A single red rose

Masquerade Part 2

AMIELE'S POV:
I left Firmin's side and skirted down to where Christine and Raoul stood. "Congratulations." Christine whispered to me, I smiled at her falsely, I might as well get used to it.
"Thanks." I uttered back, focusing my attention back on the music and dancing. Me and Christine stare in awe at it.
Someone tapped my shoulder and I turn to see Firmin. "Would you do the honor of dancing with me my bride?"
I just nodded, not wanting to say any words and choke on my own disgust.
Firmin placed his hand on my hip and the other in my hand. My free hand was on his shoulder and we we're pulled quite closely against one another. We twirled around, and the music flooded through me.
"Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade,
Masquerade!
Hide your face so the world will never find you,
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade,
Masquerade!
Look around there's another mask behind you,
Masquerade!
Burning glances turning heads,
Masquerade!
Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you,
Masquerade!
Grinning yellows, spinning reds,
Masquerade!
Take your fill let the spectacle astound you!"
Firmin leaned into kiss me but before his lips touched mine the music stopped all around and gasps erupted everywhere.
Erik was here.
I was saved by Erik.
I liked to see Christine was right beside me, good luck I guess, and Firmin was frozen fear.
Every step he took down, another gasp from the crowd sounded around the room.
"Why so silent good Monsieurs?
Did you think that I had left you for good?
Did you miss me good Monsieurs I have written you and opera!
Here I bring the finished score!
Don Juan triumphant!" Erik sang, his angelic voice filling the room with authority and fear. He threw the leather folder on the ground where a the papers splayed out.
"Fondest greetings to you all," he began pulling out his sword, running it along his fingers.
"A few instructions just before rehearsals start.
Carlotta must be taught to act,
Not her normal trick of strutting around the stage." His sword went to her ugly feathered hat, where it ruffled it up and had Carlotta's mouth open wide.
"Our Don Juan must lose some weight,
It's not healthy in a man of Piangi's age.
And our managers must learn that there place is in an office." He pointed his sword to Andre, then looked for Firmin. He saw him standing beside me, frozen in fear, and his eyes went briefly to my neck, and I saw a flash of anger and jealousy there.
Wait, jealousy?
"Not the arts." He finished, hitting a light high note.
"As for our star," he glanced at me and I nodded towards Christine encouragingly, defying my heart once more.
"Miss...." He paused momentarily, "Amiele Belrose." My eyes went wide, he was supposed to say Christine! I felt my breath catch in my throat and my chest tighten.
"No doubt she'll do her best,
It's true her voice is good she knows,
Though should she wish to excel,
If pride would let her return to me,
Her teacher,
Her teacher." His smoothness had entered his voice again, and he sounded completely confident. He was with in arms length of me when our eyes met, and I could feel again.
His eyes danced down my neck to my ring and I saw his face contort with rage, his temper flared and he yanked the necklace from my throat. And shook it around wildly his fists wrapped around it and teeth grot together.
"Your chains are still mine!
You belong to me!" He hissed the ran to the center of the floor disappearing in a flash of smoke and a crackle of fire.