Wanted

Chapter 23

If there was one thing Christine hated, it was being woken up in the middle of the night by anyone besides her son or husband. So when there was a knock on the door around 2:00 in the morning, Christine wasn't happy.

She got out of bed, wrapped a light robe around her nightgown and walked to the door. When she opened it Nadir stood there. "Sorry to wake you, Madame. But is Erik here?" Nadir asked.

Christine nodded and Nadir spoke up again urgently. "Will you go get him please?" Christine nodded and walked to the bedroom. She tapped Erik's shoulder and woke him up.

"Darling, Nadir is here looking for you." Christine whispered and Erik sat up. The words registered in his mind and he cursed.

"Blasted Persian. Can't a man get any sleep?" Erik said to himself as he rubbed the sleepiness out of his eyes. "Hand me a shirt, please?" Erik asked and Christine tossed him a loose white shirt from the closet.

They walked downstairs and to the door where Nadir was still standing. "I have some very important information to talk to you two about." Nadir said and Erik let him inside. They all sat in the living room and Nadir began speaking.

"I just left the police station. They're searching for you again, Erik. They asked me if I knew where you were. I obviously lied. But that's beside the point. Erik, we need to get you out of America. I bought tickets for a ship back to France. We need to leave tonight." Nadir spoke and Erik had his head in his hands. Christine immediately got up.

"I'll go pack Gustave's stuff." She said but Erik gave Nadir a questioning look and the Persian shook his head. Erik stood up and walked behind his wife. He placed his hands on her waist and turned her around to face him.

"Mon ange, you have to stay here for a few months. It'll be safer this way." He whispered and Christine shook her head. Tears slipped down her cheeks and she buried her face in his chest.

"Erik please! I don't want you to leave!" She cried and Erik held her close.

"After four months, I'll send you tickets to France. Then you and Gustave can join me there." Erik explained and Christine tried to suppress her emotions. She pulled away from Erik and walked to Gustave's bedroom.

She felt bad for waking him up in the middle of the night. But she wanted him to see his father before he left. Gustave cried a little when he was woken up but Christine calmed him down.

When she got downstairs, Erik had a bag packed and his coat was on. He took Gustave in his arms and hugged him tight. He gave him a kiss then handed him to Nadir. Erik walked over to Christine pulled her into his strong, loving arms and kissed her deeply.

Their tears mingled together as their lips moved in sync. After a few moments they pulled apart. "I love you both." Erik whispered as he walked towards the door. Nadir handed Gustave back to Christine.

"We love you too." Christine said and with that Erik and Nadir left the house. Christine sat with her son on the couch as he cried. "We'll see Papa in a few months, my love."

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{3 days later}

Erik and Nadir took there stuff off the ship and got in a carriage that would take them to the Opera Populaire. Erik looked out the window the whole carriage ride. He didn't say a word and Nadir never interrupted his peace.

"Erik, you look depressed." Nadir finally spoke up and Erik looked over at him.

"I don't know how I'm supposed to go on for the next four months without them." He said simply as the carriage stopped at the Opera Populaire. Erik stepped out of the carriage and handed the driver ten francs. "These bags need to be taken to my office." Erik demanded and the driver whistled over a boy who looked to be about 17.

The driver told the boy what he was to do and Erik led the boy to his office. "Thank you, monsieur." Erik said as he handed him five francs. Erik stepped into the office with Nadir and laughed.

"It's been over a year since I've been here." Erik said as he stayed reminiscent. Erik sat at his desk and looked at the picture of him and Christine that he had on his desk. He sighed before standing and walking out of his office.

Nadir and Erik walked into the auditorium to see rehearsals for Faust were underway. Erik stopped rehearsal and walked to the front of the stage. "For those of you who are new, I am Erik Destler, the owner of this opera house. I have been in America for the past year, but I am back now. I need to see the new leading soprano in my office, please." Erik said and a woman who looked to be about Christine's age stepped forward.

"Follow me, Mademoiselle." Erik said as he led her to his office. When they arrived, Erik sat in his chair while she stood in front of his desk. "Name?" Erik asked.

"Cadence De Changy." She replied shyly. Erik knew that name all too well. He looked up and eyed the girl. She looked like the fop in a way. Same stature.

"Any relation to Raoul De Changy?" Erik asked curiously.

"My brother, monsieur." She said and Erik felt like firing her right then and there. But then he remember Christine and knew she wouldn't want him to judge the woman based on her bloodline. Erik nodded and passed over her contract.

"This ends in four months. My wife, Christine Destler, will be returning from New York and will be taking back her place as lead soprano." Erik said proudly as he looked over at their wedding pictures.

Cadence signed the contract before being dismissed. Erik pulled out paper and a quill and began writing a letter to his family. Only four months, he though to himself.

Cast:
Erik Destler ~ Ramin Karimloo
Nadir Kahn ~ Nadim Naaman
Christine Destler ~ Sierra Boggess
Gustave Destler ~ Hadley Karimloo
Cadence De Changy ~ Samantha Hill
Carriage Driver ~ Christian Borle
Stable Boy ~ Joshua Colley