Chapter 17

Erik's house, Aunt Giry's house… July 28

Erik's POV

"Daroga, don't you dare!" In an instant, I was directly in front of Nadir, who was now holding a phone book defensively in front of him.

"Now, now, Erik. This is the way it must be. You cannot expect me to sit around while you suffer. Why are you not thanking me, old friend?"

Dangerously, I replied, "I am not thanking you for many reasons. In fact, I should be Punjabing you for this! How dare you interfere!"

"Erik, there is no way to sway me. You and I both know you deserve some happiness. Now, please, step aside."

I could not understand his actions. Why would this man be trying to help me? I, who was always so cruel, had never bestowed happiness upon him, so why would he insist on bestowing it upon me? "Daroga, I am in no mood to hurt you when you are already injured.." Our eyes bore into one another's.

Nadir sighed. "Erik, trust me. It will be fine. I am not calling her and blatantly asking if she is madly in love with you. I am only calling to ask if she wants to visit. She will suspect nothing.. Unless you want her to know, of course. That would be all too easy-"

"No!" I sighed and continued, "I suppose I will allow this." Seeing her again would be a dream come true.. I then slowly stepped aside and allowed Nadir access to the phone.

--

Christine's POV

I lay in bed having just slept a good zero hours. I felt so drained- physically, mentally, emotionally. Everything was wrong. It was hard to define my pain.

I tried to imagine what this day could have been like had the past two weeks never occurred. I pictured myself singing and shopping with Meg. No interferences. Just plain enjoyment.

But, of course, it was all a nice dream. Why I couldn't accept the fact the life sucked and would probably always suck was beyond me.

Why? That was my question while sitting up in bed. What do I do? The last thing I wanted to do was leave the seclusion of my bedroom.

So, I lay back and looked up at my ceiling. It was void of color besides white, just like my heart was void of feeling besides an overwhelming sadness.

After several minutes of only staring, I finally came to a conclusion. I need help…

Right then, the sound of the telephone ringing invaded my thoughts. It stopped after two rings, so I assumed my aunt or cousin answered it.

I didn't care.

Not one bit.

Not until there was a knock at my door. "Chris, sweetie?" It was Meg's voice.

I cleared my throat and asked in the most cheerful voice I could muster, "Yes?"

"Um, there's someone on the phone for you…"

That definitely surprised me. Who the hell? I was tempted to tell her to leave me alone, but something held me back. "Ok, I've got it in here." I picked up the phone on my bedside table and just stared at it.

"Ok," Meg said.

Then, slowly, I pressed the 'talk' button and put the phone to my ear. "Hello?" came my timid voice.

"Good afternoon, Christine." It was Nadir speaking.

I sat up in bed, my mood changing slightly to something happier than misery. I looked at my clock and found it to be 3:00 pm. "Hey, Nadir." This time, the happy tone wasn't forced, but I was confused. "How do you know this number?"

He chuckled. "Well, in the process of finding more information about you at the hospital, I was able to come across the Giry's telephone number."

"Oh.."

"How are you?" he asked, switching subjects. "We never got to say our goodbye's."

I smiled sadly into the phone and truthfully replied, "I'm better since you called. How is your shoulder?"

"Well, there is pain, but it will soon fade."

His bravery made me wish I could be so brave. "Yeah.." My brow furrowed then, and I wondered why he was calling.

"You must be wondering why I am calling. Well, it seems our dear Erik forgot to say something when you left."

I could have sworn I heard a male's growl in the background of our conversation.

"It seems he forgot to say how much we would miss you if we were to never see you again."

The sincerity of his words brought a few tears to my eyes and a slight smile to my face. "I already miss both of you," I whispered truthfully.

I could feel his smile. "My friend, would you like to come for a visit?" I could sense the hope in his voice.

I was also hopeful. "Do you mean it?" It hadn't even been a whole day, but I already missed them terribly.

He warmly replied, "Yes, I do." Then, to my utter joy, he added, "How about today?"

"Really? That'd be amazing."

"We can pick you up. You do not know your way to Erik's home."

"No, I don't." I was very excited, both to see them and to see Erik's house.

"So, we will pick you up in about an hour?"

"That sounds great." This was all a dream come true.

I could only wonder if Erik was feeling the same way.

--

Erik's POV

I stood there in shock as Nadir hung up the phone. "I cannot believe it," I whispered sounding like a child. I really could not believe it, though. I had expected her to enjoy being home and want to stay put.

"Believe it," Nadir said, obviously proud of himself.

"Well done," was all I could think to say before returning to my bedroom. I needed a shower.

--

Christine's POV

For some reason, I wished to dress to impress. But, who exactly did I wish to impress?

Of course, it was completely obvious. I only didn't wish to truly put it out in the open. I didn't have time for these feelings, yet they were invading my time. Oh, Erik… I thought while trying on an outfit I had gotten with Meg earlier in the summer.

Strangely, I almost didn't wish to see Nadir and Erik again. It would just be so hard. After the visit, would there ever be another? I seriously doubted it. They were probably just feeling sorry for me, after all. I sighed and wearily chose to wear an outfit of a darker color. It would go well with my mood.

I turned and looked at myself in the mirror. It seemed I looked as terrible as I felt. I didn't even know if make up could fix it… But I sure as hell would try to cover it up. It was easier to hide the pain than let it out.

Sighing to keep my tears locked away, I went to the bathroom and prepared myself for their arrival.

--

Erik's POV

I could feel Nadir's stare upon me as I drove towards Christine's residence. "What?" I finally asked.

"I sense your fear."

I glanced at him and frowned. "I do not fear anything, Daroga."

Nadir just stared back not believing my words. "Perhaps, you do not understand the meaning of the word?"

I glared at him and was about to speak when he interrupted.

"I am sorry. Let's not begin fighting. Not when we are about to see her."

Her.. I let out a sigh and turned my eyes towards the road and my attention towards Christine. What would I do when I saw her? What would I say? How do I keep my feelings hidden?

In no time, we reached her house, and I was staring at the front door.

"So, who is to collect her?" Nadir asked while smiling in my direction.

Before I could speak, Christine walked out of the house and towards the car. I could only stare. She looked marvelous in a black fitted top and jean shorts. Most of her brown curls were held up by a clip, but a few strays were left framing her delicate face. I just could not stop staring at her.

She opened the back car door, and my eyes followed her all the way to the back seat. It seemed she was watching me, as well. Why could I not remove my eyes from her? Why?

"Hello, Christine!" Nadir jovially greeted. It seemed he, too, noticed where our gazes were. He looked from me to Christine and back again.

Finally, the spell was broken when she blinked those gorgeous green eyes. "Hey, you two."

"Hello," I quietly said.

It seemed Nadir could speak for the both of us, since we stayed silent. "Do your relatives know you are leaving?"

"Oh yeah," she replied sounding as if that was the first thing on her list. "They'd kill me if I left without telling them. Though, it did take some convincing.. They're both really protective of me right now."

"Understandable, yes," Nadir said nodding. "So, how are you doing, Christine?" He took on a more serious tone when he asked it.

It seemed she noticed. I also noticed her demeanor change to that of not wanting to divulge too much. I always had possessed a knowledge for predicting others' feelings.

"I'm doing pretty well." Then, she dropped the subject and asked, "Have you both caught up on sleep?"

"I most definitely have," Nadir replied.

I knew I had to say something. "I have slept some, yes." But, I did not care about myself. I only cared for her. "Have you slept?"

She lowered her eyes from my gaze and replied, "Yeah."

I could tell she was lying but decided against pursuing it. "Well, I suppose we shall be on our way, then."

We drove back in almost complete silence besides the occasional babble from Daroga. I, however, had my thoughts on other things. Her voice. I knew she had not practiced since the horrible incident. Perhaps… An idea was forming. This visit could be of real use!

When we reached my home, all three of us exited the car and headed inside. It was almost inaudible, but I heard the intake of breath from Christine upon entering my home.

Then, to confirm my senses, she said, "Your home is beautiful, Erik."

I closed my eyes momentarily and basked in her words. "Thank you, my dear."

It was then that Nadir decided to be the pesky friend that he was. Suddenly, he announced, "Well, I am in the process of reading a very good book. Have fun." With that, he left the foyer leaving she and I alone together. I could have hit him, but… at the same time, I was glad to be left with her.

"You believe my house is beautiful?" I asked softly.

"Yes," she replied.

"Well, how about I give you the grand tour?" I led her to the elegant living room, which held some of my most prized possessions. I watched as she made her way directly to a curio cabinet. Inside were figurines of gold and other precious things.

"Where did you get all of this?" she asked a bit breathlessly.

I shrugged and answered, "Oh, I have collected it over the years."

"This room is.. amazing."

You are amazing. "Well, allow me to show you more."

We walked towards the destination I was most anxious to enter. The music room.. We entered, and I watched as she looked around in awe. "Do you like it?" I asked hopefully.

"Such an understatement.."

I smiled genuinely. She looked at each instrument individually. First, the grand piano. Then, the violin, followed by the cello. She also took in my precious harp. She fit the room beautifully. "Christine," I quietly said.

She turned to me. We were mere feet apart. "Yeah?" she asked just as quietly.

We stared at each other for a long moment. My heart was racing. "Perhaps, you would like to.. sing?"

She smiled, and I stared at her beauty mesmerized. "Yes, I would like that very much."

And so, letting go of my restraints, I walked forward and took her hand. We walked towards the piano together in preparation of our coming music.

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-Lauren