Many of you are wondering if Walker is a threat or not. Don't you think our super couple already have enough enemies? He's just a guys who is looking to make things easier and get everyone back under one roof but as always, E/C have other plans. LOL
This chapter will also explain why Erik ended up leaving and not charging after Christine. He has to give up control and trust her, really trust her. Granted, the timing may have been off. LOL But trust for Erik has never come easy and I hope you will all see what a breakthrough this is for him.
The song is from Dream Girls, "I am Changing."
I own nothing...Rats.
On with the show!
Erik walked into the club and was greeted by a short, stout man.
"Mr. Y, you are late. That's not like you."
He nodded. "Forgive me, Mr. Bronson but it couldn't be helped. I was waiting for someone, but she has been detained."
"Is it the lady you were telling me about?"
He nodded again. "She's going to be the biggest sensation New York City has ever seen…. First New York and then all over America. You'll see."
"What's wrong with your place, again? I must admit, I agreed to our deal because I trust Gangle and he said you were alright. I know I need the money, but I do have second thoughts about selling the place.
Suddenly Erik had an idea. "I just was thinking that maybe I don't need to actually be here to run things."
"But I thought you wanted to have a place in the city to be near your girl."
Erik sighed. "My Christine…." He had to trust her if they were going to have a future. She may not need him for her success, but she wants him to be in her life. She loves him. He had to keep telling himself that. "What if I offer you a job, looking after things, here in my absence?"
"But I sold the place to you…."
"Mr. Bronson, it's easier to manage things when it isn't your money on the line. Besides, I have a full-time business, I would need someone to help. Why not someone who is invested in the business both with sentiment and finance?"
"It will cost you." He smiled. "Seriously, Mr. Y that's about the nicest thing anybody's every done for me. Gangle was right about you."
"Same here."
They shook hands.
"Besides, why would I want to spend all my time managing a business, when I should be entertaining a lady?"
Bronson nodded. "I can't argue with that logic. Since I work for you know, maybe you can help me with a sudden problem."
"What sort of problem?"
"My…. Or rather your piano player called off tonight. His wife is having a baby."
"So?"
"So, you know any piano players that can cover for him tonight?"
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Mr. Walker helped Christine out of the carriage.
"Where are we?" She asked.
"Mr. Y's new business."
"He bought a nightclub? Why?"
"Mr. Gangle told me he bought it to be near you, once you started to work in the city. My guess was he was going to tell you tonight. However, he didn't share that with me."
She was about to go inside when she stopped herself and looked at him. "Thank you for bringing me here, now I order you to go back and make sure my son is safe."
"But Ms. Daae, I told you that no one will allow de Chagny to even get near the boy. Perhaps, I should stay here and make sure you both are safe."
"Don't make me tell Mr. Y that you were disagreeable with me, Mr. Walker."
He looked at her dumbfounded.
She then smiled and shook her head. "I'm teasing. We'll be fine. The more I think about it, the more I know you will be better used back at the park. I believe you when you said Gustave would be protected, but after what I saw from Raoul today, I need to be sure."
He relented. "I won't let him out of my sight until your return."
"Thank you."
He tipped his hat and told the driver to take him back to the station.
When Christine walked inside, was taken aback when she saw Erik in the center of the club, playing the piano.
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Erik stopped playing and addressed the crowd.
"For those of you who are wondering where your regular entertainment is tonight, I am very happy to say he is going to be a father. So, let's wish him and his wife well." After the applause, he continued. "I am not very comfortable performing. I do a lot of my work behind the scenes." He smiled to himself. "But since I'm in full costume anyway…" He looked up and saw the audience accept his answer and his appearance at face value. They really do think it's a costume.
"I find that I need try new things in order to really change. You see, I'm in love, and the woman I love…. Loves me. Or at least, I need to trust her when she says she loves me. I need to believe that what we have is real. Even if I still can't believe she does want me or that I deserve something so wonderful. Has anyone else ever felt like that?"
He heard the crowd agree and saw them nod their heads. Suddenly he couldn't stop himself from speaking his thoughts out loud as his fingers continue to pay the keys.
"Love is a powerful thing. You have no choice but to just surrender yourself to it and hope. Otherwise, think of the alternative? You'll never really experience joy, unless you know the pain. You see I've loved this lady for a long time, but I made many mistakes years ago and I lost her. Yet by some miracle she has come back, and I refuse to let my demons get the better of me again. I want to change." He looked out at them. "I'm sorry for the babbling but you know what I mean, don't you?"
They nodded their heads and he saw that they weren't staring or gapping at him. They were listening to him.
He played a few more notes, and spoke again. "I bought this place." The audience started to applaud again. "You don't need to clap, I haven't done much yet." This caused some of the people to laugh.
"Maybe I should stop talking and just start singing, eh?"
More laughter occurred, until he opened his mouth to sing.
"Look at me
Look at me
I am changing
Trying every way I can
I am changing
I'll be better than I am.
I'm trying
To find a way
To understand.
But I need
I need
I need your help.
I am changing
Seeing everything so clear.
I am changing.
I'm going to start right now right here.
I'm hoping to work it out.
And I know that I can
But I need you
I need a hand.
All of my life I've been a fool
Who said I could do it all alone.
How many friends have I already lost?
And how many dark nights have I known?
Walking down that long road. There was nothing u could buy.
All those years of darkness
Could make a person blind.
But now I can see that
I am changing
Trying every way I can
I am changing
I'll be better than I am
But I need a friend
To help…
I am changing
Trying every way I can
I am changing
I'll be better than I am.
I'm trying
To find a way
To understand.
But I need
I need
I need your help.
I am changing
Seeing everything so clear.
I am changing.
I'm gonna start right now right here.
I'm hoping to work it out.
And I know that I can
But I need you
I need a hand.
All of my life I've been a fool
Who said I could do it all alone.
How many friends have I already lost?
And how many dark nights have I known?
Walking down that long road. There was nothing u could buy.
All those years of darkness
Could make a person blind.
But now I can see that
I am changing
Trying every way I can
I am changing
I'll be better than I am
But I need a friend
To help me start
All over again.
That would be just fine
I know it's gonna work out this time
Cause this time I am,
This time I am
I am
Changing.
I get my life together now.
I am changing
Yes I know how
I'm gonna start again.
I'm gonna leave my past behind
I'll change my life.
I make it up
And nothing is gonna stop me now."
The crowd cheered and cheered. In fact, Mr. Bronson was going to call out for him to sing another song, when Christine charged in front of the tables and looked up at Erik.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am the lucky woman who finally wised up and realized how lost and alone I have been without this wonderful man. He said he loves me, well I want it to be crystal clear that I love him. I love him, and I want everyone here to know it." She then walked up towards him.
"I love you, Erik and you are mine. I claim you in front of everyone here tonight." She then looked out at the crowd and then back to him. "You're mine Mr. Y and I dare anyone here to try and take you from me."
She then kissed him with all the love she had in her heart, while the audience cheered on.
