A Girl's Desire (Phantom Of The Opera x Reader)

5. My Time With Erik

A/N: h/c= hair color and f/c= favorite color
This chapter gets a tiny bit spicy, so prepare yourself, children. I hope you enjoy it!

In the overworld of the opera, I scurried to the ballet rats' dormitories. Everyone was packing their scant belongings, grumbling to each other about being on a reduced salary for several months.

Spearheaded by Sylvie, a few girls were plotting the formation of their own brothel to tide them over, but I tried not to pay attention to that. No, Erik needed me. Erik- it was a unique name, but that's precisely why it suited him. Each part of him was a new facet I couldn't wait to explore, and luckily, I had the sheer privilege of spending six months with him.

No! I could not get attached. I was his assistant, his errand girl, but nothing near a lover, not even a friend. Christine's presence in the dormitories reminded me anew of this fact. Considering the lengths Erik was taking to push Raoul out of the picture, I refused to willingly throw myself between Christine and her angel.

I could hardly wait until the ballerinas left the dormitories over the next few hours. Slowly, they all filtered out, back to their homes- or to the site of a prospective brothel, depending on who I asked.

When everyone had left, Meg plopped down on an empty bed, staring up at me.

 "Y/n, where are you headed?"

I shrugged. I couldn't very well say "the Phantom's underground lair", though it surely would offer Meg a thrill. Instead, I formed a quick lie.

 "Oh, I rented a flat somewhere. No need to worry about me. I'll enjoy my few months of no work there."

 "No work at all?" Meg arched an eyebrow. "Who's the lucky patron keeping you afloat?"

My cheeks flamed, as I realized the implication I'd just created.

 "No, no, Meg, it's not like that-"

Meg's easy laughter cut me off.

 "No worries. I won't tell anyone. Just be nice to him, and you'll have a great break."

Meg winked, as I tried to tame my burning face.

 "Anyways." Meg bounced up from the bed. "Have a nice break. I should be going. Christine!"

At this point, she was in the doorway, calling down the hall. I breathed a sigh of relief, as Meg hurried away.

I hoped that would be the last I saw of anyone until Erik came for me at midnight, but a few minutes later, Madame Giry stepped into the dormitory.

She smacked her staff against the hard wooden floor.

 "Why are you still here, Y/n? All the girls were supposed to leave by now."

 "I- I was just on my way out..."

 "Then, leave!"

Her tone, the severity of it, was something I'd never defy. Before thinking about my next plans, I was chased out of the opera by Madame Giry.

 "Now, Mademoiselle L/n, I bid you an excellent break."

Madame Giry dipped her head in farewell to me, then herded Meg and Christine down the street.

Well, I was royally screwed over until Erik showed up to get me.

Long story short, I meandered the streets near the opera for the next few hours. I came upon a sweet little café and sat down to hot chocolate and a croissant. That would substitute a dinner with nutritional value.

By 11:30 p.m., I couldn't dilly-dally in the café any longer. I wandered back to the opera at a leisurely pace until I discerned a cockney accent that made my stomach clench.