Chapter 12: Think Before Speak

Meg didn't know what to say. What could she say? There was only two options. Well, three, actually; if you counted running away an action. She could tell him that she got frightened because she didn't know anything outside of the Opera, but that was a lie. Sort of, anyway.

She finally decided to tell him the truth. "Because…"

.. … … … … … … … .. …

Erik was considering dragging Meg down to his lair and making her tell him when she looked at him straight in the eye. He stepped back, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"Because…"

Erik resisted the urge to roll his eyes. " 'Because' is not an answer, Madamoiselle Meg Giry and you know it!"

Meg narrowed her eyes and took a step forward, resulting in sending Erik back a few steps. "Let me finish!"

Erik sighed and motioned with his hand for her to go on.

"Because I love you."

Erik's eyes widened in surprise and he stumbled against the cool, slightly damp tunnel wall. There was no way Meg could have said what he had just heard. Surely it was just his imagination. No woman had ever loved him: his own mother refused to let herself love him. Christine only agreed to marry him out of pity, not love. Why would Meg torture him like this? Didn't she know the pain he had gone through his whole life? The torment, the cruel jokes.

"No woman would ever love you!"

The sentence, so cruelly tossed at him; a poor boy of 12, as he lay helpless on the ground, rang through his head. Suddenly he gave in to the anger stirring up within him like a tornado.

He straightened up so fast he was sure that Meg had no idea what was coming.

… … … … … … … .. … …

Meg felt herself being thrown against the wall for the second time that day. I really need to start thinking before I speak, or my back is going to end up with scars criss-crossing it from being shoved against the wall, she thought dryly.

Erik was in her face, his voice low and dangerous, and he spoke with so much venom in his voice that Meg struggled to not shiver from just the anger evident in it.

"Don't you DARE torture me in this way, Meg Giry!"

Meg winced as she was forced even harder against the wall, and looked into Erik's eyes pleadingly. She was about to speak when she stopped and just looked into his eyes.

Tons of different emotions were swirling in his enchanting blue-green eyes that it took Meg a minute to identify them. Fury and Helplessness were only a couple. The most prominent, however, took Meg's breath away.

Beyond the fury and other flurry of emotions, Meg saw hurt.

Of course! Everything Erik knew was lies! Lies, lies, lies, and more lies. His whole life was filled with nothing more than lies and betrayal!

First, his mother. Meg didn't know everything about the infamous Phantom of the Opera, but having her mother being his messenger certainly helped things. Ever since Meg had learned that her mother had been helping the Phantom for years, she tortured poor Madame Giry until her curiosity was satisfied.

Second, the Gypsies definitely had not been kind to him: this Meg knew for sure. After all, her mother had to tell her that she had rescued him from that hideous web of… lies.

Third, the Shah of Persia was not known for his kindness and gentleness to those that worked for him. Madame Giry had described the Persian King calling Erik the "Angel of Death," and the "Angel of Trapdoors."

Making people die had been Erik's specialty. And if he didn't do it just the way the Shah had wanted it, then he was beaten. Meg's mother said that the Shah's perfect way of introducing a punishment to Erik had been something about he had a present for Erik.

So all of Erik's life had been filled with lies. It was no wonder that he didn't trust what Meg was trying to tell him now.

And of course she couldn't forget the biggest lie of all: Christine.

Christine had thought of Erik as her "Angel of Music," which was quite understandable. After all, he had led her on and given her singing lessons through the walls in the Opera's Chapel. Meg was almost positive there was a secret tunnel that led down there.

And then when Christine had learned that her "Angel of Music" was actually the Phantom of the Opera, Meg knew that she had been intrigued. Though, she never learned what exactly went on beneath the Opera when Christine had gone down there with Erik. All she knew was that Christine had come back, her eyes had tears streaming out of them, and she was begging to be left alone. No doubt Erik's temper had gotten out of it's cage (that didn't seem to work too well), and had nearly gave her a heart attack. After all, he tended to throw people against walls rather than ask questions!

And Erik had let himself believe that Christine had been in love with him: this she knew for certain. Her mother had told her all about how his hopes were smashed that snowy night on the rooftop where he had overheard the love song between Raoul and Christine.

Then when it all came down to the Final Decision, Christine had begged for Raoul's life; probably making Erik more angry than he already was. It's one thing to know that one hates you and to feel it.

Finally Meg opened her mouth to speak, Erik still pushing her against the wall and glaring at her angrily.

"Whatever comes out of your mouth," he snarled, his eyes narrowing for emphasis (or maybe he was just really angry, either way). "had better be the truth, and not some fabled fairy-tale to send my hopes flying only to come crashing down yet again. I've been hurt enough in my life. I don't need this: not now."

Meg struggled to keep herself from crying as Erik's voice broke during his plea for his heart not to be broken once more.

There were no more words left in Meg's mouth now. No, she did the only thing she knew to make him understand clearly.

She kissed him.

AN: Awwwww! I knew this would finally come! And not just because I'm the authoress either, though that might help a tad bit. :) What do you think? Were you expecting that?

Thank you all for your lightning-speed reviews on the last chapter! I have the best readers ever! It made me want to update sooner but I told myself that you all needed time to prepare yourself for this chapter.

Also, I am flying to Arizona today and will be staying for the rest of the month. I don't know if I will be near a laptop or computer, so I may not be updating at all until I get back home. I will try my nest though.

((REVIEW plllleeeassse.))