Chapter 2

The date was a success. Christine was so excited about Erik that she couldn't stop talking about him. Meg was so happy about her friend. At last, she had found a man who was madly in love with her. Christine had told her that he was a great listener and they had talked for so many subjects. One of them was Erik's life. He was a music teacher and single for two years. He had an accident when he was a kid and he was deformed so he was wearing the mask. Of course, the last two hours were dedicated to Christine and only to her. The way he looked at her, straight into her eyes, made the beautiful brunette to melt. James wasn't like Erik. She was feeling so secure with Erik beside her, something that never happened with her ex. She was grateful to Meg too because she pushed her to talk to that 'weird man', as she called him. At the end of the date, he bent and kissed her. Until they reached her house, they kissed several times. They had a date again that day but Meg had a problem.

"Have you seen him without the mask? It's not my business but you don't mind that he is wearing that thing?"

"Meg, he has a deformity and I respect that. He will show it to me if and when he wants it. I don't mind and I will not pressure him".

"Alright. I don't have a problem either. I am grateful to him actually. He is making you laugh".

"Yes, Meg, that's true. I feel happy with him. I wish it will last".

"It will", Meg said reassuringly, touching her friend's hand.

That moment the door's bell rang and a blonde young man entered.

"RAOUL!", Meg screamed and ran into her boyfriend's arm. "What are you doing here? I was expecting you the next week".

"Haha see? I wanted to surprise you", Raoul said kissing her. He lifted her from the ground and swirled her all around. Meg laughed and kissed him passionately.

"I missed you", Meg said and hugged him tightly.

"I missed you too my little girl. Are you alone? Where is Christine?"

"I am here. Welcome back Raoul", she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "How was New York?"

"The weather was very nice but the work… agghh… I hated it. I wanted to return to Paris as soon as possible because I wanted to spend the Valentine's Day with my girlfriend", he said squeezing tenderly Meg's shoulder. "Fortunately I wasn't needed there the last days so…. here I am".

"How nice Raoul. Now will be two couples", Meg shouted, clapping her hands.

"What do you mean Meggy?"

"Christine has a boyfriend. And he is mad about her".

Christine blushed. "Don't listen to her. He is just like me".

"Just like you? No, I don't think so Miss, he loves you".

"Girls, girls stop fighting. Christine, I want to know everything".

Christine laughed. Raoul was a good friend and she knew that he wanted the best for her. They sat on the table and the girl told him everything. In the end, the young man had some complaints about the mask but when Christine told him that she didn't care, he accepted it. He trusted Christine and if she said that he was a good man, he was.

The next day Christine was in a really good mood once more. She had spent the previous night with Erik. After her shift, he had taken her t a restaurant and after that, they watched a movie in his home. His home was beautiful and she felt comfortable. Erik had told her that he would come to the café that day, to take her for a walk and lunch. 'He loves me', she thought as she was cleaning the bar. 'I am very happy with him. I love him too'. But her good mood didn't last for long. James would decide to destroy her happiness as it seemed.

"Hello Christine", James said with an ironic smile on his face. "How beautiful decoration, sweetheart. Were you waiting for me?", he asked pulling the girl from her waist.

"What are you doing here James?" Christine asked trying to get away from him. "And why am I supposed to wait for you?"

"You know, hearts everywhere, pink and red color, beautiful flowers…."

"So? It's Valentine's Day tomorrow".

James laughed. "You missed me, Chris. I am sure of that".

Fortunately, Meg entered the shop that moment saving Christine from the difficult situation.

"HEY DON JUAN! YOU, T!"

"Hey, blondie. How are you? Why are you so hard for me?"

"Because you deserve it jerk! You have made enough. We don't need you around".

"Oh, Megan, you are such a strong character. Exactly as I remember you. I want to say a few words to Christine and I will leave. So Chris, can I talk to you?"

Christine nodded and looked at Meg. She knew that her friend would be there, ready to kick him out.

"What do you want James? I have work to do, I have not time for this".

"Just two minutes pretty girl. I would like to start over Christine. Remember our love. Can we try again?"

The brunette laughed. "Really James? So you love me so much that you want to come back to me? How about that ethereal woman, Bianca, if I remember correctly? Did she give up to you?" Now was Christine's turn to laugh.

"Oh no. I did that. But I realized that you are my destiny". He took her hand and brought it to his lips. "So? Can we try again?"

Christine looked into his eyes and after a minute she pulled her hand away abruptly.

"OUT! GO OUT AND NEVER COME BACK!", she screamed at the top of her lungs. All the clients in the café were looking at her now.

"I WILL NOT GO BACK TO THAT SITUATION AGAIN JAMES. YOU FORBID ME TO SING. YOU LEFT ME FOR A MODEL. I AM SO SORRY JAMES THAT I AM A SINGER BUT THAT'S MY WISH! BUT NO! THIS TIME I GIVE UP TO YOU! AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY! OUT, NOW!".

James drew back. He was afraid of her. His eyes were wide and couldn't say anything. He had blushed from the embarrassment. Meg opened the door, grabbed him from his jacket and kicked him out. He closed the door and went to her friend who was red from anger. All the clients were clapping.

"Bravo Christine. He deserved that".

Meg hugged her and Christine laughed and cried at the same time.

"Now, now. Go to the bathroom. Erik will be here in a few minutes, we don't want him to see you like this, right?"

Christine nodded and went to the bathroom. She poured water on her face and looked at herself in the mirror. She had never spoken like this to anyone before and she knew great. After she calmed herself, she went to help Meg. She was waiting for Erik but he never showed up. After an hour she decided to call him but he didn't answer. A message from him showed on the screen after her call.

I don' want to see you. Don't call me again.

Christine read the message and showed it to Meg.

"I don't understand what…..". But she never finished her sentence. She ran to Christine and caught her before she hit the floor. She had fainted.