Chapter 30
In her dreams Nicole felt a feather light kiss touch her forehead, leaving a warmth that spread throughout her body. Her eyes fluttered open at the noise of a door being carefully shut. She turned her head to the space that Erik had occupied, saddened to see it empty. She ran her hand over the indentation in the mattress and found it warm.
He only now left? He stayed by my side all night!
Nicole mouth spread into a large smile and she hugged herself in glee.
I am his fiancée!
She sprang out of bed, only to put too much weight on her ankle and topple back in. She hardly noticed the pain, for she was much too happy. The Sun shone brightly through her window as she got ready for her day. Nervous feelings started to invade her as she thought of her predicament. She was still Jacques prisoner, and still trapped. Having Erik close helped her, but she had no idea how they were going to escape.
Maybe Jacques will actually hear Erik out if they talk. Yes, that will happen. When pig fly.
With a sigh of exasperation, she pulled her hair out of her dress, and began to button it. As soon as the last button was in place, a knock sounded on the door.
"Come in, Jacques."
Jacques entered with a large smile on his face, and a small bouquet of flowers.
"Good morning!"
"Morning." She replied curtly.
His smile wavered at her tone, but did not falter.
"I was hoping, after breakfast, that you would sing for me! I have only heard your beautiful voice once, I must hear it again."
I never want to sing for you.
She almost said that aloud, but stopped herself.
Instead she said, "I am sorry Jacques, but I would rather not."
In an instant his smile was gone, replaced by a large frown.
"Fine, everything is ready come down when you want!"
He stormed out of the room, slamming the door.
Erik was hiding in the room adjacent to Nicole's. He left Nicole's room once the sunlight his her eyes. He knew she would be waking soon, so he kissed her forehead and quietly left. He looked around the room, and summarized that it must be a guest room, that has not been used. All the windows were shuttered, and the furniture had white sheets covering them. Dust mingled in the air, and he strangely felt at home in this room. A small thud came from Nicole's room and he knew she was up. She must have forgotten about her ankle with all the excitement of last night. He smiled to himself, hardly believing it himself.
She will be my wife. I will be her husband. Never in all my life would I have ever fathomed such wonders.
He sat down on the edge of the bed, unsure of what to do with himself. His anger was still too great to talk with Jacques now. He promised he would not hurt him, so he must wait. He heard Jacques knock on Nicole's door, and he stood up, rage boiling to the surface. He walked to the wall, and listen to their conversation as best he could.
"I was...after breakfast... sing for me! I have... beautiful voice…hear it again."
That was all he could make out of what he said, but mostly he heard, "Sing for me!"
Erik's anger grew so much that he almost screamed.
You don't not deserve to hear her sing! After all you have done to her, you thought she would want to sing! Fool!
"I am sorry...but I would rather..."
His hear soared to new heights. Nicole had refused Jacques, he knew even though he had not heard ever word. A door slammed, and he heard Jacques storming away.
Nicole told herself she wasn't going to eat breakfast with Jacques. Unfortunately minutes later her stomach rumbled loudly. She paced her room, trying to keep her mind off her hunger, but soon she found herself opening the door and reluctantly heading downstairs. She entered the dining room and found Jacques brooding over his breakfast. When he saw he feigned a small, and continued eating.
Nicole knew that he was still pouting over her rejection to sing, so she took her place silently and began eating. Neither of them spoke for the entire meal.
This is so aggravating! He has changed so much from that day he, Marie and Anne heard me sing. Anne!
Nicole dropped her fork and the thought of her sister. She remembered that Erik had told her that Anne had given him the directions to get here.
She must be worried sick! I have to find a way to let her know that I am fine.
"Nicole, is something wrong?"
She looked up at Jacques, confusion on her face.
"You dropped your fork, and you seem paler."
"Anne."
Jacques' face darkened, "Now I know you must want to see your sister but you can't. I don't trust her."
"I have to let her know I am all right! What if she…um..notifies the police that I am missing?"
"You are right! I never thought of that. I know, write her a letter, telling her you are fine. I will double check it, to make sure you do not ask for help."
"How will it get to her?"
Jacques stood up and walked to Nicole.
He gripped her shoulders tightly saying, "I will deliver it to her myself. You must promise not to go anywhere. I will find you if you try to leave."
Since Erik is here, I don't want to go anywhere else. In fact if Jacques' leaves I will get to see Erik!
"I promise I will stay here."
A hour had passed and Nicole stood in the den watching Jacques ride to town with her letter for Anne. She wrote her letter and true to his word, Jacques read it. He approved it, with a few slight alteration, and set off at once to deliver it.
Nicole's brow furrowed with worry for her sister. Anne may try to help her, may even try to come back with Jacques. She knew that would never be allowed by Jacques. She just hoped she would be able to see Anne again soon.
Her mind wandered to their mother.
Marie, does she even care? Does she even notice I am gone?
A few tears streamed down her face, but she brushed them away.
No more tears for that woman. No more!
She had been watching the retreating form of Jacques, waiting for him to disappear completely before going to find Erik. Just as Jacques turned into a speck in the distance, she felt strong arms embrace her.
"I have wrote you a song." He whispered into her ear, making her shiver.
"Sing for me, Erik."
"No one would listen
No one but her
Heard as the outcast hears.
Shamed into solitude
Shunned by the multitude
I learned to listen
In my dark, my heart heard music.
I longed to teach the world
Rise up and reach the world
No one would listen
I alone could feel the music
She felt the sadness in his voice, a sadness so deep that her very heart ached.
Then at last, a voice in the gloom
Seemed to cry "I hear you;
I hear your fears,
Your torment and your tears."
She turned to face him, a light smile on her lips.
She saw my loneliness
Shared in my emptiness
No one would listen
No one but her
Heard as the outcast hears."
"Erik." she breathed his name, and their lips meant in a passionate kiss.
He did not know how long they stood there, nor did he care. Having her small form next to his and having her lips kissing his made his head light.
I will never get tired of this.
He knew that for certain. He was so lost in her kiss, that he forgot about her ankle. Not until she almost fell out of his embrace did he remember. He broke their kiss, picked her up in his arms, and carried her to the sofa. He gently laid her down, careful not to hit her ankle.
"Forgive me, I did not think of your injury."
She smiled at him, leaned forward and whispered into his ear, "Neither did I."
Her words sent shivers down his spine.
"Nicole, you make my blood run hot."
Her small blush did nothing to help him cool down. The way she curled her lips, bringing her small hand to hide her smile drove him crazy. He had to calm down, or they would both do something they would regret. He knew Nicole was a modest and conservative woman. He knew she wanted to wait.
He cleared his throat, and brought up the real subject they should be discussing.
"I will talk to Jacques tonight, after he gets back."
She nodded but said nothing, turning her eyes downward.
"What is wrong?"
"I am just worried, and scared for you both," she whispered, "Are you sure you can talk to him, so soon?"
She thinks I am still too angry, and she is right, but I can't go on like this much longer. If she and I are to live happily at all, Jacques needs to be confronted.
"Yes, I must. I need you, Nicole. I am not waiting another day to reclaim you."
She nodded, knowing that it needed to happen sooner, rather than later. He felt relieved that she agreed with him, knowing that she too wanted nothing more than to leave this awful place.
Erik stood up and looked over his shoulder. A piano had caught his eye earlier, and know he wanted a closer look. It was a large black grand piano. He walked up to it, and pressed down a key. A melodious note drifted out, and he smiled.
He turned back to Nicole and said, "I will play for you, until Jacques returns."
She nodded eagerly, and adjusted herself to be more comfortable on the sofa. He sat down and began playing anything that came into his mind. If he had looked back he would have seen a large smile on Nicole's face.
She was smiling because he was playing for her. Just for her.
yeah so i didnt write that song i dont own it!its from a deleted scence from the 2004 movie!i wasnt really sure about this chapter, i am kinda lukewarm about its not up to par for you, i totally concur! thanks for reading!