Her Beloved

Chapter 7

I wake up to something warm around me. A black cape. 'Opera Ghost. Such a sweetheart.' I yawn and I feel a pain in my throat. "What the hell?" I manage to breathe out as my throat is dry and scratchy. 'No rehearsals for you today Elise. You can't sing.' I sigh. 'Maybe if I try drinking water.' I drink a glass of water I always have on my table and it doesn't help at all. I rub my eyes and see a sleeping Ayesha. 'Aw cute.' I pet her head and she wakes up. "I didn't mean to wake you." My voice is raspy and highly unattractive. 'Welp. Im screwed.' I look to the mirror. 'Maybe Erik will know what to do...' I shrug. I honestly just wanted to see him.

I open the mirror and set Ayesha down, as she goes off to her master. I follow behind her and take my time admiring the catacombs. 'Creepy but cool.' I say hello to Caesar and go on the side-walk path to Erik. Of course, he's at his piano writing something. 'Hes playing... I shouldn't both-' As if he heard my thoughts, he turns around. "Oh bonjour Elise. You're awake early." 'So are you.' I curtesy and walk over to him. 'Paper and a quill...."I search his desk ignoring all of his drawings. "What are you doing?" He asked obviously not wanting me to mess anything up. I finally find extra paper, ink, and a quill. I start writing down what I need to say. "Good morning Erik! How are you? Sorry I came so early in the morning while you were writing. Something is wrong with my throat and I wanted to see if you knew what was wrong. I can't sing or even talk because it hurts. Please help."

I put a heart at the end and hand it to him. He reads it quickly. "Did you drink water?" I nod. "I'll make tea. Wait here." I smile and Ayesha jumps onto my lap. 'Hi kitty.' As I pet her an overwhelming feel of sadness come over me. 'I might never see my family again in the present. My dog. My friends.' Memories flood my mind of all the good times I had with them. I love it here so much, but I also miss everyone back home... I try to hold in a sob, as tears continuously stream down my face. Ayesha stands on my lap and sees something is wrong. Being a smart cat, she goes and gets Erik by constantly meowing. I wipe away tears as they start to run. "Lord, what is it Ayeh-" Erik looks at me and almost drops the tea at the sight of me crying. 'Oh Christ, why can't I stop crying?' He runs up to me drops to his knees infront of me. "Elise, my dove, whats wrong?" I set my knees down and wipe some tears away. If I could speak I would say "I don't know" but I can't. He hold my hand and runs his free hand through my hair. "I hate seeing you upset... Please Elise..." Our eyes met. His eyes swirled with compassion and concern.

I hugged him. I hugged him as tight as I could and didn't let go. 'I love you Erik. I love you so much.' He's slightly surprised at this motion but then embraces me in arms. I muster out a some words. "I don't know why Im crying... Im s-sorry..." I say as best as I could and he hugs me tighter. "There is no need to be sorry. You have nothing to apologize for." I wish I could tell him. I wish I could just blurt it out. I can't. Something was holding me back. I pull back and point to my eye. Make a heart. Then to him. He still is confused. I write down on a piece of parchment, "Think about it." I kiss his cheek and say a small "thank you" for comforting me.

Miraculously, I find my way alone back to the mirror, and walk back to my dressing room we're Scarlett is waiting for me. I open the mirror and she panics, thinking its Erik. "Scarlett chill, its Elise." She sighs. "Oh thank God." I smile and grab my throat immediately after speaking. "Nnn..." She tilts her head. "Whats wrong?" I point to my throat. "Oh your throat. Welp, no rehearsals for you. I'll tell Pierre." I mouth a "thank you", and sit down. 'I have a gut feeling that if I tell Erik I love him, he won't believe me. He's been so broken by society, he'll think it's a joke or something...' I sigh quietly. 'The poor man...' A sudden thought pops into my head. 'Scarlett can tell him!' I squeal and burst out the door. I see Pierre coming my way and run up to him. "Elise my love, what are you doing out of your room?" Gasp. 'My love? Oh lord.' I choke out some words. I realize something. 'I can't tell Erik yet! Its too soon.' I smile at Pierre. "Oh nothing. Its just um... My throat." I cough. Pierre perks up and takes my arm. "I shall make you some tea them." I nod realizing Erik dropped it when I was crying, so I really do need it. 'I don't know if I love him or not. He seems like a brother to me or just a close friend. How do I know Erik won't snap at me and go after Scar or Christine?' Thoughts ran through my head but I put them in the back of mind because they're insignificant.

Pierre takes me to the kitchen and sits me down at a table. For about an hour or so we just talk and have a friendly conversation as the water boils. Some maids come up to me and ask things like, "How is it like to be Pierre's lover?" I was appalled at these questions, and thankfully Pierre shooed them away. 'Who the hell just goes up to someone and asks that?' He hands me some tea and it tastes SO good. Its honey soothes my throat and helps me feel better. 'Much better...' I smile and cup it in my hands, my voice sounding hoarse still. 'Maybe I can see myself with Pierre. Handsome, kind, caring.' I stop. 'But so is Erik...' I shrug it off and keep drinking my tea for a few more minutes as my voice gets gradually better. Scarlett comes walking in the kitchen. "Is it helping?" I nod and she smiles. I hum quietly and my eyes wander. Everyone is all over Pierre. 'Elise you got this.' I set down my tea, stand up, and go to Pierre. "Oh Pierre!" He immediately stops talking to the girls and pushes through them. "Yes love?" I hook onto his arm and look at the girls. "Sorry girls. He's mine." They all gasp and stare at me in shock. Pierre is slightly confused but very happy. I walk out of the kitchen and into then hall. "I had to save you from that swarm of girls." I laugh and Pierre smiles. "Thank you, I needed that." I hear someone moving on the catwalk. 'If it's Erik he's gonna be soooooo pissed.' I take my mind off it and rest my head on him as we walk to the Prima Donna room. I gesture for him to sit. "Elise, I understand you might be busy, but may I take you out to lunch tomorrow. I blush. 'No one has ever asked me on a lunch date.' "Of course!" I smile and giggle. 'As friends, of course.' Pierre lights up. "I'll see you tomorrow then." He kisses me cheek and walks out. I sigh in happiness. 'How nice. Cutie.'

I sit there a moment and something crawls back into my mind. 'OH MY GOD LESSONS RUN!!' I open the mirror and slip in closing it behind me. I let down my hair and pick up my dress. 'Girl run in those heels.' I start to run and stop when I see Erik with a candelabra waiting for me right down the hall. 'He's never done that before.' "Good Evening. Am I late?" 'Oh God, I might be... it's been a few hours and I think he knew my voice got better so...'I look up at him. "No." He says coldly. 'I swear to God if this is about Pierre...' Cautiously, I step into the gondola. 'This should be fun.'