*DISCLAIMER* I DO NOT own The Phantom of the Opera, its storyline, or its characters. Please R&R.
Bianca and I arrived at my apartment shortly after leaving Dad's house. She had fallen asleep during the drive home. I tooker out of the car in her carseat making sure to be very careful not to wake her up. I locked my car, and made my way into the building. I made it to my apartment door shortly after and walked in with Bianca in tow.
I took Bianca up to the nursery I had put together for her in my apartment. Once I laid her down in her crib, I made my way into my room to change into some regular clothing. I decided to go with a plum colored hoodie paired with black leggings and white converse. After throwing my hair up into a bun, I made my way down to the kitchen to grab a snack before heading to the gym.
Erik got home after a long day at a meeting. The meeting had been a private meeting with the board of the committee in order to catch them up on the suspension of Centola and to form a decision on when she would return to her duties. The committee ultimately decided that it would all be up to Erik when and if Centola does return.
Erik made his way into his room to change into regular attire and went straight to the kitchen to make himself a snack. While he was just about to take a seat and enjoy his small snack, he heard his phone chime in with a text.
Nadir: Hey, cuz. Have you been updated with the lengthy itinerary for Ibiza? *laughing face emoji*
Erik: Hello, Nadir. No, I don't believe I've been made aware of this itinerary.
Nadir: Is typing…
Nadir: Hmm, seems like the perfect chance to hit up your hot little assistant and ask her for it. Maybe you could ask her out for dinner while you're at it, big boy. *laughing face emoji* *dead face emoji*
Erik stopped himself from throwing up in his mouth at the thought of his cousin calling him "big boy."
Erik: Shut up, Nadir.
With that, Erik went back to eating his snack. Erik would never admit it out loud, but he grew a little lonely living on his own all of the time.
After finishing his rather large small snack and washing his plate, Erik got himself ready to head to the gym on the first floor. He grabbed his things and walked out the door, making sure to lock the door behind him. He walked to the elevator and pressed the buttons to head downstairs.
Erik arrived at the gym within a matter of seconds and went straight to the treadmill to warm-up. After his quick warm-up, he proceeded to walk over to the workout machines. Today was Erik's day to work on his back and biceps. He had his headphones in and was so in the zone that he hardly noticed a certain some was finished with their workout just as he was finished with his own.
I was finally finished doing a killer leg workout and was extremely tired and hungry. I had brought Bianca with me and had her sitting in her stroller watching Coco on my iPad. I looked over at her and made a face at her. She babbled back and smiled as if she was actually saying something. "Lets go, B," I said to her in that voice I always used while talking to babies. I took the iPad from her and put it in the basket. I took the brakes off of the stroller and pushed it, walking towards the exit.
Before I knew it someone walked in my way and I almost ran them over with the stroller. I looked up at them and know there must have been a couple of flies that flew into my mouth with how wide my mouth was gaped open. Erik Destler was standing before me, a look of shock on his face as well. "Um… hello, Christine," said Erik.
I quickly shut my mouth and answered back. "Hi, Erik. What are you doing here? I thought this gym was only for tenants," I said. Erik chuckled. God, he sounds so sexy when he chuckles. "Well, about that. I actually am a tenant myself. I live one floor above you, in the penthouse."
What on earth?! He's lived right above me this whole time?! "Oh! That's cool, I never realized," I said nervously. We stood there for a little bit in silence. It was beginning to get a little awkward and I think Erik noticed this as well. "Well, who's this little one," he asked in an attempt to break the tension in the room. I looked down completely forgetting that I had Bianca with me this whole time, she seemed quite amused by the both of us. "This is Bianca, say hi," I said. Bianca just giggled and babbled something as if she was actually saying 'hi.'
Erik showed the faintest sign of a grin. Is he always so stern? Even with babies?! Erik looked around a bit, as if trying to figure out what to say or do next. "Um, are you doing anything right now," he asked. "Um, no. I was just leaving… I'm finished with my workout so I was planning on heading upstairs and making Bianca and I some dinner," I said nervously. Erik grinned at me somewhat, if you could even call it that. "Well, um… I was just about to grab some dinner myself… would you care to join me?"
What! The! Heck?! Erik wants ME to go to dinner with HIM?! Well… Bianca and I? "Um, sure! Why not! If you don't mind Bianca tagging along." Erik looked from me to Bianca. "Of course not, it's on me. We could go to a family friendly place," he said. "Okay! Well let me shower and change quickly, I can meet you at the lobby," I said. "Sounds good," he said. And with that I headed upstairs with Bianca in tow to get ready for dinner. Dinner with Erik Destler... The Man Of My Dreams.