Okay, this chapter's a little short, sorry. My life is really hectic right now, you should all be happy I've written at all. I woke up this morning and said, "Hey, Self? I should write another chapter for my poor readers." So, I did. I still have very little inspiration, but I'm not willing to give up on a story. Therefore, the tale will just crawl painfully along until I can gather momentum. So, any good ideas would come in handy. I own none of the characters, just read and review, ya? Have a great day!
An Unexpected Attraction
When Meg first awoke the next morning, she dressed and went quickly to Christine's room. When she walked in, however, she was surprised to find that the soprano was not there. "Christine!" she called, searching the familiar halls of her home. "Where are you? Don't play games with me. I know you're here! Stop trying to scare-" She screamed suddenly as a pair of small, pale hands grasped her shoulders. She whirled around angrily, blond hair flying. "Don't ever do that to me!" she admonished as Christine giggled.
"Sorry, Meg," she laughed. "I couldn't help it. You seemed so serious!"
"As well I should be, after our discussion... this morning. You've got me shaken with all this talk of phantoms and disappearing loves." Christine stiffened visibly, and her expression sobered. She turned away from her friend and began to walk stiffly down the hall.
"Christine, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you, please..."
"Come," Christine said stiffly. "We should see to breakfast."
Meg ran to catch up, then hesitantly slipped her hand into her best friend's, and the two walked silently down the corridors until they reached the bustling kitchen. A cook and three maids ran frantically around the room, putting kettles over the fire, frying eggs, buttering freshly-made scones, and creating an overall air of chaos.
"Why does it seem as though they are cooking for more than three women?" Christine commented.
"Oh, didn't I tell you? Raoul insisted that if you were going to stay with us for a while, he would visit every morning. So, we have he kitchen staff on notice that we will be hosting two more people every day."
"Two?" Christine raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"The Vicomte always takes his advisor with him. As far as anyone can tell, the two are very good friends. I've never met Monsieur Bordeaux personally, but I hear he has a pleasant personality and an impeccable reputation." She smiled broadly, and Christine saw the wistful look in her eyes.
"Ah. I see. You hope he will wish to court you," she teased. "Well, I think you two should be very happy together, seeing as you've never met before and you're bound to have nothing in common!" she giggled.
Meg slapped her playfully on the shoulder, blushing crimson. "Well, I do wish to be courted by someone present today, but it's not Rafael." she looked down shyly.
"But, Meg, you said the only other man coming was- Oh." She began laughing in earnest. "Raoul? The Vicomte?" She laughed harder, holding her ribs as she attempted to regain normal breathing patterns. She finally stopped and brushed a few stray tears from her eyes, looking into Meg's crestfallen gaze. "No, no, I didn't mean anything by it. You and Raoul would make a handsome pair. Why, think of all the blond children! No, I was laughing because all this time I held him away from you while, in truth, I loved another man. Through my stupidity, I denied us both happiness. I'm truly sorry, Meg. Please, know that you have my blessing. I hardly think he will be so willing to give me up, though. I'll speak to him for you."
"No!" Meg said urgently. "You must not. I do not want your memory to have any part in his decisions. If he loves me, I want him to love me, not he remnants of you he sees inside of me. Please. If this is meant to be, it will fall out on its own. I beg you, Christine, do not interfere."
"I understand. I will, however, impress upon him how determined I am to find Erik, and that I will never return to Raoul. That should at least give you a chance."
"Thank you, Christine," Meg whispered as she hugged her friend. "I don't know how I'd get along without you."
"You wouldn't," Christine grinned, grasping Meg's hand again. "Now, I'm starved, I haven't eaten since early yesterday. Let's get to breakfast." She pulled the slightly smaller girl through the kitchens and into the adjoining dining hall, grabbing a scone on her way through. "Thank you!" she called to the maids as she went, and the two girls sat at the table, awaiting impatiently for the arrival of their company and the interest it would bring.