I am so thankful for each review, I hope you enjoy the next few chapters as Erik opens up and Christine discovers that there is a man out there who as the depth and substance she wants.

Enjoy.

MAN OF SORROWS

CHAPTER 8

Evie rejoined her husband and new friends, smiling as she descended the stairs toward them.

Christine couldn't believe that Erik Argeneau, a mysterious and ambiguous figure, lived in an apartment above the gallery that he also owned. It was like a story out of a dramatic novel.

"Is he alright?" Julius asked; concern etched on his face.

"I don't believe he will be joining us tonight…" Evie sighed, sadly.

The disappointment in her voice was surpassed only by the disappointment in her heart.

"Is it us…because if it is, we don't have to go." Christine offered, not wanting to seem as disappointed as Evie was.

Evie smiled sadly and lopped her arm around Christine's shoulders, "No dear…it's the whole 'being in public' thing…it's not you."

She didn't bother to explain any further and Christine felt it was too early in their friendship to ask leading and personal questions.

♫♫♫

The restaurant was a five-star establishment not far from the gallery. Christine had never been in such a ritzy place, but Meg seemed to know her way around.

"I've been here with Rafe a couple of times; he has several clients that frequent this place…the food is really good, as well as having a great ambiance."

Christine had to agree, they had eaten before coming to the grand opening, but Christine had been so nervous that all she could manage to nibble on had been a few crackers and a little bit of her chicken and dumplings.

Now, she found that she was quite hungry. She had ordered stuffed clams and seasoned vegetables.

She couldn't keep from admiring her surroundings – the place just oozed class. The vaulted ceilings were decorated with molding designs and crystal chandeliers; there was a slick, shiny, grand piano in the middle of the floor, and beside it rested an elegant looking cello.

The whole room actually resembled a Victorian English manor, complete with the handmaidens and footman who acted as the servers.

"I love this place." Evie whispered into Christine's ear.

"It's very nice." Christine whispered back.

They were finished with the main course and the wine was almost empty.

"I never asked you what you do for a living, Christine." Evie suddenly asked.

Christine lifted her brows and chuckled, "I'm officially a high school chorus and art instructor…but I dabble in painting and the occasional drawing."

"Ahhhh, so you know music as well as the visual arts." Evie stated.

Christine smiled at her and nodded.

"Yes, art is more like a hobby – although, if I could, I'd make a living by it – music is in my blood, so to deny its pull would be like robbing my body of oxygen."

Evie could not believe the words Christine was using to describe what music and art meant to her…they were almost the same words that Erik had used, not too many years ago.

If there had been one drawback to Loraine, it had been her lack of musical knowledge. She had enjoyed it, and loved the music that Erik wrote, played, and sang for her – but she had not shared his intense longing for it.

Christine did.

"I once dreamed of being on stage singing and acting. To perform in a musical would be so awesome – but I never had the opportunity in high school or college to get involved in the drama department…" Christine smiled and still had that far away look in her eyes, "…oh well, we all have our dreams."

Evie smiled and then greeted the server as he inquired about dessert.

♫♫♫

Have I turned into a coward?

Erik sat at the piano, not playing anything distinct, just sounding the chords; Evie had been sympathetic but stern – and Erik reflected on her words…

"I've had enough of this Erik…you are a shadow of the man that you were…is this what you want?"

Her straightforward words had stung him…causing his heart to lurch.

"You'll die a lonely and bitter old man, with no one to blame but you."

She had stood behind him and rested her head against the expanse of his back. His head had dipped and he had fought back the tears.

"Don't let them win, Erik…don't let their actions turn you into the very thing that you have despised all your life…throw their dark deeds back at them – live again…something made Loraine come to you…think about it."

With those words, she had left him with his thoughts.

He stared at his reflection in the cool, black surface of the piano. He pushed the hatred down, trying to force some other emotion forward that would shine a better light on the man he wanted to be.

What do I want? He asked himself. Is there anything left of the man I once was?

He brushed his fingers through his black, tousled hair, stood back from the piano, and put on his suit jacket.

It was time to find out.

♫♫♫

Evie hadn't quite decided on dessert yet; Christine was contemplating what she wanted and Meg was resolved to not indulge.

Julius found the whole thing amusing, and smiled smugly at the server.

"I'll have a piece of your New York cheesecake, with blueberries."

"Make that two."

All heads lifted at the same time and four pairs of eyes centered on the tall, well-dressed, handsome masked man that stood beside the table.

"Erik." Evie chanted, with a smile.

The name almost came out like prayer as she stood and gave him a gentle, warm hug. He was slow in putting his arms around her to return the gesture, but he managed to get it done.

He made eye contact with each person at the table, but when he caught Christine's gaze, he was reluctant to let it go; those eyes held him – paralyzing him to everything around him, but looking deep into them.

A bolt of electric energy shot through her and she knew a blush danced upon her cheeks. He was a sophisticated and impressive figure, filling the lines of his fine suit with conditioned and controlled strength.

He wore black accented with deep purple. His eyes were the most beautiful shade of teal – slightly darker than Evie's were, but shaped the same. His chest was broad and spread between a wide set of shoulders.

Only after running her tongue along the outline of her lips, did Christine realize he wore a white, leather mask over the right side of his face. It didn't cover his forehead or his mouth and chin; but everything in between, on that one side, was shielded. Christine remembered that he had not worn it in the pictures she had seen, so something must have happened to him.

His exposed features were chiseled and handsome – there were a few similarities to Evie – but they weren't identical. His exceptional mouth was full and sensuous, and seemed always to be on the brink of a smirk.

She finished her assessment of him, only to find that his gorgeous eyes were still drilling into her.

"Erik, it is my pleasure to introduce my two newest friends; future super model Meg Goldwyn and high school chorus and arts teacher, Christine Daughtry."

Erik bowed his head in a European greeting, nodded at Meg with mild, friendly interest, but lifted Christine's hand to his lips, savoring the feel of her dainty fingers against his own.

"Delighted, Ms. Daughtry…I am Erik Argeneau."

His voice was like liquid sex…and Christine swallowed hard at the instant attraction she felt toward him. She had NEVER had this sort of reaction to any other man. His accent was faint, but definitely French; she melted on the inside and hoped it didn't show on the outside.

He released the unknown hold he had on her and seated himself next to Evie and across from Christine.

"What made you decide to come?"

Erik smiled at Evie and then dropped his eyes to the glass of wine the server had just poured him.

"Something in what you said made sense…let's leave it at that."

"Alright…I'm just glad you came."

Erik took a sip of his wine and then raked his eyes over Christine's features. His charming smirk never left his face.

"Besides, I haven't been graced with such beauty in years…I couldn't let Julius monopolize all the attention."

Christine blushed again, realizing that she had spent all of the two minutes he had been in the room with a pink shade to her cheeks.

Evie was delighted. If only a few minutes out of the evening was all he had to see that there was a whole life out there for him, then she was going to see to it that he took full advantage of them.

"Christine teaches at Eastside High School, Erik…she teaches chorus and art."

Erik nodded, "You mentioned that."

He shifted his eyes from Evie to Christine and smiled.

"She is also an aspiring artist – painting and drawing – that sort of thing."

Erik cocked his head to the right and those deep, teal eyes sparkled with interest.

"Really?"

Christine cleared her throat, hoping she was able to speak. She chuckled timidly and sighed.

"I am not nearly the gifted artist you are, Mr. Argeneau, but I to enjoy putting my thoughts on the canvas."

A flame reached his eyes, but his voice was still dripping with a sensual charge, "Mr. Argeneau is my father…and since I despise him, please call me Erik."

He tried to sound flippant, but Christine sensed that he was full of fury at a man that had wronged him somewhere along the road of his life; whatever it was, the pain still festered in his eyes.

The rest of the evening was spent in warm laughter and unexpected glances. Christine watched him with interest, thinking him some mythical god come to life.

What is his story…I wonder? Christine asked herself. So much effort has been put into keeping his past a mystery.

Erik caught her eyes on him and smiled, making her think that he could read her mind. She immediately averted her eyes and tried to calm her racing heart.

Forget it Christine, he would never want anything to do with a woman like you…look at his sister and the women he must meet through her line of work…he'd have to be desperate to even give you the time of day.

The frown on her face was endearing, but Erik could not see a reason for it. She seemed to be deep in thought about something disturbing, and all he wanted to do was see her smile – just once more – before the night was over.

Funny – all evening he hadn't thought once of Loraine…maybe it was time to move on.

TBC