Chapter 17: Missed By Minuets

The busy schedule of rehearsals for Meg's first show in the Phantasma chorus line had the young dancer exhausted but also very excited; She felt that for the first time in her life, things were going her way and with Erik as the owner of Phantasma; It would not be long until he noticed her full potential and talent... Little did she know that her very angry and disappointed mother was on her way... It had yet to cross her mind that Erik might and had in fact sent a letter to her mother!

Erik was sat within his penthouse office applying his signature to business documents when his thoughts slowly diverted... Turning his head to look at portrait of Claire that hung on his wall across the room,

"... There was a time that being 'Mister Y' gave me a great sense of pride with the knowledge that I created Phantasma so that people like myself can live in peace and earn a decent living... But since learning of your passing... I cannot help the pain I feel within my heart" Erik murmured sadly before turning back to his paperwork as he once again began applying his signature to various papers; It was around five minutes later that an employee by the name of Squelch came knocking on the door to Erik's office,

"My apologies for disturbing you, boss. There's a lady by the name of Antoinette Giry here to see you. She claims that it's urgent... Shall I send her up?" Squelch asked causing Erik to develop a bright smile,

"Yes, of course" he replied, causing his employee to nod before leaving and sending Madame Giry upstairs to his office; Erik stood from his chair with an even brighter smile at the sight of his old friend,

"Madame Giry..." he stated, approaching her with a warm embrace that she happily returned,

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you again after all these years" Erik told her before Madame Giry pulled away with a soft smile as she cupped his masked cheek gently,

"Oh my dear boy, I cannot begin to express how much the feeling is mutual for myself but there is something I must tell you... Erik... It's Claire... She's not dead" Antoinette told him quickly feeling it best to just rip the band aid off and if she had been in Erik's place then she would had felt him grow numb at this sudden information,

"Wh... What?... What do you mean 'Claire isn't dead'?... Meg told me..." Erik struggled,

"I cannot even begin to understand why she would have told you something so terrible but I can tell you certainly that Claire is not only alive..." she began as she pulled an folded envelope from her pocket and offered it to him,

"... She's here in America" the ballet mistress finished as Erik slowly accepted the letter from her, turning away from her as he removed the letter from the envelope and began to read...,

'Dear Antoinette,

I regret to inform you that since my last journey to England; I have still yet to come across Erik in my travels... I am currently writing this letter whilst traveling aboard a ship bond for America. I have heard that it is a great place for a new start... Perhaps I might find the sense of home that I have been longing for... I continue to miss Erik greatly but like yourself I pray that he had found happiness and is safe.

I am happy to hear of Meg's audition. I shall indeed send a playbill for her as soon as I attend a show after settling in to America.

I hope to hear from you soon.

Love always,

Claire'

Erik turned the envelope over to view the return address,

"Apartment 666 ~ Manhattan Apartments..." Erik read, his face firm despite the tear that had escaped down his cheek which he wiped away before turning back towards Antoinette,

"I know where that is. Come" he instructed firmly before leading her out of his office and passed Squelch on the way out as Erik grabbed his long black trench coat from the cloak hook,

"Inform Miss Meg Giry that she is fired on the grounds of false information provided during interview" Erik growled, storming out of the concert hall, not giving Squelch a chance to respond as he saw Antoinette follow after his employer quickly.

Erik and Antoinette had rushed and caught the ferry to the mainland before heading straight to Manhattan Apartments in which Erik hastily climbed the staircase and headed straight to Apartment 666; Knocking upon the door with desperate repetitiveness,

"Claire! Claire! It's me! Erik! Open the door!" he called, knocking even harder when no one answered but the apartment next door did as a kind faced old man made himself known,

"Hello there, I'm Mr Johnson... I'm sorry to tell you that Claire isn't here right now. I believe it's her day off today so she is possibly out enjoying some time to herself" he explained and Antoinette couldn't help but sigh,

"... Well... Maybe if we wait. I'm sure that she'll turn up" she suggested but Erik looked firm,

"Not likely. I'm going to find her" he growled before storming off, ignoring Antoinette's calls after him... Little did they both know that whilst they had caught the ferry to the mainland; Claire had caught the ferry heading to Phantasma so that she could attend a show at the concert hall and collect a playbill she had promised Antoinette for Meg.

AHHHHHHHHH DAMN IT! QUICKLY REVIEW FOR CHAPTER 18! Let me know what you would love to happen next in order to get the chapter quicker!

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996