Chapter 7 – Jealousy

Nicole was extremely jittery when she went to see Erik. He had really charmed her that night. She smiled remembering his smile. He seemed to be interested in her, but maybe that was because she was the only one there that dared to talk to him.

Nicole pushed the small boat over to the steps and climbed out.

"Don't you ever announce yourself before you come, Nicolas?" Erik bit out her false name.

Nicole winced. She couldn't ever remember him being so irritable around her before. "Sorry, but it's not as if one can just send a letter through post."

His lip curled at her but he asked what she wanted.

"We have to start planning the next play."

Erik turned his back on her and started shuffling around some papers. "I already have."

Nicole immediately brushed away her attraction to him in favor of anger. "I thought we were going to discuss everything –"

"I don't need your help anymore. I only thought I needed you to deal with the outside world, but now that they have accepted me I am in no more need of your assistance."

Nicole felt her eye twitch. "I got you out of jail! You owe -"

Erik whirled around to face her, "I owe you nothing!" he shouted.

"What has gotten into you?" Nicole asked, "Why are you so upset with me." She was finally beginning to realize that she had done something to set him off.

He took a deep breath and tried to compose himself. Then, "I think I'm jealous."

Nicole almost fell over in shock. "Jealous?"

Erik motioned for her to sit down and she took the offer.

"Nicolas," The unmasked side of his face looked both sorrowful and fierce, "You take it for granted. Being able to walk the streets without someone looking at you in pity or disgust." He sighed, "I met a woman last night." Nicole's heart rate sped up. "I don't know who she was, but she seemed to know you fairly well." Erik gave her a piercing look.

Nicole instantly came up with a story. "She is my sister…Jane."

Erik visibly relaxed. "Sister?" Nicole nodded. He seemed to think, and then, "Can you arrange another meeting?"

She thought her heart had stopped. "Uh…I don't think so…she sorta…uh…lives outside the country."

Erik raised an eyebrow, for a moment, Nicole thought he didn't believe her, until – "Too bad."

The two partners of the Opera Populaire began to discuss future plans for the next play. Both on perfectly friendly terms again.

Erik knew that Nicolas was lying, but about what he wasn't sure. He had to find this woman. If Jane was actually her name, he wanted to find out if they were really related.

XXX

Good lord! It's been a long time! I can't believe I've left off this story for so long. You poor readers! But I did make a promise that I would never ever abandon a story and I meant that. It's just that work has been getting in the way and my inspiration has taken a nose-dive on this story. I still refuse to abandon it, but the end is in sight...prepare yourselves.