Chapter 15: Presenting Mister Y
Antoinette was examining the stitched cut on Clara's cheek as Erik watched unimpressed,
"I would love to know what was so important that you left Clara here alone" he scolded,
"Don't take that tone with me" Antoinette warned,
"This could have been far worse" Erik stated firmly but this only caused Clara to sigh,
"Stop arguing" she instructed firmly with a slight wince of pain due to the movement of her cheek when she spoke... She petted Sasha-Too gently who whimpered sadly at the sight of her discomfort,
"What exactly did you and Nadir leave the community for?" Antoinette asked after a moment with a curious gaze despite her firm accusing tone,
"Mister Y here was purchasing an island" Nadir teased lightly causing Clara and Antoinette to look towards Erik confused,
"Mister Y?" Clara pressed,
"Indeed" Erik confirmed with a smug smile,
"A new despite false identity. One of which I plan to use to create a new and better place of living for the people in this community should they wish too" he explained as he moved and sat beside Clara,
"... On the island you apparently purchased?" she concluded, watching as Erik nodded gently before looking at Antoinette,
"We'll all have the fresh start we deserve. I'll be able to repay you for saving my life all those years ago and Meg will finally have the chance to be the star she was always destined to be" he assured, prompting Antoinette to smile brightly in Meg's direction whom had gasped in excited delight,
"Nadir can do what he does best and be my head of security... A Daroga once again" Erik continued causing Nadir to chuckle triumphantly and finally the masked man looked at Clara gently,
"... And as for you, Clara... Well... All I wish for you to know is that whatever your heart desires... You have my support" he told her, watching as she smiled at him gently before resting her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes contently.
It was an entire 5 years later that the island that Erik had purchased became the marvel that was 'Mister Y's Phantasma'... A place of wonderment, mystery and magic... A place were weird, wondrous and wonderful were admired and adored whilst under the employment and protection of their mysterious employer that refused to ever reveal himself to the public.
Erik watched the endless crowds maneuver around his kingdom of thrills from his penthouse office and apartment window that sat high above his very own concert hall... He released a sigh of relieved bliss as Clara came to stand by his side,
"... Congratulations, Erik" she told him gently with a smile as he turned to face her,
"None of this could have been possible without you" he told her,
"That's not..." Clara tried but he took her hand within his own,
"Oh but it is" he interrupted with a sad smile that made her frown in confusion,
"... What's wrong?" she asked in concern,
"... Nothing" Erik murmured, shaking his head but his sad smile remained and he brushed the back of his hand against Clara's cheek... He noted how the cut that had once marred her cheek was now barely visible bar a small pink line that could only really be seen if you looked really close,
"Erik..." Clara pressed gently, bringing him from his thoughts,
"... You once told me long ago that... You would never ask nor take away my choice when it came to the subject of what lies behind my mask" Erik began after a long moment of silence, looking down at her hand in his own as he took a deep shaking breath,
"... Clara... You have been so patient with me and... Since making that promise to me I have thought of this moment every single day..." he murmured,
"Erik, you don't have to.." Clara tried,
"Oh but I do..." Erik interrupted looking at her gently,
"I... I want to show you who I am Clara... I... I want to meet you properly... Not as an opera ghost, not as a phantom... Not as an angel of music or even Mister Y... I want to meet you as Erik Destler" he told her, reluctantly releasing his shaking grip on her hand as he turned away from her and raised a hand to his mask,
"... I... Forgive me..." he whispered with a trembling tone, closing his eyes,
"I have already known Erik Destler for many years now. Mask or no mask. That won't change" Clara said gently, allowing Erik's frozen state to melt as he finally removed the mask from his face... He felt the air against his marred flesh... He reached his hand behind him,
"I... I can't... help me..." he begged brokenly, feeling Clara take his hand within her own and she placed her other upon his shoulder, gently helping him to turn around to face her so that she was finally able to look upon the twisted, mangled and twirled marred flesh that corrupted the side of his face... Erik looked at her sadly before slowly looking down in shame,
"... Forgive me, I know it is quite a disgusting sight..." he tried but stopped when Clara placed her hand against his distortion without hesitation and he closed his eyes in bliss,
"... Oh Clara..." he whispered, placing his hand against her own, feeling greedy as he pressed her touch tighter against his twisted cheek, basking in every second of her touch,
"... Hello Erik Destler" she whispered before leaning forward and pressed a kiss to the part of his forehead that was blistered and marred... She quickly helped him to kneel down when he practically collapsed from shock and she hugged him gently,
"Shhh... There now. I'm here" she whispered as he clung to her like his only life line as he sobbed,
"Thank you... Thank you, Clara... Thank you..." he whispered repeatedly as she held him in her safe, comforting embrace.
Erik had told Nadir that he had shown Clara his face but he didn't need to share all the details as the smile on his face told all,
"Oh please tell me you're gonna marry the girl" Nadir teased, prompting an unusual chuckle,
"I would not so easily satisfy the bet you have with yourself, Daroga" Erik teased causing Nadir to laugh brightly,
"I never thought I would see the day that you would actually tease me back when I attempted to initiate banter with you, old friend" Nadir said before patting the masked man's shoulder,
"... I'm happy for you" he told him genuinely and Erik smiled, nodding in thanks,
"... No but seriously. You're gonna marry her right?" Nadir demanded again after a moment causing Erik to roll his eyes in amusement as he chuckled.
It was later that evening that Erik was reviewing designs for future attractions and shows within the park that Antoinette entered his office, closing the door behind her,
"Ah, Good evening, Antoinette" Erik bid,
"What can I do for you?" he asked, placing the designs to one side before taking note of the concerned expression of the former ballet mistress' face,
"Erik, I... I overheard you and Nadir talking earlier... A conversation regarding Clara and... Nadir asking if you were going to marry her..." Antoinette explained after a long moment of silence and Erik felt himself grow numb at the words she had just spoken,
"I... Forgive me but... Do you have feelings for my niece?" Antoinette continued and Erik felt his mouth open and close as he tried to find words whilst he looked at her before finally looking away and heard her sigh,
"I see..." he heard her murmur before releasing her own sigh,
"Erik... You must know that I love you like a son and that I am proud of all you have achieved... But... In regards to Clara... I am so, truly, endlessly and completely sorry but... I must instruct you to not pursue an endeavor that involves any intentions of winning my niece's heart" Antoinette told him causing Erik to look at her stunned and she sighed at his obviously shocked reaction to her instruction,
"Erik we both know that you are a man whom has craved love and acceptance you're entire life... You became enraptured with Christine's voice that you almost forced yourself to fall in love with her... She broke your heart and for that I am sorry. Just as I am equally pleased that the pain from that heartbreak has eased during these past years but... I refuse to let my niece become an understudy" Antoinette explained with a firm sympathetic tone before going to leave,
"You think I am simply trying to replace, Christine?" Erik demanded, moving around his desk as the former ballet mistress turned back to face him,
"... I only find my mind filled by the fact that... It was only after Christine broke your heart that you began showing an obvious shine to Clara" Antoinette reasoned,
"I have cared for Clara a lot longer than that" Erik argued firmly,
"If that is true then the only question that remains is... Why was my niece not enough?... If you knew you held feelings for her then why?... Why did you continue to pursue Christine?" Antoinette pressed,
"I... I didn't... Antoinette, I didn't realize that my admiration for Christine was nothing more than... mere puppy love that is experiences by innocent youths... What I feel for Clara..." Erik tried,
"What you feel for Clara is not important" Antoinette stated,
"It is not important because whatever you feel Erik... Whatever it is that you feel for Clara. Gratitude, admiration, contentment or even love... It is not worth the outcome that results in Clara's heart being broken" she told him, watching as Erik looked down sadly,
"... But I..." he tried,
"Erik... If you truly care for my niece then I beg you... Let her find a man whom is worthy of her love" Antoinette begged,
"... I could be worthy" Erik murmured,
"... Perhaps in another life. Yes, perhaps you could have been... I beg you Erik... Promise me... Give me your word that you will not pursue Clara's heart" she begged once again... She sighed in relief when Erik finally closed his eyes and nodded,
"... Thank you, Erik" she big before leaving his office as Erik finally allowed a tear to escape down his cheek.
It was only the next day when Nadir had teasingly brought up the wager he had with himself that Erik informed him of the vow Antoinette had begged him to make in regards to Clara and The Persian instantly became furious,
"What?!" he demanded,
"Antoinette is right, Nadir... Clara deserves better than me" Erik reasoned,
"I think Clara deserves to make that decision herself" Nadir replied firmly but the masked man sighed, shaking his head,
"... No, Nadir. I have given Antoinette my word and that is the end of the matter" Erik stated simply,
"Erik, you can't just give up. You love the bloody girl just tell her!" Nadir yelled but growled in frustration when Erik simply left the room.
It was that very same night at dinner that found Nadir glaring in Antoinette's direction whom was oblivious to it as she looked towards Clara whom sat beside him,
"Clara, Could you pass the peas, please?" she requested politely and Nadir gave a humorless chuckle just as Clara reached for the peas,
"Maybe Clara would prefer that the peas stay by her side" he spoke up causing everyone to look at him confused,
"Errrm... No, I'm ok, Nadir. I have plenty" Clara tried despite her confusion,
"Awww Clara. She's so kind isn't she. Willing to do anything to make other's happy. I would say that she deserves to be happy too. Wouldn't you, Antoinette?" Nadir pressed firmly,
"Daroga" Erik growled in warning,
"Well of course she deserves to be happy. She's my niece. That's all I could possibly want for her" Antoinette stated in confusion,
"Then maybe she's happy with the peas. Maybe being with the peas makes her happy and maybe! oh I don't know. Maybe the peas actually love her back. Did you think of that?!" he demanded and Clara's eyes instantly widened in shock filled confusion,
"... Mr Khan are you drunk?" Antoinette demanded with an unimpressed expression,
"Quite sober thank you. And on another subject, Who cares if the peas were perhaps enamored with the mash potatoes. Perhaps the mash potatoes broke the peas heart when they ran off with the gravy!" Nadir yelled,
"... I'm sorry are we still talking about peas? Dinner or something else?" Meg asked confused,
"Nadir, It's fine..." Clara tried once again,
"If the peas love Clara and wants to marry Clara and Clara feels the same way then let her marry the bloody peas!" Nadir yelled, ignoring Clara and Meg couldn't help but giggle in confused amusement,
"I wasn't aware the peas had proposed" Meg joked,
"I'm pretty sure peas can't propose" Clara joked in return despite her own confusion,
"I'm talking about Antoinette not letting Erik even have the opportunity to propose!" Nadir yelled in frustration and Erik finally put his masked head on the table as Clara looked towards him shocked and Nadir instantly fused his lips together realizing what he had just said... An awkward silence filled the room,
"... Erik..." Clara murmured,
"... Not that Erik said anything to me about wanting to propose to you at any point..." Nadir murmured awkwardly but this only resulted in Erik standing up and storming out of the room, slamming the door behind him with a loud bang that made everyone jump.
Clara gave Erik some time to cool down before finally making her way up to his office slash apartment penthouse... She saw how he looked at her surprised when she placed a tray of food on his desk,
"... Extra peas" she murmured softly with a gentle smile and Erik felt his heart swell as a deep silence fell between them,
"I was..." Clara tried,
"I'm..." Erik tried at the same time causing them both to share a light moment of laughter and Clara took a deep breath,
"I was... I was thinking that maybe... At one point when you're not too busy... Maybe we could try one of those American delicacies, Dr Gangle keeps going on about... A Hot Dog I think they called it..." Clara suggested bashfully with a soft blush,
"I... I would very much like that... To join you I mean..." Erik murmured, smiling gently when he saw Clara smile up at him gently and nodded,
"Ok... Well... Goodnight then" she bid before going to leave but Erik watched her turn back at the last minute,
"By the way... Nadir was right about one thing... I'm... I'm actually very fond of peas" she told him with a soft smile and a gentle blush on her cheeks and Erik felt his heart swell as he finally watched her leave and he smiled brightly in relief before looking towards Sasha-Too whom had hopped up onto his desk, tilting her head at him curiously,
"... She's very fond of peas..." he murmured, laughing lightly which prompted Sasha-Too to bark happily whilst wagging her tail.
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