The Underground Music (Phantom of the Opera Fanfic)

Chapter 13: A Meal with Erik

Again, Erik was behaving strangely inviting. I shuffled my feet, looking down at them awkwardly, then quickly straightened myself and looked as confident as I could, puffing up my chest. "Alright, then, if you must. I warn you, I am very attentive to lectures, as I am attuned to learning, so don't feel pressured to impress me." When Erik rolled his eyes, I ignored that facial gesture and continued. "Now, what I am about to say will be a rare occurrence, as I do not admit things often- so you better enjoy it while it lasts. While I am very eager to learn...erm...what you have to teach me, there is one thing that has been bothering me for quite some time now. I don't know how long it has been since I've been down here, but nonetheless-"

Erik cut me off impatiently. "Out with it!"

I took in a deep breath. "I'm-"

I was cut off again, but this time not by Erik.

I was cut off by my stomach.

I stood in disdained silence. Seconds passed like shameful, embarrassing minutes.

Then Erik burst into laughter.

"You're hungry, are you, Jennifer? My, is that such a self-degrading thing to admit?"

I felt my face turn beet-red. "N-no, as a matter of fact, Erik, it is not. It is simply not ladylike of me to complain about my hunger, let alone to ask for a meal."

"Don't be so shy, girl. Come, I'll cook you something."

"Cook? You cook?!"

"Consider yourself lucky that I wouldn't allow myself to be insulted by you. Why must you undermine my abilities?"

I shrugged. "I mean, you do live underground..." Just then, I really took note of the former part of what he had said, and it puzzled me. "Wait, sir, what do you mean by saying I should 'consider myself lucky'?"

"Let us just say, back at the Opera Garnier, I would hang anyone who I found insulting to me."

Why do I not feel disturbed by this? I must have become desensitized to his ways...

"Sir, you would never hang me!"

A pause. "You're correct, Jennifer, I wouldn't."

"Ha! Is that because you've grown fond of me?" I teased.

His answer was not what I was expecting. "Yes, I do admit, I have."

"W-what? Sir!" I breathed, exasperated.

"Fool! I do not mean in the romantic sort of way! Do you know how old I am?!"

"As a matter of fact, sir, it is hard for me to tell. After all, you are covered from head to toe."

He let out a short laugh. "Perceptive."

"I'll have you know, it is rude to use sarcasm with a lady!"

He sighed. "Ah, you're right, Mademoiselle Jennifer. I deeply apologize," he said while bowing.

"If I'm not mistaken, that's sarcasm as well!"

"Again, you are one perceptive mademoiselle. Now, let us return to the Louis-Philippe room. You shall wait there while I cook."

"Aren't you going to ask what I prefer?"

"No. Didn't you say that it is unladylike to ask for a meal?"

My face reddened again. "T-touché."

With that, he led us past the torture chamber- not without the Little Sultana letting out a burst of angry screams, no doubt threats- and into the Louis-Philippe room. At the head of the long table, he pulled out a chair for me, which made me blush.