Sweet Seduction
Chapter Two: Preparations and a Plan
A/N: Okay, now we're going to start with the EC fluff...
And thank you for the reviews.
Erik sighed contentedly. He still could not believe the scene unfolding before his eyes. The last two hours had been by far the most perfect, happily spent time of his life. After Christine had calmed down and taken a short nap, she had emerged from the bedroom, after bathing and changing into a springy green dress, which matched her body measurements perfectly. She was a bit embarrassed about her sudden outburst of emotions with him, which was obvious from the pale spots of color in her cheeks that had yet to fade, but he had assured her everything was fine. She was much calmer now, peacefully reading a book from his immense library. He was trying to read, but his book couldn't hold his attention for a moment when he knew she was seated right across the room from him, a few mere feet away. She was so beautiful, her eyes racing over the pages, her gentle hand delicately twirling a lock of her velvety curls through her fingers, with her head resting against the back of the plush armchair and her legs folded gracefully underneath her.
"Christine?" he asked gently
She was so engrossed in her novel, she didn't even respond. He had to stifle a chuckle. Though possessing the gorgeous body of a woman, Christine was still such a child, swept away by tales of chivalrous knights, their noble steeds and fair maidens in enchanted lands.
"Christine?" he called again
She still didn't respond. He was starting to get some amusement out of this now. Standing up, he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted
"CHRISTINE!"
"What!" she shrieked, flinging a hand to her heart and finally coming out of her daydreams. She had been enjoying her rare free time, reading some of the same stories her father had read to her as a child, the memories and feelings overwhelming her. For a moment, she had been back on the seashore, watching the waves roll onto the gentle sand while sitting on her fathers lap, the sweet taste of the peppermint candy still vivid in her memory, listening to his tale about Little Lottie and her Angel of Music...
She glanced up at her Angel...no, Erik. Erik was standing over her, an amused grin still left on his face. She waited until her heart stopped pounding in her chest from the scare to begin speaking, trying to salvage a little bit of dignity
"Yes? What did you want An-Erik?"
Erik. The name felt so foreign on her tongue. She didn't truly think her Angel had a name. He was just...her angel. Having a name made him more of...a man, a real living man. No, she was just being foolish. Of course he was a real man. He wasn't truly an angel. He'd explained it to her a bit sheepishly, after introducing himself, that he really wasn't an angel. But, she was so young and scared and he had just wanted to comfort her and protect her, and she believed the voice coming from the rafters was her angel. She trusted and believed in her Angel, so he hadn't told her the truth, but he finally did, now that she was old enough. A small part of her still wished she believed that illusion.
"I just wanted to see if you wanted anything. You've been very quiet" he said
She smiled "I've been reading, Erik."
"Well, I can see that. Are you, uh, enjoying your story?"
"Very much, thank you for lending it to me"
"Don't mention it my dear. You can borrow any other books you like from my library."
She smiled "I know, you've already told me several times. You certainly are very hospitable"
He sat down next to her, shrugging "Well, it isn't everyday that I have the privilege of company, especially such beautiful company as yourself"
She blushed "Erik, stop it. You don't really mean that"
He pretended to be offended "Mademoiselle, are you accusing me of being insincere?"
She laughed, one of the sweetest sounds he'd ever heard "No, I could never say that. You've never been anything but sincere."
They both fell silent for a moment, both well aware how close they were. When Erik moved, his leg brushed up against hers for the slightest second, sending a silent tremor of excitement through both of them. The intimacy of the situation made Erik more bold than he normally was, and he reached up, stroking Christine's' cheek for the sweetest moment, her soft smooth skin gliding under his hand, to brush back a stray curl that had fallen loose from her hair ribbon.
"I would never be insincere with you, Christine"
They were so close. Almost close enough to kiss...
Christine felt so many mixed emotions going through her mind. She liked being this close to him. It was so sweet and she felt safe and warm with him next to her. Was she beginning to love him, as more than just her tutor, but maybe, as a man?
She moved closer to him, their faces a few inches apart. He seemed so strong, yet so gentle. She wanted to kiss him, to know him, to feel him. But, did he feel that way for her? His eyes had a look about them she had never seen before, almost hungry and wanting, almost lustful.
She was ready to kiss him, but she hesitated. He looked ready. He seemed ready. But was she?
They both wanted that moment to last forever, but Christine lost her nerve at the last minute, and the kiss intended for his sweet lips landed on his cheek instead, warm and quick. She wasn't ready. She couldn't believe she'd even consider it, and now she had to face the awkward, painful look on his face he was desperately trying to conceal, but his eyes betrayed him.
She broke the awkward silence between them.
"Thank you for the compliments, Angel. Did you, um, did you want something?"
He forced himself to smile, for her sake. She hadn't been ready to kiss him. He'd been far too bold with her, to suggest something like that, and he awkwardly realized he was still pressed against her. He bolted up, turning to face her. "Well, yes, I did. I was just, I was... wondering if you were all right. Is there anything you'd like? Are you hungry or anything?" he blurted out at the last moment. How could such a petite creature intimidate him so much that his knees turned to jelly whenever she glanced at him?
She smiled again. He was so sweet and kind to her. She had to admit, she was a little hungry, but he'd already done enough for her, and she'd feel so awkward eating if he wasn't going to yet. She would just wait a little while longer.
"No, I'm fine, thank you"
Well, her voice didn't betray her, but her stomach did, omitting a loud, obvious growl as soon as she'd finish speaking. She could feel herself blushing again
"All right, maybe I am a little hungry" she admitted
He pointed over to the far side of his lair, hidden from view
"That's a bit of a makeshift kitchen...dining..area...thing. There should be some bread or fruit in the cabinet, or you can just search around for what you'd like"
She walked over to where he had directed. It was small, but she could see a hallway going out of the room, with at least five doorways. Good gracious, how big was this place?
She looked at him settling back into the lounge chair with his book and walked over, calling out politely
"Would you like to join me?"
He looked up, shaking his head
"No thank you"
She looked at him
"Aren't you hungry too? You probably haven't eaten a thing all day?"
"No, I don't tend to eat that much. Most of the time I'm composing and just to busy for such trivial interruptions. No, really, I'm fine. Go ahead, have whatever you like" he exclaimed, settling himself back in his chair with his novel.
'Oh, all right then. Well, thank you"
She went back over and set about preparing herself a light snack, wondering childishly if he would happen to have any peppermints around...
He pretended to be reading his book, but the printed words were the farthest thing from his mind. He watched her over the cover of his book, scurrying around his pathetic excuse for a kitchen, looking every bit the pristine young housewife. He dared to dream for a moment, that maybe this was what it would be like if they were ever to be married...
While Erik listened to her moving about the kitchen, a far more familiar sound caught his attention as he focused on the wall behind his desk and the familiar sounds of the trap door opening.
Oh no, please don't let it be her, God, I can't take this too. Please. Not. Now.
His prayers went obviously unanswered as the door opened to reveal Mme. Giry, striding over to Erik's chair hastily
"All right, Erik, where is she?"
He peered at her over his book
"To whom are you referring?" he asked cordially
She scowled "You know 'to whom I'm referring'. Christine! She hasn't been at rehearsals and the entire staff's talking about it. Now Erik, I thought you had enough sense not to do this again! Her reputation's finally starting to recover from your foolish little escapade after her debut and then you had to go and bring her down here again!Now, where is she, and please tell me that you didn't-"
"Mme. Giry?" Christine called out "Is that you"
She glared at Erik
"Where are you hiding her, Erik?"
He felt a hot flash of shame creep up his neck. Why did she still make him feel like a guilty child when he was a grown man? He muttered angrily
"I'm not 'hiding' her anywhere, she's in the kitchen. Go look for yourself"
She strode over to what he disgracefully called a "kitchen" and sure enough, there was Christine, chopping up carrots on the counter. Christine looked over her shoulder, her face lighting up as Mme. Giry hugged her
"Oh, Christine! Oh dear, you had me quite worried there for a moment when you weren't there for rehearsals"
She felt the young girl bristle and stepped away from her
"Rehearsals? Why ever would I go to rehearsals? I'm not singing the part!" she said forcefully
Mme. Giry turned to look at Erik
"All right, one of you needs to begin explaining. Now"
Christine walked her over to the couch, settling down with her snack and explaining what happened in the chapel and why she'd come down here, with Erik filling in the little bits of information she'd forgotten. Mme. Giry sank back against the sofa
"Oh, that's a relief. Of course, I assumed you already knew of the plan, what, with the boy parading around proud as a peacock and screaming it to the heavens, but I wanted to be sure, non? So, it is certain? You're not going to sing?"
Christine shook her head firmly. Mme. Giry looked at her
"And you have heard about the Vicomte, I presume?"
She looked at her oddly
"No, what about Rao- The Vicomte?"
"My dear, this isn't an easy way to say this, but he's, well-" she grasped Christine's hand gently "-he's gone insane."
At that, for some inexplicable reason, Erik and Christine both burst out laughing, leaving poor Mme. Giry in shock. When they had both calmed down, Erik was finally able to speak again, her face flaming red against the white porcelain mask
"Oh, Marie, sorry, forgive the outburst, but we know that already." he gasped
Christine had tears in her eyes, she was laughing so hard
"Mme. Giry, that's why I came down here. He was frightening me and I just knew he'd gone mad. But, how did you find out?"
"Oh, he came bursting into rehearsals, ranting and raving about his plan and how he was going to kill the Phantom and on and on. Someone's tried to report him to the asylum and when a representative showed up, Monsieur Vicomte bribed him off and that was the end of that and when Carlotta dared to whine to Raoul about her precious little role in the opera, he tried to punch her!" she exclaimed, which brought a laugh from all three of them
After a few more pleasantries ( and scoldings) in the conversation between Erik and Mme. Giry, she turned to Christine
"But, my dear, I thought you should know, Messieurs Andre and Firmin have called in almost every policemen and guard in Paris for the performance tomorrow. You truly aren't going to sing?"
"No, I am not singing tomorrow. Why would I agree to be part of that wicked plot? I don't want to help Raoul and turn Erik in! I couldn't do that to him?"
"Well, my dear, when are you going to return to the Opera? You are quite the lady of the hour right now, and you're no where to be found!People are going to get suspicious. You need to return sometime, and soon. After all, though it's kind of Erik to offer so, you can't stay here much longer. It wouldn't be proper-"
"Oh, but Madame, I can't go back now! Raoul's still looking for me and everyone will just try to force me sing to tomorrow night and I can't! I want to stay down here with Erik"
"Christine, would you think for a moment? You can't stay down here, unchaperoned, with a man when you're currently the most sought after lady in all of Paris and the Opera's newest star! Now, Erik may be kind in his intentions, but it wouldn't be right to-"
"Uh, ladies?" Erik interrupted, raising his hand "Yes, just so you know, I'm still here" he added awkwardly
They both turned to look at him. Mme. Giry raised the question
"Well? What are we going to do?"
He shrugged "I, frankly don't care about all the gossiping socialites in Paris looking for her, they can go to hell. And, Christine, you may stay down here as long as you wish if you don't want to leave yet" he added
She smiled gratefully, lowering her eyes
"Thank you"
Mme. Giry rolled her eyes "Well, that obviously shows how much you two care about what the rest of the Opera is saying about her. I just wanted you to know" she said, walking over towards the kitchen
Erik leaned back and began rubbing his head "Oh, for Christ's sakes Marie, you're worse than when we were teenagers, going on about 'what everyone says'. Who cares?" he exclaimed
"Well, I certainly do, and I thought you would too, since you've both worked so hard to ensure she remained the Prima Donna" she shouted back
Christine walked over to sit on the side of the armchair
"But, Erik" she began "What about your opera?"
He sighed bitterly "Well, it's just a shame I spent twenty years writing the damn thing and they probably won't even perform it now, since de Changy's plan is going to fail. But, that really isn't that important. Don't concern yourself about it" he said, gently patting her hand
Mme. Giry came back over
"It is a shame, it's a fine play, Erik"
He sighed. It had been written for Christine to perform. He had often imagined her soprano voice singing as Aminta and she had been his muse for the part during the long, lonely hours he'd spent composing it. He supposed it was all going to go to waste.
Mme. Giry though, had other ideas. Her eyes lit up and there was a spark in her voice as she announced
"Maybe there is a way it could be performed"
Erik and Christine both looked up at her
"How?" Christine asked curiously
"Well" she said, settling comfortably into the chair opposite them "Picture this: What if we performed the opera, but Erik wouldn't be captured?"
"Marie" he asked exasperatedly "How is that going to work?"
"Erik, be quiet and listen! If Christine did sing the role, the opera would be performed, oui? So, if she changes her mind, Christine could star in the opera-"
"But Mme. Giry, I have already told you, I can't do it" she burst in
Mme. Giry silenced her protests "Dear, this time, the joke would be on the Vicomte. You would sing the role, the police, patrons, everyone in Paris would be in attendance, except" she paused, narrowing her eyes at Erik "the man they're looking for"
Erik nodded, beginning to catch on "So, you're suggesting I don't attend my own opera?"
"Preciously! Don't you two see? It could all work out. Christine could sing, in no danger whatsoever, Raoul's plan will fail miserably, and all you, Erik, have to do, is sit down here and exercise some self control by not attending. You won't be caught, and maybe all these rumors will stop about the Phantom!"
He nodded "It would work out perfectly, but Marie, come now. I can't even watch the opera I wrote being performed? Couldn't the plan still work if I just stay hidden and watch it, like I do all the others? No one would know!" he protested
She shook her head firmly
"No Erik, the place will be crawling with police officers, and they'll surely search everywhere for you. It would be too big a risk" she said
Christine nodded looking at him
"She's right. It would be far too dangerous for you"
He looked up at her
"So, you're agreeing to this? You'll really perform?"
She bit her lip, thinking
"Well, if no one would be hurt, and it was just another performance, and Raoul's plan will fail, then, I might consider it" she said hopefully
Erik sighed, sinking back into the chair. Great. His opera he'd slaved over for twenty years would be performed, and he wasn't even going to get to see it! But, it did sound like a marvelous plan Marie had thought of, and Christine may finally perform his dream role, the role that had literally been written for her!
He relented "Well, fine. I suppose I can't fight you both. I promise, I'll stay down here like a good little Phantom of the Opera"
Mme. Giry smiled "Very good then"
Erik shrugged "But, it isn't my permission we need..." he said, trailing off while looking at Christine hopefully
She sighed
"All right, I'll do it. I will sing tomorrow evening."
Mme. Giry smiled and stood up to leave
"Wonderful. So, I'll go back up now,and Christine, you should attend the rehearsal later today if you truly do intend on singing this role"
She nodded "I will"
"Good. So, every thing is in place for tomorrow evening and we better hope it works, for all our sakes." she said before taking her leave
After she was gone, Christine resumed reading her fairy tales and Erik (after taking a quick swig of burgundy that escaped Christine's notice) had tried to compose at his organ, only to find his mind blank and his eyes wandering over to the beauty sitting in front of him. He called over
"Christine?"
She looked up "Yes?'
"Well, since this is so sudden, perhaps you would just like to refresh your memory of the part of Aminta? I mean, I'm sure you know it well already, but just to be sure-"
She came over and he fell silent, grateful he didn't have to keep blabbering like a fool.
"Yes, Erik, I'll rehearse it with you, if you wish"
He nodded and began playing her introduction. She began singing, looking over his shoulder once or twice when she was rarely unsure of a lyric or note. Her voice was utter perfection, high and graceful and clear. She was the true angel of music, not him. He contentidly sighed as he began playing the crescendo. Everything truly was in place. Christine would sing the role created for her, living his dream. Everything would be perfect, and everything that needed to be said was.
If only he could tell Christine his true feelings for her...
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