The choices we made

Chapter 11.

*Christine

I was worried about Erik.

I got used to the fact that when I entered the kitchen, Erik used to greet me, who was preparing breakfast for us. That's why I was surprised when I found no one there. I thought that maybe for the first time since I was there, Erik had fallen asleep soundly. Passing quietly by Erik's room, I stopped by the door. I put my ear to the door. I didn't hear the bed creaking from time to time, or any other sound coming from Erik's room. It was too quiet there.

Hesitating for a moment, I knocked quietly on the door. Silence answered me.

Starting to worry a little, after a while I knocked again. When I didn't get an answer then either, I grabbed the door handle and pressed it.

"Erik?" I whispered as I opened the door slightly.

Erik's room was dark. The only source of light came into the room through the light in the living room.

I took an uncertain step towards the room. I had never been in his room. Even though I couldn't see much, I noticed that his room was furnished with Louis VI mahogany furniture. Books and sheet music were lying everywhere.

But there was no sign of Erik. I closed the door behind me and walked away from his room.

He wasn't home.

So where was he? How long ago had he been? Why hadn't he told me anything?

I racked my brain about this. Every now and then my mind would come up with a darker and darker scenario. I imagined Erik leaving the opera to replenish his food supplies. On his way back he was stopped by the police. Or attacked by a gang of thugs... wounded... What if he was bleeding to death in some dark, forgotten alley?

I thought I would go mad from not knowing.

The quiet splashing of water made me jump up without a moment to what was supposed to be the front door to Erik's house. Peeking out from behind it cautiously, I saw a male silhouette rocking on a boat. As the figure approached the shore, I noticed with relief that it was Erik. He was back! He was alive!

Without waiting for him to enter the house, I ran down two steps and quickly walked towards him.

"Erik! Where were you? " I asked in an angry tone.

Pulling the bow of the boat onto the shore, Erik looked at me. From under the mask covering Erik's entire face, I saw in his eyes... anxiety?

"Christine... I didn't think..." he tried to explain, but under the influence of emotion I interrupted him.

"God only knows what I was going through here... You didn't tell me anything, you didn't even bother to leave a note!" I raised my voice slightly "... I was worried about you" I added more calmly.

"I'm sorry Christine that I scared you. I didn't think it would take me so long... I was sure I'd make it back before you got up "he explained, sending me an apologetic look.

Feeling the cold in this part of the underground, I wrapped my arms around myself.

" Will you tell me where you were?"I asked

I watched him carefully.

" I will, but let's go inside first, okay? "Erik reached for a package from the boat, and together we entered Erik's house.

" It's not how I planned it, but"... - he took a deep breath " Happy birthday, Christine."

I looked at him like he was an idiot.

What was he saying?

Erik must have seen the confusion on my face, because he added:

" Today is your birthday, Christine."