A/N: Guess who's back and apparently alive xDxDxD...hahahaha...

Ok! Not too many words...

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, GUYS YOU ABSOLUTELY ROCK :D!

Big thank you to my amazing anonymous reviewers MmeButterfly, ABC, 123456, Melstrife, Balack88 and vanilla.

And as always an ENORMOUS thank you to wonderful XxxCherikxxX :)!

so... ON WITH CHAPTER 7...

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN PotO nor the main plot of the story.

Judging by the cover

Chapter 7: Strange meeting

Christine watched nervously as the conveyor belt was taking away their suitcases at the airport. On her finger shined the dazzling ring Erik had given her last night.

"It is unbelievable how perfect simulations can create the fake-jewellery makers nowadays." She stated when Erik had given her the ring. She tried to hide the sadness she felt at the thought that this ring would dress the finger where she always wished to wear the ring of the man who was going to love her forever.

"Really?" Erik simply asked "I have no idea."

His words made her worry "It isn't... It isn't real, of course. Is it?" she murmured in agony.

He didn't reply, but the answer was written on his face "Oh my god! It is!" she put her hand onto her mouth in surprise while looking at the large diamond on her heart's finger.

"Carlotta would recognise a fake diamond with her eyes closed." Erik told her when she tried to protest that she couldn't be responsible for one so expensive jewel.

"If she can recognise a fake diamond, what makes you think she won't recognise a fake engagement?" Christine had pointed to him.

"She knows many things about facts... not about feelings."

Erik's laconic phrase had helped her explain the kiss they had shared at his apartment. He had done it because he knew Carlotta was there and that she would see them. His goal was to make Carlotta face the fact of their engagement.

Then, as soon as Carlotta left Erik's apartment, obviously after getting the hint, he left her too just as he had told her. And Christine, after eating some of the food Erik had ordered for her, she fell asleep. Alone...

...

"How many hours will it takes us to reach your grandfather's mansion?" Christine asked Erik when they entered the airplane.

"I cannot tell for sure. This time we will be more late that usual because I have a serious meeting with him, so, we'll spend some time in the city before taking another flight to the... lion's den. You see, my grandfather will not be at the mansion for the first three or four days because he will be staying at the hospital to check his heart problem, or at least that's what we try to make him do. He stubbornly refuses every time he has to go there."

Christine frowned and changed topic "Carlotta told me that our relationship will not last. She is sure that destiny wants you and her together."

Erik wrinkled his brow "She tried to scare you."

Christine, once again, felt so much compassion for this man. "But I think..." she started softly "I think that if you explained to your grandfather how exactly you feel, he would understand and stop pressing you to marry a woman you don't like."

"My grandfather is as stubborn as a mule." Erik sighed "And there is also his fragile health... his heart..." he looked down "He is stable right now, but he must not get stressed. If I announced to him that I do not want to marry Carlotta, without presenting him with the woman that I'm in love with, then he would get so stressed and..."

They fell silent for many moments.

Christine's heart started racing when the airplane began the procedure of taking off. And then, she felt Erik's warm hand covering hers.

"Are you afraid of airplanes?" he asked cheerfully. "You shouldn't... It's the safest way to travel."

Christine tried to overcome the shock caused by Erik's touch. "I know" she admitted "It's just that... I don't find it so normal to be in the sky..."

"If god wanted mankind to fly, he would give us wings. Only Icarus tried to correct this omission."

"This story always makes me feel sad. Especially for his poor father."

"Me too." Erik agreed "Eeer, does this mean that you like Greek mythology?" he asked after few moments of silence.

"The truth is that my grandmother used to read me a lot of stories. And I have to say that I really enjoyed Greek mythology. Those myths are very fascinating although sometimes made me cry, like 'The abduction of Europa'."

Erik smirked "I see. And why did this story made you cry, pray tell?"

"Well, because Zeus abandoned her, after he took her virginity, and preferred to go to Olympus and become the king of gods and mortals rather than staying with the mother of his children. Of course I know that Zeus was a well-known Don Juan. It's really weird that Greeks created gods with human flaws" she giggled. "Usually people want to believe in something flawless, in something wise that never makes mistakes."

Erik smiled "I see your point. But we can't change history now, can we?"

Christine looked at him softly and realised that this whole time she was clenching at his hand for dear life and moreover she liked it, she felt so safe. Abruptly she pulled away and Erik looked at her grinning. She immediately excused her action as she stretched her hand to take the glass of champagne the air-hostess offered her.

Very soon, the champagne helped her relax and closed her eyes. In a few minutes she was asleep. Erik looked at her smiling and caressed softly her cheek and neck with the back of his fingers. He wondered how it was possible this woman to be a common whore. Sometimes he really doubted that...

When they were landing, Erik did not hesitate to cover Christine's little hand with his own larger one. Christine woke then and leaned closer to him.

...

"I can ask our driver to escort you to my house to rest, unless you want a city tour." Erik said while they were waiting to get their luggage.

"I would prefer the city tour." She replied, she didn't want another bad surprise in any of Erik's houses.

"Good." He smiled and they began walking towards the exit.

Suddenly Christine felt his hand on her shoulder and turned to face him.

"This way." He said and pulled her close to him.

As they were walking in front of a mirror, Christine saw their reflection and blushed. She had leaned on his shoulder like... like she was enjoying it... like she enjoyed feeling little and fragile pressed on his strong muscular body.

She jolted at this thought and straightened her shoulders.

"Carlotta would be really happy if she saw you doing this." Erik said dryly. "We are a couple. Remember?"

"Yes, but Carlotta is not here." Christine reminded him.

"Fortunately no. But we don't know who is probably spying on us. Remember, we are a newly engaged couple in love. Right now, we are heading to my grandfather's house to meet my family. Wouldn't it be natural..."

"I just feel nervous. Let's say I am anxious because I don't know if your family will accept me." She rolled her eyes.

"If you let me finish first..." he said coldly.

"Go on."

"I would say that it is natural for a couple to enjoy being in each other's arms. As for what you said about my family, I am thirty two years old and I don't need anyone's approval anymore, and I don't expect from others to tell me who I am going to love."

"But you said..." Christine began and immediately stopped.

"I said what?" Erik coaxed her.

"Noth... Nothing, forget it." She shook her head.

...

Christine sighed as she was returning to the limo after a beautiful walk in the park. While she was rushing, she spotted an old-man near the car. He looked exhausted and rather ill.

Christine frowned when he raised his hand and put pressure at his chest like he was in pain. "His heart." She thought and went running at his side.

"Are you feeling all right?" she asked full of concern.

The old-man smiled. "It's nothing, just a little malaise. It's too hot... Perhaps I walked too much today..."

This didn't make Christine calm down. Of course the heat was nearly unbearable, but she could tell that the old-man still had a feeling of discomfort. On the other hand, Adam, her driver, was gone for some reason and she didn't spot him anywhere. Perhaps he was the only person who could help.

"Indeed, it s too hot." She said to him politely "And very exhausting for someone to walk under the sun in a day like this. If you allow me... I have a car at my disposal... and a driver. Would you like us to drive you somewhere?" while she was talking, she was scanning the place in order to find Adam.

Erik had asked her not to be late, but she didn't want to leave before making sure that the old-man was safe.

"So you have a car? And a driver?" The old-man questioned in awe while staring at the parked limo. "Is that it?"

"Yes. But it is not mine" she explained "It belongs to my... to an acquaintance of mine. Do you live far from here?"

The man had now stopped clutching his heart, the colour on his face had returned and his breathing was even.

"You are very polite" he told her with a smile "but I have a car... and a driver too." His smile grew broader and Christine thought he was joking, until she saw another limo parked on the other side of the park. "You are really very polite. You showed concern about an old-man you don't even know!" he softly said.

Christine blushed "Is this your car?" she finally asked and pointed at the other limo. "Would you like me to inform the driver that you are here?"

"No. I think I can walk alone to the car."

Christine walked by his side "Then you will allow me to walk with you." She offered and refused to turn her gaze when the old man gave her a piercing look.

"Perhaps I will allow you to do so." He replied with a smirk.

At their way to the old-man's limo Christine politely tried to convince him to see a doctor. He only smiled and nodded.

...

"Thank you very much my dear." He said when they reached his car "It was really nice to meet you. But you shouldn't walk alone, and I should..." he turned to his driver and in a low voice gave him some instructions "John will walk you to your car and wait till your driver arrives."

"Please, there is no reason for that. Besides, I would feel better if he stayed here with you."

But the old-man didn't change his mind.

"I really appreciate that." Christine said when she and John where a few metres away from the limo. "But I believe you'd better stay with your employer. And... I know it's not my business... but perhaps he must see a doctor... I told him to, but..."

John smiled at her "He already asked me to drive him there later, but you... what exactly did you tell him and convinced him? He does not listen to anyone most of the time..."

His calm and gentle tone helped Christine relax and stop worrying about her new friend. He was surely in good hands.

When they finally reached Erik's limo she found out that Adam was already there. She thanked John politely and then she headed to the airport where Erik was waiting for her.

A/N: ok... i know that perhaps the end doesn't make too much sense and that many of you found it kind of boring (it was boring writing it too:P) but trust me when i say it's EXTRA IMPORTANT for the plot ;)... and now we've reached a point that i can say: FAMILY MEETINGS in chapter 8 ;)...

anyways ;)... what do you think? just let me know :)...