Her Beloved

Chapter 8

Todays lesson was weird. Erik didn't teach me anything, which means I don't need lessons anymore? I have no idea. I look over to him at the end of the lesson. He looks hurt. And confused. "Erik, did I do something to upset you? You are acting slightly off, if you don't mind me saying." The once sweet and kind Erik I knew was gone. "Pierre. What are doing with that foolish boy."

I freeze. "Im sorry what?! He may be a rich man with good looks, but a foolish? He sure can act like that but not all the time! Is there a problem with me hanging out with him?!" He slams his hands on the organ. "Yes I have a problem with that! You belong to me!" I can hear the venom in his tone. My mouth drops open. I stand up and smack him across the face. "I belong to no one!" I run away on the concrete path, angry, confused, and hurt. Tears stream down my face as I run back to the mirror. I sit at my table and sob. It is night time so everyone is asleep. 'No sleep tonight.' Just on cue, Ayesha comes in and meows a few times. I sniffle and pick her up. "Hi Ayesha..." I licks my nose and I put her down. She keeps meowing as if to say "Whats wrong?" I look to the mirror. She stops meowing. 'I can't confront him. I smacked him... God I'm an ass hole! Should I have done that?...It was an fleeting moment.' I sigh. "I feel bad but he deserved it Ayesha." I pull out a piece of paper and ink.

"Dear Erik, I am sorry I hit you but I got angry about your remarks about Pierre. He's not my particular love interest if thats what you are worried about. Again, I apologize.
             Love,
        Elise Buere

I put the letter in an envelope and slip it through the mirror. 'Short but sweet.' I scoop up Ayesha again, put on a cape/hood, and head up to the roof. Its quiet and peaceful at the roof. The statues are marvelous and I admire them. "I never thought I'd actually get to see them..." I smile and sit on the base of one. Ayesha's head pops out of my cape and I kiss her head. "Erik better be treating you nicely. You're such a cute kitty." I squeeze her and she purrs. 'I've never met a nicer cat.' Her collar moves and it glimmers and catches my eye. I look at her collar. 'Damn.' Erik carved it so roses came off the collar, and made it glossy. "Wow... Erik really is a genius." I let out a soft laugh and suddenly feel eyes watching me. 'Ugh Erik why.'

I don't look up but I scan the area as I arrive at the roof top. A white mask can be seen by the door. "Erik why are you here." I pet Ayesha, still not bothering to look up. "I got your note." He says with soft sorrow in his voice. 'That means he was just waiting behind the mirror watching me...' "Great." Ayesha hisses at him. "Blasted feline." I shoot him a look. "Don't call her that." Ayesha purrs loudly and I give her a small kiss on the head. "Elise. I.... Erik is sorry." I stop. 'He apologized. Thats a first. I certainly didn't except that!' I carefully put Ayesha in my cloak and walk up to Erik. I look up at him. He looks down at me. 'Christine was right. His eyes burn. But the color...' I give him a tight hug. "I forgive you Erik." He tenses up and hesitates. Then he hugs me back. 'Kiss. No brain shut up.' I pull away and shiver a little. "Come on. Its cold out here." I pull out Ayesha and go back inside. "Erik com-" No Erik. 'He really is a ghost oh my God.' I shrug and go to my room to lay down. "Tired..." I lay down and before I know it Im asleep.

"Erik?" I call out to him as I search through his lair. "Weird." I hear giggles and walk on the side path ways. 'No. NO!' Christine and Erik are kissing. "E-Erik?" He looks at me. "What do you want?" Christine swoons him. "Oh darling can't you see? Shes just maid and shes in love with you!"  I run back to the mirror crying my eyes out. I hear the echoes of them laughing.  "Peasant girl!" I open the mirror. Black.

I immediately sit up in tears. My breathing is heavy and Ayesha meows. "Just a dream..." I put my hand on my racing heart. I stretch and stand up. The door creaks open slightly. 'Huh?' I open it slightly to see everyone is already up and about. "Pierre?...." I look around and sure enough Pierre is walking over. "Good morning Elise! How did you sleep?" I smile a little. "Good morning Pierre. I slept... Well." He smiles. "Wonderful. When rehearsals are over, we shall go to lunch." I nod. "Ok lovey." I kiss his cheek and get changed for rehearsals. I put my hair into a bun and head out for rehearsals. Christine and I have been talking and she really is a nice girl. She introduced me to Meg, and shes SO quirky. All Meg talks about is if the Phantom is real or not. 'Of course he's real.' Before I know it, rehearsals are over and I have to get changed for my date. 'A date.' I smile at the thought. I put on a sleeveless black lace dress that flares at the waist. My hair falls just above my waist. I look in the mirror. "I like it." I kiss Ayesha on her head and head out to find Pierre. Scarlett ends up finding me. "Elise you look beautiful! Where are you going?" She asks confused. "Im going on a lunch date with Pierre." She gasps. "What about Erik?!" She whisper yells. "Calm down its a date not an engagement. We're just friends, and I will make sure both of them know that." She sighs. "Ok fine. Make good choices!" I laugh and wave goodbye as she walks away.

I walk around trying to find Pierre. I turn a corner and see Pierre talking to Alice. "Pierre?" He stops talking and I can see he's blushing. 'Adorable.' "Elise, you look..... Stunning." I blush and chuckle. "Thank you. Ready to go?" I wave to Alice and she mouths a "hello". Pierre hooks my arm and lead me out of the opera house to his carriage. 'This should be an interesting experience...'