Sorry for the long period of time with no update. College is kicking me (did I say kicking? I meant killing...) And I do know that this is a sorry excuse for a chapter (or for just a filler), but I felt really bad for just leaving y'all hanging. Anyways, shoutouts to Trunksymia, Aoirhue, CupcakeH3RO, PenguinQueenSan, Touch of Talent, Hoodedcrows, musa22lbl, sara4433, AralFox, Lovesucks45, Aircakes, embermoonlight, BiteMe42, everyone else that I may have missed, and everyone that has left me all of the great reviews. They are very touching and I would really like to thank each and every one of you that has left me one! You have no idea how much they brighten up my day :) That being said, here is the new chapter. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter 42
"Mandy! Are you up?!"
I jumped awake at Meg's exclamation and the sound of my door slamming open. There was something else, too, but my sleep-riddled brain couldn't place what it was. I rolled over a bit and felt a warm spot on the bed beside me, the sheets still rumpled. Then I remembered: Erik fell asleep beside me!
I looked all over the room from my point of view on the bed, but could find no other signs of him. Maybe he left a few minutes before she came in here… "I am, now. What is it, Meg?"
At least she had the decency to look a bit sheepish. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up. I just wanted to let you know that the gendarmes are in the managers' office. They would like to speak with you."
"About what?" My cobwebbed brain had struck again.
Meg gave me a weird look. "About what happened last night. With Buquet." She elaborated.
The hand that was scratching my head froze and my eyes went wide. Of course, I had completely forgotten about the murder that had happened right before my very eyes. Way to go, me…
"Oh, right. Well then, I guess I should get ready. Could you please tell them I will be down there as soon as I can?"
With a nod, she silently left the room, shutting the door behind her. Approximately 3.49 seconds later…
"I thought she would never leave."
The head of Erik, which had popped up beside my bed, was suddenly smacked with a pillow.
Once he recovered from the stun of sudden pillow-to-the-face syndrome, he shook his head. "What was that for?!"
I shrugged. "What can I say? I have quick self-defense reflexes."
"Well, anyways, that aside, you should probably get ready." He said, rolling his eyes.
As he struggled to get up, as he was on the floor in between my bed and the wall (there was a bit of space, but so little that I couldn't see how he could fit down there in the first place), I asked him, "Why are you down there? I thought you had left earlier."
"I was still in bed when I heard Meg knock. When you're like me, you learn to become a light sleeper- "
"So no one can get the drop on you?"
He nodded uncertainly, not quite understanding what I meant. "Yes, I think. Anyways, I heard her knock, and I didn't want you to be caught with a man – especially me – in your bed. Things would go awry if that had happened."
"Eh, true. I guess thanks should be in order for preserving my reputation, or at least what's left of it after last night."
He opened his mouth, but I knew that look in his eye. "And don't you dare ask which part, Erik. I will hit you with this pillow again!"
He held his hands up in surrender. "No, thank you. I would like to keep my mask in one piece."
"Oh, come on, it isn't THAT hard." A 'really' look. "Okay, maybe it isn't the softest thing in the world, but still..."
After Erik had left (and I had made sure), I got dressed and made my way down to the managers' office, wondering what awaited me there. When I walked in, I seen two officers, one on either side of the desk that stood in the middle of the office.
"I was summoned?"
Monsieur Firmin was the first to stand up. "Ah, yes, Mademoiselle Mandy. These two gentlemen, Inspectors Renaurd and de Pliere, would like to speak with you about the events that occurred last night." With a nod, he and Monsieur Andre made for the door.
Before they made it, I stuttered, "Um, I think it would be best for you to stay. This…thing did happen in your opera house, after all."
To my surprise, Inspector de Pliere spoke up. "I do believe the mademoiselle is right, monsieurs. Aren't you the least bit curious as to what she has to say?"
There was a bit of hesitation in the managers' expressions. I swear, if they leave me alone with these two because they say they don't have the stomach for it… "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt." Andre finally spat out.
After we all took our seats, Inspector Renaurd told me, "Mademoiselle, please tell everything that happened after your performance last night."
I took a deep breath. "Well, right after, I was backstage with Miss Daae and Monsieur Erik. We congratulated each other on a performance well-done. Miss Daae was the first to leave so she could get ready for the party. Monsieur Erik left next, leaving me alone to get ready. Once I was, Madame Giry escorted me to the party, where some reporters basically accosted me. When they disbanded, I found my co-stars of the night and we conversed. When I was tired, Monsieur Erik offered to escort me back to my room. I know of a shortcut from the stage, so that was the route we were going to take. We didn't think anyone would still be there. Before I knew what was happening, Monsieur Erik and I heard a struggle from above the stage. That was when Monsieur Buquet came crashing down, that rope around his neck."
I didn't realize I had closed my eyes until I opened them again only to find the pale faces of the managers and the thoughtful gazes of the inspectors. The inspectors seemed to be pretty nice, I thought. I started to make up little backstories for them (Renaurd had a family farm in the country with goats and sheep, de Pliere was a rake who would seduce anything in a dress) when de Pliere asked, "Did you happen to catch a glimpse of who committed the murder?"
"No, I didn't. As soon as I seen Buquet, I blacked out."
Notes were taken by the inspectors before they stood up with a nod. "I think that is all we need from you right now, mademoiselle." Renaurd said. "Thank you for your time."
"My pleasure, gentlemen. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready for rehearsal."
And with that, I left the office.
I made my way back to my room, where I was sure Erik was. I knew he had to have listened in on the conversation in the office and wanted to talk to me about it. Why? I didn't know, but he's one of those people…
I barely made it in the door when said door slammed shut and I was caught in a hug from behind. Now, usually, when someone does this to me, my self-defense reflexes kick in. But now I've grown accustomed to it because a certain person loves to do it…all the time…
"You are so lucky I'm used to this now." I said.
Erik chuckled. "I'm glad I have desensitized your reflexes. I remember the first time…" He trailed off and I felt him cringe. Yeah, it didn't turn out well the first time. I would tell you, but it may be too *insert shiver here* to some readers.
"So, I would bet you a dollar that you listened in back there."
He tried to pull away. "I am offended that you would even think that."
"But would I be a dollar richer?" I asked.
No hesitation. "Yes, you would."
Ha! Victory…