After The Opera Burned || Phantom Of The Opera

Chapter 14 - Rebound

Erik left Meg within his room as he made his way after Charles to his quarters. Coincidentally, the room was right next to both of the Giry's, which Erik didn't seem to mind. He didn't knock, but opened the door quickly and then slammed the door behind him once inside. There were two windows on the south side of the room, decorated in the same manner that the outside was. The walls were two different shades of blue with subtle stripes signifying different hues, contrasting shades from the inside walls of the manor, and the bed was a matching tone of blue, complemented by a wooden trim. It was a rather large bed for someone of Charles' size and he knew it was a bigger room then what he was used to back home. Upon entering was the door and a statue of the ancient goddess Aphrodite, sitting upon her infamous shell and a cherub. Erik couldn't tell if it was a certain stone but it did appear to be white marble. He too had his own bathroom to match from what he could see and his own space for clothes.

Charles had been staring at the door when Erik entered, eyes wide with no idea what he had just walked in on. Charles had known Erik to be angry for him just barging in, but he had never seen him this angry.

"I apologize Erik," Charles said softly, looking down to the floor to hide from Erik's questioning glare.

Erik growled to himself, moving away from the door to stand right in front of Charles, to over power him, "I am not angry."

Charles still didn't look up at him but winced as he spoke, "You are angry Erik. You just growled."

Erik shook his head, walking over towards one the windows in Charles' room and stared out at the view. Erik didn't know his room's own view but Charles' was rather nice. A great view of the backyard and somewhat hindered view of the staff house. Erik crossed his hands behind his back, not turning to the boy, "No I should rather thank you."

Charles now was confused enough to look up, noticing Erik facing the window, " Wh-what?"

Erik shook his head, "For if you had not walked in when you did, I would have done something unforgiveable."

Charles tilted his head to the side, studying Erik's stance to the best of his ability, "Unforgiveable?"

Erik nodded, moving his hand to the golden trimming of the window he was gazing out of, "For some reason I find myself.... attached to Meg."

Charles coughed for a second, shaking his own head, "Well that is good, is it not?"

Erik now turned to face Charles, shaking his head sadly, "No."

"But why is it not good news?" he asked, crossing his arms as his eyebrows furrowed. Surely it looked like he had walked in on an intimate moment that they both wished to be a part of, but here Erik was thankful it never happened. Had Meg thrown herself on him? From what little he knew of Meg she could be headstrong, but she was a shy and timid creature with a soft voice and exquisite manners.

Erik looked at Charles for a moment, seeming to study his features as to his question, "I cannot develop feelings for a lady, or any woman, because my heart will always belong to Christine."

Charles groaned loudly as if annoyed, "Oh snap out of it man. It's your fault you're not with her to begin with!"

Erik began shaking at Charles' words, but never muttered anything in retaliation.

Charles continued his rant, "When you told me that you were after Christine Daae, no, Christine De Chagney, I told myself 'ok, this is a lovesick fool. But she just got married so who knows how she feels?' I did my hardest to try and work it out so she would take you back and you what happened next?"

Erik didn't respond, but he did continue to listen.

Charles continued once more, "You ruined her! You left her alone at the abandoned opera house, confused and rejected, just as you always pity yourself to be! You had her right where you wanted her and she was yours for the taking, and my old chap you couldn't get it out of your head that you could be loved!"