Chapter 3:

Erik had a hard time entering the carriage barely able to walk. The city was large, but they were going to a large rural area. Meg looked around like a child as she looked out the window. Madam Giry sat beside her with her eyes forward and back straight, looking professional like she always did. Erik tried to look out the window as well. It was a change of scenery he had wished for. Mr. Maxwing had his back straight looking out his own window with his still stern expression.

"I am taking you three to my 'out of the city' home. It is quiet and peaceful. Plenty of space to work," Mr. Maxwing stated. "I will get some instruments sent there soon".

"It is just this one time," Erik said. "I will have hard time finding work with my face".

"No," Mr. Maxwing laughed. "I want you to write me many things and I will pay well. But I want my first one to be about love".

"Love," Erik asked.

"I do not think he is going to be able to- "Madam Giry stated.

"That is what someone wants," he said. "So, that is what I want. If you can't do what I want- ".

"I shall," Erik coldly said. "It will take some time".

"No worries," Mr. Maxwing said. "We are still building the place".

"Okay," Erik agreed.

"Is it for your wife," Meg asked.

"No, I have been unwed my whole life. It is friend of mine for a gift for his own wife," Mr. Maxwing said.

"That is nice of you," Madam Giry added.

"Here we are," Mr. Maxwing smiled.

The house looked more like a mansion than a house as they pulled up to it. It was large easy to see it had many rooms. The property was a large field. It looked nice but was easy to see it was not a house that was used very much.

"It looks beautiful," Meg smiled.

"Glad you like it," Mr. Maxwing said.

The carriage pulled up as the driver opened to door allowing them to exit. Meg helped Erik inside as a helper carried the little of luggage inside. The stairs felt tiring to his legs. Mr. Maxwing stopped at the doorway. It was obvious he had plans somewhere else.

"I will give you an advance… no, a signing bonus. You need far more to survive. A man will come tomorrow after lunch," Mr. Maxwing said. "You all need to go shopping".

He jumped back into his carriage leaving the three by themselves. Madam Giry told them to pick their room as Mr. Maxwing said any room was their rooms since he never really used it. Erik picked a bedroom of blacks and blues. He looked at the big fluffy bed before him. He was more use to a coffin than a bed. Meg sat him on the bed, he felt tired as soon as he was sat on the bed. It felt so comfortable and relaxing and he was sore from walking.

"Go, and pick your room," Erik said.

"I should pick the one by yours," Meg said. "In case you need anything".

Before Erik could disagree, she ran out and went into the room beside his. He was surprised as every time he showed his temper she would look so scared and even ran out of the room a few times even though none of it was directed towards her, yet she would act like sweet and caring for him after. He felt lucky to have her taking care of him. He looked over seeing his room had its own washroom.

"Rich people," he said under his breath.

He laid down on the bed allowing his back to slightly sink into the cushiony bed. The thought of Meg ran in his mind for some reason. She looked so beautiful as the sun shinned on her. He knew he shouldn't be thinking about her as he laid in the bed, but he couldn't help it.

"Erik," Meg said through the door.

"Yes," Erik jumped.

"Your instruments are coming in," Meg said.

"Okay, come in," he said.

She helped him up, they both headed towards the new music room. The rest did help his muscles a bit but not by much. Madam Giry was telling the men where the piano was to be as the violin sat by a chair. He would have to take a bath later. It might help his muscles a bit more.

"Is this where you and your wife want this," a man asked Erik. "I have to ask as I know how mothers-in-laws are".

"Yes, that is good," Erik said blushing.

"Yes, very lovely there," Meg added.

The men brushed off their hands before waving as the 'couple' goodbye. Madam Giry huffed as the men left.

"Erik," Madam Giry said. "You better start working on your opera".

"I know that," he snapped.

He sat at the piano. Sitting next to it was a stack of empty music paper waiting to be written in. Madam Giry stood by her daughter.

"If you don't work on this properly Erik it won't be just you who will suffer," Madam Giry stated.

"I know," he said slamming his fists on the table that held the music paper.

The paper fell to the ground. Madam Giry rolled her eyes as she walked off. Meg looked scared before running after her mother. Erik felt embarrassed by his outburst. Meg would seem to start to be more social with him until he outbursts then she is right back to being cautious. He sat down looking at the music he picked up.

"A love story," he told himself. "This isn't going to be easy".

Erik worked till the next day. Meg gently opened the door to find Erik working.

"Erik," she asked.

Erik paid her no mind as he worked. She got closer to him calling his name. He gave her no response. She gently touched his shoulder. He moaned her a second before jumping away.

"What are you doing Meg," he asked.

"The carriage is here," Meg answered.

"Oh, yes, we better go," Erik sighed.

Erik and the two women headed to the city.

"We didn't bring much things so we will be out for a while," Madam Giry said. "But we need to hurry so we can work".

Erik sneered at her knowing full well that was fully directed at him. The carriage stopped in front of a clothing shop. Erik helped Meg out.

"Come on," she giggled pulling at his arm.

Erik followed allowing Meg to pull him in. Madam Giry did not look happy as this was serious business. They ended up shopping for over half the day. Meg was pulling almost everything for Erik wanting him to try it all on. Erik allowed her to pick his clothing as he had no interest in such a thing. Meg was excited to do so. Once she was done they had Erik wait in the carriage as they went shopping saying they did not want a man to go with them. Erik thought it was silly but decided to do what he was told. The carriage driver laughed.

"My wife and her mother do the same thing," he chuckled.

"Yeah," Erik responded.

The two women were giggling as they got into the carriage. It was a fun day for the women. It was a chatty ride home. Both women talking about how exciting everything was, the people they met, and they couldn't wait to do different things in the city. Erik bit his lip. They all entered the house.

"I guess I should go and work," Erik stated. "You two have fun meeting new people and doing new things".

For two days he locked himself in the music room. Neither of the women could open the door. Meg seemed to be worried, but Madam Giry reassured it was okay.

"He does this all the time," he told her daughter.

Meg would sit by the door listening to the piano being played. One the third day a tired Erik stepped out. He looked like he was about to fall over. His eyes shifted towards Meg. She froze at those eyes.

"Tell her I am working on it," he told her.

She caught him as he started to fall. Once again, he could smell that flowery smell.

"Erik, your body isn't used to this anymore. It isn't a good idea," Meg said. "It never was".

"I write or you lose your job," he said resting his chin on her shoulder.

"If you work yourself like this you won't like the music you make," Meg said patting his head gently. "You will just get angry and rewrite everything anyways".

Erik liked how she patted his head. He felt his eyes grow more tired.

"You better go to bed," Meg said. "Come on".

She helped him to bed gently allowing him to collapse on the bed. She unbuttoned his shirt to get him more comfortable. His scars ran all over his body. She gently touched his chest making his closed eyes slightly open.

"Why do you have all these scars," Meg asked.

"I don't like to talk about my past," he said finishing taking off his shirt.

"I just think maybe you should," Meg stopped.

Erik was so tired and out of touch what was happening he started to unbutton his pants. She saw all of his body already but felt embarrassed that he was taking his own clothing off in front of her.

"Just let me sleep," he said as he started to pull down his pants.

Meg quickly turned feeling like she should not see him like that when he was awake. She stood up and headed towards the door.

"We really should talk about it at some point," she said.

The response she heard was soft snoring. She sighed as she walked away closing the door behind her.

"Please," Erik cried in the middle of the night.

Meg ran into his bedroom with her robe over herself. Erik was sleeping crying.

"Erik," Meg said holding him.

Erik wept in her lap. Meg softly played with his hair.

"I deserve it," Erik said. "Why am I not allowed it".

"It is okay Erik," Meg sighed.

"I just want love," Erik said still in deep sleep.

"I know," Meg smirked. "I know".

She played with his hair softly humming until his whimpers faded. He started to softly snore once more. Meg sighed not knowing how to help him. Her hand massaged his shoulder making him rub his head against her lap. She carefully pulled herself away from him. He now looked so peaceful sleeping. She blushed forgetting he wasn't dressed. She took the blanket and pulled it up to his shoulders. She wasn't sure if she was going to have to come back that night.

The next morning Erik woke up in his room. He got dressed and nearly stumbled into the kitchen and ate by himself.

"Think you are taking your sweet time," Madam Giry stated. "You are usually further along by now".

"Thanks for the reminder. If you haven't noticed I don't know much about love and it doesn't help you keep reminding me," Erik snapped. "I already have an idea on what to do to help".

"You better use that idea fast," she said.

Erik marched out and went into the library. Meg was in the library looking at the books. Erik stood by Meg looking at the books. He could feel Meg's eyes looking at him.

"I think if I find a book I could get a better idea," Erik sighed.

"Sounds like a good idea to me," Meg said.

He reached beside Meg. She jerked away as if he was going to snap her. Erik looked surprised at her.

"I think you should do something on this one," she said pointing at a book.

Erik turned to see what she was pointing at. She quickly walked off before he could turn around. He wasn't sure what he did this time but hoped she would get use to him again soon. The book she picked was of a woman who loved a man so much that when he fell for another she sacrificed everything to try to secretly get the man and the woman he loved together. In the end of the book the woman ended up alone as the man left with the woman he loved, even after the original woman told him her feelings. He sighed knowing the book's ending would not be to Mr. Maxwing's liking. He decided to use it as a base for his own.

Erik wrote for four days making sure to eat and sleep worried Meg would get even more upset with him. Madam Giry seemed desperate pushing Erik more. He sat playing with a Stoch sitting on the table decide him. His fingers slid as he hit the keys hard. The empty glasses showed he had more than he should have.

"Erik," Madam Giry shouted.

"Here she is," Erik slurred sang. "Here she is to ruin my day".

"What do you think you are doing," she snapped holding an empty glass.

"Saving you and your daughter," he said. "You have been telling me enough about it".

"I can't believe you," she shouted. "You never think about anyone but yourself. What about me or Meg"?

As she asked that Erik's drunk anger took control. He grabbed and empty glass looking at Madam Giry.

"I already told you I don't know anything about love," Erik shouted throwing the glass.

Meg stepped in as the glass shattered beside her. Erik stopped looking at her. She looked even more terrified than she has ever looked.

"Meg," her mother called.

Meg was crying. Madam Giry took her looking at her for any wounds. Erik shook watching it fall before him. As soon as her hurt filled eyes looked at Erik he could feel tears run down his cheeks. She ran off scared.

"Nice job," Madam Giry stated. "I hope you are happy".

She followed Meg out the door. Erik looked at the empty glasses. He tugged on his hair thinking of her eyes. He just needed a drink. It was so stressful. Madam Giry just keeps pushing him. He needs to work on his project or they all lose including Meg. He just needed one… he stopped realizing all the glasses sitting on the flat surfaces around him. He smashed his hands on the table pushing the glasses off shattering them to the ground. Each glass met the floor breaking into thousands of pieces. He thought of her smile as the glasses shattered and how her face looked at him only moments ago. He broke down and sat in the glass on the floor rocking himself.

Madam Giry left a little less than an hour. It was something about meet Mr. Maxwing for an appointment. Meg told her she was fine and her mother reluctantly agreed. After a few moments Meg's footsteps slowly walked into the music room.

"Erik are you," she stopped.

Her eyes stared at the broken glass. In the middle of it was a weeping Erik. She ran and got her shoes to walk on the glass. She calmly walked on the glass to a weeping Erik.

"Erik, are you okay," she asked.

"Erik didn't mean to," he cried. "Meg hates Erik… everyone hates Erik".

"Erik I do not hate you," Meg said.

He looked at her. She paused as even with his mask on she could see his contorted expression of pure sorrow. He was bleeding and it seemed like he didn't notice.

"Why do you hate Erik," he cried. "Everyone can hate Erik, but you".

Her hand gently laid on his back.

"Why not me," she asked.

"You are the only one who cares for Erik," Erik wept.

"My mother cares," Meg said.

"So, only cares what Erik can do," Erik stated.

Meg let out a sigh.

"Come on Erik we need to clean you up," Meg said.

She got him to stand up and slowly lowered him to the piano's bench.

"Stay here. I need to get a broom," Meg said.

She got a broom and swept the floor just enough to get the glass away the path Erik needed to take. Meg took Erik leading him away and into his washroom. Meg took of Erik's shirt seeing the glass cuts on the side of his body. She took out the glass as Erik didn't react to anything. She put medicine on them wrapping them in bandages. She looked down seeing his pants also showed his leg got cut up as well.

"Erik, you need to take off your pants," Meg said.

"Why," Erik asked still not looking at her.

"So, I can take care of your wounds," Meg said. "Your leg is cut up pretty badly".

"Let me bleed out," he said. "No one would care. Tell Madam Giry I am sorry I couldn't do anything for anyone ever".

Meg sighed. She unbuttoned his pants. She slowly took off his pants knowing he wasn't wearing anything underneath. Erik didn't even try to cover himself from her. He seemed nearly dead. She was not sure if it was from him being drunk or being upset. She took the glass out of his leg up his hip and bandaged it up.

"Okay Erik, I think you need to sleep," she said.

She helped him to his bed. He laid down looking up at the ceiling.

"Meg," he breathed out.

Meg tried not to look at anything but his masked face. She found her wondering eyes to work against her.

"Do you think anyone would ever love Erik," Erik asked.

"Of course, Erik," Meg smiled.

Erik rolled away from her as another tear fell from his eye.

"I wish you did Meg," he said.

Before she could ask what he meant he was sleeping away. He pulled up his blanket over him. She brushed his hair as she softly hummed making sure he fell asleep. She got up to clean the music room so her mother would never find out.