The Affair

Chapter 1 *

Several months had gone by now that Raoul had been late coming home. Naive enough, Christine neglected to ask him why he'd been late as he'd always beat her to the punch by telling her he'd had extra paperwork to fill out at the Opera House.

Just a few moments after Raoul came into their home, one of the maids, Annette, entered behind him. Annette was a beautiful woman, she was mid-height and quiet like a mouse. Most nights for the past six months the same occurrence would take place, Raoul... and then Annette. Raoul... and then Annette.

Christine, however, lovely Christine, paid no attention. Not to anyone who wasn't her son and her husband. She sighed and went into the study, "Henrietta?"

Henrietta was a maid as well. She was tall and middle aged compared to the younger Annette. The maid turned to face her, "Yes, Madame?"

"Raoul isn't home. You can call me Christine." She said simply and smiled, "Have you seen Annette?"

"I haven't seen her in quite some time, M- I mean... Christine. Did you need something? I would be happy to get it for you." she smiled in return.

"What about my husband? Where is he?" she asked, a little on the worried side, "He's never home." she said, "I'm worried he may be out getting himself into trouble,"

"I apologize, Madame... I honestly don't know..." she answered and looked past her, to the door just as Raoul walked in.

"Raoul?" Christine said in slight relief, "Where have you been, darling, I've been looking for you." she sighed and briefly pinched the bridge of her nose. She watched Raoul as he walked to her, he was followed inside by Annette, "I was looking for you as well," she said, however was completely distracted by Raoul, who promptly came to her and softly placed a kiss on her cheek.

"I apologize, Madame." Annette said as she passed her to go for the kitchen.

"Are you alright, dear?" Christine asked him, her gaze followed Henrietta as she walked past them, following Annette, "You look as if you've just seen a ghost,"

Raoul was tense, he had a clear look on his face as if he were trying desperately to hide something, however, let out a deep breath and simply kissed his wife, "You know very well that there is no such thing as ghosts, Christine."

She kissed his cheek and smiled against it, "I love you." she said and yawned, "I've been up quite some time waiting for you, I was worried."

"Perhaps you should get some rest then," he gently pushed curls from her face and behind her ear, "Goodnight, Christine."

She pulled away and looked at him, "When will you come to bed? Soon I hope,"

"Soon," he responded quietly, he watched her part from him and walk up the stairs. He waited a few moments before letting out a small sigh of relief, he made his way down the hall and into the kitchen, "Annette?" he whispered, he went to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, "Hello again." he kissed her neck.

"Monsieur," She gasped quietly, "What are you doing? Your wife is home." she said to him..

"She went to bed,." he smiled against her, "Come, will you accompany me on a midnight stroll?"

"Monsieur, this isn't right... and I know what you mean when you say 'Midnight stroll', you mean fool around," she responded to him, "What if your wife were to find out? Christine is my friend, she'll never speak to me again."

"Annette, do you really think she will find out?" he whispered, "The only way she would is if you were to tell her, and if you do that, I will put you on the streets." he grumbled.

"How about that walk?" she said nervously, not wanting him to kick her out.

"That's what I thought." he said softly and spun her around, he kissed her.

She eagerly returned his kiss, she wrapped her arms around him and he pulled her closer.

"Papa?" Gustave asked, walking down the hall rubbing his eyes, "Papa, where are you-"

Annette moved quickly to push Raoul away from her, she turned around and started doing dishes.

Gustave walked into the kitchen, "Papa?" he asked again.

"Yes, son?" Raoul looked to the small child.

At the time, Gustave was only 9 years old. For a short period of time Raoul had his suspicions about Gustave, but they soon went away when he had something to hide himself, "I had a bad dream, Papa." he whimpered quietly.

He kissed his son's head, "Go lay down with mama."

"Okay, Papa." he frowned and went back down the hallway, he went upstairs to his mother's bedroom to lie with her.

Raoul turned back to Annette, "Now." he said, going over to her, he slid his hands around her waist and pulled her close again, "Where were we?" he said, taking her by the hand and leading her down the hall and into a spare room.

"Monsieur, do you really think it's wise with your wife being home?" she asked quietly, shutting the door and locking it after they entered the room.

He looked at her, "Wise?" he raised an eyebrow, he wondered why she decided to question him all of a sudden.

"Yes." she said quietly, "Your wife is home, she'll hear us."

"Maybe it's time she did." he grabbed her waist and pulled her on top of him, "You said you loved me, were you lying?"

"No, no, Monsieur. I would never." she spoke quietly, "I apologize."

"As you should." he responded and kissed her.