Chapter 10: May the Best Woman win.
Erik's P.O.V
I watched Claudine as she started to scrub away at the filth and grim that coated the dishes. Her eyes were concentrated on a bowl that she was holding, it looked like she was inspecting it.
"What are you doing?" My curiosity had gotten the better of me.
"I'm making sure this is spotless, I like to have things around me clean it's a weird tick of mine." She stated that like it was the most normal thing in the world. A small smirk formed on my lips
"So in other words you're a clean freak?" Her eyes snapped away from the bowl and they bore into me.
"No! Just because I prefer to have everything around me spotless and shining doesn't mean I'm a clean freak." She set the bowl down and went to work on the next dish.
"Are you sure, it may seem you have a compulsive cleaning disorder I mean you practically cleaned the kitchen to the point where I can eat off the floor." She looked at me again.
"I can't work in a filthy environment, I can' concentrate unless it's clutter-free." I looked at her. She was such a strange woman.
"I guess that makes sense I guess, but why is it that way?" Damn my curiosity.
"I don't know, I guess it's because my father usually kept everything tidy and in a way I feel close to him when I keep everything clean as well." She looked down at her hands, I didn't know what to say. We just stared at each other and the room grew silent.
"I'm sorry it's silly I know but it's just how I cope I guess." She set the last of the dishes down and smiled.
"I'll see you in the morning Erik, goodnight." With that she left the kitchen and made her way to her quarters. I stood in the middle of the kitchen, never in my life had anything ever been so clean. Smiling to myself I walked out of the kitchen and looked towards her room, she certainly was an interesting woman.
Claude's P.O.V
I couldn't sleep the night before, you see I was in quite the predicament. I was starting to have feelings for Erik, the man who nearly murdered me. But at the same time I knew it wasn't a smart idea to get romantically involved with a man who was so mentally unstable. Besides he's obviously obsessed with this Christine character. But yet I still felt so drawn to him, he and I were the same in a way despite the murdering.
But then there was Raoul, he was the perfect gentleman the complete opposite of Erik. But at the same time he seemed too invested in himself he spent more time on the latest fashion trend than managing the Opera house. That was a bit foolish of him, but those chocolate brown eyes! I pulled the pillow next to me over my head and let out a frustrating groan, why was I so confused over two men? Removing the pillow I stared into the darkness of my room, I had to keep my mind straight. I can't allow myself to get side tracked by some romance between two men that I hardly know. My eyes started to feel heavy, yawning I closed my eyes and settled in for the night. I floated off to a dreamless sleep.
The morning came quickly and everything went by routinely. Not one word was spoken at breakfast until the point where I excused myself to return to the surface. Upon my arrival the opera house was not its usual busy self. Instead it was a somber environment where many of the people lazily walked around.
"Claudine!" I turned to see Meg rushing to me. She engulfed me into one of her bone crushing hugs.
"Where have you been? My mother says you've been exploring France, that you've even gotten your own apartment somewhere in the city." I raised my eyebrows in surprise, Meg doesn't know that I've been trapped with Erik?
"Yes, I have been exploring more and you know what they say alone time and some quiet time improves the mind." I laughed nervously her blue eyes looked into my violet one suspiciously.
"Anyways, I have a friend of mine that I would like you to meet!" With that being said she dragged me off to the sage where a group of ballerinas were chatting idly.
"Christine, this is my cousin Claudine!" A slim brunette turned toward Meg and I she was absolutely stunning. Her long chocolate curls hung down to her waist and she had a childlike innocence about her. No wonder Erik loves her. I could instantly feel a strong sense of jealousy rising from the pit of my stomach.
"Hello Claudine." Her soft voice broke through the strong silence between us, she smiled and waved.
"Oh… hello." I smiled back, this girl was ridiculously feminine she reminded me of a damsel in distress.
"So Claude, tell me, did I see you and the Vicomte chatting yesterday?" Meg turned to me and smiled devilishly.
"Oh you mean Raoul? Yes we were talking, he saved me actually a sand bag nearly hit me and he pushed me out of the way." I shrugged my shoulders as Meg squealed.
"You two make the most handsome couple! Don't you agree Christine?" Meg then turned to her friend whose lips were now pursed closely together. She was glaring at me and obviously wanted to say something but I didn't give her the chance to.
"A couple? Meg that's preposterous we only met yesterday were just acquaintances. Though he did ask me to join him for lunch later today." I smiled a fake smile to Christine who looked like she was about to burst.
"That sounds so romantic!" Meg clasped her hands to her chest and sighed. Soon after that she peered over my shoulder.
"Excuse me, my mother is calling me over to her." She brushed past Christine and I leaving us alone. The silence between us only lasted a few moments.
"So Christine, how long have you been a dancer?" I didn't really care I just couldn't stand the silence anymore.
"Since I can remember." She stated sharply, I raised my eyebrow at her.
"So you know Raoul?" She looked at me her eyes didn't contain the same innocence they did before. It was now replaced by jealousy and hatred.
"Why yes, but as stated before were only acquaintances." She smirked at that.
"Well, I've known him my whole life we were childhood friends…. Sweethearts even." She smiled at me smugly.
"Oh, well if you two were so close then why is he taking me, an acquaintance, to lunch and not his former sweetheart?" It was my turn to smile smugly. Her face turned red as she glared at me silently.
"Careful Christie we wouldn't want that pretty little face to wrinkle now do we?" I chuckled lightly, if looks could kill I'd be six feet under by now.
"He will never fall for a girl like you. Let alone an American girl." I chuckled loudly at this.
"Oh sweetheart, you're right a girl like me could never win his heart but you're mistake I am a woman. I have far more experience with romance than you ever will. The difference between you and I is that I am mature enough to know how to deal with a rival. But you however, have lowered your standards to the point where you question my womanhood. That my dear, is in poor taste, ungraceful, and very childish of you." I looked her dead in her brown eyes, she cowered a bit and remained silent.
I continued on. "However, I am an honorable woman and I will allow you to try and win his affections if you believe you can." I leaned close to her and whispered in her ear.
"May the best woman win."
Alright guys there's chapter 10 for ya! I'm sorry I've been MIA I have been a bit busy with work and other various things. Also my updating may slow a bit in the next few weeks. I have a surgery coming up soon so I don't know how much writing I will want to do but rest assured it will get done sooner rather than later. Don't forget to Review! I appreciate any feedback you guys may have, in fact it motivates me to write more after I read them soooo you know... hint hint. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
-Kara