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"What are you doing?" asked Camille, seeing her husband getting out of bed.

"Getting up, of course," he said, chuckling.

Camille sighed. "But you're still not well."

Stephan looked at her. "I'm not sick, woman," he said. "It was just the exhaustion of the trip. Besides I have to see Monsieur Sebastien DuPont."

"Why do you need to go see him today? Why can't you go tomorrow?" she asked.

"Why tomorrow? What if he doesn't want to see me tomorrow or doesn't want to lend us the money for the tariffs? Then I'll have to see Monsieur Moreau and if he can't either, then we'll have to look for someone else to lend us the money and all of that takes time," he said as he headed to the bathroom to change.

"A-Alright, but don't take the deeds to the house. Your word and theirs first and then you give them the deed," she said. Stephan looked at her curiously. "It is better not to look like you're desperate. They'll probably raise the interest."

Stephan nodded. "You're probably right." Camille smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "How was Monsieur Levesque's party?" he asked.

"Wonderful, but I'll tell you more about it when you get back."

"Well, I'm leaving," said Camille. Erik had sent a messenger to their house earlier today, accepting Camille's proposition.

"Good luck, Mother, and try to say good things about the family. I don't think we've made a good impression so far," said Ricard.

"Oui, but right now it's an urge to get those papers back before your father throws you out of the house for good," she said, leaving.

Ricard nodded and watched her go. He turned and saw Elise, running down the stairs. "Where are you going?" he said, stopping her before she could leave the house.

"I'm going to make an errand," she said.

"For who?"

"Mademoiselle Annie," she said.

Ricard cocked his head back. "What errand?"

"S-She wants me to buy more cloth," she stuttered, holding onto her chest.

"Show me the money," he ordered. "I'm sure that if she sent you to buy her cloth she must have given you money," he said. Elise stayed quiet. Ricard rolled his eyes and snatched the letter that was in her shirt.

"Monsieur Ricard!" she squealed, trying to get the letter back, but he was already reading it.

Maurice

I've thought of it long and hard, but I want you to make one last effort to speak to my father. If he refuses, then I'll run away with you and let God have mercy on my soul.

Love,

Annabelle

"Fine," he said. "Give it to him," he said, handing over the letter. Elise looked at him in shock and tried to get the letter, but he snatched her hand. "If you tell my sister I read it, I'll hire men to rape you, torture you and then feed the rest of your body to dogs," he growled, waving the letter in front of her face. He pushed her back, almost making her fall, but she regained her composure and ran out the door.

Ricard walked into Anne's room, seeing her coughing and sniffing. "Is it alright if I come in?" he asked.

Anne nodded. "Oui, come in."

Ricard looked at her curiously. "Why are you sick?"

"I probably got chilled in the party," she lied.

Ricard nodded. "Couldn't it have been when you went outside in nothing but a chemise and robe last night?" Anne looked at him alarmed. "What's the matter with you, Belle? That man has you so impressed that you dare to go out at night to see him in intimate clothing?"

"N-Non," stuttered Anne.

"Don't deny it. I saw you when I came back," he said, irritated.

"I only went out to speak with him," she protested.

Ricard sighed. "Even as my sister, I can see that you are a beautiful woman, capable of making any man crazy."

"Maurice is polite and he respects me," she disputed, coughing.

"Non, non, non, no man who is polite sneaks around with a girl in the middle of the night in the darkness and in the gardens."

Anne sneezed. "He needed to speak with me. He told me that you went to see him and that you threaten him."

Ricard shook his head. "Non, I simply played with his conscience," he said, smirking. "I told him that he was going to get you in trouble because our parents will never let you marry him."

"It was you who told my mother about him, right?" she asked, accusingly.

Ricard shrugged. "It was my obligation, Belle," he said, leaving.

"Are you going to tell her about last night?

Ricard stopped and turned to her. "Non. Non, but I'll tell you Belle that the only thing that a romantic man wants is… for you to give him some loving."

Anne gasped. "Maurice isn't like that!"

"Maurice is like that because he if he truly did love you, then he would never make you inappropriate things like last night!" growled Ricard. "Look, Belle, I'm a man and I know what I'm saying. I have friends that act just like him. They sneak around with a young, fresh girl and then, BAM!" he shouted, making Anne jump. "They ask the girl to run away with him and they take their virginity. You know what they do next? They leave them like drags, and while he's laughing with his friends about another play, the girls are left in dishonor and they'll point to them on the streets like… harlots."

Anne watched him go, leaving her deep in thought.

"Madame Durand," greeted Erik as Camille entered his parlor.

"Bonjour Monsieur Levesque," she said as he kissed her hand. "I hope I'm not disturbing you at this hour."

"Of course not, Madame. You shouldn't have bothered to here. I, myself, could have gone to your home," he said. Camille just smiled. "Please, sit down."

"Merci," she said as she sat. "What a beautiful home you have! Who was the architect?"

"Moi, Madame," he said. "Would you like something to drink?"

Camille shook her head. "No thank you. I didn't know you were an architect as well. You must be a genius, Monsieur."

Erik sighed. "I suppose. I'm at your service, Madame. What can I do for you?" he asked.

Camille cleared her throat. "To be honest this situation is very embarrassing," she said. "My daughter or my husband don't know that my son gave the deeds away to pay off this debts. My son also told me about your offerings and interest for Annabelle, but of course that I have to discuss this with my husband and my daughter. It may not seem that way, but what she has to say is very important and my husband will never force her to marry anyone she didn't like."

Erik nodded. "And you would?" Camille looked at him in shock. "Please, excuse my boldness, Madame, but I like to speak simple and freely."

"It's fine," said Camille in a quiet tone.

"I agree that your daughter should choose to pick me, but without knowing that I have the paper work to your house. I don't want her to know that I'm offering money. If Annabelle accepts, I want her to accept me for me."

Camille nodded. "If that's the way you want it, then that it shall be." She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She has always wondered what lay under that mask.

Erik also noticed her discomfort. "Do I scare you, Madame?" he asked. "Is it the mask?"

"N-Non," she stuttered.

"Do you know anything about my past or do you not care as long as I give you the money you need?" he said, smirking. Camille looked at him with wide eyes at his boldness. It was a mockery. "If your daughter does accept me no matter what, she is willing to marry the former Phantom of the Opera?"

Camille breathed heavily. "W-What? Y-You're…?"

"Yes, be sure to tell you daughter that, too, if you want. No need to scare her later when it's too late, unless you don't want her to be with me anymore."

Camille shook her head. "A-As long as you changed your ways." She has heard horrific stories about this man and all of this seems like a shocker, but the need for money was desperate and she no alternative.

Erik nodded. "I won't murder anymore… unless I have to... Do you think Annabelle will judge me because I wear one or what lies underneath?"

Camille shook her head. "She's used to seeing deformities. She used to work in a hospital."

Erik sighed. "Don't worry, Madame Durand, you nor will your daughter never see what's underneath this mask." Erik got up and went into their drawer, pulling out the deed to the Durand's house. "Here you are, Madame. I hope we have an agreement?"

Camille nodded, taking the papers. "Oui, and I'm positive that Annie will accept to be your wife."

"Why did you give her the papers?" asked Nadir when Camille left.

Erik shrugged. "Because she asked for them, either way that money doesn't make me anymore richer or any less poor."

Nadir sighed. "Could it be true that Monsieur Durand doesn't know about all of this?"

"That's what his wife said. She also said that he like, Annabelle, doesn't know about this," he said.

"Mm, for me the whole family knows about this and are probably discussing the advantages and disadvantages of marrying their daughter to you," said Nadir.

"Monsieur Levesque!" yelled Jean, coming into the parlor. "There's a man that collapsed on the street that needs medical attention."

Erik looked at Nadir and they quickly made their way outside to the street. Erik tried to push the people out of the way, trying to get to the man. "Excuse me, I'm a doctor," he said. He had studied medicine for a while and took the medical exam, passing it with flying colors.

"It's Monsieur Stephan Durand," said one of the men, catching Erik's attention.

He turned his concentration back to the man on the ground. "It's alright, Monsieur," said Erik, trying to soothe him. "Nadir, go call the carriage," he said. Nadir nodded and quickly went. "Don't worry, Monsieur, everything will be all right."

"You're father needs to take better care of himself, Monsieur Ricard," said the doctor. "Another attack like this and you won't find him alive."

Ricard sighed and nodded. "Yes, of course."

"Is he better?" asked Anne once Charlotte told her about Stephan.

Charlotte nodded as she gave her a bowl of hot soup for her cold. "Oui, and we have Monsieur Levesque to thank for."

Anne frowned. "Him? Why?"

"Because he's the one who found him collapsed on the ground and he immediately brought him back to the house."

"Collapsed on the street? Then it was serious," she asked, concerned.

"Well what did you think? With all these problems are worrying him. This morning he went to Monsieur DuPont to ask him if he would lend him some money to pay the tariffs," explained Charlotte. "Maybe he told him no and that's why he got so sick."

Anne put her spoon down. "Is our situation that bad, Aunt Charlotte?"

Charlotte sighed. "Yes, love, it is."

"Why didn't you tend to him instead?" asked Nadir as they sat in the drawing room of the Durand home.

Erik shrugged. "It didn't seem that serious. Besides I think it's better that he's to be checked by his own doctor, since he might have more confidence in him."

"We have to thank the Lord," said Ricard as he came in.

"How's your father feeling?" asked Erik.

Ricard sighed. "Better, much better. We already knew that he had heart problems, but with so many problems, it's giving him a lot of stress. It's such a shame that my sister isn't here so say hello to you, but she has a minor cold."

Erik smiled and gave Nadir a knowing look. This family could act.

"I thought you already left, Monsieur Levesque," said Camille, walking behind her son.

"We wanted to know how Monsieur Durand was," said Erik.

"Still very delicate, but alive thanks to you because who knows what would have happened to him if you weren't there to tend to him," she said. "I don't know how to repay you. Maybe you can have lunch with us tomorrow."

"I don't think it'll be prudent since your husband is still very ill."

"Fortunately, it wasn't as serious as everyone thought it was and I'm sure he'll like to thank you," she said. "Annie will also be joining us, as well. She couldn't greet you right now because she has a small cold. Did you tell them, Ricard?"

"Yes, of course, Mother," he responded.

Camille smiled. "Do you agree, Monsieur Levesque?"

Erik nodded. "Bien."

"What luck that it was Levesque was the one who helped Stephan, that way his visits aren't going to be so suspicious," said Camille as she decorated the flower arrangement. "But if he weren't so stubborn, things would be more easier."

"What are you referring to?" asked Ricard.

"He doesn't want Annie to know that he's paying our debts because he wants her to accept him only for his charm," she said, mockingly.

Ricard laughed. "That's what he said to you?"

"Yes, and I want to know how I'm going to convince that girl, especially now since that man has captivated her mind," scowled Camille.

Ricard huffed. "That is going to more difficult that what you and I thought."

Camille frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I spoke to her this morning, and I don't think that yelling, threatening, or begging her will make her change her mind," he said.

"And now?"

"Now we have to act and fast."

"Doing what?" she asked.

Ricard just smirked. "I got this."

Ricard watched as the ballerinas danced around the stage in the new theater. He smirked widely as one of the dancers caught his eye. She gave him a small smile once she noticed that he was looking at her. As they threw flowers to the crowd, she secretly tossed one at him. He silently thanked her and knew he was going to have her tonight. An idea suddenly came into mind.

Some sexual content

The ballerina lay panting underneath Ricard as he thrust hard into her. She moaned as he pulled her leg up, so he had a better position to pound into her. She yelled out a moan as she came around him. Ricard growled as her inner walls tightened around his shaft. He quickly pulled out of her and came all over her belly. He groaned as he pumped his last seed and got up from the bed.

The young girl smiled contently as Ricard pulled his clothes on. "It was wonderful, love," she said, seductively.

Ricard looked at her and smirked. He grabbed a glass of wine and gulped it down. He cupped the girl's face and kissed her deeply. "How long are you going to stay in Paris?" he asked.

"I don't know. Maybe a week if more people come," she said.

"Would you be willing do to a favor for me? A paid service of course," he said.

The girl smirked. "Certainly, just tell me what you want and what this favor is about?"

"Something to do with my baby sister," he whispered before crushing his lips onto hers.

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