I am both surprised and humbled at the overwhelming response to this story. There is still a great deal about Erik to be revealed; trust me, it isn't going to be pretty - a tale full of betrayal and deceit.

Stay tuned, we have several chapters to go before Erik will feel comfortable enough to share his past.

MAN OF SORROWS

CHAPTER 7

Meg found herself oddly intrigued with the artwork, and the gallery was an elegant place to meet people. She kept her eyes on Christine, but was shocked when she looked up and saw Evie Sybille talking to the curator, Julius; and they seemed to be on very intimate terms.

What should I do? Meg asked herself. Should I go up to her and re-introduce myself or should I just stay away?

Her feet seemed to have a mind of their own, and they carried her toward Evie without regards to her nervous stomach.

Thankfully, before she could completely embarrass herself, Christine called her name and Meg breathed a sigh of relief.

"Meg, look at this picture – I would love to have a copy of this."

They stood in front of "creation" again; Christine could not get her mind off the simple beauty of the picture.

"It is a lovely picture, Christine…but I don't think there are any copies anywhere."

Christine frowned, knowing that her friend was correct.

"Perhaps I can talk to the artist and get him to paint you another one just like it."

Christine and Meg both turned to see Evie Sybille and Julius Tremaine standing just to the left of them.

"You know Mr. Argeneau?" Christine stuttered, with a dumbfounded look on her face.

Evie just smiled and chuckled lightly.

"I guess you could say that I know him…he's…"

She was stopped by Julius' hand to her elbow.

"May I talk to you for a moment?" He asked, pulling her to the side. "I don't think Erik would be pleased with you revealing who he is…not yet."

"I've had enough of this cloak and dagger behavior from him, Julius…he needs to live again...end of discussion." Evie felt a lump in her throat when she thought about the man Erik had once been.

"I know, Evie…I know…but I am not sure he's ready yet."

"Julius…he will never be ready if he's not forced into it…he will continue to hide thinking he's repulsive or…unworthy or….some such nonsense…" Evie moved away from Julius – letting him know she was determined. "…who will make him see otherwise, if not me?"

Christine and Meg looked on with confused frowns, not sure about the relationship these two shared; whatever it was, they had known each other for some time.

Evie came back toward them; the big, blond man following behind her as though he was there to do her bidding.

"Forgive me for the interruption."

Christine looked at Julius and he smiled at her, but she could see the love in his eyes and it wasn't focused on her…it was focused on Evie.

"As I was saying, before my husband decided to intrude…" her smirk was aimed at Julius and Christine suddenly understood, "…the artist is my brother…my twin brother."

Christine had not been prepared for that one. She couldn't seem to find her voice, and her heart seemed to be in her throat.

"Your twin brother?" She questioned, not sure if she had heard her correctly.

"Yes."

"But, no one has seen or heard from him for over five years."

Christine was having a hard time wrapping her mind around the fact that Evie Sybille was Erik Argeneau's twin sister. The pictures she had seen of him several years ago, had faded in her memory, but she did seem to remember him looking a great deal like the woman who now stood in front of her.

"Yes, well – I am determined to change all that. It is a rather depressing and dark tale and I don't want to perplex your mind with the details. Let's just say that he will be making a come back."

Christine finally stopped processing everything and smiled.

"I've always felt a connection to him…his art is…so personal – sometimes dark and mystifying – and at other times, emotionally charged and insightful."

Evie watched the petite woman as she spoke about Erik's passion. She was a few inches shorter than she was, but her figure was feminine and pleasantly curved. Her gorgeous hair was long, and playfully frolicked around her shoulders like waves of fall foliage. Her deep, mossy green eyes were intelligent and kind – although the glasses did a great deal to hide their intense beauty.

"Ms. Daughtry, would you and Meg care to join us for a late supper?"

Evie was not going to let this woman leave without meeting Erik, regardless of whether he wanted it or not. She was a breath of fresh air compared to the money grabbing, perfectly polished statues that she saw every day in the modeling world.

In the six years since Loraine's death, Evie had not met a woman that sparked her interest as much as Christine Daughtry did. She knew Erik had noticed her as well – he wasn't the only one who observed people without them being aware of it.

Christine didn't know what to say at first; she had never thought she would be invited into the elite group of the rich and famous – despite her best friend being a famous model.

However, Evie had invited her - her, not Meg – her! Meg was invited, but only because she was with her! It was almost like a dream.

Meg was shocked as well, and they glanced at each other with big smiles – each for different reasons – and said simultaneously…

"Yes!"

Evie smiled elegantly and her dark eyes gleamed with an unknown facet. Christine wondered if there was an ulterior motive behind the invite, but she wasn't going to dwell on it.

"The gallery closes at 9:00 and we have reservations for 9:30 at Aureole's; adding two more to the reservations won't be a problem."

Evie flipped her cell phone out and made the necessary arrangements, while dark, brooding eyes looked on from the darkest corner in the gallery.

There had been many occasions throughout their lives, when Erik had felt like strangling his sister – this was one of those moments.

What was she thinking by inviting these girls to have dinner with them?

You conniving wench! Erik thought as he watched his sister rearrange their plans. His eyes kept wandering to the red headed femme fatale that stood beside her.

The more he watched her, the more he realized how unlike Loraine she was – at least physically.

Loraine had been fair of hair and skin, just like her brother; she had been slightly taller and less curvy than the red head.

Erik raked his eyes up her sultry form and found himself reacting to her in a way he had not expected.

Good job, Erik...now you're resorting to being a peeping tom and falling into the "rutting stag" category.

Erik quietly snorted at himself and once again turned his frustration at himself into anger at Evie and Loraine; they had put ideas in his head about love...preposterous, wishful ideas.

Evie was smiling at the object of his lust and Erik was becoming more and more frustrated as the moments passed.

What could they possibly be talking about? Evie had his little red head engaged in some sort of private conversation, while Julius just stood there twiddling his thumbs.

You're little red head? Erik shook his head and berated his wishful thinking, once again. He managed to slink against the wall and reach the back exit, quietly leaving the gallery.

Once back inside the sanctuary of his apartment, Erik paced the floor in agitated strides. He had his face buried in his hands, rubbing the flesh frantically – trying to get her image out of his mind.

"What is it about this woman?" He asked himself.

His own voice did little to calm the rage of emotions racing through him.

"I don't want to feel again – it hurts too much."

Erik growled infuriatingly, and threw his fist against the marble counter top in his kitchen; it wasn't a pleasant feeling, but it actually cleared his mind.

"Excuse me." Evie said, leaving Christine and Meg staring at her retreating form.

She had heard the feral growl coming from Erik's apartment, and the subsequent fist fury. She bound up the steps in a graceful rush and knocked quietly on the door.

"Erik?"

She heard nothing, but knew he was there – melting in a pit of despair and self-hatred.

"Erik, open the door…we need to talk."

All she heard was the simple unlocking of a latch. She opened the door and stepped inside. The room was dark – except for a couple of candles which cast eerie shadows on the walls.

His ominous form loomed in the corner, near the piano. His broad shoulders carried the weight of the world, and she knew he had been crying.

He suddenly spoke, the beauty of his voice penetrating the darkness and allowing Evie to hear the agony within his heart. He had told her of his vision and she had shed tears over the way Loraine and Jean-Marc were watching over him.

"I can't do it, Evie…I won't."

She finally reached him, turned his rigid body toward her and drew his head down to her shoulder for comfort.

"You will, Erik…you must."

TBC