Here is the next chapter. I don't own anything or anyone from the Phantom of the Opera.
Chapter 11
"No, no, no", Erik shouted and stood up abruptly from his chair. It was the fourth day of the auditions already and his head was ready to explode. "I sit here for five hours and the only thing I hear is an annoying noise that destroys my acoustic field. Is there someone who can fully support his choice of song or not? I want some fresh air so let's take a break for a little while", he said and stepped away, leaving the two managers and the conductor astounded. A black figure followed him and found him into his office.
"Erik, what happened in the auditorium? Why are you so upset?", Madame Giry asked him. "There is no reason to yell at these people who have come here to find a job", she told him looking at him strictly.
"You know Madame that I have specific requirements from those who come to work for me. I am a perfectionist. Oh, speaking of perfection, I have a question. The people who work here. Why did you hire them in the first place?"
"Don't be mean Erik. You know that deep inside they have so much talent".
"Yes, but they don't get it on the surface. They keep it hidden like the most precious treasure", he said indignantly.
"But the talent is a precious treasure, Erik. You should know that. You have a talent yourself, your voice. You can't deny that".
"I can't and I will not but we both know that I can't show that talent, as you say, to the people. And you know why".
"I know but the only thing I ask you is to be nicer with them. They need a chance. Encouragement and support."
Erik sighed.
"I suppose you are right. It's just that I want to finish as soon as possible and no one is good for my taste".
"I understand. You missed your home and I am sure that your staff is missing you too. I am sure that the candidates are not so bad", Antoinette said with a smile.
"The truth is some of them were really good", Erik admitted. "They had prepared their song very well and their voices were clear. But I think that something is missing, you know".
"Don't be discouraged, Erik. You admitted just now that they were good. Soon or later you will find what you want", the older woman said squeezing lightly her friend's arm. "So, what voices are you looking for?"
"Well, the plot is about a young man who loves a young woman but they cannot be together only in the end when they defy the obstacles which appear to their path. I have almost found the second roles but my problem is the main roles. I can't find that voice which will fit in my opera perfectly. Something is missing".
"You have a problem with both characters? Female and male?"
"Yes. I need powerful voices. That boy who sang before the break had the right voice but he had a lack of breath. He couldn't breathe properly. And, alright, I can give him instructions to improve his breathing. But I have a huge problem with the female role. All the girls who sang these few days were screaming. No softness and sensitivity to the voice. No passion at all. A thin line. No emotion, nothing. Their eyes are empty of sentiment. I see a girl who just came here to sing right the notes and nothing more. Although…". He stopped.
Madame Giry looked at him curiously.
"Although… only one voice would make justice to the role ", Erik said looking at his papers, almost whispering.
Madame's eyes widened when she heard these words.
"Erik, I have something to tell you…", she started but her sentence was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Monsieur Destler are you alright? Can I come in?", Andre asked from the other side of the door.
"Of course you can Monsieur", Erik answered without hiding his displeasure from Madame Giry.
The door opened and Andre entered the room.
"Excuse moi Monsieur but we were wondering if you will continue with the audition or you want to stop for today".
"No, we will continue. Madame Giry, please go and find that boy. I think his name is Robert Johnson. Tell him to come and find me after the end of auditions, here, to my office. As for us Monsieur Andre, we have work to do".
Madame Giry nodded and exited the office, followed by the two men. She was ready to tell him about Christine but now she breathed with relief that she couldn't manage to do it. She knew that the voice which Erik mentioned was Christine's but she shouldn't tell anything yet. With a sigh, she continued her way.
"Come on, Bella. Where is my shoe?"
"How can I possibly know Eliza? It's your shoe. You are supposed to know where you put your things", Bella exclaimed annoyed.
"Agghhh! I can't find it. Where is it?"
That moment, the door cracked open and Meg entered the room.
"Hey girls. "What is going on?"
"Eliza lost her shoe", Bella said with an ironic tone in her voice.
"Don't mock me Bella", Eliza yelled at her. "Just remember how angry you were when you were looking for your purse".
"Hey, that was more important from your shoe", Bella cried at the other ballerina.
"GIRLS!", Meg shouted at the two ballerinas. "THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS FROM YOUR STUFF".
"THERE IT IS! I FOUND IT", Eliza exclaimed happily. "It was under my bed".
Meg rolled her eyes.
"Finally! Can we now concentrate on the most important things?", Bella asked and glanced at Meg with a cheeky grin.
"Why are you looking at me?", Meg asked.
"Because you talked about important things and because I am dying to know more".
"About what Bella? I don't understand".
"Come on Meggie. She is talking about Monsieur Destler", Eliza said with a laugh.
"What about him Bella?"
"Well, I don't know. Maybe you can tell us where is he from? How is he like a man? I have seen him and I think he is kind of cute".
"Bella, how can I know?", Meg said sitting on her bed. "Mother doesn't talk much. The only thing I know is that he came from Italy. He lives there and he made a deal with the managers to present one of his operas here. That's all".
"She didn't tell you anything else?", Bella said disappointedly.
"You will find out soon or later Bella. We will start rehearsals anyway. Can't you wait?", Eliza said.
"I can wait", Bella answered, glaring angrily to her friend. "It's just that, you know, I wanted to make some gossip".
The three of them laughed.
"The truth is that it's been so long from the last time we gossiped", Meg said laughing loudly.
"Yes. It hasn't happened something exciting from the day that the Opera House reopened", Elisa added.
"Indeed. It's something like the event of the year. A new blood in the Opera", Bella agreed and the three girls laughed louder. "But I can say that he is not so talkative, is he? I heard that he doesn't talk with many people, except your mother Meg and managers".
"You are right. I haven't even met him. I have seen him but mother haven't introduced me", Meg answered. "At least I hope he is a good employer and to leave as soon as possible".
Meg said the last sentence whispering, to hear it only herself.
Madame Giry found Christine out of her room. She was looking upset.
"Christine? What happened child?", Antoinette asked worriedly.
"I am sorry Madam but I need to talk to you. Rosalie doesn't feel very well and I thought that it would be a good idea to take us to stay at your home for these few days. Besides, the rehearsals would not start yet. May I ?"
"Christine, you do not have to ask. Of course, you can stay there. And, how many times will I tell you that this is your house too? You can stay as long as you want", Madame answered taking Christine's hands in hers.
"Thank you Madame", Christine said, sighing with relief.
Antoinette smiled to the young girl. "What's wrong with Rosalie?"
"She has caught flu. I took her to the doctor and he told me that this is not something I have to worry about. In a few days, he will be just fine. But it would be better to be somewhere quiet. Besides, I can cook and take care of her much better".
"You are right. It's very noisy here these days. The little angel needs rest. But I will come with you. I will not leave you alone".
"No, Madame, there is no need for that. You have to be here".
"Nonsense. As you said, rehearsals will not start yet. So I can take some days off. I need it. I will take Meg and come later. Now, take your child and go".
"Alright, Madame. Thank you".
Antoinette saw the brunette ballerina walk away and suddenly, she remembered something.
"Oh Christine, I almost forgot".
Christine turned around and looked the older woman curiously.
"What is it?"
Antoinette looked at her for a few seconds and she sighed.
"I met Erik earlier and we talked about the auditions into his office. He told me about the characters and that he can't find any female voice which οsuit to his requirements. And at the end, he whispered, more to himself, that only one female voice would be appropriate for this opera".
Christine couldn't understand.
"And you tell me this because…?", she asked, really confused.
"I think that he meant you. He didn't mean for me to hear it but I did. I don't tell you that to make you upset; I just wanted you to know. Don't forget that your voices were wonderful together".
Christine gave a bitter smile.
"That's right Madame. Were. And I don't forget how can I? But all this belong to the past. The truth is that I don't know why he said that, what he is thinking. Anyway, thank you for telling me. I will see you later".
Madame nodded and let Christine return home. Poor girl. She knew that she wanted to be strong for her little girl but, on the other hand, she was a bit scared. Antoinette only hoped that this situation would not be any worse. Only time could tell.
It was so quiet this hour. He was alone. He put the flowers near to the gravestone and looked the name on it.
Eveline Reneau
1829-1870
Beloved daughter and sister
A tear rolled down his cheek but he didn't care. He wanted to scream, to let everyone know his mourning, his sadness his desire to kill with his hands that bastard who killed that woman. To make him see what he caused to his soul. It was his daily habit to come here. He would sit there for half an hour and talk to her. Talking was really redeeming for him. He would tell her about his day and his plans and always, before he leaves, he made a promise. That he would take revenge.
"I will find him Eveline and I will make him regret all his deeds. I will make you justice".
With a sigh, he looked far away hoping that the guilty would pay.