Must Be Fate's Design

Chapter 6

Operetta POV:

"It's nice to meet you, Erik."

I had gone around introducing Erik to everyone. Not as the phantom of course, but as Erik Destler, a man I'm renting my apartment to. The man from Paris, who enjoys Operas, is a composer, and doesn't kill people. Well, I didn't say that last part out loud because he does in fact enjoy killing people as far as I remember. But of course no one needs to know that.

The best part was, the last name 'Destler' wasn't said in most versions. Besides, who would have guessed that the real phantom of the opera from the past came to the future? No one would even know, and if Erik keeps his deformity hidden, he'd be safe.

Tyler was currently introducing himself, but Erik seemed to want to rip off his hand with his firm handshake. Tyler winced and then chuckled, "He's got a grip."

"I'm sorry, Tyler." I muttered quickly before sending a harsh glare towards Erik, who didn't seem fazed by it at all.

Tyler gave me a reassuring look, "It's totally fine." He looked between me and Erik, "Can I talk to you for a second, Opera?"

I nodded, eager to get Erik's intimidating gaze out of my head for a second. We took a few paces away from Erik, but there was no doubt in my mind that he could hear us still. He's mentioned before that his hearing is fantastic, and has proven it a few times before.

Tyler looked at Erik one last time before turning his attention to me, "He's not your...uh...baby daddy, is he?"

I flushed red, "Tyler...no. He's not. He's just...A friend...sort of." I exhaled, "Uh...Erik is my mother's...cousin's...husband's...brother...in-law...twice removed" I internally hit myself over the head, "Yep, my mother's cousin's husband's brother in-law twice removed. I thought offering my second bedroom in my apartment for money seemed like a promising idea." I was pretty impressed I remembered all of that.

He looked over at Erik again, "So, you and he aren't—"

I internally shuddered, "Absolutely not." I mentally gagged. Me and Erik? Erik and me? Definitely a 'no'. Carlotta and the Phantom never got along, I'm surprised he can even talk to me, let alone could be together.

He took my hand, "Good." He smiled, "I was worried..."

"Why?"

"Because I was hoping I could take you and Andrew out tonight."

"T-Tonight?"

He chuckled, "Not as a date, since Andrew would be there...but I'd really love to hang out with you both. We never hang out outside of here."

I swallowed a lump in my throat, "Can I back get to that on you?"

His rose a brow, "I'm sorry?"

I shook my head, "Can I get back to you on that?"

He nodded, "Yeah, check your schedule, all that. Let me know when you can."

Suddenly, an arm wrapped its way around my bicep, "May I borrow her?"

Tyler cowered back a step but nodded, "Y-Yeah...we were actually done talking." He let out a shaky laugh.

I felt pity for him. But I didn't have much time to feel bad since Erik was dragging me away. I looked over my shoulder to see Tyler heading backstage. Caroline was standing center stage as the crew worked on the lighting. I could hear her faint complaining about the heat she was under but of course no one listened to her demands.

"If you're done being a little harlot—" Um...ouch. "—I'd like to get back to the matter at hand."

"All right," I pulled my arm from him, "This is not how you treat someone who bought you food." I put my hands on my hips, "I am not a harlot. I have not slept with Tyler, not that it's any of your business anyway. Besides, I don't think you should be judging me so quickly, I'm sure you've done some terrible things back in your time."