Hi All, I'm back! I hope you all are having an awesome week! Thank you so much for the sweet reviews I love hearing from you all and it just makes me so happy to hear that so many of you are enjoying my story!
A huge shout out and thank you to newbornphanatic! Thank you so much for your review and what you said about having a flaw, I am totally taking that into consideration and I am really excited to start working on that with May so thank you so so much!
So here is chapter 14 I hope you all enjoy it. Please read and review! Thanks!(:
"Welcome back," Erik said sarcastically as they entered his lair through a hidden way May had yet to discover. "Don't worry, not much has changed since you left."
May looked up at him with an annoyed yet humored façade upon her face; she jokingly gave Erik a playful shove to make him stop his banter.
In Erik's presence now May felt slightly awkward and was unknowingly showing it. Although he apologized May was still the slightest bit angry with Erik but she did not know the reason why. She realized that she wasn't angry with him for losing his temper, and she wasn't angry at him for throwing her out of his home last night, but she was angry at him for some reason, some reason unknown and hurting.
"For future reference it is a bit safer to enter through that way instead of across the lake." He stated as he swung his cape off hanging it on a tall coat rack. May glanced at him questionably.
"Why is that?" she questioned.
"Well there are many hidden traps lain out through that way, and I wouldn't want you to get injured. How you have been avoiding them so far is a mystery to me."
"Traps!" she gasped. "What do you mean by that?" she was scared now, she didn't know the reason for having such things and how she has been avoiding them for so long.
"Traps meaning traps," he joked. "Anything to keep unwanted visitors out, there are even some in the lake." He pointed to the shimmering water that ran through his lair. May was curious and walked over to the edge of the water peering in. The water was shallow but dropped off to God knows how deep within a few feet. She was frightened. "It is just a simple safety precaution don't fret May, just for now on be sure to use the entrance I just showed you alright?" She nodded in response not turning her attention away from the flowing water.
Watching the curious girl Erik couldn't help but smile. Although Christine was a vision, May was a true sight. She was rather beautiful in Erik's eyes and he adored her bravery and wit. He loved spending time like this with May, enjoyable time where they can just be themselves and have fun with one another. Erik realized something though; May didn't seem as happy and rambunctious this evening as usual. He wondered why but didn't want to bother her with asking. He stalked towards her and stood at her side before the lake.
"So how was your day with Monsieur Oliver?" he asked with a grin. May snapped out of her staring haze and stared right into Erik's eyes.
"How did you know about that?" she probed quickly.
"Well I saw you two when you arrived back at the Opera and figured you must have been with him for most of the day… am I correct?"
May glanced at her feet hiding an embarrassed blush. "Yes you are correct Erik. I did in fact spend most of the day with Jack." She responded with an annoyed sound to her voice. Erik didn't know how to take her tone, weather she was joking or actually annoyed.
"T-that's good, I guess." He stated blankly. They both fell silent for a moment. Erik was beginning to get worried about May and why she was acting like she was.
Turning to her quickly he began to interrogate her. "Ok what's wrong May, you are not acting yourself tonight, and I don't like it at all."
May turned to face him quickly. "Erik nothing is wrong I am fine."
"No you are not I can tell you are not." There was a pause as he stared into her eyes. "Is it Jack, did he do something to upset you, did he hurt you?" he asked briskly.
"Jack did nothing wrong I am fine, please stop this Erik."
"May just tell me, please." May turned away from him and began to walk towards a small drawing table with papers scattered all over it.
"Erik nothing is wrong please stop this…" She was cut off.
"It's me isn't it?"
May froze in mid step. She stood up taller but did not dare to turn around and face Erik as he continued to speak.
"You are still mad at me, are you not?" He questioned.
Still facing away from him May took her time responding. "Yes Erik, yes it is you." She turned to face him.
"What about me, what are you mad about? May please tell me." He began walking hurriedly towards her, when he reached her he went right up next to her and watched as she fought to respond.
"I just, I, I don't know Erik, I just don't know!" She was trying to suppress a cry but it came out with her words.
"If you don't know, why are you mad?" he questioned.
"Because," she began. "Because… I just don't know." May was lost in her own sea of unknown emotions and she was quickly sinking in it as she searched for her way out.
"Is this all because of last night?"
"No, no, well maybe… no it's not." Erik was lost as he listened to the confused girl fighting to decipher her emotions. He felt terrible for her, she was obviously stressed about something and he was only making it worse.
"May, I am terribly sorry for my outburst last night you know I am, but please try to forgive me." May did not respond. "Alright," he stated sort of inwardly with a sigh. "Why don't you go sit down," he trailed off; still no response. "I'll make you some tea," he stated, and once again no response. He was beginning to get aggravated with her. "I will be right back." He responded with a huff.
May watched him as he turned swiftly and slowly made his way to what she perused was the kitchen. Finally by herself she made her way over to the couch and sat down. Thoughts were soaring in and out of her mind and she had no control over any of them. She decided to pace around a bit. Walking past the small sitting area May closely watched all the flickering fire light shining from many candles sprawled about, dance and sway as she walked by. Stopping at a small drawing table something caught her eye. It was the sketchbook from last night. Carefully picking it up she flipped slowly through the pages again and again and felt nothing but jealousy as each new picture of Christine was shown.
Setting the book gently down again she stocked her way into the room where Erik had just entered. She was right it was a kitchen, set up neatly with a sink, stove and other kitchen necessities. There was a small table in the center of everything with two chairs placed on either end of it.
Hunched over the counter pouring water from a steaming kettle into two cups was Erik. May silently watched him for a moment then stepped further into the room. Erik was completely unaware of her presence.
"You really love her don't you?" She questioned in a soft tone. Erik stopped quickly, setting the steaming kettle back down upon the stove. He stood taller now and looked as if he had grown a few inches more if that was even possible for a man of his height. He did not respond to her question so May pushed forward.
"Christine, you really love her." She stated. Without turning or moving a muscle Erik took a deep breath than responded in a light voice which May hardly recognized.
"Yes, I love her." After a short moment Erik turned to face May gazing directly into her eyes. He had a look of desperation and want upon his face, an emotion May had never witnessed Erik take on.
Keeping her eyes locked on his May slowly nodded. Breaking away from his tight gaze she turned and walked to the small table, gingerly pulling out a chair and sitting down.
Pushing aside all thoughts and emotions Erik picked up the two cups and walked to the table where May sat. He lightly placed a cup in front of her than walked to sit on the opposite side of the table.
As she examined the liquid inside the cup that had just been placed before her, May decided to question further.
"Does she know?" she asked. Erik glanced down at his hands than back up.
"Yes, I believe she does." He replied softly. May noted the change in Erik's tone and sort of found pleasure in it. He sounded a lot less tense and she could tell that although he was afraid to approach this subject, he was openly willing to discuss it with her.
"Do you mind me asking how you met?" she shyly asked.
Erik grinned lightly. "Not at all." He took in a deep breath then began to speak again. "Well just like you Christine came to the opera house at a rather young age. She was only eight and had just lost her father. I was very young at the time as well and I would watch her every night as she went and prayed to her father in the chapel. She would wish for him to send her an angel of music, and every night her plea for this angel would get greater and greater. Every night as she finished her prayer I would listen to her sing to her father. I immediately became entranced with her voice and I would hear her singing in my mind for hours, days, weeks, months. After a while I made the plan to secretly approach her and introduce myself as her angel of music so that I could teach her to become the singer she is today and so that she would not be afraid of me. As I taught her I was able to watch her as she grew musically but grew into a beautiful women and I just… I fell in love with her." He watched him closely.
When Erik spoke of Christine he had such a happy whimsical look to him that May adored. She watched how is golden eyes seemed to sparkle and his mask lifted a little to show a soft smile. He seemed to be happy, very happy and May enjoyed that. He continued to speak.
"During her lessons I would never show myself for fear that she would not accept me for who-," he stopped to correct himself, "what I am. On the opening night of Hannibal was the first time I ever approached her face to face, and it was wonderful and all but she is scared of me. The next day she did something horribly foolish and well she has been scared ever since."
Curiosity over took May for a moment. "What did she do?" Erik looked at May than peered down at his hands sheepishly. It took him a while to respond to her question.
"Well she…," he stopped.
"Erik what did she do?" she pushed on.
"Nothing, nothing, don't worry." He turned his attention away from May and glanced behind him.
"Erik please tell me what she did,"
He swung back around. "You really are a stubborn one aren't you," he stated. Sitting taller May decided to prove him right.
"Yes I am, so in that case please tell me what she did."
"She took my mask off." He said quickly, turning away in embarrassment.
May stopped. She took his mask away, she thought over and over again. Watching Erik's saddened look she finally realized that his mask must be quite important to him. She had never once seen him without it and he never talked about it until just now or only when May would question him about it. It pained her to think of the mask and the means for it, and it hurt even more when she remembered Christine stripped him of something so important to him. But why was the mask so important, what lied behind the porcelain wall.
"What is so bad about that?" she questioned innocently. Erik looked up at her with pain written in his eyes, she could almost see everything he was thinking.
"May, you have no idea."
"Try me," she stubbornly added. Erik stood quickly walking towards the counter and leaning against it as he turned back around to May.
"I am a monster. What lies beneath this mask is so hideous and disgusting, the fact that Christine didn't die after looking at my face shocks me beyond belief. I am a hideous horrible monster, May."
How could he say such a thing May thought. She could not imagine what was behind the mask but didn't believe Erik the slightest bit. He is no monster, he is beautiful mysterious man who shouldn't be feeling as hurt as he does. She stood from her chair and approached him slowly.
"Erik, you are not a monster," she assured him.
"How would you know that?"
"Because I know you and I know that you are not. You are a good kind man, and if Christine is scared of you than let her be scared. If she cannot see the wonderful man that you really are than that is her loss, but I see that man. I see that wonderful brilliant man who might argue that he has done bad but I know has done nothing but good."
She moved closer in front of him as she stared into his golden eyes. Erik was overcome with a plethora of different emotions. Hate, fear, pain, sadness, all overpowered him but he also felt happy and accepted.
Gazing at the little ballerina before him he smiled. Erik was so thankful for May and all that she has brought him. Whenever she was around he felt as if he finally had someone to trust, someone who would be there for him, and someone who would show him kindness to make up for all of the hurt he had faced in his life. For a girl so young, she is strong, he thought.
"It's amazing how a young girl, could have such an amazing heart."
A light tint of pink brushed over May's cheeks. She gazed up at the stark white mask peering down at her and then the two golden eyes piercing through the darkness of the world.
Erik smiled at her innocent blush then began to walk back towards the table. May turned to watch him.
"So that was you then who sabotaged Carlotta's performance of Think of Me?"
Erik stopped and although his back was towards her May could almost see the wicked grin upon his face.
"Yes that was indeed me." He stated confidently.
"And all along you knew that Christine would be the one to take her spot?"
"Yes." He stated plainly.
"hmmm, the angel of music works in mysterious ways doesn't he?" she sarcastically asked.
Turning around Erik was wearing the exact grin May imagined him to have, as he responded with a sarcastic response matching her question. "Why yes my dear, he does."
"May," he softly shook her, "May wake up," he shook her harder, "Open your eyes girl!" he shook her even harder one last time. Finally her eyes shot open and she quickly sat up. Quickly scanning her eyes around the room she was in she realized that she was still in Erik's lair. Looking down she saw that she was upon the sofa and a red blanket was laid across her.
Confused and slightly disorientated from sleep she smoothed out her curls and shot a sly look at Erik who was laughing at her from the end of the sofa where he sat.
"What?" she asked annoyed.
"You look so confused I find it rather humorous." He laughed again. May leaned forward giving him a playful shove. "You fell asleep last night while I was playing. Might I add that was the second time this occurred." He was speaking in a sarcastic snarky tone. "May, I know my music is not the best but I didn't realize it was that boring."
"Boring," she stated, "How can your music be in any way boring." She thought back to the lovely melodies he played for her. Each new one was beautiful and different, some had more passion than others and some were just soft lullabies. "It was beautiful and I was just very tired. I'm sorry I would have loved to listen to more."
Erik smiled at her. "No need to be sorry," he stood. "Come you must be on your way, you wouldn't want to be late for your first rehearsal."
"Oh my goodness I completely forgot!" She shot off the sofa nearly knocking Erik over.
"Whoa there blondie you still have time no need to fret." He laughed at her as she ran around confused.
"Not much time, I still need to bathe, get dressed, eat breakfast, do my hair,"
"Ok, then be on your way," May started running towards the lake where she normally ran across the wood plank and made her way out of the catacombs. "Ah, how quickly we forget," he joked. May whirled around as Erik calmly pointed to a dark door in the wall.
"Right, sorry." She ran towards the door and swung it open then turned around to Erik. "Bye Erik, thank you for the lovely evening." She turned to leave.
"Wait, you might need these." When May wasn't looking Erik grabbed the ballet shoes she had left in his lair the other night. As May turned to face him once more Erik lightly tossed the shoes in her direction.
Catching the shoes May completely forgot about, she thanked him quickly and ran up to her dorm.
Alone now Erik laughed lightly at the frantic girl as he made his way to his piano.
Yay chapter 14! Please Review! Thanks so much!(: