Chapter 14

DUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUN!

The chapter that I've been looking forward to upload when I first began this story….

MASQUERADE!

Thank you to all my faithful readers for staying with me!

I know this is a really, really, really, really long chapter but I hope you all enjoy it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Okay, I'm done freaking out now…EEK!...Okay… Sorry... Enjoy!

One week later

FAYE POV

Erik thought introducing me into "society" was going to be easy.

Hell, no it wasn't.

I was reading a book and I hear a knocking at the door. I open it and there is Erik with many big boxes of who knows what.

"I got everything we need!"

"What do you mean?" I said as I opened one of the boxes. I found a mask. Figures. "A masquerade ball?"

"Yes!" He seemed very excited for some reason.

"And you're assuming I'm going." I wasn't really sure about this idea, but I tried to hide back the excitement the best I could.

"You are going." He said this as a playful tone but it was meant to be commanding… but it failed.

"Ugh, wait what is thing?" as I showed him this lacy top.

"That is a corset." He said quietly, almost blushing.

"What the hell's a corset?" Sounded like a torture device.

"Women wear them." He blushed and looked away as I tried to see how to wear it. I failed.

"How do you wear this torture device?" I asked inquisitively.

"Um…" he stammered.

"Will you help me put on all this stuff? How do these women wear these things?" As I pointed to the purple high-heeled shoes.

Erik POV

"I really have no idea." I smile. She is so adorable. What? What am I saying? Stop it. Stop it right now.

I got a maid to help her into her clothes. I paid her very well, asking her not to say anything about what I knew what might happen. I was on the other side of the door. Listening in, I had to hear Faye's voice and her reaction to all the things I have given to her.

"Oh, that's how the corset goes-OWW! What the-?" Her voice became louder. I tried so hard not to laugh.

"What was that for?" I hear her annoyed tone.

"Tightening your corset miss." Said the maid, in the same irritated tone.

"It was tight enough. This thing could kill me!" She stated.

I could hear another pull and a loud gasp. And a few swear words as well….which I will not repeat.

"I can't breathe; do these women breathe at all?"She asked.

The maid laughed. "Miss with all due respect, I know what I'm doing."

"Good lord, what's that?" Faye asked.

"The gown you will be wearing miss, simply stunning may I say." The maid answered.

"I'm supposed to dance in this thing?" she asked worryingly.

"Yes miss." The maid replied.

"And wear these shoes? What do they think they are doing? Trying to kill us? Is this even supposed to be comfortable?"

Her little naïve mind, oh how she makes me laugh. I thought to myself.

"No, Miss I know how you feel, I know it's frustrating." The maid responded in the utmost patience.

A few hours later…

"Wow. Whatever you did to my hair, it is amazing." I pictured her looking at herself in the mirror I had also bought for her. With her name engraved on it. Looking at her beautiful face. I saw her smile. It was pure happiness.

"Thank you Miss." The maid replied appreciatively.

"Thank you so much for putting up with me for the past few hours. I know it was hard and annoying to put up with." She thanked her.

"It's alright Miss. I'm happy to do it."

"I know this sounds silly to ask, but do I look alright for going to a masquerade ball?" I began to hear nervousness in her voice. That was good and bad.

"Miss you look spectacular, but you are missing one thing." The old maid chuckled.

"What's that?" she asked worriedly.

"Your mask! Ah! Magnifiques! There you look beautiful." She gasped. I heard them getting up and ran to the other side of the room, as if I wasn't standing by the door for hours.

Faye entered the room and I was captivated. Even though I picked out the outfit, I didn't think she would look this worthy. Her hair usually up in an awful messy bun was now a waterfall of golden curls. Her gown was dark purple, with black lace with black roses at the bottom. The top part of the dress was black and dark purple fitting her curves perfectly. It was a strapless gown. Quite dangerous for society but what was the harm? It was a masquerade after all. No one knew her anyway. I had bought her a shawl, if she became cold. Her beautiful mask was black, shaped her face perfectly, it was simple but striking. I didn't grasp back reality until she tried to walk on her own to me and almost fell down. The maid helped her walk to the couch. I bought a second pair of shoes just in case. Black ballet shoes. Faye was so happy that she could wear them. She exchanged them in a heartbeat. And again she made me smile.

Faye POV

We arrived on time. I wore the black shawl Erik gave me. I had really bad butterflies in my stomach. I was so anxious. Even though Erik wasn't my date or anything, I was worried about fitting in and having people stare at me. I've never been apprehensive about that before, but I got this far so it was too late to turn back now.

Once we entered the doors, I felt relaxed. There were couples dancing and the music was cheerful and happy. I saw Erik stiffen as I saw everyone else dressed in exquisite costumes and in all different sort of colorful masks. Someone came and welcomed us and took our coats and my shawl. I never felt so protected in a mask. Maybe that's why Erik wore his all the time. I didn't want to bring it up, unless people knew about Erik. Maybe I would ask him later. Everywhere you looked you saw every face had a different shape. There was this tune that was really catchy, I whispered softly to myself

"Masquerade! Paper Faces on Parade! Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you…"

"What?" said Erik.

"Oh nothing."

"It looks like you are an interest…" he said stiffly.

"What?" I asked him, not fully understanding.

"Look over there." He used his eyes as a direction. I turned around.

There was a young man standing there. Eyeing me with interest and coming over in our direction. Oh no. I didn't even know how to talk like I was rich or even to greet him. When I looked back at Erik, I saw that he'd had gone. Oh shit.

"Good evening mademoiselle." As he bowed gallantly as he took my hand and kissed it.

"Good evening monsieur." I curtsied back, like Erik taught me right before we'd left. I saw Erik out of the corner of my eye nodding his approval. But why did he leave me? Why?

"Would you care to dance the next set with me?" I was totally taken aback. I didn't think I was going to actually dance with someone, except Erik. But I saw him again out of the corner of my eye, looking for help but got none because he turned his back to me. Damn you Erik! I sighed quietly and said to the young man

"Yes, thank you." He looked at me sort of in a strange way but seemed to shrug it off as he took my hand leading me to the center of the room with all the couples were dancing. He bowed as the music came back into play, and I curtsied. As he then laid his hand upon my waist and placed his other hand on mine and as mine laid upon his shoulder.

"We haven't been properly introduced I'm Lord Alexander." He said.

"Charmed Lord Alexander." Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn, he looked really, really handsome. Too bad he didn't recognize me. I guess it was a good thing as well.

"Are you going to tell me who you are?" He asked me. Hell, no mister.

"Sir, this is a masquerade! You don't need to know who I am. Who knows? Maybe you know me." I said playfully. I could get away with this.

"Well, when the unmasking starts I'm certainly going to stand by you. I'm surprised; almost every woman in this building has been trying to get me to figure out who they are." He said.

I didn't hear anything after the word unmasking. "Unmasking?" I asked.

"Yes, remember at midnight?" he answered questionably.

"Oh! I totally forgot!" Play it safe, I thought, pretend it totally slipped your mind.

"I hope your fiancé doesn't mind that I'm dancing with you." He added. I spun around and saw Erik. And he did not look happy.

He looked really pissed off. I decided to look past it. I let Alex lead me away from his evil glare. I felt almost ashamed for not even knowing why.

As we twirled around I began to talk again, I kept feeling Erik's death glare on me even though my back was turned to him.

"Oh, he isn't my fiancé." I finally said.

"Your close acquaintance?" he asked, wanting to know.

"Yes, in a way, yes." Not knowing how exactly to respond. Who was Erik to me? A friend? A close friend? My secret love? What? What did I just think? No, No he would never love me. So he was my friend, nothing more. Cause nothing like that would EVER happen. Not that I didn't wish it…

My mind seemed to wonder off until I heard a voice bring me back.

"Ahh" he said. "A Protector" He looked like he didn't like that man who was staring at this mysterious me. He looked pretty angry. Controlling almost.

That struck a nerve. But I kept my cool.

"No, no. I don't need a protector. I'm fully capable to take care of myself thank you" I remained silent for a few moments.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you in anyway." I looked into his eyes. He looked sorry. That was good enough for me. Sensitive men, sorry, they get me.

"So, you come to these masquerade things often?" he asked me, as we twirled around the ballroom floor.

"Not really if I did I would get tired of it." I responded.

Erik POV

What was she doing?

Was she enjoying it?

I was surrounded by people who were enjoying themselves, why wasn't I? Everyone thought I was dead.

They didn't care about me. Just about enjoying themselves.

And everyone was but me.

I should be enjoying myself.

But I can't while Faye is being occupied by that young boy.

She was so beautiful. Why didn't I see that before?

Faye POV

"Yes, I guess so." He laughed and he spun me.

"What is so funny?" I asked. Really wondering why he laughed.

"Nothing. You just don't seem like the rest of them."

"Them?" I had no idea what he was talking about.

"Like the other women. You are different." As we stopped before the music ended.

He bowed and I curtsied. And he escorted me off the floor.

"Um, thank you?" not entirely sure how to respond to that.

"I can't wait to see what you look like under there." He said excitedly.

"Excuse me?" What nerve of some men! I began to walk away, as he grabbed my arm.

"Oh my god! That's what I meant! I meant the mask." He pleaded.

"Oh. Well if you please, excuse me." I needed to clear my head. From thinking about Erik. I needed something to drink.

I curtsied again and left without his answer. And headed towards Erik. Who totally saw me approaching him, but started to walk in the other direction.

I started to walk a little faster. But he kept on going. I followed him as he turned down the empty hall. I followed him and I turned the corner. He grabbed me and pushed me against the wall.

"What….The…Hell….Were…..You….Doing?" he asked angrily. His face nearly pushing against mine.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, having no idea what I've done.

"You were dancing with that Lord- after I told you to stay away from him." he replied, may I say possessively?

"Does it look like I was enjoying it?" I asked, wondering how else to respond.

"Yes, and you were."

Ugh, I didn't even know it was him until he told me.

"You seemed to enjoy his company…" he practically growled.

"Erik"- now he was being controlling- "I wasn't…"

"What?" he snarled.

"They are having an unmasking. Did you know about this?" I asked worriedly. Trying to change the topic, he was dangerous, but I also had to warn him; maybe we should leave now, before some disastrous thing happens.

Erik POV

"No." But I did. But I'm the freaking Phantom of the Opera for crying out loud, I know how to make dramatic exits. She thought I didn't know about it at all. It was all planned.

"We got to get out of here!" Her face spoke What if he was caught for some reason?

"No. Not yet." I was going to enjoy myself for once, even if it killed me.

"Faye, will you dance with me?" I asked, but it came off as more of a demand as I grabbed her arm and took her into the ballroom.

"What? Oh... Sure Erik." She wasn't given a choice anyway.

She curtsied and I bowed. A split second later I was holding her in my arms so closely. I needed to feel her, there with me. She was quiet and soft.

The next song began but once I put my arms around her, a new song began in my heart. I lead her across the room, close and secure. I felt the melody flowing through my body I prayed in my mind that I would remember the words so I would write and compose it.

You're in my arms

And all the world is calm

The music playing on for only two

So close together

And when I'm with you

So close to feeling alive

A life goes by

Romantic dreams will stop...

Faye POV

Did he feel my heartbeat? It was like a conga drum. I felt music flowing, screaming through my veins, I didn't want this to never, ever end. This was utter bliss. Please let this never end. There was nobody here but us. When will the blood begin to race? The sleeping bud burst into bloom? When will the flames at last…consume us? Past the Point of No Return…

Erik POV

So I bid mine goodbye and never knew

So close was waiting, waiting here with you

And now forever I know

All that I wanted to hold you

So close

So close to reaching that famous happy end

Almost believing this was not pretend

And now you're beside me and look how far we've come

So far we are so close

I stop for a moment and Faye looks up at me. Her ugliness was gone, replaced with the gorgeous woman I finally realized what she had been all along. Our lips were so close. I didn't want to anything but kiss her right, then and there. We stared into each other's eyes, gazed into each other's soul, and taking a deep breath I try to keep calm and twirl her around the floor. She huddled closer for me. I didn't mind it at all. She laid her cheek upon my chest and I held her as close as humanly possible while dancing.

How could I face the faceless days

If I should lose you now?

We're so close

To reaching that famous happy end

And almost believing this was not pretend

Let's go on dreaming for we know we are

So close

So close

And still so far

Her head came from my chest, to my eyes. Our eyes met, I couldn't break it. We were so close; I could've kissed her if I wanted to, I did but again we were surrounded by crowd of people. We ended in the middle of the dance floor and notice now we were being watched by the entire crowd, in awe of our superb dancing. And received an applause, Faye taken aback became nervous and flushed; she curtsied and left me there alone.

I followed her; she was heading out of the building. Not looking back. I sped up to follow her. But she was gaining.

And suddenly she hesitated. I, by then, was standing right next to her.

Faye POV

The clock had struck twelve. People began to take off their masks. I totally lost track of time. I looked up at Erik and we read each other's minds. We need to get out of here. He grabbed my hand and started to fast walk but then began to pick up some speed. I noticed Lord Alex was looking for me. He saw me and began coming toward me. But Erik saw him too and sped up even faster. Everyone had taken their mask off now and staring at us. Erik stopped. I practically run into him. He pulled me around him, as if he was protecting me from them. Everyone was staring at us. Wondering why we didn't take off our masks. Making a big deal about not taking them off. People surrounded us.

Then Lord Alexander came up to us and instead of reaching for my mask. He takes off Erik's! People are screaming as they see Erik's face. People are looking at me. I was behind him grasping his shoulders.

"Erik," I whisper. "What are we going to do?"

"Leave me." he demanded.

"No, Erik. I will never leave you." I said unquestionably.

"Will you risk your life for me?" he asked me, in the most earnest manner.

"Yes." No second thoughts. No backward glances. I have decided…decided.

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

"Yes Erik, always." With my life, Erik. Past the Point of No Return…

He then picked me up bridal style and started to run. I turned my head to face his shoulder. I started to cry. I cried for Erik, I cried for his pain, I cried for everything he was denied. The crowd began to roar and some followed us, most of them not knowing what to do and going back to being merry. Those people wouldn't ever see him as a real human being. As a monster. Poor Erik! Poor, unhappy Erik!

He ran until he couldn't run anymore. I was still crying. He turned into an alleyway and laid me down and let me cry. We had lost the others following us.

"I'm sorry Faye, I didn't mean for that to happen. I really wanted you to enjoy yourself tonight."

"Erik I wasn't crying about that I was crying for you, how you've never been accepted… anywhere."

He looked at me and he melted into my arms. He fell to his knees and cried with me. In each other's arms we found some comfort but not enough to take all the pain away.

Poor Erik, Poor, unhappy Erik!

The song is So Close sung by Jon McLaughlin. Well, I hoped you enjoyed this chapter. I loved writing this chapter. I know it was really long but I just didn't know where to end it so I ended here. What did you think? I would love to know what you all thought about this chapter. Thank you for reading!