Chapter 13: Admittance and Heartbreak

Part Two

Claude's P.O.V

I ran. Like a coward I ran from the rooftop, from Raoul and Christine. I was just a filler for him. Until he got what he really wanted, Christine was right he could never love an American girl like me. The worst part of this entire thing was that I lost myself, while I was around him I was proper. When in the hell did I become proper? I didn't do proper, hell I even refused to wear a corset half the time!

I was still running my tears were blinding my sight, I knew I was bumping into many people and objects but I didn't care. It wasn't until I felt strong arms pull me into a dark corridor, at that moment I started to fight the stranger.

"OW!" I heard a familiar voice and stopped my attack.

"Erik?" I squinted in the darkness, I could see the faint outline of his white mask. He was holding his right hand.

"Was it really necessary to bite me Claude?" I was glaring daggers at me.

"I'm sorry… I didn't know who you were at the time, I thought you were a stranger." I hung my head down, not because I felt bad but because I didn't want him to know I was crying.

"You've failed me Claude." He said it bluntly.

"Failed you, what on earth are you taking about you loony?" I looked up at him.

"You have failed to keep the Vicomte's attention occupied." His back was turned to me now, I stared angrily into his back.

"Well I'm sorry if I'm not the seductress you painted me to be." I fighting back the tears now, even though Raoul had betrayed me I still wanted him to love me. Like I had loved him.

"That's no excuse you were meant to distract him, now he has Christine, MY Christine." He was inching closer to me.

"She is not an object Erik, as much as I hate to see her with Raoul it's who she chose and he chose her…" My voice cracked and the tears fell. Erik's eyes softened and he tried to wipe the tears away.

"Don't touch me… just don't." Erik's hand recoiled, I couldn't tell if he was pissed or if he was actually pitying me. With a quick motion and a turn of his cape he left me to be alone and wallow in my self-pity

Erik's P.O.V

"Don't touch me… just don't." The pain in Claude's eyes were all too familiar, she was heartbroken. I had to use her, for the greater good of my being it was selfish of me but I can't live without my Christine. Then why did I feel so damn guilty! I would lie if I said I didn't care for her, she was one of my first real friends after all. However, she wanted to be left alone so the only thing I could do was leave.

But there was something more there, I was starting to have feelings for this woman. They weren't strong enough to stifle my feelings for Christine but they were there.

"My niece is in a great deal of pain because of you, the opera is in panic also." The Matriarch Giry's voice sliced through the silent air.

"She knew the terms, it is not my fault that dim-witted girl allowed herself to fall in love with that Fop." I was in no mood for one of Giry's Lectures.

"That's where you're wrong, you are a very intelligent man but you underestimate Claudine she is not a "dim-witted girl" she's a very modern woman." I remained silent.

"The Vicomte had some effect on her, she was acting like a different person I have no doubts that she loved him or was beginning to love him. However, you sending her into the arms of a man that was never hers was awful of you." I snapped my head towards her.

"Awful of me?" Madame Giry nodded her head.

"We both know that the Vicomte would have never allowed himself to become involved full heartedly with Claudine, she has no title, hardly any money to her name, and this country is foreign to her." Madame Giry squared her shoulders and stood straight.

"You forget your place Madame." I slowly turned to face her.

"You forget my kindness all those years ago and currently, Monsieur with anything else I would stand aside silently but when it comes to my niece I cannot simply do that. I love my niece as I love my own child and I will intervene to protect her. She is a broken woman now, this is all your doing and if you value your friendship with her you will do what you can to fix this." With that she turned gracefully on her heel and left me to think.

Claude's P.O.V

I slowly made my way back to Erik's lair, my body and mind alike were numb I had no more tears to shed. My sadness was now replaced by a deep depression, yes it had only been about five and half months but I invested too much of my feelings into this relationship. Relationship. It wasn't even that to begin with, just as Raoul wasn't mine to begin with. I wasn't angry with Raoul… okay maybe I was but I was angrier with Erik for subjecting me to this. Not to mention that he put my life on the line had I not cooperated.

I found my way through the catacombs and looked at the dark murky lake below me. Looking around I shrugged, I could use a swim. Still looking around I slowly removed my dress and undergarments, and walked towards the water. Dipping my toe in the water I shivered, it was freezing but it was just what I needed. I jumped into the water and welcomed the freezing waters there was something calming about the cold water… when I wasn't drowning in it that is.

I resurfaced and stood in the water it felt amazing I stayed like that in the water until I heard a shuffle. Snapping my head to the source of the sound I instinctively covered myself. There standing before me was Erik covering his mouth in utter embarrassment.

"ERIK! OH GOD LORD WHAT THE HELL?" I dunked my body into the water and glared at him.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHAT THE HELL? THIS IS MY HOME! HOW WAS SUPPOSED TO KNOW YOU WERE GOING PARADE AROUND MY HOME… IN THE NUDE" I stared at him, the water was starting to get unbearably cold.

"Can you just… turn around… so I can get my clothes…?" For the hundredth time in a row my face was red and I was completely horrified. I was one thing for him to see me in my nightgown but now he's seen me in all my glory. He turned around and tried to busy himself by inspecting the cobblestone floor. I started to dress myself as I looked over at him while her fumbled with his hands nervously while grumbling incoherent words under his breath. I chuckled softly, Erik reminded me in many ways of a child.

"Are you finished yet?" He was growing impatient with me.

"Almost but I can't button my dress all the way." Reaching for the buttons behind my dress was a difficult task for me sometimes.

"How did you manage to dress yourself then?" I smiled.

"A miracle or perhaps divine intervention had something to do with it." I let out an defeated sigh as I threw my arms down to my

"Would you like some help?" His voice was soft and quiet.

"Some help would be greatly appreciated." I looked at him as he turned around.

"Aren't you embarrassed?" He walked towards me his face was a light pink.

"This is juvenile given the circumstances, don't you think?" I was giggling as I said that.

"Just shut up and let me button this." He started at my lower waist buttoning each slowly. My breath hitched his fingers were delicate, though gloved I imagined they were soft with a slight calluses. His hands skillfully made their way up my back to my neck were they stopped momentarily. He moved a lock of my hair to expose my neck where his index finger lingered momentarily.

"There, all finished." Yet again his voice was soft and quiet. The silence only grew between us as I turned to face him.

"Well we should head inside, I'll start on dinner." I moved away from him and walked over to the boat.

"Dinner? Isn't it a bit late for dinner?" He looked at me with a confused look.

"Then early breakfast, either way I'm hungry and I'm eating and nothing is gonna stop me." With a chuckle he walked towards the boat.

"As you wish." With that we were started towards home.

Alright guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, sorry that I've been MIA I had surgery on the 15th so I was recovering, also I saw the perfect chance to take a break so I did. I missed writing so much and now I have my pain managed and I'm feeling much better I can get right to it again! Don't forget to review and remember stay awesome!

-Kara