Chapter 7
Erik woke up from a sound sleep, and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
One week had passed since Erik and Nicole had meant and struck their bargain.
She is coming to see me today.
He smiled to himself, delighted to have something to look forward too.
All week he had practiced his music, remembering how to teach. It wasn't as hard as he thought it would be, and he played as if he hadn't stopped for a single day. He got up to get something to write on it when he caught his reflection in a mirror. He examined himself closely, which he rarely ever did. He had a lot of stubble on his face as well as unkempt hair. His clothes were wrinkled and dirty, and with a quick sniff under his arms he surmised that he needed a hot bath.
He groomed as best as he could, he even took off his mask and shaved where it usually covered. He hated taking his mask off, even when he was alone, but he had to this time.
He dressed in one of his best suites, and as he was putting it on he remembered that it was the same suite he wore when he first revealed himself to Christine.
The white shirt and vest, black coat and pants, and a crisp cravat about his neck made up his assemble.
He had thought of her a lot this week, but knew that was because he was taking on a new student. He didn't want to repeat the same mistakes he had made with Christine.
After he was done dressing he headed out to his boat to make the journey to the dressing room mirror. It was early evening he knew Nicole would not be here for a few more hours, but he had nothing better to do.
He had cleaned his home top to bottom yesterday, trying to make it as presentable as possible.
He stood waiting for hours at the mirror. He watched as the hours passed, hoping she would appear. Hours passed and she didn't come. He grew worried.
Did she change her mind? Was she never going to return? Why would she? I probably scared her to death.
He was about to turn around and head back when he heard footsteps approaching. The door opened and Nicole burst through. She had not seen him yet, for the mirror was closed, and he took this time to examine her. Even though it was quite dark he could see her easily, for he had a gift of night eye.
She was panting and it looked as if she ran the whole way from her home. Her hair which was in a bun was windblown and tousled. Her dress was a dark blue, which was fortunate otherwise dirt would have shown easily.
For a moment, to him, she looked radiant.
He shook the thought from his mind, and opened the door to greet her.
Nicole stood in front of Erik's large pipe organ, completely overwhelmed.
What have I gotten myself into? I can't even hum how am I supposed to learn how to sing?
Erik was in another room, shuffling threw papers mumbling under his breath that he knew the sheet he was looking for was here earlier.
Her eyes glanced at the boat, and for a moment she almost went to it.
She stopped herself though, and stayed were she was. This was a nerve wracking experience for her. She had to sneak out of her house when her mother had gone to bed, then walked all the way here.
Now she sat in the home of the most notorious man she knew.
Yet, she wouldn't leave. It was just nerves and anxiety telling her to leave.
But she was with him. Nothing could make her give up a chance of being with Erik. She had waited two years for this. She was staying put.
Erik came back to the pipe organ, grumbling.
"Could not find it?" she asked timidly. She almost slapped herself.
Of course he hadn't found it he wasn't holding it.
"No." he said gruffly, and she stared straight ahead.
He began going through the few pages already at the organ, and didn't say anything.
Her heart was beating furiously. She sat on his left, and out of the corner of her eye she could see the unmasked part of his face.
His brow was furrowed in concentration, his eyes set on finding what he needed.
She felt like a silly girl watching him as secretly as she could. Her palms grew sweaty as she imagined getting a kiss from his lips. Her breathing grew heavy as she imagined his arms around her.
"Mademoiselle, are you all right?"
He broke her day dreams, and she replied, "Oh yes, just nervous."
He nodded and continued arranging the music.
She turned her head so he couldn't see her roll her eyes at her own stupidity.
She turned back to him trying to get a conversation going so there would be no more awkward silence.
"You may call me Nicole, if you please."
He looked at her and said, "And you may call me Erik, if it pleases you."
The way he said that made her knees buckle.
His voice was smooth, with a rough undertone. She felt as if he put a spell on her whenever he spoke.
Does he always have this effect on women? He must, it would be almost impossible to resist. How did Christine do it?
She knew little of what happened between him and Christine Daae, only what the papers exaggerated. She couldn't help but feel jealous of Christine for some many things, for the ability to sing, and for winning the heart of Erik.
She was attempting at breaking the silence, which he didn't mind. He also felt awkward being alone with her. And when she thought he couldn't tell she would stare at him. It made him very uncomfortable.
"I am sorry I got here so late. I planned on getting her earlier, but my mother refused to fall asleep it seems!" she said jokingly.
"Really?" he said, "Why is that?"
"Oh well after I got home late last week, she wanted to keep on extra eye on me."
"She wasn't asleep, why was that?" he feigned ignorance, wanting to know exactly what happened and who that man was.
"Well, because she didn't want to leave Jacques alone I suppose."
He raised his eyebrow. Jacques.
She blushed deeply, and said quietly "Jacques is the man that my mother wants me to marry."
"She wants you to marry him, but what about you?"
She grew quit again, clearly uncomfortable with the topic.
"I can't love him."
He couldn't help himself to ask, she was being purposefully evasive.
"Why is that Nicole?" he was sure to make his voice go deep, and smooth. He knew it would make her answer. He felt only slightly guilty for doing that too her, but it lasted only a second.
"I…love someone else."
She tried hard to fight his charms, and he remembered doing this same trick to Christine so many years ago.
Instantly the guilt came back and he decided to stop.
It's not like I want to hear who she loves any way. I must not get attached to her any more than I already am.
"Well then," he said wanting to change the subject, "Shall we begin your first lesson?"