Erik's POV

"Pirate Island…" I said as I approached the small boat that was beneath the boardwalk. Gustave was sitting there, but he didn't look up when I opened my mouth. I knew he was mad at me and he had a right to be. I took a seat beside him, and even then, the child didn't look up at me.

"This pirate ship is pretty dull, wouldn't you say? A pirate wouldn't be sitting around and pouting."

"I'm not a pirate," he cried. "Now, leave me alone."

"If that is what you truly want, but I came here to tell you about Phantasma."

When Gustave didn't answer, I moved closer to him.

"It will be our own pirate island."

"You're lying."

"Would I lie to you, Gustave? I took your advice…I went to see someone about a piece of the boardwalk. He agrees with my idea and soon, I shall own my own park."

The child finally looked up at me.

"Really?"

"Really, Gustave."

"And you're not lying?"

I shook my head. "Of course not. I would never lie to you. Though, I do owe you an apology for what I had said to you. I'm sorry…I know you only wanted to help."

"I forgive you, Mr. Erik."

I smiled. "Good. Now, why don't we go back to your house and you can help me come up with a few ideas."

"Sounds great!"

"Partners?" I held out my hand to the boy and he smiled, placing his hand into my own. "Partners…"

By the time we arrived back, Christine had already gone to work, leaving Gustave and I alone. We sat at the kitchen table with paper, jotting down ideas for my new park. I needed to show Mr. Dublair blue prints by next Friday, and they had to be amazing.

"So, your park is called "Phantasma?"

I nodded. "Yes, catchy, wouldn't you say?"

"Of course. It will be the best park in all of Coney Island."

"Well then, we best be getting some ideas down."

"I want a pirate ship ride, Mr. Erik…"

"A pirate ship ride?"

"Yes…Call it the Galleon!"

"And what exactly would it do?"

"It would sway back and forth, of course…Just like a pirate ship. Sort of like a pengilum in a grandfather clock."

"I think it's brilliant, Gustave."

I began drawing, while Gustave thought of more ideas.

"Well, how about ice cream?" I questioned. "People love that, don't they?"

"Luna Park has ice cream too…You should make your ice cream creative…Put them in something neat. Perhaps pirate hat shaped bowls…"

I chuckled "You and your pirates."

"Pirates are cool, Mr. Erik, but you need something else too…"

"And what would that be?"

"Animals and lots of shows."

Gustave was so excited, that he fell out of his chair.

"All right, that's enough excitement for one night."

I lifted him up and carried him to his room.

"We'll think about more ideas another day. I think I have enough to start my blue prints."

And after putting Gustave to bed, I did just that. For days afterwards I did nothing but work on my blueprints. When Christine had off, I hardly came out of my flat, working endlessly to finish them. Though, one evening I was working by candle light and finishing up the finish touches on my drafts and prints. It was extremely late, but time was on my side, for it was never important to me. Especially now, since I had lost my job. Now I had all the time in the world to start Phantasma. When I heard a knock at my door, I sighed and stood to my feet. Oh, who could that be? Curious, I hurried down the stairs and pulled open the door to find Christine standing there.

"Christine, what are you doing here?"

She smiled. "I've been off the past couple of days, so I haven't seen you."

"I've been working…You know I hardly budge when I have work to get done."

"Gustave fell asleep early…I guess I was feeling lonely."

"Lonely…" I chuckled. "Of all people to be feeling lonely…"

"Could I come in?"

"Of course," I stepped aside and let Christine enter. She had only been in my home a few times, and yet, she always seemed amazed by the amount of space.

"Did you ever think about fixing up the bottom half of your home?"

I spun around to face the condemned area…The walls were full of holes and floor was falling apart. I never really thought about fixing up the bottom, for there was no need for it. It was just me, after all.

"Christine, don't step over there," I warned. "You're going to break your neck."

Christine obeyed me and followed me up the stairs to my room. Once there, I offered Christine a seat on my bed while I took a seat at my desk.

"I see you've fixed up your bed since I've last been here,"

"I've added more pillows," I said, picking up my pencil again.

"Do you ever sleep?"

"Not really," I murmured. "And even if I do, it's only for a few hours."

"Would you like some tea?" Christine questioned. "I know I could go for a cup right about now."

"You know where the kitchen is," I said. "Make yourself at home."

Christine smiled and headed towards my makeshift kitchen, placing a kettle of water over the stove.

"You know, Erik, you really should spruce this place up a bit…Make it cheerful and more welcoming."

"It's as welcoming as it's going to get, woman," I said.

I finished my blueprints and placed them aside.

"Could I see what you're working on?"

"I'd rather you didn't. When everything is approved, then I'll let you have a look at them."

Christine brought me a cup of tea and I thanked her. She took a seat on my bed and sipped on her drink.

"That's better," she said. "Thank you…"

"You made it, Christine."

"Well, I wanted to thank you for taking care of Gustave. It means a lot to me…"

"You have yourself one special little boy, Christine. I never thought I could be attached to a child, but we've become good friends."

"Then why is it that we haven't?"

"Oh, Christine, please don't start this again. You know why…"

"The past is the past, Erik. What's now is now…"

"You asked me if we could be intimate with one another every once in a while, and I agreed to that. What I won't agree to is becoming anything more than that."

"And can you seriously sit here and say that you didn't feel anything when we were intimate with one another?"

"Yes, I did feel something," I said. "Pleasure…"

Christine rolled her eyes. "What about love? What about friendship?"

"Can't say that I did…"

Christine placed her cup down on my night table and looked at me. "Why must you harden yourself around me, Erik? You were never like this. Years ago…"

"Exactly," I snapped. "You said it, Christine. Years ago. Years ago I was stupid, years ago I was desperate. I've come to learn that nothing in this life is worth sobbing over. Nothing in this life is worth wasting your time on. Nothing, not even love…That is a foreign word to me, and it always will be. The world hates me, and therefore, I have come to hate the world right back. I used to feel love…I used to believe I could feel it, but now, I feel nothing. I like and love nothing when it comes to the opposite sex. I take what I need, and feel what I feel."

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Christine seductively smiled and approached me, sitting herself in my lap. My body stiffened, and she took the steaming cup of tea right out of my hands.

"You feel what you feel?"

"That is correct."

Her lips came down over my neck, causing a light groan to escape my lips.

"Do you feel that?"

"Yes," I replied.

Her lips moved higher and kissed my ear. Oh, this was sheer pleasure…Once more when I groaned, her hand groped my trousers. My core hardened at that moment, for never had my body ever had this much attention before.

"Woman, you are going to be the death of me," I growled, taking her body and placing her against my bed. Her legs wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to her body. Her hands were at my trousers now, unbuttoning each button. I kissed her neck, causing her to groan as well. That groan sent shivers down my spine, my hands undressing her as it did.

When my shirt was over my head, my scars glistened in the candle light, our shadows casting amongst the wall.

"Will you take your mask off tonight?" Christine breathlessly asked.

"What do you believe this to be?" I angrily questioned. "What did I tell you, Christine?"

"I just asked about your mask?"

"And what would you feel then, Christine? Love? Affection? Pity? No! If you wish to do this, we will do this with my mask on."

She pressed her lips against my own, and I could feel her hand against my masked cheek. I quickly snatched it and forced her arm above her head.

"Don't even try it, Christine! Do it and I shall throw you out of my home in seconds…"

"All right," she gasped. "I promise…"

Christine flipped me over on the bed and worked at moving me out of my trousers. Her lips kissed my scars, sending my body soaring…And then, she did something I had never experienced before…She took me into her mouth. I clutched the bed sheets and sighed, pressing my eyes closed. Pleasure…I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world. All the years I had spent without it and now, I was receiving it willingly.

"I need to move," I gasped, pressing her against the mattress and aligning my hips with her own. Oh, if she continued tasting me, I was sure I wouldn't last. No, I entered her with an animalistic need, thrusting deep into her body. Over and over again I thrust into her body, our voices singing for one another. And like she did when we first made love, she flipped me over and rode me…I pressed her thighs down onto my body, moving my hips as she did so. When we finished, I lay there gasping for breath. This time was even better than the first.

"I have that meeting in the morning," I said, reaching over for my shirt. "I should probably get to sleep."

Christine seemed disappointed, but she didn't argue with me. I rose to my feet and handed Christine her dress.

"It's extremely late," I said. "I'd be more than happy to walk you home."

"I would like that…"

I pulled up my trousers and adjusted my wig.

"Come along then, I'll walk you home. I'm sure Gustave will be waking soon."

When Christine was dressed, I walked her towards her apartment, keeping my distance.

"Would you mind if I visited you more often? I do enjoy your company…" she asked.

"I work most nights, but some company wouldn't be a bad thing."

"Perhaps you could spend some time over my apartment when I get home from work? I could make us tea, you know…I don't sleep anyway. I have trouble doing so."

"We shall see. I enjoy my privacy, Christine. I like being in my own home and at my own desk. Who knows what work I'll be landed with after tomorrow."

When we were at her door, Christine turned to me and pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"Christine," I backed away. "I said no…"

"For luck," she assured. "Luck, Erik…"

"Luck?" I questioned.

"For tomorrow with your blueprints."

I could only smile. "Luck, indeed."

Once more, she pressed a kiss to my cheek, only this time, she kissed my masked cheek.

"Christine…" I warned.

"Double luck."

"Goodnight, Christine,"

Christine smiled. "Goodnight, Erik."

The following morning, I woke extra early and dressed. Today was my meeting, and I wasn't going to be late. After placing my blueprints in a folder, I headed back towards the administration office to await my meeting. My palms sweated as I sat there waiting for Mr. Dublair to call me in. What if he hated my prints? What if he liked them? Would I be ready for this responsibility? An entire park…Oh, and entire park would be mine! I would have money, I would have work. I could even run Mr. Tilyou out of business. Yes, that was exactly what I wanted to do.

"Mister E?" I looked up to see Mr. Dublair standing before me. I stood up and shook his hand.

"I didn't expect you to come back. Usually, people don't. It's a lot of work to get done in seven days."

"I do nothing but work," I said, following him into his office. "I have nothing else to do."

"Really? Do you have any family?" he asked, taking a seat at his desk.

I took a seat as well and shook my head. "No, I'm alone."

"A single man…"

"Yes, sir. I'm not married."

"Were you ever?"

I shook my head. "No, sir…I've never been married."

"Now that strikes my curiosity…"

"What?" I questioned.

"You're not married and you don't have any children, and yet, you want to open a family park. Something's not adding up. Usually those who want to run a family park have a wife and children."

"I have a friend," I blurted out. "He's a child…We spend a lot of time with one another. He's very creative…A lover of pirates. He inspired me, sir…"

"Well, let's see what you have," the man held out his hand and I handed him the folder. I sat there nervous as anything as Mr. Dublair went through my blueprints. He was making no facial expressions as he did so. Oh, I was so nervous! What if he hated them? He didn't seem to be loving it, therefore, I knew my future was getting farther and farther away as each moment passed. When he was finished looking them over, he placed the drawings back into the folder and handed it to me.

"Well?" I questioned.

"I've never seen anything like that," he began. "Every drawing was strange. None of those contraptions are in Luna Park."

"I know," I said. "I didn't think you would want two parks with the same rides and attractions."

Finally, Mr. Dublair smiled. "Well, Mister E, I believe you have something brilliant stirring in your mind. So, with that being said, I think we should sign some forms…"

"Forms?" I questioned.

Mr. Dublair nodded. "Of course…You can't be the owner of Phantasma without permits and my signature…"

"Really?"

"Yes," he said, handing me a form and a pen. "Sign the bottom and you're the new owner of Phantasma…"

My hand shook as I signed my name…Mister E.

"Congrats, Mister E. When can you start?"

"Right away…"

And that was a promise…My new life was finally starting.

Please review! Decided to upload this before my big concernt to see Ramin Karimloo. Can't wait! I'm stoked...See you phans later.