Chapter 14: If Only I Could Look Back
It was just another day in Phantasma and the sun was just beginning to rise as the residents emerged from their homes and began getting ready for their shows when Caesar came racing out of the stables carrying Rose whom had gotten into a routine of going for a ride every morning; The employees' children would always giggle and began chasing after her and Caesar, waving at her excitedly and she would always wave back,
"Good morning, Doctor Gangle. I love your new hat" Rose complimented causing the man to chuckle as he tipped his hat in respect as she rode by,
"Good morning to you, Miss Rose!" he called after her in return before chuckling as he returned to work.
Erik watched Rose and Caesar from his office window when he was actually supposed to be listening to Nadir whom was going through the weekly agenda,
"... Also we are expecting a fresh supply of material today. If it doesn't arrive then I shall be sure to send a telegram. Oh and Madame Giry has sent a request for new leotards for her dancers. Also, speaking of Madame Giry; Her daughter has requested an aria from yourself that she may learn before singing it at the beginning of the new season" Nadir listed and Erik rolled his eyes, turning away from the window as he sat down at his desk,
"I shall grant that little Giry is talented but she is certainly not ready to sing an aria" Erik said with a chuckle,
"Well this is her eleventh request for one. Perhaps you should just indulge her" Nadir reasoned,
"The day I write that girl an aria before she is ready is the day that I loose my ability to hear" Erik joked before beginning to apply his signature to official documents,
"... Perhaps if you taught her then she could be ready a lot quicker" Nadir suggested after a long moment and Erik slammed his pen down causing the Persian to jump and Erik stood abruptly,
"... Never again... Do you hear me? Never again shall I ever teach anyone within the subject of music" Erik said firmly,
"Do I make myself clear?... You are to never suggest anything like that again" Erik ordered and Nadir nodded in understanding,
"As you wish" he replied and Erik retook his seat before once again getting back to work.
Rose hung up her cloak after returning from her ride with Caesar and it didn't take long for Meg to rush over to her,
"Rose! I've been waiting here forever! I need your help" the former ballerina begged,
"I have only been gone for 25 minuets. That is hardly you waiting forever, Meg" Rose joked as she approached the pidgeon holes and collected the morning post,
"You say Potato and I say PoTAto" Meg grumbled causing Rose to roll her eyes,
"Erik still hasn't written an aria for me. I need you to get him to write one for me" Meg insisted,
"Meg, if the world's greatest composer has not yet written you an aria then I am sure that he has a very good reason why" Rose reasoned as she made her way up the grand staircase and Meg was quick to follow her,
"He would write one for you if it was you whom was asking!" Meg accused, stomping her foot in a rather childish manner but Rose turned back to her with a gentle smile,
"You know that's not true for I am not a singer. You're doing great, Meg. You are Phantasma's leading lady and you should be proud. Just keep working and I'm sure Erik will write you an aria when he believes you are ready" Rose assured before heading off and Meg pouted before storming away.
Rose entered Erik's office and smiled towards the two gentlemen that resided within,
"Good morning, Nadir. Good Morning, Erik" she greeted before taking the seat beside Nadir in front of Erik's desk,
"Ok, we have about... Three letters from sponsors and 1 letter from Oscar Hammerstein" Rose explained, handing the envelopes to Erik and he examined the three letters that contained the monthly cheques from Phantasma's sponsors before finally coming to the letter from Oscar Hammerstein and he read through it briefly and Rose grew concerned when she saw the anger develop in his eyes,
"Erik, is everything alright?" she asked whilst Erik slammed the letter down before standing abruptly and turned away; Rose picked up the letter and began to read so that she may discover what had made her friend so angry... She soon developed an expression of realization and her face fell,
"What's wrong?" Nadir asked as Rose sighed in a tired manner,
"Oscar Hammerstein always sends Erik a list of his lineup to see if he would like to offer any of them a chance to perform here at Phantasma... It would seem that the Vicomtess De Changny is on this months list" Rose murmured,
"As in... Christine... Daae?" Nadir asked, growing concerned as Erik had told him all about Christine... it had taken him awhile but he finally opened up. Rose had also told Nadir of how her stepsister had fled with the Vicomte De Changny.
Rose looked at Nadir with a gentle expression,
"Would you mind leaving me and Erik alone for a while?" she requested gently and Nadir nodded, placing a comforting hand on Rose's shoulder before leaving and Rose took a long moment before standing from her chair, placing the letter from Hammerstein down on Erik's desk before coming to his side,
"... Erik?... Talk to me" she encouraged gently and was stunned when he turned to her quickly and pulled her into a passionate kiss but she pushed him away,
"Erik stop" she told him firmly only to have him try again which resulted in Rose giving him a hard smack across the smooth side of his face,
"I SAID STOP!" she yelled, turning away so that he wouldn't see the tear that fell down her cheek,
"... I'm sorry... I should not have done that..." Erik murmured guiltily and grew even more so when she turned back to him and he could see the tears that were falling from her eyes,
"I am not some understudy that can stand in just so you can make your own heart feel better" Rose said firmly,
"It was just a kiss..." Erik tried,
"No!" Rose interrupted,
"That was you trying to get revenge on Christine for rejecting you and I am warning you now, Erik. I will not be any part of it" she told him firmly, trying to pull away when Erik stepped forward and pulled her into a gentle hug which she eventually gave into weakly,
"I'm sorry" Erik whispered and allowed her to cry whilst he held her as she she had once done for him those many years ago back in Paris.
It was that night that Rose sat within her room with candlelight as the only source of illumination as well as comfort and she sighed, resting her forehead against her hands that were joined in a prayer like manner and waited a long moment before standing and approached her desk, pulling out a blank sheet of paper as well as a pen,
'Dear Mr Hammerstein,
Thank you for your usual monthly correspondence. It is in this letter that I ask you to pass on a business invitation to the Vicomtess De Changny. We are willing to offer our usual fee that is paid to those whom perform here...' Rose began writing and felt a presense standing behind her before Erik placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and soon wrapped his arms around her from behind,
"Thank you" he whispered in her ear, pressing a kiss to her ear causing Rose to close her eyes tiredly before resting her head into the crook of his arm and laying a hand over his own.
Anyone else want to give Erik a slap?! I know I do! Review for Chapter 15!
Kind Regards,
TheAuthor1996