"And that should do it." Charlotte said as she finished helping Eleana into the ball gown Erik left her.
After Charlotte curtsied and exited, Eleana examined the dress in the mirror before her, turning left to right, she watched the apparel sway and shimmer. The dress was red, black, and white; obviously Erik wanted her to stand out tonight, which was exactly the opposite of what she wanted to do. But she would not lie, the dress was very flattering and if Erik wanted her to wear it, then she would not let him down.
Almost forgetting that it was a masque ball, Eleana reached over onto her bed, where the box Erik had left the previous night still layed, and retrieved the mask that went with her outfit. The mask white on the right half, and solid black on the left with a red authentic rose on the side. She slid the mask onto her head, thinking of only Erik. Every waking moment of his life he hid himself from others with a white mask, scared of people's lack of acceptance. But she wondered what she would do if she would of had his fate. She wouldn't be as brave as Erik to conceal her face behind a white mask and still make contact with people that's for sure.
Eleana admired Erik's boldness and confidence. He never really let other people's opinions get to him. Except for Christine. . . .
"My, my, my. You look just magnificent." Charles said as he past the threshold and approached Eleana's side, forcing her to shake off her thoughts of Erik.
Charles had a noticeable bump on his nose from the previous night, but all today he had not brought up what happened. She assumed he had no recollection of his actions because of his tremendous consummation of liquor.
"Are you ready? Christine and Raoul just arrived and are waiting in the carriage outside."
After slipping on her shoes, Charles and Eleana exited the mansion and silently walked to the carriage. As the carriage driver held the door of the open for them, they entered.
"Bonsoir, I'm so pleased that you could join us tonight." Raoul said as he kissed the new prima donna's hand.
"It's my pleasure." Eleana said politely.
She looked at the viscountess, her hair was curly as ever, much like Eleana's at the moment, and she was wearing a pink shimmery ball gown. Christine did not make eye contact, but instead starred out the carriage window as made their way to the Masque Winter Ball.
Eleana remembered what Erik had told her that one night. How he hid for six months and made his reappearance at the Masque Ball as the Red Death. She wondered if Christine was thinking about this too or if she even wanted to attend the ball at all.
Once they reached their destination she was not surprised to see the place congested with people. Everyone was wearing their masks, but it didn't matter, it's not like she knew any of them anyways.
Fireworks were being set off left and right outside. Eleana could not stand to be in the presence of such a festive occasion when her heart ached. But she was here, against her will, and their was nothing she could do about it. Charles wrapped his hand around Eleana's and walked up the steps of the Opera House behind Raoul and Christine until he reached the entrance when he stopped to look at Eleana.
"I expect you to be on your best behavior tonight, do not be rude to anyone, and accept anyone's request for a dance. Do you understand?"
Eleana was sick of Charles treating her like a child, but she nodded anyways.
Once they walked through the doors she was immediately astounded by all the costumes, and the load of people. Everyone was dancing, hand in hand with a partner waltzing to the tune of the music.
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade.
Masquerade!
Hide your face, so the world will never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade.
Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you!
Eleana watched as Christine and Raoul sang along happily, only looking at only one another. She envied them, they were so in love and were not ashamed of it. They could go in public, not worrying about what other people thought.
"Ms. Rochette! What a splendid occasion this is. I'm so glad you could come!" Monsieur Firmin exclaimed as he went back to dancing with Monsiuer Andre.
"No Firmin you are doing it wrong, step, step, step, then twirl!" Andre said as he tried to help him learn to waltz.
Even their stupidity could not make Eleana crack a smile. She wanted to leave, she could not be here surrounded by the sea of smiles. Charles then walked Eleana over to the center of the dance floor, much to her dislike, and asked for a dance.
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows,
spinning reds.
Masquerade!
Take your fill -
let the spectacle
astound you!
Masquerade!
Burning glances,
turning heads.
Masquerade!
Stop and stare
at the sea of smiles
around you!
"Charles, I want to leave." She whispered into his ear as they continued twirling about.
"But why my love? The party has only just started." Charles said and began humming to the song everyone was singing.
"I just can't be here. . ." Eleana whispered.
"What's that?" Charles said obviously not catching what she said.
"Nothing." Eleana replied.
"Six more days, can you believe it? Soon you will be a star and my wife!"
A tear silently fell past her eye but was hidden because of the mask was wore. Six days and the thought of Erik and her would be nothing more than a memory. Eleana let Charles lead there dance, allowing him to treat her like his doll. . .
Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade.
Masquerade!
Hide your face, so the world will never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade.
Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you. . . .
The singing was cut off by a loud shriek from a women in the crowd. Charles had stopped dancing and jumped in front of Eleana, not really sure what was happening. Eleana looked to her left to see Raoul protecting Christine just the same but looking forward, locking his eyes on something. Eleana looked the same direction shocked to what she found.
"Why so silent good monsieurs? Did you not think that I would return?"
The Red Death was on the top of the staircase in the Opera House, proceeding down. As he reached the dance floor, he began to walk forward towards what she thought was Christine.
"Did you miss me good monsieurs? Did you think that I had left you for good?"
Everyone cleared the way for him, scared by his mask that looked like a skull and his sword attached to his hip.
He looked around for a minute, until he spotted Eleana. Charles tightened his grip around her as he walked closer towards her.
"May Red Death have this dance?" Erik asked Eleana, sticking out his hand.
"What do you think you're doing, ge- get away from her!" Charles said shakily. He was scared, Eleana could tell.
Raoul then joined Charles side, but realized he had a sword in hand as well now. Did he know something was going to happen? Or was Raoul just always one to play it safe? Eleana knew she had no choice but to dance with Erik if she didn't want anyone to get hurt. Charles did tell her to not deny anyone request for a dance.
"I will dance with the Red Death." Eleana said leaving Charles side and stepping forward boldly.
The Phantom had suddenly grown very nervous. He had not seen his Angel this close in a month. . .how he missed those emerald eyes.
Eleana's steps, the only movement in the Opera House, echoed. She put her hand in Erik's black gloved one, and Erik put his hand upon her hip. He looked over at the orchestra, and nodded queuing them to start up the music once again. For the first minute or so, everyone stayed in their place as they waltz around in circles. But, slowly pair by pair, more people began to join in the dancing.
As they were dancing, not knowing what to say to one another, Eleana giggled.
"What's so funny?" Erik asked almost forgetting the whole reason why he came in the first place.
"We match." Eleana smiled. She had not smiled in forever, it felt so natural and easy around Erik that she didn't even realize she was.
She never took her eyes off his, trying to figure out if he was mad, or upset. She couldn't tell.
Needing to break the silence, Eleana asked, "Why did you have to bring back the Red Death? What anger has possessed you to do such a thing?"
Erik was not sure how to answer this. He seemed to be angry at everything.
"Why are you marrying that man?" Erik asked disgustedly as he saw Charles next to that boy.
"Things are complicated now, Erik..."
"Why did you leave me mon ange?"
Erik's heartbroken voice tore Eleana's heart into pieces. He would never understand. She would do anything to leave Charles and return back to her true love...but that would put Eleana and Erik's lives at stake.
"It wasn't I who left you, Erik. The night you told me to leave, Charles found me somehow. He took me back to his house against my will and kept me as his prisoner there."
Not knowing what to say or do Erik let his heart speak with its own voice once again.
"Come back to me Eleana."
Eleana felt a tear escape her eyes once again tonight. He would never understand...
"Erik, I can't."
"Why?" Erik's voice was low and melancholy. He loved her so much and could not bear to loose her again.
"Erik you have to trust me."
Eleana could not allow there to be even a chance that Charles could kill Erik for real. She would rather have him leave her forever, then living with the guilt that it was her fault that Charles murdered him if he did.
"So you are just going to marry him?"
Erik stopped dancing, but did not let go of his grip on Eleana.
"You don't understand..." Eleana whispered.
"But I do! You love him!", Erik yelled causing people to stop what they were doing to see what all the commotion was.
"Erik no! But I have to marry him-"
But Erik cut her off, "Not if I can help it."
Charles began running over when he saw that the Red Death took hold of Eleana tightly. Erik swished his red cape, and with a loud crack and a cloud of smoke, The Phantom of the Opera and Eleana were no where to be found, leaving nothing behind but an engagement ring.
iyiyi, i had difficulty writing this chapter. I'm not sure why though :/ if things seem slow I promise they are going to pick up soon. Sorry for my terrible lack of updating. I have been busy. But Exam week is over and cheerleading is about done too so I will take that as a good thing and more time for me to write.
I'm seeing Beauty and the Beast Musical Thursday(; it was my first play i ever saw so I can't wait.
Once again I'm Sorry :/ Happy MLK day Monday to you all
-Maddie