Hello to my followers that I really hope I still have, I am finally back... Yay?! Okay so it has been way to long and I cannot begin to express how insanely sorry I am about that but I have had the CRAZIEST month with the show I was in, and then a theatre competition and blah and blah and blah. But yeah so I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the lovely weather that this spring has given!
Thank you to all of the sweet and amazingly kind reviews I was given on the chapter 22, I am really happy you all liked it, it was actually a really tough chapter to write but yeah. So over my short little break here I have had lots of time to think about what's next in this story and A LOT is going to happen so I am supper excited about that.
This chapter was another toughy to write but I am kinda pleased with the turn out of it and I hope you all enjoy it.
Again I am sooooooooo unbelievably sorry about my time away from the story, but now that I am less busy I shall be uploading more frequently Yay!
Ok so here is chapter 23, I hope you all enjoy it. Please read and review I love to hear what everybody thinks! Seriously I adore reading your reviews so keep them coming(: Thanks so much!
Chapter 23:
"I believe I asked for silence, Miss. Daily." The phantasmal man retorted from his spot at the organ.
"You did, but I have decided not to give it to you." Settled upon the small chaise lounge chair with a maroon blanket draped around her, May sat with a blank sheet of paper upon a sketch pad. With pencil in hand she was working hard on a trivial drawing she decided to entertain herself with. Erik had woken her rather early that morning with intention to check her temperature; to both their delighted surprise it had gone down slightly. She was feeling much better and had regained most of the energy that she had been lacking; and was hoping that she would soon be able to return to her normal life.
Somewhat annoyed by the girl's actions Erik focused back on his music. A large musical score book was placed in front of him and as melody after melody played through his mind he would quickly stop and write down a few notes.
"What are you writing?" May questioned.
"Music." Erik sarcastically answered without turning away from the score.
"What kind of music?" she pushed.
"Is it really of much importance for you to know?"
May thought for a moment. "Yes. It sounds quite beautiful." She paused. "May I see it?"
Quickly shutting his music Erik stood and walked briskly to a bookshelf across from the organ quickly concealing the score between the bindings of many other novels and compositions.
"This music is currently for my eyes alone, you are not to look at it, do you understand?" May nodded timidly. "Good." Erik could feel his temper rise slightly and was trying as hard as he possibly could to keep it down. That morning when he had woken up he was surprised to find that May was sound asleep beside him upon his bed. He had completely forgotten about their late night conversation, the nightmares they both encountered, and the fact that he had fallen asleep with the child in his arms.
Ashamed of himself Erik quickly left the bed and paced around the room nervously just waiting for May to wake. He spoke to himself silently as he wandered. "Oh this is wrong, this is so wrong. You only share a bed with a woman once you are married. We're not married, I don't even love her." He stopped suddenly, "I don't even love her." He repeated slowly. Turning to face the sleeping girl Erik stared at her intently. She looked so small and innocent curled within the warmth of his dark colored sheets; he glanced over her messy curls and peaceful features, and watched as her small shoulders moved up and down slowly with each inhale of air she took. A sudden shiver went up his spine as he recollected on the strange warmth he felt while holding her in his arms. Erik walked over to the bed and sat beside May; he idly let himself run his long fingers through her soft hair as he gazed upon her. Was he truly experiencing feelings for this girl? He couldn't possibly love her, could he?
Before he could think any farther into the situation, May's light eyes began to flutter open. Acting quickly Erik made the lie that he just wanted to check her temperature and did so. Now standing a short distance away from her feeling a sudden temper rising, Erik knew that this girl was doing something to him. Just like Nadir had said only a few days earlier, May was changing Erik, and Erik was unconsciously allowing it.
Pushing his anger aside he slowly stalked over to the girl and sat on the organ stool that was a short distance in front of her. Avoiding Erik's eyes May had gone back to her drawing.
"What are you sketching?" Erik questioned.
"It is for my eyes only." she mocked without turning her attention from her art work.
Erik couldn't help but grin in humor of the girl's quick wit. "Very funny." He teased. "Are you going to show me?" he asked. His tone sounded similar to a parent coaxing a child into showing them what they have.
"Eventually." She scoffed.
Erik rolled his eyes in an annoyed defeat, "You are such a child."
"A child?" She repeated with a jeer finally looking up from her drawing.
"Yes a ridiculous and stubborn child." He continued.
"I challenge that monsieur. I am far from being a child."
"Oh really," he leaned forward placing his elbows upon his knees and clasped his large hands together. "Then what are you?"
"A lady, a woman even." She announced with a strange confidence.
Erik let out a deep laugh confusing May, "A woman?" he questioned. "Please you are not a woman, hardly even a lady."
"And why is that," she retorted with annoyance.
"You are 15 years old, that is nowhere near womanhood; and you are probably the least lady like female I have ever met."
"That is far from true!" May proclaimed.
"Is it? Just look at yourself, you scoff like a fool, fall into laughing fits over the most immature topics, you are unnaturally clumsy, and your posture is horrible."
"So is yours!" May self-consciously sat up straighter and smoothed out her dress to show her lady like ways.
"Maybe so, but we are not focusing on me at the moment,"
May glared at Erik for an instant, she was growing rather impatient. "For your information Monsieur, I am indeed a woman with all the qualities a woman bares in mind. Most girls my age are already thinking of marriage and starting families." May watched Erik as he looked at her quizzically. "I, on the other hand do not worry my mind with that form of stress. I do though believe that I could work on my lady like ways but I am indeed a lady."
"Whatever you say." Erik sarcastically responded. Standing with intentions to sneak a peek at Mays drawing he silently walked behind her and before she could react, Erik grabbed the sketch book from the girl and retreated back to the organ.
"Give it back!" she hollered coming to a stance and racing towards him. May made an attempt to grab the sketch pad but Erik quickly pulled it away. "Erik please," she tried again but he moved away once more with a devious grin painted upon his lips. May advanced on him one more time. Swiftly Erik captured both of May's wrists in one large grasp, pinning her arms to her back as he stood behind her with the sketch book in his free hand.
Erik had won this battle, he gave a satisfied laugh. Leaning close to the girl's ear, he spoke softly. "Now, why don't we look together?"
May struggled in his grasp attempting to free her arms. "Erik please, I don't want you to see it."
"Why is that?"
"I just don't want you to see it!" she exclaimed. Erik contemplated letting her go and not looking at the drawing but with it in hand he simply couldn't resist.
Without saying a word Erik brought the sketch book up glancing at the drawing. A soft gasp escaped his lips as he deciphered what was depicted upon the page.
With a small fear of rejection May bit her bottom lip and looked down at her feet. "I told you I didn't want you to see it." She stated softly. Erik didn't respond he simply stared at the page. May twisted in his grasp to look up at him. "You hate it don't you?"
Hate it? Erik thought to himself. How could I possibly hate it? The picture was beautiful, drawn upon the pure white page in his grasp was an amazing illustration of his mask. Everything about it was so real; the shading was exact, its dimensions were perfect, it looked almost life like. Erik was touched and truly amazed that May would draw something like that.
His grip on May's hands loosened and May quickly pulled away from him staring at him with caution as he continued to gaze at her drawing. "Erik, please say something." She demanded softly, desperate to hear what he needed to say.
A few moments of silence passed by before he finally spoke. "May..." He whispered. A light blush colored May's cheeks as she waited for a response.
Erik didn't know what to say, it was a beautiful drawing but as he stared at it for a longer time he began to feel sad in a away. The image simply reminded him of his imperfection, the secrets he held and all of the dreams he could never accomplish because of his deformity. It reminded him of the harsh life he had been dammed to; never being able to go out in public without causing fear, always having to hide from the eyes of watching civilians and never receiving the love from anyone that he would ever want.
Cursing inwardly Erik quickly returned to reality and cleared his throat before meeting the eager eyes of the artist opposite him.
"It's… uh it's very good."
"T-thank you." May stuttered.
"What made you draw this?" he questioned.
May looked to her feet again. "I- I just, I didn't know what to draw and it was the first thing that came to mind."
"But I wasn't even looking at you how could you draw this so perfectly?" he questioned in confusion.
"I just remembered it I guess." Even though Erik seemed to like the picture May was slightly embarrassed by it. "May I please have it back now?" she asked holding out her hands to take it.
Erik glanced form the paper back to May. Pushing away the cruel thoughts that racked his mind, he decided to tease the girl.
"No." he stated quickly.
"Erik, come on give it back." She stepped forward to grab it but Erik tore it away from her with another smile. She was growing rather angry and impatient now.
"You want it, come get it." He joked. Holding the sketch book up as high as he could, he glanced back to May staring at her cynically.
"You are impossible!" May exclaimed as she jumped to reach the book. She couldn't get it; Erik was simply too tall and her arms were too short to reach the height of the book. Placing her hands on her hips in defeat she let out a pathetic sigh. "You know sometimes I believe that you just love to see me angry." May sneered.
"Sometimes, but I currently enjoy seeing you feel better."
May glared at him; with a slight chuckle Erik finally gave the sketch book back to May and returned to the organ once more.
As May watched him walk away she fumbled with the sketch book, toying it around pulling at the corners as she thought of something.
"Since I am finally better, do you think I will be able to return to my normal life?" she asked.
May could see Erik sit up slightly, he then turned to face her. "Is this life not normal enough for you?" Erik asked with a deep sarcastic voice.
"Erik, you know what I am talking about." She sighed. "It's not that I haven't enjoyed spending time with you, it is just that…" she hesitated. "I- I need to return to the opera and get back into my normal routine. There are people I need to see, and… well Christmas is only a few days away."
Erik thought for a moment; in the numerous days he had spent with May, he completely forgot that Christmas was just around the corner. Over the past couple of days Erik had become so used to May's company that he regretted to even think about not having her around constantly talking, telling ridiculous stories, or even just dancing around like a fool. His relationship had grown so much with her that he felt inclined to not let her leave. But with a heavy sigh Erik realized he had to. She had a life away from him, an opera to return to, and a boy that was anxiously waiting her return. He had to let her go.
Erik hesitated before answering. "I… I guess we will have to see how you are feeling by tomorrow. If you are better than…" he trailed off for a moment. "Then yes you may return home."
May was overjoyed by his words and in a spur of the moment enthusiasm she lunged towards Erik and wrapped him in a huge as she smiled like a fool.
"Oh thank you Erik!" she squeaked as she pressed herself against his chest.
For the first time in forever with May, Erik noticed how his body seemed to stiffen at her touch and he began to tremble lightly. Never had this happened to him before when given the slightest caress from May; he was fairly used to her random embraces or simple acts of kindness but now as he sat with the child clutching to him and practically sitting on his lap he felt almost scared. Of what, he was unaware but for now he was not enjoying this embrace.
Deciding to break the embrace, Erik gently took May by the shoulders and pulled her away from his body standing her in front of him. As the smiling female gazed into Erik's unreadable eyes, Erik could not help but give a deserted laugh at how ridiculous he felt.
He decided to ignore his feelings. "You seem very eager to return." He let go of his grasp on her shoulders. "Are you just simply missing that Oliver boy of yours?"
May gave a ridiculous scoff and shoved Erik in a humorous act. "He is not the only reason."
"Oh really?" Erik pushed.
May thought for a moment. "I do admit I have been missing him, and I feel horrible because, well he doesn't even know where I am. You heard Mr. Kahn the other day; he said that Jack was a nervous wreck." They both thought back on Nadir's words. "Oh I feel so horrible for just leaving him that night of the opera."
Erik was confused by May's words. "What do you mean?"
"Well after everything had happened Jack ran backstage to find me, and he did, but I was too caught up looking for you that I simply just told him I had to go and I ran off."
"Oh." Erik simply stated
"I feel absolutely horrible for doing that; and I cannot tell Mr. Kahn to tell him that I am here because…" May trailed off and Erik knew why.
"You will be seeing him soon, I am sure of that." He said assumingly.
May nodded shyly as she gazed at Erik for a moment before they both averted their eyes from one another. Noticing Erik's composition book wedged into a book shelf with many other books, May decided to investigate the type of reading Erik enjoyed.
Turning back to the organ, Erik removed his focus from May.
Searching through the vast array of different novels and stories, May was transfixed on the amount of different books Erik possessed. She noted that not all of them were in English; the languages of the books were amazing, there were so many that May could not even begin to decipher the different dialects they were written in. All of the books looked rather old and very used; May wondered if Erik had read every book in his immense collection.
As his ears caught sound of May, Erik turned to find her in front of the book shelf were his music was held. "I am quite positive I told you not to look at my music." He rumbled.
With a soft gasp May turned quickly to face him. "I wasn't looking at it, I swear." She paused for a short moment. "I was only looking at your books."
For some reason Erik did not believe May; he knew that she was rather tricky and deceitful, so he decided to approach the girl to make certain that she was not looking at his music.
Turning her attention back on the novels, May could feel Erik approach. His presence was strong but comfortable and May could smell his intoxicatingly musky scent from behind her that she had become so used to over the past couple of days. With all the time she had spent with Erik, May was becoming more and more comfortable with him. Never before had she had such a strong companionship with anyone; she cherished every second they spent together, every story they shared with one another, and every cocky response or comment Erik would ridicule her with. May felt safe around him; she couldn't explain why, but just having him around made her feel so secure.
May also noticed that whenever she was close to Erik a strange yet wonderfully exhilarating feeling would take over her. She found herself in an almost blissful state that she adored. Whenever she wasn't around Erik, even if it were for only a short moment, she would miss him. She would miss his voice, his generous gaze, his handsome grin, and every feature that made him who he was. There were times when she could just stare at him and get completely lost in the tantalizing shade of his golden eyes, or times when she would fall into the deep spell that his hauntingly beautiful voice would cast. May knew that there would always be a special place in her heart for Erik, and she would never let anything change that.
Dragging herself away from her thoughts, May scanned over many of the books in front of her.
"Have you read all of these?" she questioned curiously.
"Almost all of them." Erik replied.
May was shocked by his response. Pulling out a book that was eye level of her May scanned over the title and realized it was in German. "But how can you understand them if they are in different languages?"
"Very easily; I have a vast knowledge of foreign dialects and can read over 10 different languages."
"That is amazing!" May gawked. "I didn't not expect that of you." She watched as Erik nodded in satisfaction. Deciding to test him May flipped to a random page in the book she was holding and pointed to a phrase. "Translate." She stated as she held the book to Erik.
With a grim smile Erik took a quick look at what May was pointing at. "Alright, that says 'The green grass in the meadow.'"
May looked at the book. "I don't believe you."
"Here, I will show you." With that Erik took hold of the book and moved closer beside May. "You see grüne translate to green, Gras is grass, and Wiese means meadow."
May took the book back and shut it quickly. "Alright well how about this." She pulled down a different book without even glancing at the language and opened to a random page pointing to a sentence. Erik looked at it then laughed lightly.
"Miss. Daily I am quite positive you can figure this one out yourself." He joked.
Looking back at the page May realized the book was in English and gave a childish blush. She shut the book quickly. "That doesn't count." Replacing the book, May reached as high as she could on the shelf and retrieved another novel. This time she inspected the cover and was confused by the writing upon it. "This doesn't look like a language at all. It just looks like symbols."
Taking the novel from May, Erik glanced down at the rugged cover, and shivered as he deciphered the language. "Well… this is Persian." He replied blankly.
"Persian?" May questioned enthusiastically. Moving closer to glance at the book, she remembered him telling her about how he lived in Persia for quite some time and wanted to know more. "Can you tell me about Persia Erik?"
He couldn't tell her, not now, not ever. He didn't want her to know about his horrifying past. With gloomy eyes Erik glanced down at an excited May and gave a heavy hearted sigh. "May…" he paused. "M-maybe some other time."
May was confused by his sudden change of expression. "Oh, alright." She replied grimly. Deciding to change the mood, she playfully grasped Erik's arm. "Translate for me!" she exclaimed almost childlike.
Erik couldn't resist this offer, and simply adored the bright smile May was giving him in that moment. Oh how he could lose himself in her smile.
Opening to a random page, he let May point to a group of symbols as she continued to grasp his arm with the other, pulling herself closer to him so that she could lean her head upon his muscular forearm.
"Okay, well this here actually means to stand united." May glanced up at him in confusion. "Truthfully it does." He assured. "this grouping of symbols right here means to become harmonious as if in an act of harmony."
"That's amazing." May stated.
"It truly is." Erik replied with a smile as he glanced down at the lovely girl holding tight to his arm. She looked so innocent and sweet as she gazed almost wonderstruck like at his book, and Erik couldn't help but adore her beauty as he glanced at her every feature. Losing himself in the transfixed spell May unconsciously placed him in, Erik truly thought he would lose himself. She looked so beautiful in the soft dimmed light of his lair and he loved the feel of her tight grip on his arm.
"Okay, well what does this mean?" May questioned.
Breaking away from his trance, Erik glanced at the symbols May pointed at and was shocked to see that the word she pointed to translated to beautiful.
Moving slightly away from May, Erik now stood in front of her avoiding her heavy glance. "It translates to…" He hesitated as he felt himself losing control. He glanced over May and felt the same intoxicated way he felt from a few days earlier when something possessed him to almost kiss her. His head spun with bliss at the sudden accurses of these strange feelings and his heart began to pound in his chest. Swallowing hard Erik finally answered. "Beautiful."
May was staring at him heavily and was confused by his sudden change. Only one time before had she ever seen him like this, and that was the day they almost shared a stolen kiss. She remembered the excited dizziness he caused her as he brushed his cold fingers over her lips and how much anticipation built inside of her as Erik slowly moved in closer to her. Was that going to happen now?
Slowly gliding towards him May brought her eyes up to meet Erik's and spoke softly. "Does it really say that Erik?" she questioned innocently.
He couldn't think, he couldn't speak, he couldn't control himself. Slowly Erik paced forward and closed the distance that mocked them in its emptiness. Closing the book that was still within his grip, it made a loud crack that echoed the silence around them.
Erik locked his golden eyes with May's mixed blue green orbs, and spoke in a soft sensual voice. "Yes." was all he stated.
A delicious chill quaked down May's back as Erik's deep voice made contact with her skin. She too was losing herself and had no desire to ever return from this lost state of being.
Slowly Erik reached his hand up and gently caressed May's soft silken cheek, causing a blush to appear where his fingers had ran. He adored the feel of her soft flesh and in that moment ached to know more of it.
A light gasp escaped May's lips as Erik softly ran a finger over her lower lip, wanting to know the true feeling of a kiss. He was ready to do it this time; he was prepared to finally steal a kiss. May was as well ready, she wanted it just as much as he did, and in their dream like trance at the moment anything was possible.
Was he really leaning in preparing himself for his first kiss? Was he really going to allow this? Thoughts swam threw Erik's mind at a rapid pace as he slowly leaned in towards the girl. He was ready to do it. He watched as May slowly began to shut her eyes and he was about to shut his and revel in the sensation of this stolen embrace when suddenly his mind broke away from his sensual trance and stopped everything beautiful that was soon to occur.
He stopped his movement with an abrupt gasp as he still caressed May's cheek. As he realized what he was about to do he became sickened by himself and wanted nothing more than to flee the room. He was outraged that he would let his mind take over his body like this again and attempt to steal something that may not have been wanted.
In a random outburst of his rage, Erik unwantedly shoved May harshly out of his way and nearly fell back against the book shelf in complete fear and anger.
Erik watched as May lost her balance and fell to the floor with a sharp yelp of pain. A moment of silence passed between the two as they stared at one another both with confused tears threatening to escape their eyes.
"E-Erik?" May questioned timidly.
Returning to his feared reality Erik ran a hand through his hair and gave a stressed sob as he lunged forward and lifted May off the ground. He didn't know what he was doing but for some reason he had May in his arms and he was racing her to her bedroom.
As he kicked open her door, he practically threw her onto the mattress and retreated back.
May glanced at Erik who was standing in the doorway with tears in his eyes. This was just like the night they shared a few days earlier. She was so confused at what had just happened, but had no time to think before Erik spoke up.
"It is late you need your rest. You are free to return to your normal life tomorrow. Good night Maygen." With that he slammed the door and May was alone.
YAY FOR ANOTHER ENDING THAT WILL MAKE PEOPLE SEMI ANGRY! Lol poor Erik and May and all their mixed emotions. Anywhoo, so last chapter I said I was going to start putting songs to the chapters but… I kinda don't have one for this one. (lol woops) so if any of you have a song that might fit this chapter I would totally love to hear it!
I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter, please review and once again I am so sorry for the late update of this chapter.
Please Review!
Oh…. And Happy Mother's Day!(: