Hello guys! So, this is my next chapter and I hope you enjoy it. I want to apologize for any grammatical mistakes. Oh, I don't own any character from the Phantom.

Chapter 4

It was only 8 a. m. but the entire mansion was already awake. Lorentzo was tidying up his master's office once he was the only one who allowed to do it. His master, Erik.

The old butler really loved him as the rest of the staff. He was generous with them and they had never heard anything bad from his mouth.

He met his employer 7 years ago. The composer had required, through an ad in the local newspaper, an obedient servant and Lorentzo was more than happy to serve him. But when they met, Lorentzo was staring at him with wide eyes. The man was wearing a white mask which covered the right side of his face. At first he was speechless and couldn't stop staring at the man before him but then he thought that maybe he had an injury. Erik had seen that the old man was staring at him but he didn't say anything.

"I will keep you for a trial period of time, let's say for 2 weeks, and then I will decide if you will stay or not. Am i clear?" he had said.

"Si signor", Lorentzo answered.

He smiled in this memory. Erik Destler was a very secretive man. There were days that he was closed in his office and worked for hours without food or sleep. Then he remembered that one day, in the end of second week, he heard a fight between his master and his partner Signor Khan. He couldn't quite understand what they said but from the tones of their voices he could say that it was something very important. Lorentzo decided to not say anything and he turned to his duties. But after 5 minutes he heard loud noise and saw Signor Khan storming out of the house. He went to ask Signor Erik what happened but what he saw made him stop dead in his tracks: the office was a mess. The desk was overturned, all the papers were scattered all around the floor and the ink was spilled on the carpet. But Lorentzo's gaze was staring at one particular thing: a white mask. The old servant leaned and took it in his hands. Then he looked at the trembling figure at the end of the room. Erik Destler was standing in front of the window. His hands leaned on the window sill and he was breathing slowly trying to calm his anger. His back was at the door. Lorentzo took a step ahead.

"Signor Erik…"

"Go away Lorentzo…", Erik said with an angry voice.

"I will leave you alone Signor but I want to tell you something. All the problems have a solution. If something terrible happened to you in the past, it's up to you to overcome it. I don't know who you really are or how was your life before but I can I assure you that nothing can solve with anger. The anger is a bad advisor. The best you can do is to calm your nerves and think logically. If you want to talk to someone I will be more than happy to hear you and if you allow me, to advise you. Oh, and the mask is here, on the table", Lorentzo said and left the room.

Erik was looking at the point where the old man stood. He couldn't believe in his ears. No one had talked to him like this before. Except, maybe, Nadir. But what did his servant said? That his mask was on the table. So, Lorentzo suspected that probably there was something wrong with his face and he didn't even ask him about it? He didn't even ask him to see it? Erik couldn't believe it. Lorentzo, not only did not start question him about the mask but spoke to him like a father. A real father. Erik was speechless. His brain worked so fast that he thought that his head would explode. He didn't know how to react. Should he talk to him or pretend that this conversation never happened? In the matter of seconds he grabbed his mask, secured it on his face and went to find Lorentzo. He found him dusting the big table in the dining room.

"What did you tell me back there?" he demanded.

"Only the truth Signor", the old man answered calmly without looking at him.

"What truth? I don't understand you. Will you not question me about the mask? Will you not question anything about the mess in my office?", Erik said a bit angry.

"It's not my job to make questions Signor", Lorentzo said continuing to dust. "My job is to keep all the house clean and to serve you without questions. Is this enough for you"?

Erik was lost.

"What are you saying? Will you not quit? You just saw that something is wrong with the master of the house. I am sure that a face with a mask upon it, it's not a normal sight, am I wrong?".

Lorentzo stopped his work and looked at him. "I've already told you Signor, it's not my job to ask you questions. It's obvious that you have reasons to wear a mask, maybe a scar or something else. Maybe you took part in a war and you have injured really bad or you are eccentric and love masks. It's not my business to ask. The truth is that when I met you for the first time I was staring at you, yes, but I didn't ask anything and I will never do. But I am telling you again that I am a good listener and if you want to talk to somebody, I am here".

Erik was confused. He didn't know what to do.

"No one has never talked like this to me before. They would just stare at me all the time and do questions. So, I want to say thank you and I am sorry for earlier"., Erik said apologetically.

"That's quite alright Signor. Do you need anything else"?

"No for now, thank you."

After this incident Erik was more friendly with Lorentzo and let him stay for another week. In the end of this week Erik called the old servant to his office.

"Lorentzo, I called you here because I want to tell you that I appreciate your job all these days and I want to thank you one more time for everything. From now on you are a member of this house. Congratulations!"

"Gracie, Signor".

"And because you are the only member in this house I need you to do me a favor. If you know anyone who needs a job and can take care of a house, like cooks, servants etc. please let me know because Ι need them. You can't do all the house works alone. Can you do this for me?"

"But si Signor. I know many people who need the job and I am sure that they would love to work here."

"Good. Oh, and don't say anything about the incident which took place here, please. Or about the mask. Understand?"

"You didn't have to ask this of me Signor. I wouldn't, anyway".

"Thank you Lorentzo. You are free to leave now".

Lorentzo made a bow and exited the office.

And that's how Lorentzo stayed finally in the house. After 7 years he couldn't ask for a better boss. Erik hired more staff and promote Lorentzo in the post of butler. He was good to them and in return they respected his privacy and never made any questions. Erik Destler was a good and generous man eventually.