Chapter 20

Christine's house, Nadir's house… August 11

Third Person POV

Nadir heard the phone ring from his place on the couch in his home. He wasn't staying with Erik any longer. Erik wanted no one in his presence, so Nadir finally chose to leave him be. There was nothing else he could do.

Or, so he thought…

The phone rang three times before he finally answered. "Hello?"

There was a pause before Christine spoke. "Hi, Nadir."

Nadir had to think for a moment and then asked, "Christine?"

"Yeah.. it's me."

He ran his fingers through his dark hair. "Are you alright? You do not sound well."

Christine gulped. 'Alright'? No, far from it. "I'm fine. I was just wondering, are you at your house?"

One of his eyebrows rose. "Well, yes. You called my home number…"

She blushed. "Oh, yeah. I forgot.. So, um.."

She sounded so unsure. "Christine?"

"Yeah, sorry.. Um.. this is so hard.."

"'What' is so hard?"

"I need to know if Erik is there." She said it very quickly.

So quickly, in fact, that Nadir wasn't sure if he heard right. "Erik? You want to know if he is here?"

"Yes." Christine closed her eyes waiting for his answer.

"No, no he is not. Why?"

She opened her eyes again. She was about to say, 'It doesn't matter', or something of that nature, but Meg's motivation strategy kept replaying in her mind. "No, it does matter." She didn't mean to say that aloud. "I mean, where is he?"

"At his home. Why do you wish to know?"

Christine knew she could tell the man anything. "Nadir, this is important. To me, anyway. Not seeing him is driving me out of my mind. It is killing me. And, do you want to know why?"

Nadir had a feeling he already knew. "Yes, why?"

She couldn't believe she was fixing to tell him this.. Ok, I can do this..

Suddenly, Nadir said something that made the hairs on the back of Christine's neck stand on end. "Erik, hello, old friend!"

She gasped.

"Erik is here," he said into the phone.

"Like, in your house?" Christine whispered.

"Yes." Then, returning his attention to Erik, Nadir said, "Erik, come in. Sit down. I will be with you momentarily.

Christine heard the love of her life speak in the background. "Who are you talking to, Daroga?"

Then, before Nadir could say a word, Christine whispered, "Do not say my name!"

He rolled his eyes. He'd definitely had enough of their games. No more. They cannot deny their feelings any longer. "I am speaking to Christine."

Christine gasped and yelled, "Nadir!"

She couldn't hear Erik in the background. God knows what he's thinking. Oh man, I shouldn't have called! Trying to be as calm as possible, Christine whispered, "Nadir, please…"

"'Please', Christine? Alright, then." He looked at his masked friend. "Erik, would you like to speak to her?"

At the same time, both Christine and Erik's eyes widened.

Erik was in a state of shock. He couldn't believe Christine was on the other line. He was stunned. He never thought he'd hear from her again.

But, maybe Nadir was not being serious. It would not be the first time. He whispered, "Daroga, do not toy with me."

Then, the man actually asked if he would like to speak to her! Erik knew he was truly serious. He didn't know what to say. He'd been so miserable for the past two weeks...

A good question remained to be answered. Why am I here? Erik didn't know. He really didn't. he just felt like he needed to visit his friend. After all, he'd been a hateful monster to him. Nadir deserved better.

"Erik?" Nadir asked. What is with these people? They are acting like shy children.

Erik then asked, "Does she wish to speak to me?" The question came out a bit tightly, but he was actually almost happy and very hopeful.

Nadir shrugged. "I am not sure. Christine, do you wish to speak to Erik?" I am about ready to throw the phone at Erik and leave the room..

Christine was breathing heavily and had her eyes closed. Why me? But, Meg's motivation kept coming back to her. I should… "Yes," she timidly replied.

Nadir smiled. "Excellent. Here you are, Erik." He handed him the phone left the room.

Erik stared after his foreign friend with a frown on his face. That damnable man! Then, he put the phone to his ear and nonchalantly said, "Good afternoon, Christine."

Just the sound of his voice caused her to sit upon the bed once more. She had been standing. "Hi," came her timid response.

Erik could tell she was nervous. So was he. He was just better at hiding it. But, why is she nervous? "How are you?" His voice changed to that of a serious nature.

She smiled. "I'm ok." Now, I'm ok. After hearing your voice, that is.. "How are you?"

"Fine, just fine." Well, I'm 'fine' now. Before this moment, however, I was anything but. "Are you enjoying being home?"

"Yeah, it's ok. Things are getting back to normal."

That upset Erik somewhat. He was almost hoping she would be as miserable as he was. But, then again, he wouldn't wish that upon the woman he loved. "That is good to hear. I assume college is beginning soon?"

That saddened Christine. One week until I may seriously never see him again… "Yeah, in about a week."

There was an awkward silence after that. Christine was becoming more anxious by the moment. The pressure kept building and building, until, suddenly, she couldn't take it any longer. No more! "Erik," she managed to get out.

Erik's eyebrow rose at her urgent tone. "Yes?" Now, he was becoming anxious.

Christine couldn't think on each word and decided to just let it all out. "You're going to think I'm crazy for remembering this, but there are two things you said that have been driving me insane. I just really want an answer." She continued, "There was some point in our conversation two weeks ago where you said something but never fully explained. You said that you wanted something else. Like, when you were talking about how you wanted revenge before.. I just really want to know what that 'something else' is. I'm sorry, I'm just really curious." She couldn't stop there, though. "And, you said that you wanted to see me again. I don't understand why. You said that you wanted to see me, but you never called. I'm sorry… I'm just really confused."

Erik had to sit down. If she knew the answer to these two questions, then she'd know his feelings. She'd know everything, and he'd be left feeling vulnerable. I just cannot stoop so low. There is no way she would ever feel the same as I. There is no way. "I am truly sorry, Christine, but I cannot answer those questions." Oh, how his heart ached. Then, wincing, he asked, "Would you like to speak to Nadir again?"

Before Meg had spoken to her, Christine might have dropped it right there. She might have felt defeat and spoken no more on her curiosities. But, not now. She was sick of the power people seemed to have over her. Christine was sick and tired of feeling powerless in a situation. It had happened too much over the summer. No going back.. "No, I don't want to speak to Nadir. Erik, I want to speak to you! Why can't you answer my questions? I would answer yours if you had any."

That was intriguing. She would answer my questions? She would answer anything? "I will answer your questions if you answer one of mine. Christine… I need to know. Do you regret everything that happened to you over the summer? Everything that occurred?" If she knows me at all, she will read more into it…

Without thinking, Christine almost answered, 'yes'. But, her mind took over. 'Everything'? She knew 'yes' was not the answer. Duh… "No," she softly said. "No, I don't. I regret the worst parts, but there were good parts, too. I- I don't regret meeting you…" Then, she added, "And Nadir, of course."

Erik's heart was beating so quickly. "You do not regret meeting me." He basked in the words for a moment. But, then, he knew what he had to do. With as much conviction as he could summon, he said, "Now, I suppose it is my turn. I will answer your second question before the first." He gulped. "Yes, I said that I wanted to see you again. I did, and I still do. Christine, you are the most interesting person I have ever met. You are the best friend I have ever had. You saved my life in the process of saving another. You are kind, compassionate, and deserving of so much. Of course I want to see you again. How could I not? Though, I must admit, I have been unable to summon the courage."

Christine blinked and had to lie down. He's so sincere.. God, I love him so much.

He took a deep breath. "As for your other question… You are right. I wanted revenge before what occurred this summer. Revenge upon the Grants, revenge upon the world. Nadir was the only person that would speak to me, much less befriend me. But.. then, you came into the picture. You were wounded and wanted revenge, yourself. You reminded me so much of myself. More so than you know." He paused. "I know I have filled your head with such confusion." Then, his heart beating quicker than ever, he whispered, "The answer is 'you'."

Christine had almost forgotten what the question was, but it then struck her. She froze. She couldn't breathe. The word, 'you', kept resounding in her mind. He wants... me?

Her silence was affirmation to Erik. "Of course, you do not want anything to do with a disgusting person such as I. I understand.."

Christine shook her head. Hell, no. "Wait! Erik, don't say another word. You're just assuming things." She giggled. She just couldn't help it. "Don't do that. Please, don't. You're completely wrong." She heard nothing but the sound of his shallow breathing now. Ha. Now I've made him speechless. Then, she licked her lips and timidly asked, "So, you want… me?"

Erik nodded slowly on his end of the line and, just as timidly, softly said, "Yes."

Christine seriously had no idea of this. She hadn't seen any signs. Then again, though, I probably wouldn't know a sign if it slapped me upside the head. I'm not like Meg. I can't tell if a guy is interested in me. Then, her eyes widened. Wait! What if I'm getting the wrong idea! "What do you mean?"

He sighed. What do I mean? Is she really so blind as to not see? Do I have to divulge my entire soul to her? Will it all be pointless? "Christine, dear child, do you really not know?" He ran his fingers through his hair when there was no response. Then, with his voice soft and husky, he said, "I want you."

Christine's mouth became dry at that, and her heartbeat quickened. If ever there were anything she wanted to hear, it was that. But, she couldn't help but ask, "Ar-are you sure?"

Erik couldn't help but slightly chuckle at her ways. At last, he was regaining his strength and determination. "Yes, I am sure." His voice was still so soft.

Christine could sense his determination, and her own increased at his words. "Do you want to know something?" she asked slyly.

Erik smiled, his eyes glowing. Somehow, he could now sense her feelings. "Yes, I am dying to know."

Christine then whispered bashfully, "I want you, too."

Erik's smile grew ten-fold. "You mean what you are saying?" He sounded so anxious. Never had this seemed possible.

Christine couldn't help but smile. "Of course I mean it."

Before Christine could say more, Erik said, his voice husky and filled with lust and love, "I want to see you."

She wanted to see him, too. She was dying to! "Yes." Then, she continued, "I know where your house is now." She didn't care how forward she sounded, for she asked, "Can I come over?"

Erik was ready to meet her anywhere. "Yes.. Yes, I shall go home right now."

"I'll be there soon." Christine felt as if she were in a dream.

"I'll be waiting." Erik was stunned. Never had affection been sent his way. He clicked the 'off' button on the phone and held it to his heart momentarily before Nadir walked in.

"Well?" he asked with a knowing smile on his face.

Erik frowned. "You would know. You were listening."

"I could not resist."

"Yes, well, since you heard everything, you must know that I am leaving. Thank you for lending me your phone." He handed it to his friend and practically ran towards the door.

Nadir just shook his head and laughed. "Children," he sarcastically said before going to the kitchen to fix a glass of wine.

Christine hung up the phone and jumped out of bed. It was at that moment that Meg barged into the room. "Meg!"

"Yeah, I know, I was listening.. I couldn't help it!"

Christine sighed and then said, "Well, I'm glad you're here. Will you help me find something to wear?"

Meg was overjoyed to take part. This was the most fun she'd had since helping another friend get together with a guy! "Sure. I'm thinking red… Yeah, definitely red."