The Affair

Chapter 14

The next day, Erik sat in Christine's room, waiting for her. He had been there all day, it was nearly dark outside and she hadn't shown. He was starting to worry. He hadn't seen Gustave all day either. 

Erik looked at the door as it slowly started to open, but let out a small sigh when he saw Madame Giry walk inside, "Any sign of her?" he uttered and then went back to staring at the floor.

"No, Erik. I have not seen her at all today. Gustave, however, has been out and about with one of his new friends. He is back now and in bed asleep." Madame Giry replied without emotion.

"Where could she have gone?" Erik frowned, "She said that she would come see me."

"She might have gone to see Vicomte. Or just simply had to get away for a bit, whatever it is, I'm almost positive that she will be alright." Madame giry smiled at him, "Erik, I can see that you are worried, don't beat yourself up about it, you shouldn't have found out this way. She was frightened with the thought of telling you, and now that it's out, she's more frightened now than ever. She doesn't know how to act around you really, you are different from what she is used to with Vicomte, give her time. She loves you, and you love her. Go get some rest. Im sure Christine will be back by morning." 

Erik looked up at Madame Giry, "Find out what?" he said without thought, he paused, "I'll get some rest, but if she is not here by morning, we're going to look for her."

Madame Giry looked at him, had Christine not told him? She thought to herself and then shrugged it off, "Only if she is not here by morning." Madame Giry said again, "Now go on and get to bed. I have to go finish some business with André and Firmin, then I'll be getting to bed myself." she said with a small yawn, then locked the door.

What was Christine afraid to tell me? Erik started to think. What was she going to tell me? He thought more.

 Madame Giry bit her lip as she walked to Andrés office. Uh oh. She thought to herself as she knocked.

"Ah. Madame Giry." André smiled slightly as he opened the door, "Any sign of her?"

"No, Monsieur. I searched the whole Opera House." Madame Giry worried, "I hope she hasn't gone back to see Vicomte."

"Vicomte is not so bad, I mean he basically runs this place." Firmin added.

"Runs it straight into the ground." Madame Giry snarled, "We are losing our people. We don't have anyone to sing since La Carlotta has been gone."

"We have Miss Daaé." Firmin said with a reassuring smile. 

"If she ever decides to return, dear Firmin." André looked at him, "What if she does not return? What of us then, Madame?" he turned his glance to Madame Giry.

"I know not, André. I know not." Madame Giry uttered, "We will figure this out by morning. With hope she will return, and if she does, you are to offer her the job, correct?"

"Correct." André replied, "And if she does not return, shall we hold auditions?"

"We will wait until she returns." Madame Giry shot a glare at André, "She will return."

"You are most certainly correct, Madame, I was simply putting an if out in the open. If she does not return." André stated clearly.

"There will not be an if ,  if  there will be an if, then it would be if  I decide to let you keep you head for stating your if." Madame Giry barked at the two, "Now. If she has not returned by morning, I would want you to send a search party looking for her."

"That would mean that something has happened to her. We do not know anything." Firmin said.

"Christine would not just leave us wondering. She would at least tell her son she was leaving and she has not. So until we hear something, we are to think of the worst." Madame Giry replied, "Now off to bed. Both of you, get a good nights sleep. Tomorrow is to be hectic." she said, then went off to her room, slamming the door behind her.