Chapter 21
I don't own anything or anyone.
He opened his eyes to a new day. He didn't want to go at work, he thought looking at the window. It was indeed a beautiful day, the sun peeking through the blinds in a haunting tone, creating a mesmerizing effect on the very walls around him. Erik stood up from the bed with a heavy heart, got dressed, and exited the room. He and Nadir talked about everything that had happened in the last days. They talked almost all night. Now, Nadir was sleeping in his room and Erik was outside of the Opera House. He climbed the stairs and went towards his office when he heard laughs. He turned around and saw Christine with her daughter to be near the front door. Erik was ready to turn around his head and continue his way when he realized that Christine had seen him and was waving at him. He waved back and came closer to her.
"Bonjour Madame", Erik said to her taking off his hat.
"Bonjour", she answered back. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"
"Indeed it is. Are you going somewhere?", he asked.
"Yes, we haven't rehearsals today, so we decided to enjoy the sun".
That moment, Christine felt someone pull her dress.
"Ah", she said and kneeled, beside her daughter.
"Rosalie, this man is Monsieur Destler, the manager of the Opera House and conductor in our performance".
Rosalie looked at the tall figure. Erik kneeled as well and extended his hand to the little girl.
"It's nice to meet you, Rosalie".
The child looked the hand and then, her gaze went back to her mother.
"Give your hand to Monsieur Destler my love", Christine said tenderly to her daughter.
Rosalie gave her hand to Erik, clearly apprehensively.
Erik took it and left a soft kiss upon the hand's back. Rosalie giggled, making the adults around her to smile.
"What are we saying Rosalie?", Christine whispered to the girl's ear.
"It's nice to meet you too, Monsieur", she said to Erik.
"Good girl", the young woman said to her daughter and caressed her hair. She saw that a tiny smile was still formed upon the man's lips. Erik stood up.
"So, it was nice to see you both, ladies. I wish I could go for a walk too but I have some issues to take care of. Enjoy your day".
He took again his hat off and walked away. Christine stared for a few seconds at the tall figure and exited the building.
Erik entered his office and took off his coat. He sat at his chair and put his head on his hands. He had just met Christine and Raoul's daughter. She was a beautiful girl, with her mother's big eyes and her father's hair. Rosalie. A pretty name indeed. And the girl was really sweet. Erik smiled. That moment someone knocked on the door.
"Come in", he said.
"Bonjour Erik. Can I come in?", Antoinette said from the threshold.
"Yes of course. Is something wrong? Please have a seat".
"Thank you. No, everything is fine, I just wanted to share my thought with you".
Erik looked at her puzzled.
"What is it about?"
"Well", the woman started, "I was thinking that it would be a good idea to invite Nadir and you for dinner to my place. What do you think?"
Erik was more puzzled now.
"Dinner? Ah, I… don't know. Why did you think something like this anyway?"
"He is a friend of yours and it would be a nice opportunity to get to know him. Besides, we haven't seen each other for over ten years. I would like to have a conversation with you like the old days. We have not so much time here to do it".
"This is very kind of you Antoinette but I don't think that this is a good idea. What about your daughter and Christine?"
"I have already said my idea to Meg. Yes, she was hesitant at first but she agreed with my plan. As for Christine, I will tell her when I return home".
"If you insist, I will think about it".
Madame Giry nodded.
"I saw Christine with her daughter when I arrived. They wanted to go for a walk".
"Really? Good. What do you think of Rosalie?", Madame Giry asked him.
"She is a beautiful girl, just her mother".
Erik said the second part of his sentence very softly but Madame Giry heard it and hid the smile which formed upon her lips.
"Yes, she is. It's just an adorable little girl and very kind".
"I don't doubt it", Erik said laughing.
"I must go, Erik. Please let me know about dinner, alright?"
The Phantom nodded. He didn't know if that was a good idea. He was not used to eating with other people. Of course, that changed when he moved to Italy. He had dinner with his staff several times. He could do it again.
Erik told the news to Nadir the same evening and his friend agreed immediately. He tried hard to convince Erik that it would be just dinner. Nothing dangerous. Erik finally agreed too. The dinner was arranged for the next Saturday evening. The two men wore their best clothes and walked towards the Giry's house. Erik was nervous enough but he managed to hide it very well. They arrived and Nadir knocked on the door. Antoinette opened it and smiled at her two guests. Nadir passed the threshold first and gave a soft kiss to the hostess's hand.
"Good evening Madame, thank you for your invitation. That was very kind of you".
"Please call me Antoinette, Monsieur. Oh, it's nothing. It's a good chance to know you better. Please, come in".
Antoinette made the introductions and soon everyone was around the table. Erik greeted the three women and sat at his seat.
"Your home is so beautiful and warm", Nadir said looking around him.
"Thank you, Monsieur Nadir. My husband bought it for our wedding. We live here since there".
"I see. But, please, call me Nadir. We are among friends tonight. I think that the formalities are not necessary".
"You are right. Now let's bring the plates".
The girls put the plates and the glasses on the table and Antoinette brought the wine that Erik and Nadir had brought for the dinner. Erik poured the dark red liquid into the glasses. When everyone started eating, Nadir closed his eyes with pleasure.
"The dinner is absolutely delicious. My congratulations Antoinette".
"Thank you Nadir, I am glad you like it. I did my best".
"Modest, as always", Erik said a bit ironically drinking his wine. "I remember that you were always an amazing cook".
"Thank you, Erik, that's very kind of you", the woman said to him with humor in her tone. "And, to say the truth, Meg and Christine helped me as well".
"Oh, congratulations to all of you then", Nadir said. "Mademoiselle Meg, I can say that you are an excellent dancer. I watched your rehearsals".
Meg blushed a little.
"Thank you, Monsieur. Dance is my whole life. I would like to be even better".
"Oh, and you will be Mademoiselle, I am sure. And you Mademoiselle Daae, you were magnificent on stage. Congratulations".
"Thank you, Monsieur,", Christine answered. "We hope the audience will like our performance".
"Everything will be fine. Besides, you have an amazing composer and conductor", Nadir said and looked at Erik. The Phantom was silent all this time.
"It's not me, Nadir. All the people make hard work and I see an improvement since the first time. I am sure that we will be ready to show our work to all of Paris".
"Let's drink to this", Nadir said raising his glass, wanting to make a toast. "To the amazing performance which will make Paris see the Opera House in a different way again".
All of them clinked their glasses together hoping that this performance would be the first of many others to come. After an hour they were sitting in the living room. Antoinette served tea for everyone.
"So, Nadir, what do you think of Paris? You like it?", she asked sipping her tea.
"Yes, it's a beautiful city. Erik promised me to take me for a little tour tomorrow".
"That's nice. Will you stay for the performance?"
"Of course, I will. That's why I came here in the first place".
"Don't lie Nadir", Erik said wanting to tease his friend".
"What do you mean Erik?"
"You came here because you were so bored to Italy without me and you decided to take a little trip".
Everyone laughed. Poor Nadir. He almost drowned with his tea.
"Thank you, Erik. Now, these lovely ladies think than I am a lazy and lonely old man".
A second round of laughter followed. Meg and Christine were giggled as well and couldn't stop.
"No Nadir", Antoinette said without stopping laugh. "You are not an old, lazy man. Erik doesn't know what to say and he wants to tease you".
Nadir looked at Erik who was trying to drown his laughter. That man was unbelievable but Nadir had got used to him.
"Nadir, would you like to see our garden?", Antoinette said after she calmed down from the laughter.
"That would be great. Are you coming Erik?", he asked his friend.
"No, I prefer to finish my tea".
Nadir nodded and followed Antoinette in the garden. Meg excused herself as well and went to the kitchen. Now was just Erik and Christine in the living room. Alone. The first seconds were completely awkward. They looked at each other and smiled. No one knew what to say and how to start a conversation. Finally, Christine spoke first.
"Your friend is very nice and kind. I think he likes to be here".
"I think he likes Antoinette more", Erik said with a humorous tone.
Christine giggled.
"You think?", she asked looking at the garden's direction.
"I don't know, I said it as a joke but I can see fondness between them".
"Maybe you are right. He seems a good man".
"He is, I assure you".
Christine nodded and took her cup into her hands. Erik gazed at her.
"So how was your walk with Rosalie? That is her name, right?"
"Yes, right. We had a great time, thank you".
More seconds of silence.
"It's weird, you know. You and me here again.", Christine said again.
"I know. I would never return to Paris if I knew that you were still here".
"The first time I heard that you were here I thought you knew that I was in Paris. But you didn't".
"No, I don't. How could I?"
"Yes, you are right. How could you?"
"But I am glad that I see you again and you are well."
"Thank you. And you are a famous composer now".
"I do my best", he laughed. "If it was not Nadir beside me to guide me I would be a big nothing".
"Don't say that", Christine responded. "You were always a talented man".
Erik looked at her.
"Christine, that night on the bench…."
"Monsieur, that night on the bench you asked me a question about my life but I don't want to talk about that".
"I understand, I am sorry. And don't call me Monsieur, please. My name is Erik".
"Alright… Erik."
They both smiled. That moment Antoinette and Nadir returned. They were both absorbed into a conversation about flowers. Erik and Christine looked at each other. Maybe the former Phantom was right about his friend after all.
Monday morning arrived. Pierre's footsteps echoed into the halls of the Opera House. He was determined to visit Monsieur Destler and be sure that this visit would be unforgettable. As he walked to the hall, he met Monsieurs Richard and Andre.
"Bonjour Monsieur Reneau. What a pleasant surprise", Andre said to the officer. "What are you doing here"?
"I wanted to see Monsieur Destler. I was in a rush the last time we met and I wanted to have a little chat with him".
"Unfortunately, Monsieur Destler has not arrived yet, but you can wait for him in his office if you want", Firmin answered.
"That would be great", Pierre responded with a wicked smile.
"This way", Firmin said and led the officer to Erik's office. Pierre thanked the two men and sat on the chair.
He looked around him. The room was big enough. There were several pieces of furniture in there and some of them had small cabinets and drawers. His eyes wandered into space for a little while when they stopped upon the desk. Pierre stood up and looked at it. It had a big drawer on the center of the desk and three smaller drawers to each side. His desire to open them was huge and he didn't resist. Pierre opened the big drawer first. Disappointment. Only sheets of music, some pens, and an ink bottle. He was waiting to find something more useful so he opened one of the other drawers. No luck either. He was ready to open the next one when he heard footsteps in the hall. With quick movements, Pierre sat again at his seat and waited.
He was a bit late that morning. The weekend passed really fast but pleasant too. The dinner at Antoinette's home was not bad after all. He could say that he had enjoyed it. and had a little conversation with Christine again. Why he was feeling warmth inside him when he was thinking of that little chat? She had said that he was a talented man. He liked that. 'No Erik, we focus on Νadir, not Christine', the voice told him. 'Yes, right. Nadir'. Well, Nadir was so happy about the warm welcome he had received. Now he had a new friend in Paris.
Erik made his thoughts aside and opened the door of his office. He was astonished to find a man with a tall hat to sit in front of his desk. He was sitting with his back at the door and Erik couldn't see his face. Everything went clear when the stranger turned to his direction. Erik froze. He didn't expect visitors let alone the officer Reneau.
"Bonjour, Officer Reneau", Erik said with a blank expression, closing the door behind him.
"Bonjour, Monsieur Destler", Pierre said to Erik. He stood up and the two men shook hands. "I hope I don't bother you".
"Not at all, I just didn't expect you", Erik said with a serious tone in his voice putting his coat at the back of his chair.
"The last time I came we didn't have time to talk to each other so much so I thought to come and give you a warmer…. welcome", the officer said and an ironic smile made his appearance upon his face. On the other hand, Erik didn't like that visit at all.
"This is very kind of you officer but I must go to rehearsals in a few minutes. We are almost ready for the big opening, so….", the Phantom said and standing up from his chair. But Pierre didn't move from his seat and Erik realized that he couldn't get over with him so easy.
"I will not keep you long", Pierre continued looking satisfied his opponent. "I would like to welcome you in Paris as the authority of the city. It's your first time here, right?"
Erik felt that the last sentence was said with a special tone. Despite this, he didn't show anything.
"Oui, this is the first time".
"Then, my dear Monsieur Destler, you should know that you have come to the most magnificent and beautiful city with so many sights and hospitable people. Every corner hides a mystery. Even this Opera House is a jewel for Paris", he said and started walking around the room. "Magical and mysterious at the same time", he added. His eyes were glued to the man opposite him. Erik didn't react to what he was hearing.
"Mysterious?", he repeated. Erik wanted to know where that conversation would lead.
"Yes, mysterious. You have no idea what stories are hidden behind these walls. You don't know how many legends are hidden here".
"Stories? Legends?", Erik asked irritated.
"Oh, you know. Stories about the building, about the people who lived here. And you must know Monsieur that some of them are real. Very real. Like the story about the… Phantom of the Opera", Pierre said and looked Erik straight into the eyes. He had accomplished his goal and a wicked smile formed on his lips. Erik, at the sound of that, froze. He couldn't move or speak. His mind was working fast. No, that visit was not random, not at all.
"You have heard about that story, right?", Pierre continued undaunted.
"I am not sure, maybe", Erik answered. He started to feel cold sweat on his forehead.
"Let me remind you then", Pierre continued. "It had to do about a criminal who was living into the catacombs of the Opera House. One night, his true identity was revealed. In his attempt to escape, he dropped the big chandelier. As you can understand, he killed so many people that night and he managed to escape".
Pierre came closer to the desk and looked Erik into the eyes one more time. The masked man swallowed.
"Everyone said, even nowadays, that he died but I don't believe it. And trust me when I say that, if one day, he will be located and arrested, I will be the first one who will lead him to the gallows".
A few minutes of silence followed. Erik's eyes were glued into Pierre's. He was shocked. His legs were trembling and his heart was beating fast.
"Shall we go?", Pierre asked the man in front of him.
'Will he arrest me already?', Erik wondered.
"Monsieur Destler?", Pierre asked with a kind smile this time.
"Yes?", Erik asked completely lost.
"Are you coming?"
"Where?"
"To the rehearsals of course, where else? You waisted enough minutes of your precious time with me. I will return to the police department".
Erik couldn't move at all. He felt like his legs were screwed on the floor. Finally, he stood from his chair but remained at the same spot.
"You will have the kindness to send me an invitation about the performance, am I right?"
"Of course, of course", Erik answered whispering. He was trying to calm himself down but with no results.
"Very well Monsieur Destler, I am glad for that little chat we had. Thank you for your time. Have a nice day", Pierre said taking off his hat and walked away.
Erik nodded. When the door closed behind the officer, he collapsed in his chair. He got dizzy and his head buzzed. He rubbed his forehead with his hand.
"What was that? The officer knows something, I am sure he knows. I have to tell Nadir and Antoinette about this".
He took some deep breaths and felt his pulse going back to normal. For a moment, Erik thought to leave the building and cancel the rehearsal but he decided otherwise. No one had to find the slightest. So, he gathered his strength, wore his jacket, and with the sheets of music in his hand, he walked towards the auditorium.