No Backward Glances

Chapter 8: Disapproval

December 26th, 1882
{Erik's P.O.V}

I am awakened from my slumber by a heavy hand banging on my door. I groan & begin to get out of bed. I try my best not to wake the sleeping Christine on my chest but as soon as I make a movement, she wakes up.

"Where are you going?" she asks, pressing herself closer to me.

The heavy banging on the door answers her question for me.

"Fine, go." she says, giving my deformed cheek a kiss.

I hurriedly get dressed, slip
on my prosthetic & go to open the door.

"Nadir!" I say surprised as I let my old friend into my home.

"Hello, Erik!" he says, giving me a friendly slap on the back.

"Come on, Nadir. We've been friends for how long?" I say, opening my arms for an embrace.

He laughs at me & gives me a hug.

"What has gotten into you, Erik?" Nadir asks.

Just then Christine walks out of the bedroom. Nadir's jaw drops to the floor.

"Bonjour." she says politely.

"Nadir, this is Christine."

He stares at me wide-eyed. "But I thought-"

"She came back." I say, interrupting him.

"Oh, forgive me, Mademoiselle. I wasn't informed about your relations with Erik. It took me by surprise. I am Nadir Khan."

"It's fine, Monsieur Khan." she says, walking into the kitchen.

"Please, both of you sit down. I'll make breakfast." she says, bringing out the plates & pans from the cupboard.

"Let me do that, my love." I tell her, blocking her from the countertop.

"Please, stop worrying. I can so it, darling." she changes her tone to a whisper & says "Go sit & talk to him, please."

"Fine." I sigh. "But do I at least get a good morning kiss?" I ask, placing a hand on her hip. She turns to face me & gives me a long & passionate kiss. I push her against the counter, not being able to handle just this.

Christine then pulls away with a sheepish smile on her beautiful porcelain face. "I do believe we have company, love."

I turn to see Nadir awkwardly staring at the tablecloth, trying to pretend that he hadn't been watching & that a woman loving me was completely normal. I chuckle then give Christine's forehead a kiss.

"One moment." I tell Nadir as I walk into the chamber room to freshen up.

After five minutes I walk back to the dining table & sit down. "So how have you been, Nadir?" I ask.

"Erik, what are you doing?" he say in a hushed tone, closing his eyes & pressing his fingers against his temples.

"What do you mean?" I question.

"You know exactly what I mean. Erik, she's a child." he says, trying to be as quiet as possible.

"Alright. Yes our age difference is rather large but-"

"No. No but's about this. This is wrong."

"What's so wrong about love?" I say angrily, still keeping my voice low. "Is it so hard to accept that she actually cares about me? That I love her more than anything else in the world?"

Nadir groans & places his tiered & worn face into his palms.

"Is there anywhere we can talk about this?" he asks.