Chapter 14: Playing The Role

Hope went with Erik to meet Christine at the docks,

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine" Hope assured him, seeing his worried expression,

"This is to be Mister Y's first appearance in public. Reporters will be there and if Christine recognises me..." Erik tried but Hope placed a comforting hand over his,

"She won't. Have hope Erik" she teased with a smile and blushed when he held her hand in his own,

"I certainly have hope" he replied warmly as the carriage pulled into the docks.

Christine breathed in the fresh air with a smile as she disembarked from the ferry,

"Oh isn't it wonderful, Raoul?" she asked as she held her 10 year old son's hand,

"In truth I wish we were not here at all" Raoul returned in an unimpressed murmured and it was then that cameras began flashing,

"Miss Daae! Miss Daae! What brings you to the shores of Coney Island?" one reporter called,

"Are you excited for your first performance in years?" another asked and many other questions overlapped each other,

"Her name is Vicomtess De Changny. Here this, you shall be hearing from my lawyers if I see any photos of my son published within your foreign articles" Raoul said rather rudely causing one tourist to laugh,

"As if you could afford a lawyer. Your gambling debts is apparently the only reasons for your family coming here" he announced,

"I shall have you clapped in irons for such insolence. How dare you address me such" Raoul growled through gritted teeth but Christine placed a comforting hand on his arm, holding him back as Young Gustave looked around in amazement,

"Mother look!" he called as a carriage pulled up and the reporters grew even more excited,

"It's Mister Y!" they announced, snapping photos as the finely dressed gentleman exited the carriage followed by a fiery haired lady,

"Over here, Mister Y. Do you have time for a few questions?" Reporters called to him but Erik did not respond as he approached the De Changny family.

Erik gave a welcoming smile,

"Thank you for coming. I welcome you here to the shores of Coney Island" he bid and Christine smiled,

"Thank you for inviting us, Mister Y. I shall not lie, I am nervous for I have not performed in years" Christine replied but the handsome man before her gave a smile of reassurance,

"You need not fear, Vicomtess. The upcoming show is a simple acting performance and I am sure you are as great an actress as you were once a great singer" Erik assured kindly but before she could respond, Raoul stepped forward,

"We had to take a ship all the way from France to New York where we then had to take another ship to this godforsaken spit of land. I believe the price you offered for my wife's work is not enough" Raoul stated firmly and this was when, Hope stepped up to Erik's side,

"I believe that you have been offered enough already, Vicomte" she said firmly but Erik held up a reassuring hand,

"It is alright, Hope. If our guest believes his wife is not being fully compensated for her work then I shall indeed look over the contract once more" he assured with a smile as Raoul simply by passed Erik and Hope and entered the carriage, being quickly followed by an excited Gustave.

Hope noticed the curious look the Vicomtess was giving her,

"I'm sorry... Your face seems very familiar to me. Could it be that we have met somewhere before?" Christine asked politely but Hope smiled gently,

"No. I'm afraid I have not had the pleasure" she replied and Erik smiled,

"My wife is a vision and he face not one so easily forgotten, Vicomtess but I'm afraid neither of us have had the pleasure of meeting you" he said causing Hope's heart to stop for a moment as Christine nodded before climbing into the carriage as the reporters dispersed.

Once they had returned to Phantasma and Gangle had shown the De Changny family to their suite; Hope followed Erik into his office with a firm expression,

"YOUR WIFE?!" she demanded,

"Forgive me but I appeared to have missed our wedding" she told him and Erik sighed,

"Mister Y had never been seen in public before and I saw how the reporters were looking at you with expressions of curiosity. I could practically see the headlines. 'Mister Y Meets De Changny Family With Mistress By His Side'" he explained causing Hope's eyes to widen,

"The press are going to have a field day, Erik! You and I both know that Mister Y is known as America's most famous bachelor. How are people going to react when they find out that Mister Y is suddenly married?!" she demanded with a look of worry but watched as Erik approached her with a charming smile,

"They will say what a lucky man he is to be married to such a beautiful woman" he answered and Hope rolled her eyes,

"You really think that's gonna work?" she asked teasingly,

"I'm sure many women would do anything to win Mister Y's affections" he teased back,

"Well not me because I think Mister Y is a prat" she fired back causing Erik to chuckle,

"Just 7 weeks. Just until Christine leaves and the press dies down... Please, Hope" he asked with puppy dog eyes causing Hope to roll her own,

"Urrrrrr, You're lucky I'm your friend but I want a ring" she told him teasingly as she left the room,

"I love you my darling wife!" Erik called after her teasingly,

"Shut up, Mister Y" Hope called back to him and Erik chuckled once more.

Erik is such a charmer isn't he? haha :D

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996