Chapter 18

"Nicole! Wake up! It's past lunch already!"

Nicole stirred in her bed at hearing Anne's voice. Last night she was having a singing lesson with Erik. It had been 2 months since he told her his story, and now he seemed different. He didn't seem so inside himself, he was more talkative, more open. She had gone to see him as often as she could, always late at night.
Her voice was progressing greatly, as Erik had told her, and she could tell.
In addition to the singing lessons, she had dance rehearsals for a recital she had to perform in tonight. Erik had told her she didn't have to come so late, but she couldn't find any other time to come, for Jacques usually filled her afternoons. She hated herself for being so weak and not telling Jacques her true feelings. Every time she went to do it, she would back down, and talk of other things.
She opened her eyes, knowing that she would do it when it felt right. Today though, she had to the recital think about.

"Where is Mamma?" asked Nicole.

"You better be happy she had to go to the market this morning! Or she would be in here waking you up! And it wouldn't be pleasant!" said Anne as she yanked the blankets off Nicole.

She shivered at the cool air hitting her body.

"Well that wasn't pleasant either!" she yawned.

It was summer outside, and the morning air was still cool. Soon it would start to heat up.

"Get up and take a bath you have a big night tonight!" said Anne as she grabbed Nicole's arm and pulled her out of bed.

Nicole waved her sister away and walked down the hall to the washroom. There she found the bath full of hot water. She smiled.

Anne is such a mother hen. She takes such great care of me.

Nicole sighed, closed the door, got undressed and took her bath. She saw her practice tutu hanging from a hook on the wall. Her mind wandered to last night. She had mentioned to Erik about her recital, and she secretly hoped he would come to see her dance. He didn't say anything about it though. He merely smiled, said that he hoped she would do well.
She sighed thinking of him.
Last night he wore his normal black suit, but still he looked so handsome. Whenever he spoke his strong, yet gentle voice made her weak in the knees.

His eyes! Oh, his eyes. They have such sadness in them, yet so much heart. How did Christine ever resist him? How did she capture his heart so? If only I knew! He speaks with so much love for music. It seems to be a very part of him, if music was taken away, he would die. His soul seemed to be entwined with his fingers as he played. I wonder if he would sing for me? I haven't heard his beautiful voice in so long. It still haunts me; I must ask him if he would sing for me!

"Nicole!"

She almost jumped out of the tub, she was startled so.

"Yes, Anne?"

"Hurry up! You have to be at the park in an hour for dress rehearsals!"

"All right I am getting out now!"

Nicole got out of the tub and dressed in her tutu. She went to the kitchen to get something to eat. When she got there she saw toast, with creamy butter, and fresh orange juice sitting on the table. Anne was standing next to it.

She said, "Well don't just look at it eat it!"

Nicole smiled and thanked her sister.

"Eat up. Jacques should be here soon to take you to the theater!"

The recital was in an older theater near downtown Paris. It was small and intimate, and catered to only the best of the best. The shows, or occasional recitals, like hers, were often said to be the finest. She knew dancing at this theater tonight would be a great honor. She only hoped Erik would be there.

Stop getting your hopes up! You know it would be too risky for him!

Nicole slumped her shoulders slightly. She knew Erik came out of his lair for important things. And her recital just wasn't that important.

Nicole stood at the edge of the stage. She watched a trio of sisters danced across the stage. She always danced alone, she could never find anyone who could match her talent. She was up next and she tried to calm her butterflies. She scanned the audience quickly noting her mother, Anne, and Jacques. Her mother looked bored, while her sister and Jacques were chatting excitedly. They knew she was next. She looked among the audience, in the private boxes, anywhere, hoping to see the face she wanted to see above all others.
The orchestra ended and the sisters danced off stage. She gracefully walked out to the center of the stage and waited for her music to start. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and relaxed. The moment her music began she smiled and began to dance.

Erik watched Nicole dance on stage from the rafters above the theater. He had snuck in easily early this morning. No one was around, and he found the perfect hiding place. He waited all day, he wasn't going to miss this for anything.
Nicole's dancing was perfect. She danced with such perfection that it took Erik's breath away.

Her mother is truly mad. Nicole possesses such talent, she has no need for singing.

He grew up watching the ballet troupe of the opera house, and he knew talent when he saw it. Nicole had more talent than any dancer he had ever seen. He continued to watch, completely entranced. He couldn't take his eyes off her for a second. Soon, her song came to an end, and she came to a standstill in the middle of the stage. Her breathing was heavy, but she stood poised and refined in the exact place she started at. Not one moment after the orchestra stopped, the entire theater burst into thundering applause. A few people started to rise, and soon the entire theater was on its feet.

Erik smirked.

Just wait until you all hear her sing.

As Nicole walked back stage, the audience was still standing and clapping. She had never had such a reaction before. She sighed in relief, glad it was finally over. Anne and Jacques rushed backstage, and where there to congratulate her instantly. She wasn't surprised that her mother wasn't there.

Mamma never come back stage, she always stays in the audience. It couldn't kill her to come back just once could it?

Flowers were being thrown on stage, as people showered their appreciation on Nicole.
As two young boys collected the flowers being thrown on stage, she turned to her sister and Jacques, the latter of which was holding a large bouquet of white roses.

"Jacques, thank you!"

"No, thank you Nicole! For gracing us with that performance!"

Inwardly Nicole grimaced at his obvious exaggeration, but outwardly she merely smiled.

"Nicole you were perfect! They all loved you!" said Anne.

"Thank you, thank you both very much!"

She looked back out on stage just as the two boys handed her all her flowers.

"Here, allow me!" Jacques said and relieved her of the numerous flowers.

"Once I change we can all go home, I am so tired!" Nicole laughed.

She changed and met her family and Jacques outside the theater. Her mother was cold and silent the entire carriage ride home. Nicole was absently going through the flowers, noting all the different types. Carnations, lilies, daisies, and roses. One rose caught her eye. It was blood red. All the others were white, yellow, and pink. Her heart skipped a beat ash she pulled it out of the others. Tied around the steam was a black ribbon. She blushed profusely and smiled, hoping the others wouldn't notice.

Erik, he was there! He watched me dance!

Her stomach was doing flips, and she couldn't stop smiling. She turned her head to look out the window of the carriage to hide her blush. They pulled up to her home and stopped. Jacques once again took the flowers, and got out first assisting the women.

When they entered the house Anne said, "Where are we going to put all these flowers!"

She was so proud of her little sister, she couldn't hide it.

"Well I don't know," said their mother, "Just put them in her room! I can't stand them, the make my eyes itch and nose run."

The three young people exchanged glances, Nicole shrugged and lead Jacques to her room.

"I will get some vases." Anne added helpfully.

Nicole cleared off as much room as she could from her vanity, nightstand, and small desk to allow room for all the flowers. Anne came in moments later with numerous vases of all sizes. They all set to work arrange the flowers into beautiful bouquets.
Once it was all done the room looked beautiful.

"Well I must be going, its rather late," said Jacques, "Nicole, once again, you were perfect tonight."

He walked over to her and kissed her cheek. She smiled politely, but didn't reply. Anne hugged her sister after he left, and left Nicole alone to enjoy her triumph. Nicole looked about the flowers finding Erik's immediately. She placed it in a small empty vase next to her bed, and laid down upon her pillow admiring the flower. She relaxed and put her hand under the pillow, intent on falling asleep, not caring if she was still in her clothes. Her hand felt something underneath her pillow. She grabbed at it, and pulled it out. It was a note sealed with wax. Her heart stopped, knowing who it was from. She quickly tore it open and read it.

Dearest Nicole,
You were wonderful tonight. I watched you performance, and it took my breath away. You danced beautifully. Looking forward to our next lesson.
I remain your obedient servant,
Erik

Nicole sighed, and placed the note above her heart.

Oh, tonight truly was perfect!