Hi everyone, I'm going to cut my little talking thingy here short but I just want to say thank you for the reviews and the last chapter was really Jack and May heavy because pretty soon we'll be seeing a lot of May and Erik. Oh and an old friend returns too! Haha
OK here is chapter 16, please review and I hope you all enjoy!
"For God's sake just take it."
"No I am not going to take it," May pushed the glass of the strange smelling dark liquid towards Erik who angrily sat at the opposite end of the table.
"May, you need to take it." He pushed it back at her
"No I do not." She pushed it back
"Yes you do, you need to get better for tomorrow, now take it!" he exclaimed as the glass was shoved back towards the girl.
"Erik I am not going to take it!" giving the glass one last push Erik captured it in his large hands and stood annoyed.
"Maygen Daily you will take this medicine even if I have to pin you to the floor and force it down your throat!" He bellowed. Frankly irritated and rather amused May stood and decided to test him.
"Well that would be quite the experience, wouldn't it!" she responded with a cocky tone. Erik glared at the girl who playfully glared back.
The morning prior May had woken up at the Oliver mansion with a horrible sore throat and a splitting headache. Once returning back to the opera house May had no time to rest due to numerous rehearsals preparing for opening night. Her voice was raspy and horse and she was beyond the point of exhaustion and need to rest. Standing now in the kitchen within Erik's lair, Erik was trying as hard as he could to get the persistent girl to take medicine to help her, but no matter what he did, the stubborn ballerina would not take it.
"You are testing my patience you insolent girl." May didn't budge she still stood and glared at Erik. "If you don't want to get better that is completely fine by me, but do not be surprised if there is already an understudy lined up to take your place tomorrow."
May glared at him skeptically. "What are you saying?"
"All I am saying is that if you do not get better by tomorrow, someone else might be going on in your spot." May still gave him a suspicious look, "Another dancer perhaps," he paused watching May, "A certain Giselle maybe," Staring back at the girl Erik could tell he had finally cracked her. He knew how much May detested the girl, but he also knew there was no way she or anybody could replace May.
"Fine I will take it!" she hollered as she took the glass form Erik, who smiled with satisfaction.
"Stubborn child," he mocked under his breath with a cocky grin upon his lips.
"I heard that," May yelled back.
"Good!" there banter was as childish as could be but neither of them seemed to be bothered by it.
May stood and stared into the glass of dark liquid, it smelled revolting making her stomach turn. Glancing up at Erik who was closely watching her, she knew there was no way out of taking the medicine. Sitting back down in her seat fearful and annoyed May glanced back and forth from the glass with the medicine to another glass on the table. The clear cup was filled with water, crystal clear, water that would inevitably be her savoir from the horrible taste waiting for her. All she had to do was take a large gulp of water directly after taking the medicine and she would be fine.
Watching her closely Erik could tell that she was plotting a way out. Growing impatient and aggravated he sat back down in his seat. "Just take it already girl!" May shot him a mean glance that made a pleasant grin appear on his lips.
Mustering up all of her courage and taking a large breath, May quickly brought the glass to her lips and poured the liquid into her mouth. At first she tasted nothing but in a matter of seconds the taste was practically unbearable. Her face twisted into a disgusted appearance from the horridly pungent taste of the dark content inside her mouth. Surprising a gag she quickly lunged forward to grab the water but Erik's hand quickly came down on top of hers. Throwing her other hand forward, Erik blocked her reach again.
Pinning the girl's arms tightly down against the table Erik spoke sarcastically in a tone making May seem like a small child. "There will be no water for you until you show me it is all gone."
Disgusted and annoyed May tried to protest but could not speak due to the medicine inside her mouth which she did not dare swallow. All that came out of the girl were a few pathetic cries.
Erik was trying as hard as he could not to laugh at the pitiful girl. "May just swallow it already," the stubborn girl before him shook her head childishly as she looked on the brink of tears. "Do it!" he commanded loudly.
May did as told and choked the medicine down her throat with a pained look to her. As soon as it was all gone she let out a loud cry of disgust. Trying to pull her hands out from under Erik's grip she yelled. "Erik get off of me!" with that he Erik let go of his hold and May flew for the water chugging it down, then running to the sink to spit out any of the horrible taste left in her mouth.
Trying as hard as possible not to laugh at her ridiculousness Erik sat and watched with a contently wicked grin as the girl hung over the sink spitting and coughing. As May finally composed herself and turned to face him, Erik gave her a questionable look. "How was it?" he asked jokingly. May gave him an evil look and Erik finally let out his laughter.
Although she was angry and disgusted at the moment, May loved to hear Erik laugh. His laugh was so rich and deep and musical in every way. Whenever Erik laughed his haunting façade of the Opera Ghost disappeared and May witnessed the true man behind the mask.
"You are not funny," she scoffed.
"I'm not," he stood and strode over to her, "But you are." He gave a laugh. "Was it really that bad?"
"That bad, Erik it was horrible. Please don't ever make me take that again."
Shaking his head and laughing softly Erik turned from the girl back to the table where he picked up the now empty glass and brought it to the sink. May watched him for a while as she tried not to focused on the horrible taste lingering on her tongue.
"So how was your evening with Monsieur Oliver?" Erik questioned as he turned and walked out of the kitchen. May kept at a close distance behind him.
"It was lovely, his family is very nice and welcoming." She stated.
"Really,"
"Yes. His sister has an adorable daughter named Maggie; she seemed to really enjoy me."
"That's good." Erik was rummaging through scattered sheet music atop his piano.
"Yes very." May stood at the side of the piano watching Erik as he sifted through the papers putting them in different piles. Suddenly May remembered something; she decided to tell Erik playfully. "So, do you remember that question you asked me the other night?" she asked.
"Well that depends, which one?"
"The one about Jack and I being suitors." She stated
"Ah yes I vaguely remember," Erik barely looked up from his papers. May was the slightest bit annoyed by the fact that he didn't seem to care much.
"Well," she stated slowly. "What would you say if the answer was yes?"
Erik froze. He was shocked. Slowly looking at the girl he saw a light blush upon her cheeks as she nervously bit her bottom lip. She actually has a suitor, he thought, oh god, what is she getting herself into. Staggering on his words Erik truly didn't know how to respond.
"W-what would I say," he asked. "Well I guess I would say… uh good for you." That's all he could think of. Erik knew of Jack and he was not particularly fond of the boy. Jack was wealthy, outgoing, and handsome; all of the things Erik wished he could be. When he thought of Jack he immediately thought of the Vicomte; just another rich jerk who loved to flaunt their wealth and beauty. Erik cared for May deeply and didn't want to see her get hurt by a man such as Jack.
"Good for you?" she asked reiterating his statement. "That's all; you have nothing else to say?" she was confused. She thought he would have more to say of the matter or at least seem the smallest bit happy for her.
"Well… uh are you happy?" he asked.
"Happy?"
"Are you happy being his suitor, are you sure this is truly what you want." Erik was trying to make her look deeper into the situation. May took Erik's words in and thought about it for a moment. She hesitated responding as she looked for the proper words to say.
"Yes I am happy, I am more than happy. And yes this is what I want; why do you seem so upset with this Erik?"
"Upset, May I am not upset. I just want to make sure that you are aware of what you are getting yourself into."
May looked at him cautiously, "What do you mean by that?"
Trying to find the right words, Erik looked down and sighed. "All I mean is that are you truly ready to be in a relationship like this. Is Jack truly what you want?"
Slightly irritated May thought quickly about everything. "Erik, this is what I want; please believe me. Why are you so worried about me?"
"I'm just concerned for you that is all." He turned and began to walk away from her.
Quickly May followed close behind him. "Concerned about what?" she asked.
With his back to the girl he kept walking trying to stay a good distance away from her. "Concerned about you getting hurt." He stated plainly.
May stopped. "Getting hurt, what do you mean by that?"
Erik quickly spun around. "My, you are full of questions today aren't you?" he responded sarcastically. He turned and strode over to May quickly.
"Erik just answer me." She was annoyed by his persistence.
"May listen, you are young, you are so young, I don't want to see you rush into something so quickly and inevitably end up with a broken heart. I know what it feels like to have a broken heart and trust me when I say it is not pleasant." He stared at May intensely as his feelings finally came out. "You are such a good person with such an innocent soul; I don't want to see you hurt in any way."
Staring back into Erik's mesmerizing golden eyes, May was touched by what he said. She realized that Erik really cared for her and it made her feel loved. Looking back on his words she was confused by his statement of having a broken heart. Never taking into consideration of all the women Erik must have been with in his life, May began to feel jealous. Erik was very tall, and skinny, but beautifully built and besides the mask, he was a very handsome man, he must have been someone's suitor before. May thought of the women he might have been with; they all must have been beautiful and wealthy, with the best clothing and finest jewelry, everything May could never be. She then thought of Christine. She was everything Erik might want in a girl and more, more importantly she had everything May never could have. May could never be the prima donna that Christine is, she could never have as many friends or fans as she has, and she could never have the love of one man in particular that she has. No matter how hard she tried May could never be like Christine and nothing could change that.
Pushing her ridiculous thoughts away May moved closer towards Erik gazing at him with the shyest hint of a smile upon her pink lips. "Erik thank you for watching out for me but I am old enough now to know what I want, and I know I want this. I care for Jack and I know he cares for me and he won't let anything happen to me, just like I know you wouldn't."
Searching her eyes intently, Erik felt reassured. He knew that he had to trust the girl. She was smart and very headstrong, if she wanted this than he had to trust her choice and be there for her. "You are right." He stated. "I would never let anything hurt you, and if you are sure this is what you want then I am happy for you May."
Smiling brightly and having a burst of thankfulness rush through her May lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Erik. Not used to physical contact such as this Erik stiffened and shook slightly, afraid to embrace the girl back.
"Thank you Erik." She whispered against his warm chest. Pulling away from him she gazed up back into his cat like eyes.
Recovering from his state of awkward stiffness, Erik decided to lighten the mood and play with May. "So you know eventually he will probably want to kiss you." He joked.
A sudden blush swept over May's cheeks as she looked at her feet biting her lip trying to hide her smile. Erik's expression changed in a split second. He stared at her in disbelief. "Stop." He said surprised.
May glanced at him with a pathetic look. Erik couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"You did not." He stated in disbelief again.
May spoke up quickly trying to calm him. "I didn't," she paused. Erik gave a sigh of relief to soon. May sheepishly looked at her feet again. "But he did."
Erik threw his hands up humorously. "Maygen Daily you dog!" he yelled. May laughed at his ridiculousness and then let out a cough.
"I did not intend on it happening, it just kind of did."
"Nothing just kind of does." Erik was finding humor in the situation even though very deep down inside he was feeling jealousy towards Jack.
"Well this did." She responded. Erik gave her a ridiculous look.
"What could that possibly mean?"
"Well I don't know. He took me outside after dinner and he seemed stressed out about something his father had said. I eventually calmed him down and then he just ended up kissing me I guess."
"You guess?"
"Yes, and then he began babbling about how wrong it was and the only way I was able to get him to stop was by… well kissing him." She enjoyed telling the story and remembering everything that happened. She could still feel his soft lips upon hers and the cold chill that shot up her spine as he caressed her face.
"I am surprised by you, and here I thought you were this innocent little ballerina. Obviously I was wrong."
May gave him a playful shove. Erik shot her a sly smirk and turned to walk back to the piano. Reminiscing on the events of the prior evening May turned and slowly followed Erik as she spoke in a dreamy sort of voice.
"Oh Erik, it was so lovely. My first kiss; oh and then it began to snow! Everything was so beautiful." Erik watched as the daydreaming girl approached the piano and leaned upon it gazing at him.
Pondering something for quite some time May decided to ask a daring question. "Erik, have you ever kissed someone?"
Shocked by her question, Erik thought deeply. Truthfully he had never kissed a woman. In the couple of years living in Persia, women would be offered to him on a regular basis but he would never dare to set a finger upon even one of them. Growing up he was deprived of the simplest of kisses from his mother. Never had he given a kiss, or never had he even received one. Oh the countless nights he had spent dreaming of what it would feel like to have the pleasure of a woman's lips upon his. For years he has been dreaming of the moment when he could finally receive a kiss, but unfortunately he knew that that moment might never come.
He knew that he could not confide this to May. No matter how much he trusted the girl he knew she would not understand.
"I have." He lied.
"Oh isn't it wonderful!" she stated.
"Yes, now then-," before he could change the subject May cut in again.
"Have you kissed Christine?" the question came out almost too quickly and instantly May regretted it. In her mind was screaming at him to say no but in her heart she knew that it was possible.
Erik stiffened. He was shocked by the question, and had no idea how to respond. Of course he has dreamed of the moment when he could finally lay his lips upon Christine's and she would feel no horror or disgust towards him, but he knew that it might never happen.
Looking from May to the floor, Erik let out a small sigh.
"N-no I have never kissed her." He gazed up avoiding May's eyes, looking into the distance. "But oh how I would like to."
Erik thought of her for a moment. Long brown curls flowing down her back, her dark brown eyes boring directly into his, the light blush painting her cheeks, and her soft pink lips; the soft pink lips that would loving be laid upon his with gratitude and pleasure, no disgust or hatred. Christine was an angel to him in every way. Then May shot into his mind. The two girls were so different from each other yet so alike. There was no doubt in Erik saying that May was beautiful, deep down inside he was truly jealous towards Jack for suiting such a stunning girl like May. Every time she was around he felt safe and loved. He knew that May cared for him and he loved knowing that. Ever since the first day the girl had entered his lair, he knew there was something special about her. He thought back on that particular day remembering how she called him nice, and how she accidentally left her broken satchel with him. She seemed scared but so brave and excited at the same time. For the first time in a long time a girl wasn't terrified of him and he wasn't scared of her. He was so thankful for having May in his life, and for having such a wonderful friend like her.
May scanned his face as he peered in a different direction. She could almost feel what he was thinking. She decided to inquire further. Walking slowly she went and sat quietly beside Erik upon the piano bench. She stared at him longingly as he thought.
"Does she know that?" she asked softly.
Hearing her question Erik quickly snapped out of his dreamlike stare and returned his attention to the girl beside him.
"No, she must never know." He said sternly.
"Well why not?" May questioned.
"Because May," he paused. His voice seemed broken and different. "She is terrified of me and if she were to ever know that would make her even more scared then she already is, and there is no way I could possibly risk losing her. I have already essentially lost her."
May watched him as he spoke. He seemed upset and angry. He sat now with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.
"Lost her, what do you mean?" she asked innocently.
Erik shot up quickly frightening the girl. "To the dam Vicomte!" he exclaimed.
May remembered hearing of the Vicomte and thinking back she realized that's who Christine was in love with.
"Oh" was the only thing she could say.
"She is so in love with this obscene man and he is so in love with her. It is ridiculous, Raoul De Chagny is a complete dolt, she has no idea." He was so angry he didn't know what to do.
May stood. "Well what has he done to you?"
"He stole Christine away!" he shouted. May stepped back in fear and shock. Erik watched her do so and tried to calm himself down. "J-just she used to be mine, completely mine, and then that boy came along and with one glance she was his, and from that point on it was poor unhappy Erik." May was saddened by his words. "I have been trying so hard to get her away from him but nothing is working, nothing." He paused. "I am also trying to get her exposed to the world and that too is not working."
"What do you mean?" May asked.
"I have sent numerous notes to the managers about how this opera is supposed to be run. I strictly told them that Christine is supposed to be playing the Countess not the pageboy, but have they listened?" he asked rhetorically. "They know that if that does not happen they are in for a disaster beyond their imagination." His voice changed from the lovely tenor sound, to a dark scary tone. His inner phantom was brought out and May didn't like it.
"You wouldn't," she stated with shock.
"Try me." He shot back. May was scared; she knew of the wrath of the Phantom of the Opera and didn't want to witness it again.
"Erik, you would seriously put all of us in danger just for something as ridiculous as that?"
"Not all of you," he replied swiftly. "Only some."
He stared at May with a wicked grin. She was truly scared.
"Erik this is crazy-," he cut her off
"I believe Mademoiselle that it is past your bedtime. You need your rest, tomorrow is a big day for you."
"Erik I-," she was cut off again as Erik pushed her towards the door.
"Goodnight Miss. Daily I will surely be seeing you tomorrow." He quickly lead her into the door way.
"Erik-," she tried to argue back but he shut the door on her leaving her in the complete darkness of the catacombs.
,,,
No matter how hard she tried she kept ending up on the wooden floor beneath her. Practicing and practicing May simply couldn't do it. All she had to do was finish the ballet with a simple spin; although it was simple to her to the audience it looked extremely difficult. Her feet were too sore and half way through she would end up letting out a loud cough, throwing off the rest of the spin, inevitably making her fall and land on the ground.
Opening night of Il Muto was tonight and everybody was in an uproar of excitement and anticipation; all besides May. The night prior she got hardly any sleep due to constant coughing, a horrible sore throat, and absurd dizziness. She felt horrible from head to toe but there was no way she would not perform.
Her servant girl dress which she was now wearing, felt extremely heavy and hot against her cold skin. The dress was beautiful but over the top extravagant all clad in different fabrics and patterns of different pinks, greens, yellows, and blues. The skirts fell a little bit above her ankles revealing her pointe shoes which she was not to wear until the ballet. The top of the dress fell low revealing her collar bone and ending at the tops of her breasts; the sleeves of the dress went to her elbows then cascaded out in a plethora of different lacey fabrics and materials. Her hair was pinned partially back with a bow, and she was to eventually wear a large white bonnet but for now it laid in her dressing room. Luckily for May she did not have to wear any of the ridiculous and crazy make up the rest of the ensemble did only because she had to quickly change for the ballet. She was very thankful for that.
As she practiced by herself in the empty hallway just outside her dressing room, her nerves were getting the better of her. She was very scared to perform. She was terrified to sing in front of a large audience for the first time and she was so scared to see what all the ballerina's would have to say about her performance. She was also scared about what Erik might do if Christine went on to perform as the pageboy. She knew that there was no way he would put her in any type of danger but she was still scared to find out what would happen.
As she coughed her way through her routine, May was unaware that someone was watching. She was prepping for her final spin when all of a sudden someone caught her from behind. Giving a small gasp and quickly turning she was met with warm blue eyes and a happy smile. It was Jack.
"Jack!" she exclaimed as she wrapped her arms happily around the boy. He embraced her back tightly and was so happy to see her.
"Oh May!" he said into her hair as he hugged her. Pulling away Jack looked over the girl and was taken aback by her beauty in her costume. "May you look so beautiful."
She smiled at him and before she could respond a loud cough escaped her lungs. She turned away but Jack lightly grabbed her arms. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Composing herself May looked back up at him. "Yes I'm alright, thank you. I'm just not feeling well."
Jack scanned her face she looked very pale to him. Reaching forward he gently set the back of his hand to her forehead. "May you're burning up,"
"Jack I am alright really." She lightly removed his hand from her forehead. They stood and gazed at each other again, both not knowing what to do. Jack looked extremely handsome as usual, all dressed up in a lovely tux with his disheveled hair and striking smile. Not knowing what to do May hugged him tightly again.
Jack loved having May in his arms, he loved to smell her lovely rose like fragrance and he loved to feel her soft curls against his neck. He lightly ran a hand through her hair admiring the softness of her golden locks.
They pulled away smiling at each other. Jack gently caressed her face.
"So are you ready to perform." He asked.
May glanced at him for a long moment not knowing how to respond.
"I guess so; I am just kind of scared."
"Scared?" he asked. "How could you be scared?"
"Well this is my first time singing in front of an audience so that is rather nerving and no matter what I do I cannot get my ballet part right."
"Well it looked perfect to me." He said with a smile. May grinned back.
"Thank you. I'm just really nervous." Jack moved an inch closer
"Don't be, you have nothing to be scared of." He stroked his thumb under her eye. "Just think, I will be right out there watching you and if anything goes wrong I can be at your side in a split second." May gave him a loving smile. "You will be amazing trust me." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you Jack." She said with a smile. Performers were beginning to fill the hallways running back in forth from the stage to their dressing rooms. Suddenly an older gentleman walking towards the two stopped when he saw the girl.
"Mademoiselle Daily?" he questioned. Turning around to see who was calling her name, May was greeted by non-other than Nadir Kahn.
"Mr. Kahn!" she announced. The man approached her with a warm smile.
"Well long time no see. How have you been?" he asked
"I have been well thank you, how about you?"
"I am also well,"
May glanced up at Jack quickly. "Oh Jack this is Nadir Kahn, Mr. Kahn this is Jack Oliver."
"Pleasure to meet you Monsieur Oliver."
"You as well Mr. Kahn." They quickly shook hands. Jack glanced at May quickly then back to Nadir. "Well I shall leave you two to talk." He turned to May, "Good luck darling I will see you after, and remember I will be right out there."
"Thank you Jack." She gave him a warm smile. He gave a smile back and a light nod to Nadir before leaving.
Nadir was watching May as she spoke to Jack; something about her seemed different to him. She looked extremely pale and he noticed her voice was raspy.
May turned back to Nadir, about to speak she began to cough. Nadir watched her worrying.
"May are you feeling alright?" he asked once she had composed herself.
"Yes I am fine." She lied.
"Truthfully?" he pushed. May looked down at her feet then back up at Nadir.
"No," she sighed. "I don't know what to do Mr. Kahn, I need to perform but I do not know how to get better."
Nadir looked over her then nodded sympathetically. He quickly scanned the area around them. There were people all around, some performers and some stage hands. He glanced at the door behind May. "Is this your dressing room?" he asked pointing to it.
"Yes,"
"Would you mind if we go in?"
"Not at all," she turned and led him into her dimly lit dressing room.
"Here," he said moving towards the stool at her vanity, "Why don't you sit down." He moved it towards her. Sitting on the chair May fused with the many skirts of her dress. Nadir scanned her face. "You look very pale." He stated. Slowly raising his hand he set it upon her forehead lightly. "My goodness May, you are burning up."
"I know that is what Jack told me." She said in a whine.
"Tell me, what else is bother you." He pulled up a stool from against a wall and sat before her.
"Well my throat hurts terribly, and I am very cold and jittery. I also have a runny nose,"
"Have you been experiencing any headaches of nausea?" he inquired
"Yes actually. I was up all last night with a horrible headache and dizziness."
Nadir sat pondering all of her symptoms, "Hmm, well for now I think it is best that you just take things easy tonight, don't push yourself to much. After the performance make sure to get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids." May gave a nod. "Soon enough you will be in better shape and this all will go away."
"Thank you," she said happily.
Nadir gave a light nod. "So, have you seen Erik at all today, I went down looking for him but he was not in his lair."
Oh no, she thought. "N-not in his lair?" she questioned.
"Yes I could not find him." He saw her expression change, "Is something wrong."
"N-no no nothing is wrong, that is just- I mean, No I have not seen him yet today." She was scared. She couldn't stop thinking of the possible things Erik could have done or is planning to do.
"Odd." He stated plainly, "Well I should be on my way, best of luck tonight Miss. Daily and I hope you feel better very soon."
"Yes, thank you Mr. Kahn." Nadir stood and walked to the door.
"Goodbye May."
"Goodbye Mr. Kahn."
Hehehehehe excitement! Yay! I hope you all liked this chapter, please review I would love to her what everyone thinks. Oh and be ready cause chapter 17 is going to be exciting! Yay, thanks!(: