Authors Note: I'm really sorry about the lack of updates. My parents were out of town, so I had to stay at my grandparent's house. I had no way to write anything until tonight. Unfortunately, this chapter is rather short for two reasons: One is writer's block, and two is I'm still not sure how enjoyable this story really is. Thanks to everyone for reading so far, and I hope you enjoy Chapter Five!
I sat in Erik's boat, as he rowed me to his hidden lair. The first time I had come down here, I was so surprised and confused I didn't take the time to look around and observe my surroundings. But now, since I was fully aware what was happening, I took in all the scenery. There was too many candles to count. The river wasn't a very attractive color, but it seemed to add to the level of mystery. Cobwebs hung on the walls, and I wondered how they didn't bother Erik.
The sound of Erik's gruff voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Here we are," he said, motioning forward with his hand. He stepped off the boat onto dry ground, and held his hand out to help me out.
His lair was even more beautiful than I remembered. There were even more candles here than there was along the river, and beautiful works of art were everywhere. "Erik!" I gasped, taking in all the beauty.
He raised the eyebrow that was visible, and chuckled to himself. "Christine, it's not your first time being down here. Shouldn't you know what to expect?"
But I wasn't listening. I had wandered over to a table, and picked up a painting of a woman. The woman looked extremely familiar, but I didn't know where I had seen her. I saw my Angel's signature in the corner. It then hit me that the woman was in fact me.
"Erik," I called, holding up the painting. "is this me?"
He rushed over to where I was standing and quickly ripped the painting away from me. I noticed a deep blush on his left cheek, and quickly covered my mouth to keep me from chuckling. He's cute when he's embarrassed. I thought to myself.
It was my turn to be embarrassed when I realized I had again been thinking of Erik in a way courting couples thought of each other. I was turning into a wretch, the kind of woman who has more than one man at the same time.
"Come on," Erik said. "I want to show you something." He then lightly grabbed my hand and started leading me down a hallway I had never seen before. Before long, we stopped at a door. He turned the knob, and pushed it open. He led me inside to the room which had to be his bedroom.
There was the most beautiful piano I had ever seen in the corner. Stacks of sheet music were everywhere. The brown bed was the only part of the room that wasn't lavish and magnificent. A violin sat on top of a beautifully carved table, which in turn rested on a bright rug.
"It's beautiful," I whispered. I felt like everything in the room was placed there with extreme thought and care. The large piano caught my eye, and he noticed me staring.
"Would you like to hear a song?" Erik asked in a whisper. I nodded, and he went and sat at the piano bench. I sat on his bed, but then sat up like it was on fire when I realized how inappropriate it was to sit on a man's bed. Especially a man that wasn't my husband.
I decided to just stand by his piano while he played. "I wrote this one awhile back," he said. His fingers danced on the ivory keys and made such a beautiful sound that tears came to my eyes. The song was melancholy, but it still sounded hopeful. The notes were strung together in a way that reminded me of someone crying. The song was full of sympathy. It was the most angelic music I had ever heard.
When he finished, I applauded. He stood up and smiled at me. "Play another," I begged him.
"Christine, I j-"
"Please? Just one more? For me?" I pleaded.
He sighed and sat back down at the bench. "I can't say no when you look at me like that," he mumbled to himself. I sat down next to him on the piano bench.
"Is this okay? I won't mess you up, will I?" I asked.
He shook his head. "I'm not used to playing for people, let alone share a bench with someone. But I'd rather enjoy it if you sat here."
I sat with him and watched him play. It started out with one song, but when it was done I begged for one more. When that one was over, I pleaded for him to play just one more. It kept going on like this, and he ended up playing until the wee hours of the morning.