Chapter 9: A Diva's Triumph
Erik had returned to the opera intending to search for clues as to Claire's whereabouts... You can probably imagine his surprise when he heard her voice coming from within the main auditorium; Erik made his way through one of the secret passages that lead to box five and he stayed perfectly hidden within the shadows as he watched with a frown as Claire was... Teaching Carlotta in the subject of singing!
Carlotta smiled as she finished her vocal exercises,
"Thank you, Claire... I truly feel that my voice is improving little by little" the singer told her and Claire smiled,
"As your teacher I can tell you my professional opinion is that I completely agree with you and as your friend I can tell you that you are making amazing progress" she praised in reply,
"You mentioned how you once had a great teacher. Who was he? Why do you not still train with him?" Carlotta asked curiously and frowned upon seeing Claire develop a sad smile,
"He wasn't really my teacher just a great friend whom happened to be a great musician... I would always watch him compose and that is how I learnt a great deal about music. I thought I knew all there was to know about him but... It seems even your heart can lie to you" Claire murmured sadly as she placed a music score upon the piano that sat on the stage and she sat down,
"You loved him?..." Carlotta pressed gently and watched how Claire looked at her with another sad smile before sitting up straight and placed her fingertips against the ivory keys,
"... We should rehearse the aria" Claire lightly changed the subject before playing a few notes before beginning the opening melody as Carlotta nodded and began singing.
Erik could only watch with a stunned expression as he heard the miraculous improvement in La Carlotta's voice... It took a moment for him to process what was occurring before him and his face became firm... Claire was teaching Carlotta which meant that Christine might not become the prima donna that he knew she was destined to be and he would not stand for it!
It was later that Carlotta had to head off for a costume fitting and Claire made her way back to the room that Carlotta had requested the managers provide her with after learning that she needed somewhere to live; Claire gave out a muffled cry when she was suddenly grabbed from behind as a hand covered her mouth and pulled her into a secret corridor. Claire turned towards her captor with a terrified expression when they released her... She sighed in relief to find Erik standing there but she developed a firm unimpressed expression,
"Don't ever scare me like that again" she scolded,
"What are you playing at?! Teaching La Carlotta whom is obviously not fit to stand upon this house's stage" Erik responded in a growl,
"She is worthy to perform here" Claire defended causing Erik to scoff with a humorless smile,
"She does not even begin to hold a single ounce of respect for the arts performed here" Erik reasoned and Claire shook her head with a sad expression,
"If you had even bothered to just stop and think for once in your life. You would know that La Carlotta knew that the only reason the managers let her perform here is because of the fact that she is Italian and it not only brings in a crowd but publicity... Did you even know that all Carlotta has ever wanted is to become a great singer like her mother once was" Claire told him firmly and Erik's firm expression faded slowly,
"... Her mother was a singer?" he murmured,
"Yes, but you were too busy terrorizing her to learn that... Carlotta may be unworthy in your eyes but apart from being my student she is also my friend and I forbid you from performing any of your tricks upon her ever again" Claire warned causing Erik's face to grow firm once more as he took a step towards her,
"I warn you, my dear... There is only room for one angel of music and one prima donna in this opera house and neither is you nor La Carlotta. This is my opera house so I advice you to terminate your lessons with Carlotta immediately" Erik growled but Claire kept her eyes locked with his own,
"I spent half my life being terrified of one shah... I refuse to be terrified of another. I will not terminate my lessons nor my friendship with Carlotta" Claire told him and Erik gave a quiet growl of frustration,
"Very well then... Let it be war upon you both" Erik growled before storming off into the shadows of the secret corridor and Claire held a firm expression upon his retreating form before exiting through the secret door that she had been pulled through and watched as it silently closed behind her automatically.
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TheAuthor1996