Chapter 10: Truth And Lies

Erik requested, Nadir, Reza, Madame Giry and Meg to leave himself and Hope alone to eat breakfast,

"I have missed you dearly, my friend" he told her causing Hope to pause in eating her breakfast,

"There has not been a day that I have not regretted what I did to you... I hope you might find it in you heart to forgive me for all I have done to you" he murmured and watched as Hope looked at him in sadness,

"Do... Do you really mean that?" she asked and Erik held her hand within his own,

"You are my dearest friend, Hope... You mean more to me than you shall ever know and I thank the gods for reuniting us so that I may finally speak with you, apologise and also hear your voice... This is something I have been dreaming of for a very long time" he told her and watched as she smiled softly,

"I am sorry for what I did, Erik" she said causing Erik to look surprised,

"You are?" he asked before watching her nod,

"I removed Christine's singing voice because... She used her ability to manipulate you. This was something I couldn't bare" she explained,

"Over the years... My abilities have grown, as have my regrets. I regret leaving you... I regret betraying you... I regret not being able to make you as happy as Christine did" she murmured before pulling her hand away from his causing him to look confused,

"But the one thing I most regret... Is believing you could ever truly be sorry for taking advantage of my gifts" she said, looking at him firmly and Erik sighed, sitting back in his chair,

"Did you really believe I would be so foolish?" she asked in a murmur and didn't flinch as Erik slammed his fist down on the table,

"I will send for Christine in the morning and when she arrives, You will return her singing voice" he growled, standing before going to storm out the room,

"I will not" Hope replied after a moment of silence causing Erik to stop in his tracks,

"What?" he demanded turning to see Hope stand from the table,

"I will not return Christine's singing voice for she is someone whom uses it to manipulate others, uses it for financial gain and is never grateful for the musical talent she has been given" she said firmly as a tear escaped down her cheek,

"You have no idea what it is like for no one to truly listen to you. In the times of I had no voice I would sometimes let the air release from my lungs, screaming silently into the darkness of the night because no one could ever truly here me... Not even if they wanted too" she finished sadly and looked towards the surface of the dining table, her eyes glowed for a moment causing a book to appear,

"You might as well read it" she said, moving past him,

"What is it?" Erik demanded,

"My journal of the last 10 years" she answered simply before leaving the room.

Erik had been hesitant to read Hope's Journal but eventually picked it up to begin examining each page and frowned as he came to one of the more recent entries,

'Journal,

I find myself feeling more lost with each passing day. I have travelled from Paris to England, Russia, India and Rome. I embrace this freedom like a breath of fresh air for there was a time when I thought of my gifts as a curse but now that I have come to understand them and learn to control them. I no longer feel the pain it once caused me... My nightmares still occur and within them I only see one thing... The look of hatred upon Erik's face, the last time we saw each other. To know in my heart that my best friend hates me... It breaks my heart but I do not regret what I did for Christine used Erik's knowledge of music and took advantage of his affection for her so that she might become a star.

Within my nightmares, I also see the memory of how I overheard Christine talking with the vicomte of how she would give the signal that would alert the police officers and bring about Erik's demise... I could not let this happen.

Erik saved my life and although I saved his in return... I shall always be indebted to him. I pray one day that fate will allow us to meet again. Either in this world... Or the next.

Christine was right about one thing... Erik is an angel... He is an angel with broken wings and I hope with all my heart that he finds the love and happiness he both craves and deserves.

I am sorry, Erik. Please forgive me.'

Erik was unaware of the tear that fell down his cheek. Every passage within Hope's diary was finished with the same sentence,

'I am sorry, Erik. Please forgive me' The written words echoed within Erik's mind as Gangle looked upon his employer with concern,

"Shall I send the work request to Miss Daae, Sir?" he asked but Erik didn't turn to look at him,

"... No. I no longer require Miss Daae to perform" he murmured after a moment,

"Where is the seer now?" he asked,

"The girl missed the last ferry back to the mainland, sir. She has taken temporary shelter at the local inn" Gangled answered,

"Take Squelch there with you tomorrow. Bring Hope to me" he instructed firmly,

"Squelch?... You wish for her to be arrested sir?" he asked,

"Hope is a stubborn girl, she won't come willingly. I would go myself but you know my face prevents me" he said and Gangle nodded,

"This will not be nessesary, Gangle" a voice said causing both men to turn to find Nadir standing in the doorway with a firm expression and Gangle quickly left,

"You are despicable" Nadir growled at Erik,

"I wish to apologise to her, that is all" he responded,

"You better. And you better mean it this time, Erik. I mean it" he warned before sighing,

"I'll bring, Hope here tomorrow... I'm sure I will be able to convince her" Nadir mumbled,

"Thank you, Nadir" he said before watching the former Daroga leave.

Will Hope forgive Erik for lying and trying to manipulate her? We'll find out in the next chapter.

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996