This is a bit longer than is typical for me, but I could not find a good way to divide it into two chapters. If you see any errors, please let me know. As I said before, I still need a beta for this. :)
Enjoy, and if you do please continue to review. It's disappointing when reviews dwindle, it makes me think the quality is going down!
-M
Nothing, absolutely nothing. Piles of papers, all filled with useless information. Nothing within that was at all incriminating or really very interesting. Julia did her best, Christine was sure. Apparently Erik's little visitor from the past was simply a very prim, proper, and boring person.
A sigh preluded the rough shuffling of papers, knocking them from the top of her piano. Christine watched in abstract humor as they all floated through the air, landing in a disheveled mess at her feet.
The bench beneath her creaked as she shifted, sitting up straight again. Long, slender fingers lifted to idly stroke the smooth ivory. A light tune filled the cavernous room, disjointed and simple. The sound of boredom and frustration manifest through the strings.
"Disrupted," Christine murmured aloud, her thoughts birthing that single word. Her carefully laid plans had been disrupted with the arrival of the pretty little soprano.
Erik's mind was in a delicate position, and for weeks Christine had plotted exactly how to soothe him, to hollow out the mourning that still claimed his heart, to manipulate him into the position she wanted him to be before introducing him to her world of darkness and music. Carefully she had considered each attribute of his personality and his life, deciding to maintain her distance and appear only as his angel for some time yet. When his trust was fully vested in her, blindly and unconditionally, she had intended to slowly draw him closer to her in mind. To reveal more of her human thoughts and emotions, and eventually to bring him to her. She could always use some of her herbs and chemicals, well-known amongst her own legends and rumors as her weapon of choice, to induce delirium and simply bring him here. That, however, was not acceptable. She wanted him to think with a clear mind, and to accept all that he would see.
Until her plans were disrupted. Now she felt as though she were teetering on some precipice, watching him being snatched from her palm helplessly. If she did not act, and much sooner than she intended, he would fall into the charms of the naive little chit above and she would lose him, and his song, forever.
Frustrated by the seemingly hopeless situation she found herself forced into, the ghost that haunted the halls of the opera stood quickly and began preparations. He would come to her soon, and things must be perfect for his arrival.
In the world above, Erik had no clue as to the energy being expended on his part. Stories below his feet, his angel prepared to snatch him away from the waking sun. In the rooms above the new diva and his old friend, ignorant that Emma had ever existed much less that he still mourned for her, considered with girlish delight whether he would ever be attracted to her, considering their past.
Though years had passed since they last met, Annabel often thought of Erik and constantly compared the stream of suitors that passed through her doors to him. None measured up, and so she was still alone at an age where most women were already married and nursing. Seeing him on the street had been quite the shock, but after speaking with him she realized what she had been avoiding throughout her life.
She loved him. Her heart raced, her palms were sweaty, and she felt as though she could scarcely breathe in his presence. His beautiful voice had matured, and now carried a timbre that caused her to tremble beneath it's strength. He had promised to call upon her, but after a fitful nights sleep she could scarcely wait to be in his presence again. Using the power she received as a diva, one she rarely ever mistreated, she ordered that word be sent to him. She wished to see him.
Now, as she sat upon the divan and waited nervously for his arrival, Annabel realized she had not planned at all what she should say.
"I know it's been years, Erik, and we were really only children when we knew each other before. However, seeing you again on a dark street reminded me that I am actually in love with you. Court me, marry me, stay with me forever!" Annabel thought, mocking herself in her own thoughts.
"You fool," she muttered, standing to pace instead.
"I've scarcely arrived and already you're insulting me? I will leave, little Bel, if you wish it."
The teasing voice that interrupted her reverie was low and familiar, and Annabel turned in shock at his silent arrival.
"Erik Alexandre Mauer! Do you not know that it is terrible manners to sneak up on a lady, and not to knock as well?" Forcing a look of scolding upon her face, Anna turned to their familiar jesting to hide the nervousness that bubbled beneath the surface. When her gaze fell upon his familiar face, she felt her stomach turn. How could one man do this to her with a simple smile?
And smile he did. Broadly, pushing the door open further to step aside.
"I did knock, Madamoiselle. I dare say you did not hear me because you were at lengthy discourse with yourself."
At last Anna released the tension building within her with a laugh.
"Please, come in Erik."
Erik obliged, averting his gaze from the lovely woman before him. She had been a little girl the last time he had seen her, and it had not been so difficult then to keep from staring. Now she was a woman, beautiful and curvaceous in the gown she had chosen to wear. It seemed a bit much for simple daytime attire, but Erik would not complain. With a graceful hand she gestured toward a chair, and settled in the one opposite him.
"Would you care for tea? I could have some sent up.." Anna fidgeted as they sat, clearly uncomfortable.
"No, thank you, Anna. "Erik replied smoothly, and at the sound of her name upon his lips Anna jumped. Erik reached out to capture her hand within his. It was warm, and soft. He smiled in an attempt to reassure her.
"Please, is something wrong? You are as skittish as a kitten. Am I putting you at unease?" Erik's brow furrowed as he spoke, and he seemed deeply concerned for her comfort.
"No, I.. . yes.. we... it's just. Oh, Erik. It has been so long I do not even know how to act. The child in me wishes we could chase the dog and wrestle upon the floor as we used to, but I cannot deny now that you are grown.." Anna rambled nervously.
"As are you," Erik interrupted with an appreciative smile and a pointed gaze downwards at her more mature body. She blushed, and Erik warmed to the sight. She was quite pretty.
"Yes," she said, seemingly quieted by his comment.
"Perhaps, then, we should act as adults but with the familiarity our childhood would lend us. We have ten years to cover. Let us talk. Tell me what you have been doing, and how it is that your path led you back here?" Erik spoke calmly, hoping to soothe her spirit with his words in the same way his benevolent angel did for him.
Annabel melted beneath his charms, and the idle way he stroked his thumb across the top of her hand. Canting her head aside, and with a sweet smile, she consented to his request and began to recount their time apart.
"After you...left, we moved from the countryside into Paris. I've lived here for the rest of that time, mostly. Papa passed away, and Mama wanted to return to Italy. You remember that her mother was Italian? Yes, and so for the past two years we have lived there. I have been in several productions there, but they were all quite minor until the last. Then I received the leading soprano role and the rest, as they say, is history. I was offered a visiting position here, and it was a great chance to get away. A vacation, of sorts. Mother is..."
Here her voice softened, and saddened. Her gaze, which had been fastened upon Erik the entire time of her story, finally diverted.
"She is losing her memory. Of most things, she cannot recall if she has eaten or what day it is. Sometimes she cannot remember who I am at all. I hope I do not seem the negligent child, running off to chase dreams while she's shut away in that lonely house."
Tears formed in her blue eyes, and Erik found himself longing to wipe them away. To keep all hurt from this spark of sunshine in his life, to make her laugh.
"Of course you do not, Anna. Everyone needs a break sometimes. It is difficult to watch someone you love so dearly fade before your very eyes."
Erik's voice was heavy with sadness and understanding, and he released her hand to reach up and brush a tear from her cheek with his thumb. She smiled at the gesture, and nodded. Clearing her voice, she continued.
"But enough about me! Where have you been? I am certain a lot must have happened.. considering.."
Her gaze dropped to his apparel, and he realized himself and sat back in his chair. Her cheek felt cool and barren without his touch, but Annabel did not remark on it. Instead she perched upon the edge of her chair and leaned closer, the same way she would when they were children and someone was about to tell her a story. Erik could not help but chuckle.
"Yes, a lot has. To make a very long story short, I left with my uncles, received a thorough education and proceeded to involve myself in their business. Things were fine for a while. And then I met..."
Suddenly Erik felt awkward. It seemed out of turn to tell a woman from his past, this woman from his past about Emma. The attraction he had felt toward Anna felt like betrayal and he found he could not meet her gaze directly as he spoke.
"I met a young woman. My uncles did not approve, however, because she was below our station. We had words, and I took my portion of the inheritance and left. I married her, a charwoman, and things were splendid. Then she became pregnant. We were so excited.."
Erik realized his hands were trembling as he spoke, and so he folded them atop his lap. Annabel's countenance was one of confusion and rapt attention, her brow furrowed in thought. He continued.
"Something went wrong, and just as her belly started to round she became very ill. The child died, and it took weeks for the bleeding to end. She never recovered. For years we sought out the best doctors we could find, as she slowly faded each day. I spent every penny I had trying to save her, and still she ... passed."
Erik cleared his throat, unwilling to admit that his wife had taken her own life even to his closest childhood friend.
Annabel had gasped when he finished his tale, and was soon on her knees beside his feet. She leaned up to hug him, murmuring feeble apologies into his hair.
The grief that would have typically swallowed Erik at recounting the tale did not come. Instead, he could only focus on how sweet Annabel smelled as she pressed her supple, warm body into his. He released a haggard sigh, though not for the reason she suspected, and wound his arms about her waist. For a moment, he allowed himself this indulgence. He canted his head aside to bury his face in the loose ringlets that fell freely over her shoulders. Like silk the tendrils danced along his cheeks, granting him an affection he had not felt since Emma died.
A voice was heard from the doorway, a man clearing his throat. Annabel jerked away quickly, gaze darting to the door. Lips pursed in a disapproving expression, she reluctantly disengaged from the hug and settled within her chair again.
"Yes?" She asked the maid at the door, all composure.
"Your tea, Mademeoiselle?" The elderly lady queried, politely averting her gaze.
"No, thank you." Anna replied in a dismissive tone. The lady disappeared, and Annabel cast an apologetic gaze towards Erik.
"Please forgive me, Erik. As I've stated, I forget sometimes that we are grown now and that it is entirely improper for me to embrace you as I just did. It's just that.. I am terribly sorry about your loss. A wife and a child, I cannot imagine! Please, if there is anything I can do..."
Erik shook his head, less embarrassed about the scene than she. "No need to apologize, and yes, I am sorry as well. It has been over a year now, though, and whether we will it or not - life goes on."
Erik managed a sad smile, and a silence fell over the duo for several moments. A comfortable silence. Finally Erik stood.
"As much as it pains me to constantly be saying goodbye to you, I must go. Today is the last day I will have work for nearly a week, and I would not wish to be late." Erik bowed to grasp her hand, and brush his fingers across the knuckles. He lingered there, his gaze lifted to her face as he did so. As his warm breath was expelled against her skin, a shiver coursed through her and she blushed again. Erik could not help but smile at that, and he turned to leave without another word.
At least he seemed to have the same effect on her.
Monsieur Lemour was not the most gracious man to work for. Short-tempered and easily flustered, Erik had found out quickly that the best way to deal with his immediate superior was avoidance. He finished the work assigned to him, left each day on a little piece of paper, and disappeared before the man made his rounds to assess the work. Any comments or complaints were lodged upon said piece of paper for the next day, and Erik scarcely had to speak to the man.
Therefore, it was horrifying when the pudgy, short man came barreling toward him, waving a piece of paper above his head as though it were a flag.
"Mauer! Stop that this instance!" His shrill, terrible voice sounded over the banging noise Erik was causing. Erik stood tall, allowing his work to cease for the moment. With a level gaze he watched the older man approach, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes, Monsieur?" Erik returned lazily as he finally reached him.
"You are to take the day off. Consider this an extra bonus to your holiday."
Erik simply furrowed his brow and stared at the man, still waving the piece of paper threateningly.
"Holiday begins tomorrow, Monsieur. It will only take me one more day to finish this piece and then the set desig-.."
Erik was cut off by a rather loud snort from the man.
"Monsieur, I do not know what you have done to capture .." at this he glanced around suspisciously, and leaned forward to whisper to Erik. ".. Her attention, but when the ghost leaves letters they are not to be disobeyed. It clearly states that you are to have the day off. Now off with you, I will not face her wrath for disobeying! Heaven knows I already face the danger of poison from my wife, I do not need a would be assassin on my heels over a lowly set boy. Heavens no.."
In a huff, and still rambling, the man waddled off before Erik could ask to see the letter. He found the idea of the lady who haunted the theater ridiculous, but who would pose as such to earn him a days rest?
Shrugging such a thought off, he stowed his work and retreated toward his room. Perhaps, if he hurried, he could make it to rehearsals and catch sight of Annabel on stage. It was difficult to imagine the shy little girl he had protected from bugs the center of all attention, but as he thought about the woman who continued to place herself in his arms - he reconsidered. She was beautiful, and if her speaking voice was to give any clue, she probably sang just as well.
Whistling a light-hearted tune, Erik weaved his way through the halls, unaware of what awaited him at his destination.