When Erik stepped out of the elevator Monday morning, he was surprised to find Christine there waiting for him. She smiled hesitantly, her eyes nervous.
"Morning…"
He tried to rearrange his usual early morning scowl, not wanting to make her feel any worse than he knew she did. "Good morning."
"Do you know what today is?"
He pretended to think for a moment. "Monday?"
She laughed, which made Erik happy. He didn't know if she alone was tearing herself up over the weekend's events, or if he had unintentionally done something to make her feel worse. He knew he almost constantly gave off an aura of anger, and for once, he didn't want to.
"No, silly," she pulled a thin black envelope from the pocket of her slacks. "It's your month-iversary."
He smiled, stepping forward to accept the envelope. He thought it was a little ridiculous the way they pampered their employees, but he certainly wasn't going to complain. A company such as theirs which was both successful and still small scale, could afford to do so.
He tipped the contents of the envelope into his hand, and out came two tickets. When he read the front of them, his eyes widened slightly.
"Tickets to the South University Orchestra?"
Christine nodded, her eyes a mixture of pride and guilt. "Nadir said you wanted to go, but they were sold out…"
Erik chuckled slightly. "Christine, this is too much, really. I do appreciate it, but you have to admit it's a bit overkill."
"Well…" she stepped closer to him, lowering her voice. "This isn't just your month-iversary. It's also an apology. So you can't tell anyone about it, otherwise they'll be jealous that they only got a coffee mug."
He laughed. He wanted to tell her that getting a bit tipsy on her day off and needing a ride home didn't warrant such a big apology. But he knew that wasn't what she was apologizing for. And even though it was her friend who had created the issue, he also knew she felt responsible. Without letting her make amends in whatever way would ease her conscience, the apologies would never end.
"Well…thank you. And my lips are sealed."
Christine grinned, her eyes flooding with relief. "Of course. I hope you enjoy it."
"I'm sure I will. I've tried to get tickets every time the Orchestra is in town. They always sell out too quickly."
They had gradually began making their way to the elevator, gravitating back into routine after the brief disruption. Christine pressed the button and they assumed their positions standing side by side, facing the door.
"How did you manage to get these anyway?" He asked.
She smirked. "My father used to play in the Orchestra. He still has many good friends there. All he had to do was ask."
Erik looked at her, slightly impressed. He had known Gustave was a musician, but he didn't know he had played for the South University Orchestra. They only accepted the most skilled artists. He felt a new found respect for his employer. He drew breath to express this to Christine, but she spoke first.
"Perhaps I'll see you there too. Dad always likes us to go when they're in town. Sort of relive the good old days…" she smiled as she trailed off, looking at her feet. She bit her lip and shuffled slightly before continuing, "And perhaps I'll get to meet…whoever you decide to bring, as well…"
He cocked his head ever so slightly. There was something…off kilter, about the way she made that statement. Almost as if it were a question. The inquiry itself wasn't inappropriate, but the faint blush in her cheeks and her refusal to meet his eye, made him wonder if there was something else beneath the surface. Though he couldn't imagine what it might be. What difference did it make who he brought with him?
"Well, unless Nadir agrees to join me, I'm afraid the second ticket might just go to waste."
She smiled and seemed to relax. "Ah. Well, that's ok. At least you'll have more leg room."
Their day began first and foremost with a coffee stop. Christine wanted to try a local place down the street, instead of Starbucks for a change.
She ordered a mocha with whipped cream. Some got on her nose, which Erik, in a surge of boldness, wiped away for her. She laughed at herself and he made a joke about having to guard her from coffee, too.
It was a lovely morning.
As the day was winding down, Erik sat in his usual place next to James. Nadir had encouraged him to try and get to know the man, considering they spent several hours a day next to each other. Instead, Erik was on his phone deciding where he would order his take out from. By his standards, he and James got along quite well. The man never asked unnecessary questions. In fact, he hardly ever spoke at all. Aside from his annoying habit of smirking every time Erik and Christine interacted, he was overall a tolerable person.
Then, he made a wrong turn.
Erik's head instantly snapped up. "Where are we going?" James didn't answer. Erik scowled at him. "James, where are we going?" Still no answer. He turned to Christine, who was grinning out her window. "Do you know where he's going?"
"Yes. Yes I do."
He waited expectantly. When she didn't say anything else, he sighed. "Do you expect me to beg for the answer?"
"No. I expect you to be patient and see."
He growled and turned to face the window. He was in no mood for their games. Though it was clear that didn't matter in the slightest.
Erik was very familiar with the city in which he lived. As their journey progressed, he was able to narrow down the only relevant options for their destination. After their third right turn, he came to his conclusion. And two minutes later it was confirmed as they passed the sign for the John Hammons Concert Hall. He turned to Christine in confusion.
"This wasn't on the schedule. Do you have a contract with them?"
"Nope."
"Are you negotiating one?"
She laughed. "Not yet. We'd love to. But we're still a little small time for them. Dad has friends on the board though, and we'll hopefully be in the running after a couple more years of growth."
"Alright, then what are we doing here?"
James had brought the car to a stop right in front of the entrance. Christine clapped her hands in excitement and hopped out. Erik followed her with a sigh.
"I told you, wait and see."
Inside, Erik had a hard time focusing on watching Christine, distracted by the beauty surrounding him. He had been in the concert hall a handful of times as a teenager. Always either working beneath the stage, slinking amongst the rafters, or pick pocketing the wealthy patrons outside. Never was he granted the opportunity to truly stop and observe, as everyone else did. Now, he realized just how much he had missed out on.
The hall was relatively new, having been constructed about fifty years ago. It's architecture, however, was historic, modeled in the style of Paris opera houses. Enormous vaulted ceilings towered above their heads, each surface textured in a dizzying variety that could only be indicative of Baroque. Colorful paintings that Erik could just barely make out decorated every inch of the ceiling. As they stepped over the dense red carpet, he observed the columns that lined either side of the hall. Elegant statues perched between each one. Some he recognized as busts of famous musicians, or replicas of such well known masterpieces as David and Venus de Milo. Others he didn't recognize, but appreciated their beauty all the same.
The auditorium was no less impressive. The same grandeur style adorned the private boxes that towered along the walls. A deep red drape was drawn over the stage, and Erik tried to remember bits and pieces of the performances he had heard as a young man. He wondered what they must have looked like being brought to life on such a grand surface.
It was the chandelier, however, that truly captured his attention. The magnificent fixture was not lighted, their only illumination currently coming from the smaller lights lining the aisles. That made it no less impressive in his eyes. Thousands of pounds of crystal hung delicately from imperceptible bindings. If he looked close enough, he could almost imagine that he could see them swaying ever so slightly.
"So, what do you think?"
Christine's voice interrupted his awe filled stupor. He had almost forgotten she was there, and had simply been following the sound of foot steps in front of him.
"It's wonderful…" He answered truthfully. He was incapable of being anything short of genuine in the face of something so grand.
She grinned and waved him forward. "This isn't even the best part."
He followed her down the aisle until they reached the stage. His eyes widened as she hopped down into the orchestra pit without hesitation.
"Christine! Are you sure you should do that?"
Her head popped up. "I told you, dad has friends on the board, remember? Now are you going to join me?"
He looked around uncertainly. Then, deciding this particular experience sounded worth the risk, jumped down next to her. Inside, the pit was mostly empty, the usual array of chairs and music stands stored away. Off to one side however, sat an enormous grand piano. It was here that Christine led him.
Erik eyed the instrument reverently. He recognized the name inscribed on the side and smiled. "A Fazioli… very nice."
Christine nodded, watching him intently. "Have you ever played one before?"
He gave a short bark of laughter. "A Fazioli? No. I've worked at some excellent theaters in my time, but never at one that could afford one of these."
She hummed thoughtfully, then looked from him, to the piano, and back again. "Well are you gonna play it?"
He whirled on her, eyes wide. "You can't be serious…"
She put on her best serious face. "I absolutely am. That's why I brought you here."
He glanced at the instrument, then back at her with a smile. "Are you still apologizing?"
Christine gave a nervous giggle and tilted her head back and forth. "Maybe a little…but I mostly just thought you'd enjoy it."
"And…you're sure we won't get in trouble?" He wasn't actually worried about himself. He had been in plenty of trouble, more serious than what this would cause. But he hated the thought of Christine putting herself at risk for him, knowing she took these things far more seriously.
She drew an X over her chest with one finger. "Cross my heart, we have full permission to be here and play this piano."
That was all the encouragement he needed. With an uncharacteristic grin he stepped lightly towards the instrument, carefully sitting on the bench before stroking the keys fondly. He pondered over what to play for a moment.
"What do you think?" He asked Christine.
She smiled, then pursed her lips thoughtfully, pleased that he had asked her.
"Hmm…you probably know lots of classic stuff right?"
"I do."
"Mhm. Operas and all that?"
"Yes…"
She laughed. "You and my father have the same taste in music."
He smiled and cocked his head. "And you don't? I would have thought you appreciate the classics, being a musician."
"Oh, I absolutely do," she corrected him. "But, it's not necessarily my choice music. I appreciate their beauty. But would I listen to them in my headphones on my commute? No."
He laughed. "Ok, what would you listen to in your headphones on your commute?" He doubted he would know how to play anything written after 1900, but it was worth a try.
She tapped her chin. "You don't happen to know A Drop In The Ocean, do you?"
Erik nearly laughed in disbelief. What were the odds. "By Ron Pope?"
Her eyes lit up and she nodded excitedly. "You know it?"
"I do, surprisingly."
"How? Why did you ever learn it?"
He sighed and rolled his eyes slightly at the memory. "Nadir was once dating this girl who loved The Vampire Diaries. Apparently that song made an appearance on it at one point. He wanted to learn to play it to impress her, but couldn't figure it out on his own. So, I had to learn it to help him along."
Christine laughed and covered her mouth. "Oh my gosh, that's hilarious."
"Yes, but don't tell him I told you. They broke up a few weeks later."
Christine tried to stop herself from laughing even harder, resulting in a snort. Which of course, made Erik laugh.
"Oh my goodness, shut up and play already," Christine breathed, waving her hands in exasperation.
Erik complied. He took a few seconds to recall the notes, and then began. It was not an entirely disagreeable song. Although it couldn't compare to the intricate arias he was more comfortable with, it had a soothing sort of melody that was easy to listen to, and even easier to play. However, even this simple song took on a profound nature when played on such an elegant instrument, and in a room designed purely for the enhancement of sound.
The lyrics played over in his head with each beat. Their meaning pricked at his mind in an uncomfortable sort of way, taking on a whole new light in his present company. Normally, he would have been tempted to sing as he played, losing himself completely in the music. The nature of the lyrics restrained him.
Christine apparently felt no such restrictions. She quietly began to sing on the second verse, picking up the exact right words at the exact right time. Erik nearly missed a key. Nearly. He recovered just in time.
Her voice was like nothing he had ever heard. A thousand adjectives immediately sprang to mind, and none of them did her justice. He fixed his eyes on her face to make sure such a heavenly voice was truly coming from a flesh and blood being. Her eyelids had slid shut as she relished the sounds enveloping her. Her lips smiled as she sang, making her appear all the more angelic.
He joined her on the next line. Quiet at first, his voice wrapped around hers, softly encouraging it. She opened her eyes then, meeting his gaze as they sang together.
Still I can't let you be
Most nights I hardly sleep
Don't take what you don't need from me...
Inhibitions were finally left behind and they each grinned as their voices swelled, eyes never wavering.
It's just a drop in the ocean,
a change in the weather I was
praying that you and me might, end up together
Erik kept his volume just a few levels below hers, not wanting to deprive his ears of her magnificent voice. Their harmony was perfect.
It's like wishing for rain as I stand in the desert
But I'm holding you closer than most
Cause you are my heaven...
All too soon it came to an end. The last notes rang out, cascading off the walls in perfect resonance. Slowly, everything fell into silence. Several heartbeats later, they were still staring at each other.
Then Christine let out an excited squeal.
"You can sing!?"
Erik shook his head firmly, eyes dark. "No, Christine. You can sing."
She looked down, smiling bashfully as his praise. "Sort of, I guess."
"No." He stood from the bench and towered above her. "Not sort of. You have the most incredible voice I've ever heard."
She gave a flustered laugh. "Oh shut up."
"Has no one ever told you how talented you are?"
She shrugged. "Dad always has. But I just kind of figured he had parent ears on, ya' know? Every dad thinks his daughter is perfect at everything."
Erik shook his head in disbelief. "You've never performed? Never had training?"
"Oh come on, don't be so dramatic," she laughed. "I know I'm ok at it, and I like singing for fun. But I'm not all that."
Erik sighed, wishing she could hear herself the way he heard her. "You have no idea, Christine." His voice was deep and husky as he said her name.
Her face fell for a moment, eyes widening in something akin to…fear? Was she afraid of him? But the next second it was gone, and her lighthearted smile was back.
"Whatever, drama queen. Let's get going, I'm sure James is tired of waiting for us."
He shrugged and followed her, knowing he would be losing yet another one of their little arguments.
As he watched her walk in front of him, he realized he had a much bigger problem to worry about. One that had just developed in the last few minutes. He had sensed it the moment her voice hit his ears, and his heart immediately dropped. Up until now, whatever it was he felt for his boss had been something he was able to keep on a strictly physical level. At least, he had been successful in telling himself that. Simply finding her attractive was not difficult to deal with, and could easily be ignored. But in the space of a few moments, that had all changed. His heart now ached in a very unfamiliar and painful way. Erik sensed he was heading down a dangerous path.