Well, I seem to have lost some reviewers, but I suppose that happens.
My sincere thanks goes out to those who take the time to review almost every chapter; if not, every chapter - you're the spice of life!
MAN OF SORROWS
CHAPTER 6
Erik Argeneau was looking into the star spangled night sky from his spacious balcony. He watched the bright lights of New York's nightlife paint a halo over the silhouette of the city.
He had thought Paris was beautiful at night, but he had concluded that Manhattan far surpassed it.
His studio apartment had a wonderful view of the city covered with a cape of charcoal-colored skies. He heard the music of the night all around him, from the chatter of the people on the streets, to the different types of music floating up to his balcony.
Despite the pain in his heart and the invading force of loneliness, Erik still loved to watch and listen to the people of the world as they went about their daily lives; couples in love, the infectious laughter of a child, the warm smile of the elderly – all of them.
He turned and went back into his apartment, as the night air was slightly cool and the dampness was descending. The apartment was small and open, but that was all that Erik required. He had his grand piano, his violin and his easel; what else could he possibly need?
He went into his small, but well equipped kitchen, and poured himself of cup of black, steaming hot coffee. He heard a quiet rap on his door and knew who it was…there were only two people who ever came to see him.
"Enter Julius."
The giant blond walked through the door, wielding a smile as broad as his shoulders.
Erik raised the dark arch of his visible brow and sighed at the perky spark he saw in his friend's eyes.
"Is everything ready for tonight?" Erik asked in a dull tone.
"Yes, it is…are you ready for tonight?"
Erik stiffened in response to Julius' question. He knew that they had discussed him coming down and mingling with the guests, but Erik was not sure he was up to it.
"Erik, you know you have to become more sociable – Loraine would not have wanted you to shut yourself off from the world that you love so much."
Julius watched the rigid, straight line of Erik's back – hoping to see it relax and surrender – if only the slightest bit; but it never happened.
The black silk suit that Erik wore fit his tall, lean form perfectly – accentuating the strength of his upper torso and legs. There was refined, calculated, and restrained power in every movement of his body – a power that could bring a grown man to his knees.
He had donned a white shirt, a deep purple vest, and purple tie; he looked stunning. However, Julius had learned long ago that Erik felt there was nothing left of the handsome man he had once been.
Julius' heart ached for Erik…the man had lost more than his wife and unborn son; he had lost his self-respect and dignity…Erik felt that no woman would ever be capable of loving him.
Julius felt the steady, unrelenting heat of Erik's gaze, and lifted his head. Stern eyes looked at him with a raw pain that always seemed to rest in every nuance of Erik's features.
"I had a very realistic dream last night, Julius…she came to me…" Erik hung his head and squeezed his eyes shut, forcing the hot tears from their stinging surface, "…Jean-Marc was there – and he was so beautiful…"
Julius gripped Erik's strong shoulders, prodding him to look his way.
"She always was one for dramatic entrances." Julius teasingly stated, "…this sounds more like a vision rather than a dream."
Erik looked up into the expectant face of his friend, "Whatever it was…I could still feel her touch on my cheek this morning when I awoke…" His hand went to his flesh, still tingling with the memory of her touch, "…Jean-Marc embraced me."
Julius did not doubt for a moment that his sister had found a way to get to Erik…she had loved him with everything she was…and that kind of love did not die.
"She told me I would find love again, Julius…she told me to let them go, and that they were happy." He smiled obliquely at the man beside him."
Erik caught a glimpse of his masked face in the mirror on the wall across from where he stood. His eyes closed as he tried to shut the image out of his mind.
Can anyone love this face? Erik asked himself.
He knew better than to say it aloud, as Julius would give him a speech that would last for quite some time, and frankly…Erik was in no mood for it.
The back door bell rang and Erik turned away from Julius to head toward the rear of his apartment.
His twin sister stared back at him, reminding him of the beauty he had once possessed - a fleeting memory, at best. They weren't identical twins in all aspects, but here was a great resemblance.
"Erik, do I have to stand out here for the rest of the evening, or are you going to invite me in?"
Erik smirked and stepped aside. He knew that the first thing she would do was comment on his lack of housekeeping skills.
She "tsk, tsked" him all through the apartment, and all Erik could do was grin.
"Erik, you really should think about hiring a maid."
Erik frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I don't need a maid…I am a confirmed bachelor, and the Uniform Code of Conduct for Confirmed Bachelor's states that this is how it is to be."
She raised her dark, perfect brow at him and tapped her foot in annoyed humor.
"Like hermits…buried beneath mounds of sheet music; with clothes strewn from one end of the room to the next…" she held up a shirt, "…is this clean or dirty…do you even know?"
"There is a certain way to tell." Erik clipped, smiling sheepishly.
"There is nothing you could say or do that would convince me to smell the shirt to see if it is clean or dirty."
Erik laughed at that, a hearty, melodious sound that Julius didn't hear near enough. He smiled and made his way over to her.
"Erik, who's the tall, gorgeous blond coming out of your kitchen?"
Julius smiled at her teasing tone and immediately pounced upon her, startling her into making a short, loud squeal.
She swatted him on his arm and then allowed him to pull her into a passionate kiss.
"Julius Gregor Tremaine – what are you trying to do, cause me to have a heart attack?"
"Evie Sybille Tremaine – you know I would never do such a thing…you are my very life!"
Evie lifted a brow and smirked in his direction, "You always did know the right thing to say."
She molded her curves against Julius' hard body and drank in the kiss that never failed to shake her to the core of her being.
Erik stood back and watched with brotherly joy – tainted only slightly by a hint of jealousy. He had been that in love – long ago.
Evie moved back from Julius' warm embrace and regarded her brother's deep eyes, awash with painful grief.
He smiled, although the action seemed to strain his heart, and accepted her into his arms.
"Evie, thank you for coming." Erik finally said, giving her a comforting hug.
She had been his only source of joy for many years. Her unwavering faith in him and in his abilities, had given him a reason to move on.
"I wouldn't have missed my little brother's big gallery debut."
"You're only older by two minutes…so drop down off that high horse of yours and join us mere mortals." Erik teased.
Evie smiled and smoothed her palm down his good cheek; but in a matter of moments, her features saddened and her forehead furrowed.
"I wish Fiona and Stefan would have found it within their hearts to come."
Erik stiffened as she said the names of their parents, and turned from her. No matter how hard he tried, he could not erase what they had done from his mind. Many had tried to help him sort through it, but all had failed.
"I can't believe you still hold any hope that they will ever endorse or support anything that I do." Erik spat, feeling the years of neglect and abuse closing in on him - once again.
"I know…" Evie was walking the same road of thought as Erik, and they both knew nothing would ever change.
There were a few moments of silence – silence filled with unspoken words and gentle touches; Julius finally cleared his throat and grabbed their attention.
"It's time….the guests will be arriving soon."
Erik swallowed the nervous bile that arose in his throat. He had never been very good at managing his nerves on the inside; but on the outside, he appeared to be in complete control.
Evie's assuring smile calmed his nerves and her warm hand slid into his. She gave it a gentle squeeze and lifted her eyes to look at him.
"I know it hasn't been easy, Erik…" Evie began, "…I almost lost you, but you have made great strides in moving on."
Erik allowed her to lead him from his apartment, down the stairs leading to the foyer of the gallery, and through the second set of inside doors.
The quiet lighting accented the artwork and drew attention to the details that each artist had created. Each piece was displayed elegantly with a small profile about each artist and the piece of art that was contributed.
Julius had followed Erik's wishes and had booked a caterer for the evening; light refreshments and cool beverages were available and there was even champagne.
The atmosphere was elegant and approachable – exactly as Erik wanted it.
As the room began to fill, Erik found it quite easy to diminish into the shadows and watch the people from safe within his dark haven; he knew he only had a few minutes before Evie came searching for him – and she would indubitably find him.
His eyes scanned the room, searching for his sister – but then, his eyes landed on the same woman that had captured his attention a few days ago.
He caressed her features with his eyes and admired the curve of her long neck. Her hair was the color of maple leaves in the autumn – and her smile was breathtaking.
His breath hitched and he feared she had caught sight of him in the shadows, but she quickly looked away without acknowledging his whereabouts, so Erik continued to admire and observe her.
He had grown accustom to admiring women from the shadows. If they saw him, they would most certainly recoil from his scarred visage. He kept the scars hidden of course, but any chance at a normal relationship would flee when they saw beneath his mask.
Face it, Erik…your face isn't the only thing scarred. Erik chastised himself.
The church had officially scarred his soul. Not God - Erik would never lose his faith in nor his love for God – but those who called themselves "men of God"…that was an entirely different issue. Satan was alive and well within the church and Erik had dealt with him personally.
Erik balked, pushing his thoughts away from his early years and concentrated on the woman who continued to browse the gallery. She was the picture of innocent grace and Erik found that watching her was most enjoyable.
Loraine's words lingered on his mind, she's coming, Erik…soon, and he could not forget them. He looked at the woman again…and this time, he tried to forget that he wore a mask.
She was again looking in the direction where he stood, and Erik backed further into the darkness. It was uncanny, the way she seemed to feel his eyes on her. The blond that she had arrived with was stunning too, but Erik wasn't particularly attracted to the skinny, model-looking women that populated New York. The shorter, voluptuous redhead was his type…and he was certainly going to enjoy the view.
TBC