Hey hey here's another instalment for all of my lovely readers out there :D Thanks for all your support it makes me want to write more for you guys :) Let's just say things will get interesting :D I only own Charlene as she is my own character and let's just say 'on with the show!' :D
Heartache and Pain
Chapter twelve: It takes you by surprise...
Charlene's POV
I was still standing in the same spot for what felt like hours after Erik kissed me on the cheek. I then shook my head when I realised I could be jumping to conclusions about my feelings for Erik; what were to happen if Erik didn't return them? I know he said he cared for me but did that mean he loved me or did it mean he just wanted to look after me until I was ready to face the world again. I then held my head in frustration; why did my feelings have to be so confusing right now?! I decided to try and distract my longing for Erik by watching some TV; but every channel seemed to show a programme that made me think of him so in the end I turned it off in frustration.
"Hello! Is anyone there?! It's me Christine! Could you let me in please?" I heard someone yell.
"Alright I'll let you in." I replied and with that I went to the front door to open it quickly so I could let her in.
"Hey I was told by Erik to come round and look after you. I heard your name is Charlene; that's a nice name." Christine said kindly.
"Thanks." I replied quietly and then I waited to see what Christine would say next.
"What would you like to do today Charlene? I am here to spend the entire day with you until Erik gets back. We can go shopping, watch a movie at the cinema or we could spend some girl-bonding time together."
"I like the sound of girl-bonding time. I would like to find out so much more about you." I replied happily.
"Why don't we go up to your room to talk?" Christine questioned and with that I led her to my room. Once we got to my room I jumped onto my bed and looked at Christine expectantly.
"Well Erik has updated me on who you are exactly but there is something he didn't tell me and I have a feeling there is something you haven't told me too. Would you like to explain?" Christine explained matter of factly.
"I'm sorry Christine but I can't explain anything without knowing what you want me to talk about." I replied with confusion lacing my tone.
"I have a feeling you are developing feelings for Erik. You can tell me anything; I won't judge you, in fact I will give you all the help I can." Christine replied.
"I don't know how you could tell but I am just so confused about my feelings for him right now. I am not sure whether they are feelings of gratitude for him rescuing me or they are genuine feelings of love. It's just...why is love so difficult?!" I replied tearfully.
"Oh sweetheart, I know it's hard but really all you need to do is listen to your heart. It will lead you in the right direction. I knew when I met Raoul he was the one for me; but it isn't always like that for people, some people find it harder to find the right one than others do."
"Wait a minute...did you say you are dating a guy called Raoul?" I questioned quickly.
"Yes I did, why do you ask?" Christine questioned.
"I was in a relationship once and I thought he was the one; but then he was after something I wasn't ready for and so he dumped me in the most cowardly way possible. His name was Raoul; Raoul Dumont. Supposedly he is directly related to Raoul De Chagny who was around in 19th century Paris; this was when there were rumours of the Phantom of the Opera at the Paris Opera House. I don't know how true it was; all I know is he is now working at the office where you work." I replied and I suddenly clocked on who she is dating.
"You are dating my ex!" I replied quickly.
"Yes I am. He told me about you; but I don't mind that he talked about you. In fact he felt guilty for dumping you the way he did and he wishes he could still be friends with you." Christine explained. Before I could reply I heard the front door open and I ran downstairs knowing somehow Erik was home.
"Erik I'm so glad you're home." I exclaimed happily.
"I see you missed me; did you have a good time with Christine whilst I was gone?" Erik questioned kindly. I nodded happily in agreement.
"Oh yes I brought home dinner; I figured you'd all be hungry so I bought a takeaway on the way home." Erik explained quickly.
"Great cause I'm starving!" I replied happily. I then saw Erik go into the kitchen and took some boxes out of the white carrier bag he was carrying by his side.
"Charlene! Dinner's on the table!" Erik exclaimed. I then ran into the kitchen to see a large spread upon the table. After helping myself to some of the food on the table I sat down and waited for Erik to sit at the table. My face fell when Erik helped himself to some of the food on the table; but instead of sitting next to me he left the room with his plate in his hands.
"Why is he not eating with us?" I questioned forlornly.
"In order to eat with us he has to take off his mask; I guess he isn't quite comfortable sitting with us yet to eat a meal."
"May I be excused." I asked quietly. All they could do was nod in agreement and I took my plate out of the room in the direction of where Erik went. I saw the door was closed and so I knocked firmly on the door three times and waited for a response.
"Who is it?" I heard Erik question.
"It's me Charlene. May I sit with you?" I replied. There was a moment of silence almost like he was pondering his response and then a moment later he replied.
"Yes you may." And I smiled a little as I entered the room.
"Why are you here?" Erik questioned forlornly.
"You don't have to avoid us when eating just because you need to take your mask off. I like being able to see you; all of you. Will you promise me you will eat with us at the table from now on." I replied passionately.
"I promise, but I still don't understand why you are doing this for me. Is it because you feel sorry for me or is it pity I can detect there? Please tell me why you want to help me so much."
"I am doing it because I love you and I can't let you go. I know I admitted my feelings before but I now understand my feelings are true and I understand if you don't return my feelings but I just had to..." But my passionate speech was cut off by Erik kissing me passionately on the lips. At first I just sat there sort of frozen in place as I didn't really know how to respond but soon I just melted into the kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck. But before the kiss could progress any further I heard the door open and we quickly pulled apart from each other.
"Erm...I'm sorry for interrupting but you were in there a long time I had to see what was happening." Nadir explained sheepishly.
"Sorry to have worried you Nadir dear...we'll be out momentarily." Erik replied teasingly. I giggled a little as I saw Nadir roll his eyes before leaving the room with a slightly sheepish look on his face. I turned towards Erik and giggled slightly.
"Did you see the look on his face when he caught us?"
""I know; I have never seen him so flustered before." Erik replied matter of factly.
"I guess we better be getting to the sitting room before Nadir gets worried about us." I explained quietly.
"Yes I guess we should." Erik replied and he held out his hand towards me. I giggled a little and gently took his hand and so he led me out of the room. As we walked towards the sitting room Erik asked me quickly.
"Would you like to go out for dinner with me tomorrow?" I stopped and looked at him for a moment.
"Sorry I didn't catch any of that." I explained sheepishly and I felt my face grow hot slightly. I then blushed even more when he gently touched me on the chin and lifted my face slightly so I could look into his eyes.
"Would you like to go out for dinner with me tomorrow?" He asked more slowly this time.
"Yes Erik I would love to. I take it where you are taking me tomorrow will be a surprise right?" I replied happily.
"The only clue I would give you is to dress in the nicest dress you own." Erik explained mysteriously. Where could he be taking me where I would need to be dressed so nicely? Maybe tonight I could ask for some advice from Christine.
"I see you finally decided to grace us with your presence." Christine said teasingly. I smiled and looked at Erik. I then looked back at Christine and giggled slightly when I saw the look on her face.
"You...and you! When did this happen?!" She questioned with shock and surprise lacing her tone.
"Don't worry, you didn't miss much." I replied teasingly. She then quickly got up from her seat and hugged me before I could say another word.
"Oh Charlene I am so proud of you! You will have to tell me everything!" She explained quickly and with that she led me out of the room before I could even reply.
"Well Charlene is there something you would care to mention? Have you kissed? Has he asked you out yet? Did you say yes?" Christine suddenly questioned without once taking a breath.
"Yes, yes, yes and yes to all your questions." I replied happily.
"Then we must get an outfit ready for tomorrow's dinner date!" Christine replied happily whilst clapping with excitement.
"Oh please say you will let me help you pick out an outfit!" Christine continued pleadingly.
"Actually I was going to ask you if you could help me. I don't know what to wear or how I should do my hair or make-up. Please will you help me?" I replied with panic lacing my tone.
"Of course I would; that's what best friends are for." Christine explained kindly.
"Thank you, thank you, and thank you." I replied repeatedly.
"Well come on let's look at what we have shall we?" Christine questioned excitedly. I then led her to my room and opened my closet. But when I took a look at all the clothes I owned my face fell almost immediately.
"What's wrong Charlene?" Christine questioned curiously.
"I have nothing to wear!" I replied exasperatedly.
"Don't worry we'll find something." Christine explained.
"What's that in the back there?" Christine questioned suddenly.
"I don't know because I can't see what you are talking about." I replied with confusion lacing my tone.
"I am talking about this one here." Christine explained and she pulled out a beautiful floor length dress that was red in colour with a sweetheart bodice and no straps. There was also a corseted style back on it and ruffles at the bottom of the dress. The ruffles at the bottom of the dress reminded me of the kind of dresses flamenco dresses wear and I knew this was the dress I would wear tomorrow.
"Thanks for all your help. I will sort out my hair and make-up with you tomorrow evening. Goodnight Christine." I explained and after giving her a hug I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth and then change into my nightclothes. I had a good feeling nothing could go wrong tomorrow evening but I couldn't have been more wrong...