Lost In Time

Chapter 46

       "I should show him to his room." Faith cut in, blinking back tears of relief and clearing her throat.

     Not leaving room for questions, the young lady picked up one of the bags and gave it to Erik, keeping the other two for herself. Before Erik could reach for them, his fast reflexes no match for her stubbornness in this situation, Faith took her bags and motioned for Erik to follow her.

      Erik tensely nodded to the family, "If you would excuse us."

      He made his way after her, immediately switching to his mother language since there were ears nearby.

       "Why'd you not let me take your bags, Faith?" He asked, his tongue matching his accent, "They may think I'm mistreating you or that you're my slave." Erik gasped as Faith turned the light on to the basement, "Or worse...I am a lazy alcoholic!"

      Faith rolled her eyes, giggling as she walked down the steps, "Calm down, silly. It's normal these days for women to be more independent. You should know that by now, by how I act."

      At this, Erik could've hit himself. Of course! That would explain her bluntness and man-like actions...not to mention the man spreading while she read or took a nap...

        "But..." He started, entering the basement behind Faith, "It would have left a good impression on them if the gentleman took the heavy parcels."

      As an answer, she shrugged, back still facing him, "Whatever floats your gondola."

      Erik scoffed, pointing a boney finger at her back, "You, my girl, are insufferable and terrible to quarrel with. Can you just let me be a gentleman for our stay? It would make me feel a lot more at ease."

      Turning into a dark room, Faith turned on the light to show a rustic large bedroom with a king-sized bed. It had cream painted walls and shaggy brown carpet. There was a single mirror on the east wall, the bed pressed against the west. A single closet and dresser were on the north wall, opposite of the door.

       "Sure, if you want." She cooed, teasingly, but her eyes showed that she was serious, leaving the conversation at that.

      Erik took in the room, noticing how "modern" it looked compared to what he was used to.

       "This is..." He eyed the digital alarm clock showing '4:34', "different..." Erik muttered, eyes narrowing in curiosity.

     Walking over to the bright red numbers displayed on the black rectangle, the Phantom went to touch the front. The last number turned to a five, making him jump back, cursing in surprise.

      Snorting, Faith rolled her eyes at his cute, naïve moment, and set her bags next to his on the bed, "It does that every minute so please don't jump every time." Faith teased, poking his unmasked cheek.

      She frowned at the white porcelain, a serious aura overpowering the fun one.

    "Are you going to take it off at all while you're here?" She asked, quietly, combing his black, soft, hair away from his eyes.

      Erik tensed, his embarrassed smile falling and his eyes freezing on the carpet in front of his new, black dress shoes. He forgot about that...Being so used to having it off, in front of Faith, it was going to be strange to keep it on during the day. A dark chuckle left his lips, causing a weird glance from the girl beside him.

       "I never thought I would find it strange to have to wear the mask. It is quite flabbergasting, Faith. You have made me comfortable with keeping it off." He mumbled, rubbing his hands on his jeans.