The Opera ghost's whisper

I do not own anything

Chapter 4

I was terrified.

Don't blame me, you would be too if you find out that you were being haunted by the ghost of the legendary phantom of the opera house, who was known as a genius in virtually any subject you could find at that time. You named it, he was master at it.

But I couldn't stay in my apartment forever.

It has been almost a week since the accident at Mr. Harrington's house. Maybe the ghost got tired of haunting such an ugly and unsocial man like me.

I hadn't heard anything from the ghost again, no whisper, no flying object… nothing at all. Like the calm before the storm.

And also, I needed to help Russell to prepare for the grand opening show, he did tell everyone that the show would be moved to Sunday, November 15th, and we only had four days left to perfect everything, no more accident, or Russell's opera house would have to close and his dream of having a famous opera house would be history.

I got out of my bed and went to the opera house.

I couldn't hide anymore, this was not me, I was not a coward that stays in the shadow and left my friends alone out there fighting a battle for his dream when I promised I would help him with everything I could.

oOo

I looked up to see the dark opera house, it was morning, yet there was this aura around the opera house that made the sky looked like a storm was coming. I never paid any attention to it, but to think, this opera house looked more like a haunted castle than any normal place where people came to enjoy classical music. I wouldn't be surprised if this opera house disappeared right in front of me or a woman ran out of there screaming.

Wait, there was no time to sit back and obsess the opera house, I hurried walked into the opera house.

Inside, everyone was practicing the final dance in 'phantom of the Opera'.

" hey, Jully. What are you doing here?" Russell walked toward me with the biggest smile ever. " I thought after what happened in Mr. Harrington's house, you would be more than happy to stay in your warm and comfortable bed forever."

" well, that is not me, I am not a coward, so I came and see that if you need any help, I did promise to help you with everything I can, right?"

" I do not know why, but everything seems fine, I mean, no screaming, no falling objects on the stage while the dancers were practicing. Nothing at all." Russell looked around. " I mean, except that our Diva had quit and I need to find someone else to play Christine. But it is alright now, I found a better singer."

" really?"

"yes, there was nothing happened, so everyone would be ready for the show in no time." Russell laughed. " anyway, there is someone I want you to meet."

" if it is another attempt to find me a woman, then drop it."

" no, of course not, you did tell me to drop it the last time I tried to find you a lady friend. And she is nothing like the last girl I introduced you, she is a great opera singer, although she was new around this area." Russell smiled. " She was the new 'Christine' that I found, she is still a student from the local high school. I think you can give her a few tips on how to perfect her singing skill."

" great. I do not like singers." I said. " and she was still in high school, are you trying to throw me in jail?"

" What? She is eighteen years old and she is going to study at the University soon, I have never thought that our dashing Julian was terrified of the police" Russell laughed. " and you don't like women at all, let alone singers. Come on, I am sure it will not waste your time."

" right…" I agreed with him because I knew he would keep bugging me until I agreed. but that didn't mean I would really go and meet her. Righ, a twenty-eight years old architect and an eighteen years old girl, like hell if her parents would approve of our relationship.

oOo

" Madame… Madame…" I followed Russell and walked toward where all the dancers were practicing, he called out for the oldest woman there, who had white hair and a happy smile on her round face.

" good morning, Monsieur Manager."

" err, you don't have to call me that, Madame Butler. Just Russell is fine." Russell said with a small smile.

" then you can call me Anne, and who is this young man with you?" she turned toward me.

" I am his best friend, Julian Walker, nice to meet you, Madame."

" I see, this big guy here did tell me about you sometimes, how wonderful you are with music, yet you didn't want to study or do anything that came near this area? Architect, correct?"

" I do not dislike or have anything against show business. It is just not my thing, even when I am really good at it. Anyway, since this guy's wife is pregnant with his first child, I will have to stay for a while to help him, I have an apartment near the opera house."

" ahh, sweet Rachel is having her first child, why didn't you tell me, Monsieur?" Anne looked at Russell with displeasure. " it is her first child, there will be plenty of things to prepare."

" I am sorry, I want July here to be the first one to know about the child. Anyway, is Mademoiselle Daring here today?" I glanced at him, how could he mention that nickname in front of the old lady?

" oh, I am sorry, Mademoiselle Daring is not here, she is sick."

" oh dear, will it affect our show?"

" no, she said it is just a simple cold, with some good rest, she will be as good as new and prepared for the show on November 15th night, Mademoiselle Daring know every song, each moves in 'Phantom of the Opera house' by heart. We will be fine."

" I see." Russell looked disappointed. Hah, I thought I smell something fishy about this ' Mademoiselle Daring'.

After we left the room, I asked Russell.

" so, tell me about this 'Mademoiselle Daring'? do I need to worry and give you a warning for Rachel? You seem to like her a lot. "

" no, no, it is not like that." Russell laughed nervously, while I was just giving him a silent 'are you trying to fool me?' look, he sighed in defeat. " fine, look like I am busted. I just wanted you to meet her, she is a very nice girl... although she is still young, but… you know… she is the kind of girl that you should date and marry…"

" don't you dare play matchmaker with me, again, Russ? You know what I would say about that. And you got a horrible eye for a match, the only time you found a right match was Rachel." I sighed. " she is eighteen years old, she hasn't even left her teen yet, god forbid her to get stuck with the old and ugly fool like me."

" but this one is different, I bet you would love to meet her, she is also a big fan of 'Phantom of the Opera', too, just like you, my friend."

" uh-huh…" I raised one of my eyebrows. " fine, I will meet her." even when we couldn't become an item, another phantom fan sound good.

" great."

" if I don't like her, you owe me big."

" Just write it in the debit paper, right below the time you gave me your lunch when we were the first year."

" that list is getting long, so you better pay it soon, or else I will make your child pay your debt."

" how about I let you be my first child's godfather."

" Russ, I will be all of your child's godfather. What is the difference?"

" anyway, if you like her, you will own me, right?"

" no."

" hey, that is just mean, why not?" Russell whined.

" stop whining, you are soon to be a father, and your child needs a real mature man to be his or her ' daddy', not a playmate." I punched his shoulder.

" excuse me, Monsieur." A small voice came from behind us. We turned back and saw a small young blond woman.

" yes?" Russell asked. " who are you?"

" I am… the new dancer, my name is Megan Ginger."

" the new dancer? I thought Anne said that we already had every one."

" well, one of the dancers quit… and I am her understudy…"

" right, how can I help you?"

"Rihanna didn't leave the script for me, so I thought you might have another…"

" ahh, right, Rihanna, that woman pissed me off sometimes, quitting without saying anything to the manager. Let's go to my office and see if I have another for you." Russell sighed. "I think I did make a lot of copy, I might still have one or two."

"Russy, you need to stop wasting your paper resources like that." I laughed.

Don't go with them…

They will…

Kill you…

They will take you away…

From me…

" huh? What is it?" I said to myself, looking around. I thought I hear the ghost's voice again. Or maybe I just started to imagine things because I kept hearing it? I didn't know but never mind that, I had another important thing to do then.

" Hey, are you coming?" Russell asked. He and Megan were waiting for me.

" Yeah, sure, I am coming." I ran toward Russell.

Don't worry…

I will protect you…

You and I will be together…

Forever…

Soon…

(TBC)