Me: Hello my lovely readers! It me Nightstar with a new chapter! Hopefully this makes up for last week's chapter
Erik: *smiles*I liked last week's chapter! :)
Me: I liked it too Erik but it was rather short so hopefully this makes up for it. Anyways I'd like to thank 20DreamBig12, Captianawesome, DatRadiation, Die-Hard-Twi-Hard-13, EmilyDeathHeart13, GhostOfMyLady, Lexi-Chan17, Phantomphan12, PrettyRecklessLaura, Riiot, SailorSedna052, Sami4321, Sephira1, Silence Navarathna, Stormfrost14, angelskull16, animafreak14, breannapierson1990, catlover2015, foxgodess07, jigokunooujo, kaseym, marlilsis, military brat 1366, nofilter, odessa-fairychild, and uyay who follow this story. I appreciate this very much and becuae of you guys I continue this story :D
Erik: *claps* brava brava bravisima. Now on with this story!
Me: As you guys know I do not own Phantom of the Opera I only own my OCs and this plot. Hope you enjoy this chapter and please comment and review this story :D
Elena's P.O.V~
(1:00 o'clock the next day during midday meal)
"Elena, I don't think you understand the importance of Rebecca's statement yesterday! It could change all of our lives for good!" Meg Giry insisted as we ate our meal in the dinning hall with the others.
"I understand Meg. The thing I don't understand is how you deduced is in love with me? I mean he is my tutor and he barely held my hand Meg. He is protective of me and cares for me but as a friend Meg," I said as we conversed and nibbled on our light lunch.
"And what about your feelings for him Elena? Do you care for Erik as a friend or is it deeper than that? Hmm?" Meg inquired.
"Meg I am a mother and I can't think or bother with these types of thoughts when I have a child to worry about! I am a mother and sister first, then a friend, and then Prima Donna. Love is something I am not looking for nor will I look for it in this particular moment."
"Elena do not use your daughter as an excuse to why you do not court or wish to court. My mother courted when I was little and I did not find it unusual. Besides Elena, if anyone deserves love it is you! Perhaps you are not looking for love but love is looking for you Elena, and when it finds you, you will have no choice but accept it… and you still haven't answered my question Elena."
Just as I was about to answer her, Miguel came in and sat next to me. "Hello ladies! It is a wonderful day isn't it?" He addressed both of us but his gaze locked with mine.
"It is, it almost makes me regret not taking my day of today," I spoke sincerely.
"It was your day off today? I must admit Elena you are committed but you need to relax and pamper yourself a bit you know? Life is a gift and you must enjoy this gift because you do not have tomorrow assured… I apologize for my boldness, and not just today's but yesterday's boldness too. No tenia derecho en entrometer me en tu vida asi (translation: I had no right to get into your life that way.). Elena my behavior has been, how do you say, rude and I ask you for your forgiveness. Lo siento mucho y por favor perdoname (translation: I am very sorry and please forgive me.)," Miguel spoke with an apologetic way. I smiled at him and nodded. He was insufferable yesterday but he was admitting to me that his behavior was rude.
"I accept your apology and I do hope you forgive me for my behavior yesterday as well and that we can be friends," I said as I placed my hand with his. We stared at each other for the longest we only broke apart due to a loud cough emitted by Meg Giry. She looked very angry with Miguel but I couldn't understand why.
"Well I'll leave you two ladies to converse, remember today rehearsals end at 5 just before sunset," Miguel left as he left our table and walked out of the dinning hall. Just as he was leaving I saw a few of the ballerinas stare at me and whisper. I herd a certain word that made me stand up quickly and confront the girl.
"Excuse me but is there something you wish to discuss with me in particular mademoiselle?" I asked with a harsh tone.
"Oh stop acting all high and mighty! You are no better than the rest of us Miss Vega. We all know your little secret of how you have a child. That you are a mother," the girl said and spat at certain words as she stood up.
"Josette stop," her friend urged as she tried to stop her from coming near me.
"Quite Marianne! I had enough of Miss Perfect and Holy thinking she is better than the rest of us here! I worked long and hard to get the position I have today; I, unlike some people, wasn't sister of the patron of the opera house. I didn't have my position placed on a silver platter like others," Josette spat at me.
"Mademoiselle, we all worked hard to get the position we all receive fairly. I did not know, until recently, that my brother was patron of the opera house! Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre can tell you that yourself. I worked for most of my life to get my voice to be where it is today, so I know what it is like to work hard for the position I have," I said with a slightly raised voiced. The whole ensemble was listening now.
"Liar!"
"The only liar in this room is you mademoiselle!" I exclaimed.
"So you are saying that you are not the sister of the patron or that you do not have a daughter?"
"Yes, I am the sister of the patron and I have a child but I-" I was starting to say but was cut off.
"You see everyone! Elena just admitted it! She is not the angel we all thought she was! Look at our Prima Donna just the same as La Carlotta!"
"Now listen here you! I may be the elder sister of the patron and I may be a mother but I have never talked down to anyone or demand to be the Prima Donna! I am not an angel but I am certainly not the same as La Carlotta!" I fumed.
"Your right," Josette mocked, "you are not like Carlotta you are worse! Carlotta was a flirt yes but at least she wasn't a whore like you! And even if she did sleep with a man and became impregnated with that man she wouldn't keep it she'd get rid of it!"
" 'It' ,as you refer to it, is a child. A human being, Josette!" I exclaimed with rage. Many looked at me and agreed while others really just tried to ignore the argument but found it fruitless.
"Only someone who lost their chance would say that! What stopped you Elena? Did your lover say that he would stay by your side? Did he say he loved you? Was he rich? Ah that's the answer isn't it! Only Spanish tarts like you would keep a bastard-" Josette did not finish her sentence. Everyone gasped and stayed silent. No one had ever seen me yell at someone let alone become violent with someone. Josette kept holding her redden cheeks and had tears forming in her eyes.
"You, Josette, can call me a whore, a no talent, a manipulator, a "Spanish tart"... you can insult me Josette but DO NOT EVER call my daughter a bastard or a mistake because she is neither! You can tarnish my reputation, make other believe I am whore and just use my brother to get the post I worked hard for, or make me the number one enemy of the whole opera house, strike me down I don't care! But you lay a hand on my daughter and I swear to God in heaven that you will regret it for the rest of your life!" I said as Meg led me away from Josette.
"Is that a threat?!" Josette exclaimed as Meg and I were heading out of the room.
"Oh no I don't make threats; I make promises," I coldly and sinisterly said as we left to my dressing room. The walk to our destination was short and silent, but as I headed into the room and let Meg enter I slammed the door and spoke rapidly in Spanish cursing here and there. I grabbed a pillow and screamed into it. I did this twice and was about to so it a third time until a warm and rather husky voice stopped me.
"Elena, you will hurt your voice if you keep screaming into the pillow and we had made so much progress. I wouldn't want to teach you the same things again," Erik spoke as he grabbed the pillow from my grasp and cupped my cheek. I took a deep breath and smiled warmly at him.
"Did you see-"
"I did but please don't remind me because I am trying hard not to go and make that ballet rat pay for what she said," Erik said as he dropped his hands and clenched them until they turned white. Meg and I were alarmed at his words.
"Erik, please don't do anything to her. I know she said awful things but don't take matters into your own hands. If you do that it makes you no better than her," I pleaded with him. He looked at me as if I were mad but as he looked at me he started to calm down.
"Elena you have to tell Mathew," Meg stated, "he is the only one who they will listen to and believe."
"No Meg, I will not tell Mathew. If he speaks to all of them then Josette would get what she wants… No I will not tell him Meg. I can fight my own fights and with greater power when it comes to my family Meg." I said.
Erik looked at me with what I thought was admiration and love… love? No it can't be love? Can it? I stared a bit more at Erik and felt my heart flutter when he maintained eye contact with me. What is happening to me?
"Elena, I'm going to tell mother you are not going to continue joining us for today. It is after all your day off so enjoy yourself… Phan- Erik please try to convince her to actually relax," Meg interrupted that moment and then left us alone. I blushed profoundly as Erik turned to close the door and when he came near me I felt like I was about to explode. I felt consumed with a strange warmth from within as he held my hands.
"Elena, what you said to Meg was the most sincere thing I've ever heard… However, you don't have to fight your fights alone. I will be there for you and I will do anything in my power to ensure that you and Rebecca are safe. You don't have to face things alone because I will be right here with you," Erik stated. I looked at him and felt that same flutter and warmth, I felt happy and secure near Erik. I felt as if everything he said was assured and that I did not need to worry.
Is this what love feels like? No you silly girl, this is your maestro you are talking to not a suitor Elena! He is your teacher and friend! He loves another… and that will never change. Besides he deseres someone better. Dios mio Elena you are a mother! You cannot think of love… This is not like your books. I sadly thought. I faked a smile and nodded.
"Thank you Erik. You always know what say… you are a good friend," I sincerely said. As I looked up I saw a flash of disappointment in his eyes. Why would he be disappointed?
"Thank you." Erik bowed and then stared at me again. We stared at each other for a rather long time. His eyes shone brighter and I was lost in them. Rebecca commented in the morning that Erik's eyes were two oceans that was easily to get lost in. As the memory of my daughter came up I remembered her celebration and a certain guest of honor.
"Oh by the way Rebecca has formally invited you to her birthday celebration. She insists on you coming Erik and wants you to be the first one to arrive as her guest of honor," I chuckled remembering my daughter's excitement. Erik was shocked but smiled at me.
"It would be an honor attention Rebecca's birthday celebration. I look forward to it!" Erik replied with eloquence and playfulness. I gave him all the details of her celebration and I couldn't help myself at feeling excited, nervous, and overwhelmed with new feelings.
"Elena, forgive me, but I must go. I have other matters to attend to, though, I rather be with you here," Erik stated as he got up.
"It is fine Erik. I understand, besides I am afraid I must take my leave too. I must go back to Rebecca and plan out other details for her party… I hope we see you there," I said as I accompanied Erik to the mirror.
"Don't worry my nightingale. I will attend and I will make that little angel's celebration unforgettable. I assure you," Erik said and with that he closed the door to the mirror and left me stunned. I could not wait for Rebecca's birthday celebration.