Love, Hatred, and Locked Doors
Gabrielle's Eyes:
The officers were where I had left them and they seemed as if they hadn't even noticed my especially long absence. The boy followed behind me like an obedient child as I approached the men and handed out their drinks.
"Please Monsieurs, make yourself comfortable for a bit longer while I go retrieve my husband…" The boy shot me a nervous, knowing glance, which I ignored, not wanting to give anything away.
"I hope we are not imposing…we simply needed to settle this matter THIS evening…"
"Of course not. I will return shortly…"
I quickly climbed the grand staircase to the second level of our house. Once at the top, I hastily continued down the hallway that led to Raoul's wing of the house. I was halfway there when Erik seemed to appear out of nowhere. I nearly yelped at his sudden appearance, but he swiftly placed his hand gently over my mouth. After he was sure the initial surprise had passed, he removed his hand from my mouth, but his fingers lingered on my lips for a moment longer.
I took his wrist and pulled his hand to my mouth, placing a kiss on his palm. He then took my hand, linking our fingers together, and began towing me along towards Raoul's room. I could feel the tension thrumming through his body and I tried to think of a way to prevent the disaster that I could see unfolding before my very eyes. No idea came to my rescue and so I watched numbly as Erik shoved the door to Raoul's bedroom open harshly.
"WAKE UP YOU INSOLENT VIPER!"
I heard the frantic rustling if sheets on the bed and then the unmistakable sound of a match being struck at the same moment the room filled with light. Raoul touched the match to the lamp on his bedside table and then looked straight into Erik's eyes. A sharp glare filled with hatred passed between them.
"IF YOU WISH TO ATTACK ME, YOU WORTHLESS COWARD, DO SO TO MY FACE LIKE A MAN, INSTEAD OF BEHIND MY BACK LIKE A BEAST!"
Raoul's eyes flickered cynically a moment before turning cold and calculating. I had to admit that I had never seen Raoul look as wicked as he did then. "Monsieur, I have done nothing…why would I attack the husband," he nearly spat the word, "of such a…magnificent…friend of mine? You Sir, are insane!" Raoul looked admiringly at me.
Erik let out a fierce growl, "YOU KNOW VERY WELL WHAT YOU HAVE DONE! DO NOT PRETEND LIKE YOU ARE A SAINT…!"
"Come now…no need to be cruel and falsely accuse me of things that I clearly am inno-"
"LISTEN HERE! I HAVE BEEN CIVIL ABOUT ALL YOUR ATTACKS UNTIL IT CAME TO THIS ONE! I WILL NOT REMAIN SILENT ANY LONGER!"
"Well, please inform me of what I have so viciously done, so that I may redeem myself in your eyes as well as your beautiful wife's…"
"Silence that foul mouth of yours before I do it for you!" Erik hissed while taking an intimidating step towards Raoul, who visibly jumped at Erik's movement.
"THANKS TO YOU, THERE ARE FOUR POLICE OFFICERS IN THIS HOUSE…BECAUSE YOU HAD TO HIRE A STABLE BOY WHO NOW KNOWS ABOUT MY EXISTANCE IN THE HOUSEHOLD AND COULD BETRAY US IF IT IS EVER IN HIS BEST INTERESTS! HE COULD TURN ME IN! IF I WERE TO BE CAUGHT AND HUNG, IT WOULD CLEARLY BE ON YOUR CONSCIENCE! AND YOU ARE A FOOL IF YOU THINK MY DEATH WOULD LEAVE YOU ANY HOPE WITH GABRIELLE!"
"The boy knows about you? And isn't going to tell?"
"As is currently stands, he is loyal to us…God knows why…You seem upset…was that not your plan? Thought to blackmail me did you?"
Silence. Erik's rage that had cooled only moments earlier now sparked back to life, as he became infuriated. "YOU HEARTLESS BASTARD!" Erik made to attack Raoul, but I stepped in front of him.
"GET OUT OF THE WAY, GABBY!"
"No, Erik!"
He looked hurt by my refusal. "Gabby…you heard the brute! He all but admitted his intentions…" Erik pleaded with me, all the while his voice shook with his harsh breaths. I took a step closer to him, sliding my hands up from his stomach to his chest. His eyes softened and became heated at my touch. I held my hands on the spot where I could feel his heart pounding against his chest.
"Erik…violence will only make matters worse…Those officers are here only to see Raoul…they are not looking for you, and if Raoul goes down there, looking as if he was fighting for his life, they WILL be looking for you!" I then shot a fiery glare at Raoul, and he looked hurt in return. "Now Raoul! Do not think for one minute that what you have done here-"
"Gabrielle, come now! You do not believe these accusations…you know me better than that!"
"No Raoul…I THOUGHT I knew you better…"
His voice became desperate. "Gabrielle please do not act this way!"
"How am I supposed to react Raoul! Your bold moves are putting the man I love's life on the line! And all for what? Jealous male egotistical games? NO! No more! If you want me to even look at you ever again, you will quit this!" Erik looked from me to Raoul, slightly surprise at my outburst and frankness with Raoul.
"Gabby, I-"
"DO NOT CALL ME THAT! You are not my husband and may not address me so informally!"
"NOW LISTEN HERE! I AM VERY WELL AWARE OF MY STATUS WHERE YOU ARE CONCERNED, BUT YOU ARE LIVING IN MY HOUSE AND THEREFORE I SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CALL YOU BY YOUR INFORMAL NAME, I BELIEVE THAT YOU OWE ME ATLEAST THAT SMALL GLIMPSE OF HAPPINESS!"
"I CANT HELP BUT WONDER WHAT CHRISTINE WOULD THINK OF YOUR BEHAVIOR TOWARDS ME!"
Raoul angrily closed the space between us and before Erik or I could act, he slapped me hard across the face, knocking me off my feet. I was shocked into silence as was everyone else in the room. Through the haze my disbelief created, I heard more booming voices. It was then that I noticed Erik standing face to face with Raoul, trembling in an attempt to keep his anger in check.
"SHE HAD NO RIGHT TO BRING UP CHRISTINE, EVEN YOU HAVE TO AGREE WITH ME ON THAT!"
"I DO NOT! SHE IS RIGHT TO COMMENT ON HOW CHRISTINE WOULD REACT TO THIS GAME WE PLAY! BESIDES, GABRIELLE IS THREE TIMES THE WOMAN CHRISTINE EVER WAS!"
"YOU ONLY SAY THAT BECAUSE CHRISTINE CHOSE ME OVER YOU…HAD SHE CHOSE YOU, YOU WOULD HAVE KILLED ANYONE WHO SPOKE OF HER AS YOU AND GABRIELLE JUST DID!"
"HER CHOICE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE HERE AND NOW…WHAT MATTERS NOW IS MY WIFE, AND THE WAR WE ARE RAGING OVER HER! KNOW NOW THAT IF YOU EVER LAY A HAND ON HER AGAIN, I SWEAR ON CHRISTINE'S GRAVE THAT I WILL KILL YOU!"
"I DID NOT INTEND ON HURTING GABRIELLE…I mean…I had not wanted to…" He looked to me, suddenly upset over his own lack of control. He began to walk towards me, but Erik's caught him and shoved him backward.
"GET OUT! Go speak with the men downstairs and tell them what they want to hear so they can leave us in peace. Make sure the boy stays with us… And one last thing…betray us…and it will be hell to pay!"
Raoul sidestepped Erik, walked past me, eyes downcast, and went to speak with the police. A moment later, Erik's hand was cradling my cheek with so much tenderness that I wanted to cry.
"Did he hurt you!" He ran his fingers over the slightly reddened area as he spoke with his lips against my forehead.
"You know he didn't…it was no more painful than a bee-sting"
"Still…" he sighed, "What kind of husband would I be if I did not protect my magnificent wildflower from a treacherous bee-sting?"
I could only smile at him lovingly. "Erik…it is not in your heart to be a bad husband…of THAT I am certain!" He took a step closer, pressing his body up against mine, wrapping his arms around me. I sighed onto his chest "I only wish you could have the chance to show your greatness in public."
He leaned back so that he could look me in the eyes. "I did that to myself! Do not feel sorry for my own mistakes!"
"But had I never met you, you wouldn't have been found…and-"
"NEVER SAY THAT AGAIN! Please! Spare me! Had I not met you, my life would be nothing, and I would be alone, in my home beneath the opera, doing no one any good at all. No, quit speaking such nonsense! Now go. They may become suspicious if you are up here too long…and if you stay here much longer, I may not be able to let you leave…" He said, pulling my lips to his, and kissing me deeply, then trailing his lips down my shoulders.
"Alright, Alright! I better go now, then…wouldn't want to be caught in bed, by the police, now would I?"
"No…but wouldn't that be the way to get caught?"
"I'll see you in a little bit then…"
"I am coming…"
"Of course you are…but you know what I meant!"
He smiled as I turned and left him standing there, watching me go. As I reached the living room once again, I immediately noticed that something was wrong. No one had left, on the contrary, they were all sitting in armchairs pulled closer to the fire their eyes riveted upon me. Uneasily I saw the reflection of the fire, dancing in their eyes.
"Bonne soir, Monsieurs!" I said with a smile, "Has my husband cleared up the matter?"
No one returned the smile, nor did they respond to my question. My heart plummeted to my feet and I immediately glanced at Raoul, who met my gaze with his malicious one.
"Where were you just now, Madame?" an officer asked.
I stood in silence.
"Do not be so rude, or you shall dishonor me with your discourtesy and will have to make it up to me later!" All the men laughed at this indiscreet insult. I looked to the boy, who seemed to be trying to send me a telepathic message, that I could not pick up on.
"Oh seriously, Gentlemen…I was merely checking on my children…" sensing that I had not yet cleared the danger, I began to refill their glasses with brandy that had been sitting on the end table.
"I trust all is well?"
"Oh yes…" I saw their eyes begin to fill with mistrust as the boy shook tilted his head to the kitchen door. My eyes followed his directions and soon saw Angelique peeking out of the kitchen, attempting to get my attention. "Except," I continued the charade, "unfortunately it would seem that my Angelique awoke from the commotion…I believe that she came down not long before me for a glass of water…"
"Here I am Maman!" The men seemed calmed my this seemingly proven truth.
"There you are, m'dear! Now if you don't mind, I will see my daughter to her bed…" I gave the boy a thankful look and then followed Angelique up the stairs once more. She reached her bedroom fairly quickly, and held the door open, motioning for me to go in first. I went in and watched as she closed the door tightly behind us.
"What in the world is going on…?"
"Mother, listen to me! We have to get father out of here!"
"What!" My heart felt as if it had been torn in two.
"Raoul told the men about a 'masked man' who had been appearing on his property and that he suspected the man had once been in love with his wife and was therefore stalking her. I am guessing that the police thought you were in on it at first, hense why they were suspicious of you, but when you 'proved' where you had been, they ignored the possibility that you were having, what they would consider 'an affair'.
"Did you hear what they plan to do?"
"I believe they said something about pretending to leave, and then searching the house and property."
"Quickly! We must get your father out of here…we will deal with Raoul later!" We turned to the door, and pushed it open, only to be face to face with the end of a gun.
"Where do you think you are going missies?"
"We just…"
"No way…monsieur Raoul orders that we lock you, all your children and the stable boy in this room while we search your house…safety precaution, of course!" Something told me that this was no safety precaution!
"There is no way that I will allow you to lock my family away!" It was then that another officer arrived, towing Jaime, Caroline, Helene and the stable boy along with them at gunpoint. "GET THOSE WEAPONS AWAY FROM MY CHILDREN!" He complied, but shoved the four of them towards Angelique and I. Caroline and Jaime clung to Angelique, while I took the other two in my arms.
"Do not worry, Ma'am…we will find this masked stalker and remove him for you…"
"Papa?" Caroline cried. Angelique hushed her while I made up some response about him returning after finding the dangerous man that was near us.
The officer shut the door, locking me away from Erik, who with any luck, knew what was going on and had already left. But from what I know of Erik…even if he was aware of the hunt for him, he would not leave us locked away while policemen scoured the house. It was that though that I could not get out of my mind, as I tucked the younger children in Angelique's bed, leaving Helene, Angelique and the boy awake to await the morning light. I could only hope that it would bring Erik back to us, alive and unharmed.