chapter 2
bella sweeps out onto the balcony and erik follows her. together against the night sky. with the world at their feet. and yet irreparably apart. bella sighed as she looked to the moon as it shined down on its mistress. erik sighed she looked beautiful with the moonlight shining down on her. the moon knows where its mistress is, and it was happy to shine down on her. but he was not sure how he was feeing. other than what he wanted. and his heart wanted. while he looked over to the right only to see Trista and szayel looking at him only shaking their heads at him to let him know it did wrong. but they would forgive him soon enough. as they went back into their rooms.
"Once upon another time. Our story had only begun. you chose to turn the page. and I made choices too. once upon that other time. We did what we thought must be done. and now we have no choice. we do what we must do…. We love, we live. We give what we can give. and take what little we deserve." said bella
"Once upon another time, I knew how our story would end, and maybe I was wrong, but now the moments gone. were it still that other time, I'd make time itself somehow bend! but now im not that strong, and time keeps moving on…." said erik
"We love, we live. we live. We give what we can give. and take what little we deserve. we love, live, and take what little deserve, once upon another time." said bella and erik
bella and erik was trying their best to calm their nerves. bella was trying to stop thinking of the things she wanted to do with erik, but right now she needed to forgive him for what he had done. He left her after the night they shared. while erik sighed he could feel what she was feeling. she didn't know she was projecting her feelings right now. but he was not going to say anything. because she packs a great punch, he has a feeling she put some of her power into the punch. and the kick to his manly bits. but he knew she had every right to be pissed off at him. and he knew she was a fiery one when she pissed off. He loved that fire in her. and that had turned him on as well. but he was not going to think about that right now.
"Ten long years of yearning years of dreaming of this moment, when that miracle that peerless instrument plays for me, just fleetingly lays the ghost which tortures me, Tortures me, Ah, IsabellaI know what Hammerstein is paying you. I will double the amount for just one night's work. Here, in my concert hall. Just one night, isabella. One song. That is all I ask." said erik
"Why should I? For 10 years, you've let me believe you were dead, and now you lure us here and expect me to do your bidding, submit to you again. I won't do it. I owe you nothing." hissed bella
bella was about to leave but Lucius runs in wildly, breaking the mood, and buries his face in his mother's dress. erik arched a brow this was a interesting turn of events. a boy of all things. he knew she is a mother, but her children are in another time period. but for right now he wondered who in the world fathered the child. bella cursed her recklessness. while she heard szayel laughing. oh, he was going to get it. but for right now she was going to have to see how this plays out. It's not like she can come out and say oh my beloved son this is your real father. And szayel is really your uncle. yeah, that was going to go over so well.
"Mother, please… I'm scared! What a dream…An awful dream! Someone strange and mad, seizing me, and drowning me..." cried lucius
Lucius sensing another presence in the room, turns from his mother to look, and sees erik standing there. Lucius was eyeing the man before him and wondered who in the world is this guy. and why was her there with his mother. szayel rushed in but he left it alone with Trista dragging the octava espada out of the room. They needed this time. but szayel was not having it. but for now, they were going to let things take their court. while pluto smashed the garnet rod over the head of the octava espada and dragged him back to his room. while bella sighed this was going to happen sooner or later. but she was not going to say anything just yet.
"Shh... lucius, it's all right. Come and meet a friend of mine..." said bella
"Welcome to my world, my friend." said erik
"Your world? where are we?" asked lucius
"We're in Phantasma, little vicomte. On Coney Island. A world of fantasy where illusion is emperor. Tell me where you'd like to go Tell me what you want to see Madam, please, I insist." said erik
lucius who had his mother's eyes. the pink and red and her hair as well. silver and pink but with black on it. He was a beautiful child. and wondered who the father of such a beautiful boy is. his lunarian blood flowed through his vains. the boy should have been his. and not some other man. while bella sighed and wondered where erik thoughts was at right now. even though she could see for herself. but she was not going to do that. lucius eyes erik and wondered why he was here in the first place. it was as if there was more between his mother and this man. more than friendship. but he was not going to ask. he was going to see how it plays out.
"Could you show me, if you please all Phantasma's mysteries? All that's strange and wild and dark in the shadows of the park?" asked lucius
"You shall see it all tomorrow. In fact, I myself will show you. I promise." said erik
bella flaired her power and szayel came in and exits to the bedroom with lucius. His golden eyes were asking if she was going to be ok. but she waved him off. and the two went to the room where lucius sleeps. he was going to stay there while she finished this, while she heard lucius ask szayel on why erik wears a mask. she was going to leave that for him to explain. while she pinched the bridge of her nose. because she knew this was not over yet. and he was going to have more to say. erik sighed he had a feeling the child is szayels. he knew how the man felt for his mother-in-law and that was something he was wondering why they would marry in the first place.
"What a child. Full of life. Full of you, my isabella. Help me through this sadness Do this kindness for your mentor or your progeny that perfect specimen, may disappear on Coney Island Vanish here on Coney Island Ah, Christine" said erik
"What are you saying? How could you? After all that we've been. Who are you?" hissed bella
bella eyes glowed to show her anger about what he had the balls to threaten her. but she closed them as she tried to calm down. She can't go off the handle like this. erik shivered in pleasure from seeing those gem-like eyes glowing. but he knew he crossed the line. he knew better. but right now, he was not thinking. He needed her. and he needed her to listen. bella sighed he can't even know that he threatened his own son. but she would not tell him that just yet. She didn't know if it was the right time. pluto would have told her if it was the correct timing to tell him. even though he would feel like shit since he banged her and then knocked her up and left. he didn't know. but she was not going to make him feel guilty about it. She knew his life was a hard life.
"I am your Angel of Music! I am dying, Christine! Suffocating here in the dark! Give me breath! Give me life! Sing for me! Or I will take from you everything you have ever loved." said erik
"No, no, you can't!" said bella
"Oh, but I can. A man as hideous as this, believe me, is capable of anything." said erik
"And what am I to sing?" asked bella
"One song composed by me." said erik
"and are we free to leave." said bella
"And will, of course, receive a princely fee Is it on with the show?" asked erik
bella eye twitched but she nodded to him. as erik left her with her thoughts. as she hummed the tune that she was going to sing. but the song was so touching it made her heart feel the love she once had for him. and still has for him. and the anger vanished. as she rushed to were he once was and was gone. Raoul came back in but left after what he had to say. bella sighed it would seem that there was more things at play now. szayel came out and hugged her to let her know everything was going to be ok. bella sighed and was happy that szayel was there. sure pluto and her has been through a lot. but szayel was someone she could confided in and train with. and he liked to comfort her.
Meanwhile Backstage at the theatre. The next day
Meg and the other dancers are rehearsing their big number. We see them. upstage, from the back, going through their routine. while madam giry was doing what she does. Meg smiled like she was enjoying what she did. even though she had now a clue who she was going to run into this very day and the things she was going to learn. Even her mother was not even in clue on what was going on. but she was hoping she was pleasing the master. She wanted to make him happy. but even though she had a feeling she had no chance with him. but it was something that she was hoping she would have a chance with him. He has money and could give her fame.
"Bathing beauty on the beach, bathing beauty, say hello! What a cutie! What a peach! Bathing beauty! Watch her go!"
Meg rushed to her mother when they were taking a break from rehearsals. madam giry smiled to her daughter. It was something that she was very proud about her daughter. even though she made her daughter do things that she would succeed. and hopefully marry erik. even though she was never going to stop until it happened. and push her more and more. even though she knew that erik was still in lover with Christine. But there is this part of her that Christine is not the one that he is in love with anymore. She has a feeling that he loved Isabella. the sister of Raoul. it was just something that has been nagging at her for a good while.
"Very nice, Meg." said madam giry
"Do you think so, mother? Really?" asked meg
"You've come a long way since the beginning of the season." said madam giry
Meg smiled brightly at what her mother had said. She always loved getting compliments from her mother. She loved the approval from her mother. but she was wondering If the master would be proud of what she has been doing. but she doesn't even know if he watchs her or not. madam giry sighed and was proud of her only child. Now she just needed to get erik to marry her daughter then they all would be set for life. but she had a feeling that it would never happen. but she was not going to stop pushing and pushing until they are married.
"Does he agree? It's been three months, he never comes to see the show. Even a word from him, just one..." said meg
"You may get more than that. He has been composing again, late at night. Not this cheap vaudeville trash. Something glorious." said madam giry
"...for me?" asked meg
"Continue to work hard. Make yourself useful to him." said madam giry
Madam Giry exits to go and do what she needed to do. so she was able to be useful to the master.. Once she's gone Meg practically vibrates with happiness. she was hoping with all hope that she was going to be the one to be able to sing the music that the master is working on. but then again her luck was always overshadowed over others. and she had this sick feeling that it was meant for someone else. someone she hasn't seen in a very long time. in a very long time. someone she was great friends with at one time. Christine once was a friend tha
Meg She is in her own private World, thinking that there was going to be something made for her to sing. That would be a dream come true. madam giry sighed and hoped that the master would be writing for her daughter. but she had this feeling that there was not going to be any music for her daughter. it was going to be for someone else. that is when bella and Lucius entered the stage area. Lucius was looking around with excited eyes. He was so happy to be backstage. He always wanted to know what it was like to be backstage. bella smiled to see her son being so overly enthusiastic.
"Mother!" chirped Lucius
"Patience, lucius! First, I must find the stage manager, my dressing room, the musical director." said bella
"And then we'll go look for our friend? And go see the island?" chirped Lucius
"I'm sure he'll send for you when he's ready. Excuse me, Miss, would you mind….." said bella
Meg turned around knowing that voice. one that she hasn't heard in a very long time. as she turned around and gasped to see her best friend she had so long ago. one that was her true best friend after Christine betrayed her. Isabella was standing looking so fine and beautiful. the way she always did. bella beauty was beyond Christine. bella arched a silver brow and wondering why this person was eyeing her as if they knew each other. but there was something about her that did seem familiar. but she couldn't put her finger on it. but she sensed that they knew each other as well. Trista and szayel were off wandering around the park looking around. it seemed that Trista and gangle is soulmates. but gangle has not figured it out yet.
"Heaven help me, could it be? No, it couldn't possibly …" said meg
"Sorry, do I?" asked bella
"Yes, I think you do!" chirped meg
bella took a while to try and remember who this person was. Then it clicked it was her old friend meg. bella cursed her luck and wondered if her mother was here. madam giry was someone she never liked very much. but meg she was able to handle being around. She was a very good friend. but she couldn't believe that she had forgotten her. meg smiled and wondered why bella was here in the first place. its as if she was here to tour the area of coney maybe. She was hoping that was all that it was. but there was more to this, and she did not like it. but what wasn't connecting why isn't it, Christine. that was the answer she could get from bella.
"Look at you, bella! Regal as a Queen, and beautiful!" said meg
"Meg, and you as well! I could hardly tell it's you!" said bella
"My dear old friend! Can't believe you're here old friend." said meg and bella
bella and meg hugged each other and wondered what the hell was going on. bella was wondering why meg was here in the first place. and why would she be working for erik. but she would figure that out soon enough. bella sighed but she continued to smile at her old friend. even though she has no clue that she is a real queen. while Meg was wondering what the freaking hell was going on. its as if there is a reason why bella is here. and she has a sick feeling that she was not going to like the answer. But if that is the reason, why wouldn't it be Christine. There were things right now that were not adding up. and she was going to find out soon enough.
"After all this time!" said bella
"So glad you came!" said meg
"You look... Sublime!" said bella
"You look the same!" said meg
meg always wondered why bella never aged there was something about her that was always different from everyone else. along with her two friends they were the same as her. but she never understood it. maybe it was something they use or something like that. She wanted whatever they used so she could continue to look like them and never age. bella sighed she wished she could get away from this conversation. but she didn't want to be rude. Sure, meg was her friend. but she hasn't heard from her in years. She thought she was not her friend anymore. so, this was very awkward for her. so, she was going to try her best and be nice.
"My sweet old friend, never thought we'd meet, old friend!" said meg and bella
"Look at you, a star!" said bella
"And you a wife!" said meg
"And isn't life a splendid thing?" asked bella
bella groaned mentally from the way things are going. She was not expecting this, and she didn't like it when she didn't know things. She was still getting used to the time gates. but she should have been warned by Trista. But then again there were things that you must let happen. She can't rely on the time gates all the time. even though when she became queen, she lifted some of the stupid taboos off the time and space gates. but for now, she was going to have to get through this. while meg sighed this was not her day. how could bella be here in phantasma. it as if things are starting to click. but it didn't make sense why wasn't it, Christine. That was the part she was not getting.
"And here we are…" said bella
"To see the sights?" asked meg
"And sing." said bella
meg was trying to not gawk at bella from what she had just said. She is here to sing. Why would bella of all people be the one to sing. Wouldn't it been Christine. this was not making sense when it came down to bella being the one to sing. she wondered if her mother knew anything about bella being the one to sing. bella sighed and wondered why she was getting an odd look from her old friend. It as if she didn't know that she was supposed to be here to sing. or that he was trying to play off that he still has puppy love for Christine. even though his love was really for her. Meg wanted to scream from what she was dealing with right now.
"To... Sing?" asked meg
"And of course, as a treat for my son. Meg, meet lucius..." said bella
"Who hired you to sing here?" asked meg
Meg ignored Lucius as if he wasn't there. At this point in time, she didn't care about the boy. She needed to know who hired her here of all places. This was not meant to happen. while Trista and szayel walked in and glared at meg. they could feel what she was feeling. and it was not good. even though bella was trying to get through this as much as she could do so. while Raoul walked in and was stunned to see meg there. and walked right past her, astonished at another figure who had just appeared. szayel and Trista looked at each other and knew this was not going to go well. That was when they were going to go and ride some rides. They were not going to get involved in this one. but Trista will be watching. even though Raoul thinks Lucius is his son since he and bella had slept together only a few times when he was married to Christine. but only found out that he really did think of her as a sister. that was when szayel and bella pretended to be married. even though Raoul really thinks that they are married.
"It can't be you!" said madam giry
"Is this a jest?" asked Raoul
"How can this be?" asked madam giry
"We've come to work." said raoul
"At whose request?" asked madam giry
"The contract ́s here. its rather strange." said raoul
raoul gave over the envelope to show who was the person who hired his sister. Yes, he did sleep with her because he thought he loved her. but in the end, he she was really his sister. that what he loved her as. even though she did give him a son so that was a good thing. but he wondered if she was really married to szayel. but he never questioned it. but he tried to be a good father to his son. even though his son thought of him as his uncle. even though the boy was nothing like him. So, he wondered sometimes that if he was even his that why he would never say he was his son in public. only that he was his uncle. madam giry eyes nearly bulged out of her face from seeing what she was seeing. How could this be. but why is it bella of all people. Why isn't it, Christine. isn't Christine the one he wanted.
"My God, the price." said madam giry
"It's rather high." said raoul
"Why, it ́s absurd!" said madam giry
"Oh, yes, I know. Inform your boss that, by the by, the fee goes up, or else we go." said raoul
madam giry smirked it seemed he didn't even know who they are even working for. she was sure bella did. he knew bella always hung around erik and came close friends. but it was starting to make sense now. erik used Christine as a decoy to throw them off from what was really going on. erik was really in love with Isabella. oh, this is something she should have expected. the little freak show that she is. and now she is here to take place with her daughter. This was unfair to them. and after all they been through. but for now, she needed to see what was going on first.
"My dear old friend, here ́s how things appear, old friend…" said raoul and madam giry
"He who pays the bill." said madam giry
"Times two or three." raoul
"Be sure he will." said madam giry
raoul was wondering what and why they are here. and why are they working in this place. it did not make sense to him. he looked over to bella and wondered what was going on. even though she had her own right to keep things to herself. But for right now he needed to know what and why the giry's are here in the first place. madam giry was seething inside and was not happy. she was going to make her voice known about what she was feeling about what was going on. how dare he do this to them. She should have known when she heard the name Isabella appear in the papers. it was something she was not expecting since she thought she still loved Christine. but it all makes sense now.
"And handsomely." said raoul
"And dear old friend, now that we are clear, old friend…" said raoul and madam giry
"That ́s all very well, but ́till you ́re gone you ́ll wait upon my boss ́s whim." said madam giry
"Ah yes, your boss.. And who is that?" asked raoul
"it's him" said madam giry
raoul had to let that sink in for a while. as he was gawking at what she had just said. It was him of all the people who was getting his beloved sister to work for him. his sweet Isabella. He thought that he was inlove with his wife of all things. but not his sweet sister. That was something that he was not expecting. He knew she was friends with the bastard. but he would have never expected the bastard to want to be with his sister of all things. madam giry smirked knowing that he didn't know. and his whore of a sister didn't say anything to him. And now things were starting to show what was going on. but where was Christine at. It seemed that she was not with them on this trip. From what she understood Christine was a gambler and a drunk like her husband.
"Sorry, did I hear you right? Here to sing?" asked meg
"Why yes tomorrow night." said bella
"I'm afraid there must be some mistake. You can't be performing." said meg
"and why not?" asked bella
"Mainly, dear, 'cause so am I. I'm in fact the star, for heaven's sake! What are you to sing?" asked meg
meg was pissed off and she was seething inside and didn't know what in the world was going to do now. it seemed that Isabella was going to be singing one way or another. She needed to see her mother and see what they were going to do about this. It seemed that they were going to be stuck doing this one way or another. but it didn't make sense Isabella. but not Christine. unless he was fooling them all this time on who he truly loved in the first place. bella arched a brow and wondered what the hell was going on with her old friend. it seemed that she didn't want her to sing for some reason. not as if she sings lately. but she was going to do this one way or another.
"Just one little thing . An aria." said bella
"no" said meg
"Please, you needn't fret, I'm sure you will get your due..." said bella
bella smiled to meg to let her know it was going to be ok. It's not like she was there to take her place. even though from what she seen it was not much of one. but she was not going to say anything to her about that. Plus, she knew Meg was not able to sing the stuff that she is able to sing. It was something that meg was never able to do. meg narrowed her eyes at bella and wondered where she gets her nerve for daring to waltz into her place of work and take her place. It seemed that the master is up to something. and it involved bella. and she had a feeling it was not something she wanted to know. but she knew it was all going to come out soon enough.
"Him!" snapped raoul
"That's what I said." said madam giry
"You work for him!" said raoul
"Now so do you." said madam giry
"And my poor sister… We thought him dead! She'll be appalled!" said raoul
"unless she knew." said madam giry
raoul looked to his sweet sister and wondered what is going on. and he wanted answers. He wondered if he should get Christine back home before he came after her. He was just using his sister to get to his wife. even though he had no clue that his sister is the person he wanted. Christine was just puppy love, and his true love is his sweet sister. madam giry smirked and knew there was going to be something going on. even though she had no idea what was going on. She was expecting to see Christine there to sing, not Isabella. It was something she was not expecting. unless erik was tricking them thinking he was in love with Christine, but it was really Isabella that he truly loved.
"brother dear... Please... Are you all right?" asked bella
"Tell me now! That music! Who was its creator?" asked raoul
"brother dear, please... Don't squeeze so tight." said bella
"Something's going on here. I'll deal with you later..." said raoul
bella yanked her arm back from raoul as she glared at him. as he cringed he knew that look. he knew he went to far with her. but for now he needed to know what was going on here. he didn't even know that the bastard was still alive. he knew how broken his sister was when she found out that he died. its as if she loved him or something. bella sighed and knew that he was going to find out. even though she forgiven him for getting her drunk and high a few times and having himself sleep with her because Christine couldn't give him a child. but the child she has is not his. even though she lied and told him it was his. meg went over to her mother and wondered what was going on. both of them are pissed off and wanted answers.
"Did you know?" asked meg
"How could I know? Why would they come?" asked madam giry
"Why won't they go?" snapped meg
"My dear old Friends! Dear old friends! Can't believe you're here, Such good friends! old friends!"
"Speaking as your host" said madam giry
madam giry was not happy with everything was going on. They were tricked in who he was really in love with. and she was going to be having words with him for this. She knew he was good at hiding things. but this was something she was not expecting. while bella groaned mentally this was not really her day. It seemed that she was not going to get any peace with meg and madam giry. and most importantly her brother. This was not going as planned. she was happy erik is still alive. and she was willing to forgive him after she slept on it and talked it over. and planned on staying with him. but she needed to think about it a little more. but she had a feeling her mind was already set.
"As an artiste." said meg
"What a surprise." said bella
"To say the least." said raoul
"Yes, dear old friend, that's a happy tear, old friend! I can't conceal, try though I may, the way I feel so why pretend? I'm sure it's clear, to such a dear old friend!"
raoul can't believe everything that was going on since they have gotten here. and this tops everything. He knew his sweet sister had been friends with the bastard. but he wondered if they were more than friends. but now they think about it. When the bastard let them go, it was a bit odd to say the least. He never questioned it before. and now he was questioning it. He didn't love his wife he was in puppy love. He loved his sister. well, that is what he was thinking. bella sighed she wanted to get away from this right now. but she was not going to be rude. madam giry and meg was seething in anger inside from what was going on. but not going to let it out.
"You mustn't stay!" said madam giry
"Why should I leave may I ask?" asked bella
"Why are we here?" asked raoul
"Don't play naive!" said meg
"What dear old friends! Don't we all revere old friend!"
Meg can't believe that bella of all people was there to take her limelight from her. she was meant to be having her big break. but then again, he never said she was going to be headlining. she was only assuming that she was. and finally having her big break. but it seemed that once again someone else was taking it from her. even though she never understood why she was never the headliner. but now bella is here and now she was going to be the headliner. madam giry was going to be demanding answers from erik for this one. He was keeping things from her. and that was something that she hated. but for now, she needed to get through this.
"Nothing has been changed." said raoul
"And never will." said meg
"Just rearranged." said bella and madam giry
"And yet we're still such grand old friends, such devoted and old friends! Words could not suggest what's in my heart… And for the rest, why even start? You're dear old friends, Dear old friends! so much more than mere Such true friends! old friends! Back again at last, Back again, with everyone, everyone, isn't this great! God it's great! Won't this be fun! So much fun! With dear old friends… Utterly sincere old friends!"
bella wanted air from this moment. She was trying her best not to be rude. but she was sensing that she was not wanted around her old friend and bitch of a mother. She had a feeling that there was something going on with the two of them. but she was not going to say anything. but she was far older than anyone here and she seen some shit. so, there was something that she was noticing. raoul looked to his sweet, beautiful sister and knew she was not comfortable with meg and madam giry. It was something that he was taking notice. and he didn't like how they were making her feel. madam giry and meg was still seething inside and hated that this was even going on.
"Honey, break a leg." chirped meg
"Madame, good day." said raoul
"Enjoy your stay." said madam giry
"Hope it extends." said bella
"So glad you're here our lovely dear old friend! Old friends!"
bella sighed as raoul stomped off to go and have a stiff drink. sadly she was kinda agreeing with him on getting one of those as well. but right now she was looking to meg and madam giry. bella looked around to see where Lucius was at and he was no where to be seen. as she cursed herself knowing where her son wondered off to. unless erik came and gotten him when they were not looking. meg went to go and help her find her son. while szayel who came back with out Trista who went to lay down. the three of them went to go and find Lucius and see what he was up to. or if erik sent someone to come and get him to take him to him.
to be continued
