Chapter 2
Italy
It was a beautiful, shiny day. Two green eyes were looking at the garden outside of the window. A garden full of roses. Yellow, white, pink, but especially red. He loved the red ones. They reminded him of his past. The beautiful moments back at the Opera house when he let a red rose tied with a black ribbon for her. Only for her. But all these things had changed and he had made his choices. That morning he had read in the newspaper an article about the reopening of the Opera Populaire. He missed his home and he was feeling really happy about these news. And then, he made a desicion.
"Lorentzo!", Erik called his servant.
"Si senior. What can I do for you?"
"Bring me a cup of tea, please".
"Si senior Erik".
"Oh, and send a note to monsieur Khan please. Tell him to come here as fast as he can".
"Si senior".
Lorentzo was his faithful servant for the last five years. He was always willing to do anything about his master and never, but never, didn't make questions. After ten minutes Lorrentzo was back and Erik was sitting at his desk. He decided to make a donation to the Opera House. Also, he would write a letter to the managers. All these years he had made a little fortune so his present was really generous.
"I think that 100,000 francs must be enough", whispered to himself.
Then the servant came back again.
"I am sorry for the interruption senior Erik. Senior Khan has arrived".
"Thank you Lorentzo. Tell him to come in and please don't interrupt us."
"Yes senior Erik."
In a few seconds Nadir Khan appeared at the door. He was a tall man with olive skin and Erik's best friend.
"What happened Erik? Are you alright?"
"Don't worry my dear daroga. Everything is fine.
"Then? Why the message to come as fast as I can?"
"I'll tell you. Have you read the newspapers this morning?"
"No I didn't. Why?"
"The Opera Populaire has reopened", whispered Erik looking outside the window.
"Really? After so many years?"
Erik nodded.
"How do you feel about that?", Nadir asked.
"Happy, I suppose. And this is the reason why I asked you to come here."
"To share your happiness with me?", Nadir asked jokingly.
"No Nadir, I want you to do me a favor".
Nadir looked at him questioningly.
"Don't look at me like that daroga. It's an easy task, don't worry."
"I am all ears then".
Erik explained what he wanted from him. When he finished, Nadir seemed thoughtful.
"Do you think that maybe they will recognize your handwriting?"
"I don't know but we must be really careful. I have a peaceful life here, I don't want to ruin it."
"But are you sure that the managers are Monsieurs Firmin and Andre?"
"I suppose so".
"Alright, then. I 'll do it. What do you want me to write?"
Erik started to dictate. In twenty minutes everything arranged. The letter was finished and Nadir was suppose to deliver it as well.
" I have to admit though that you are a very generous man", Nadir told Erik when he saw the check.
" I would give anything for my home daroga, you know that."
Nadir smiled and exited the office. Erik turned again to the window.
"I hope everything goes well."
And with that, his thoughts went to Paris once more.