don't worry. I'm sure it will pass." Malika responded as she kept her eyes averted from his. He pulled her in his embrace and kissed her neck.

"I'll summon the doctor later."

"No. You don't have to." Malika protested.

"I want to make sure..."

"Make sure of what?"

"Make sure you aren't pregnant." Erik replied.

Author's Note: Sorry for the long ass update. My sex scene rather sucked this time. I was trying to hurry and get it done and I apologize. So I hope you like this chapter. I will not be able to update till around Wednesday of next week. I have finals Monday and Tuesday and therefore have to study this weekend. Anyway, sorry again.