"Monsieur Erik, with all due respect, why am I here?" I asked, keeping my eyes trained on him like my lift depended on it. This was a new place, that I was forcefully taken to, and even though I know he was part of the reason why I was here, I also knew him prior. I already knew that he most likely wouldn't hurt me, so looking at him calmed my nerves about it all.
"Angel, I couldn't stand seeing your father and step-mother hurt you anymore." He replied, sitting on the edge of my bed, near my feet.
"They didn't do anything to me that I didn't deserve. The night you came, I was being too loud and I should have know to be quiet."
"No, angel. You weren't being loud, you were singing to yourself. In fact, if I hadn't seen your lips moving I wouldn't have known that you were singing at all."
I looked down at my hands as a blush covered my cheeks and across my nose. That was something I was always embarrassed about.
My mother could sing so loudly, but still with a beautiful sound. The only way that I could sing loudly was if I were to sacrifice the pretty sound that I think I made singing quietly. It was embarrassing, especially because when people see you and know that you're the Christine Daaé's daughter, they would ask you to sing and expect the same sound she made. But it never came out that way.
"Angel, are you okay?" I met my eyes to his, and shrugged.
"Yes, sorry I was just thinking about my voice. It's always been to weak, not loud at all. My mom never seemed affected with how quiet my voice was, but now that she's gone, I can't help but imagine how pitiful it was when I can't get my voice above a mezzo-piano."
"It didn't bother her because she sang that way at first, too."
"How did you know that?"
"I used to train her singing. I helped her sing out, confidently with the beautiful voice that I'm sure you have too."
"I don't know about that, Monsieur."
"Why don't we test it out. I can start training you in the same way that I did your mother."
"Really?" He nodded his head. "Of course, besides, Gustave has been bugging me about getting him a duet partner. I think you would be the perfect fit for that."
I could feel the smile spread across my face and without thinking first, I accepted his offer.
"Oh, thank you Monsieur!" I leaned forward and wrapped my arms around him.
I could feel him hesitate for a moment before placing one hand on my waist and the other hand cradling the back of my head.
"Of course, angel."
I looked through the little crack in the curtains that blocked me off from what I assumed was the continuation of his house and could see Gustave standing there, his eyebrows pulled together and his arms crossed in front of his chest, looking straight at us.
Deep within my stomach, I felt a sharp stab of pain before it growled. I pulled away from the hug and pressed a hand to my stomach.
"What's wrong, dear?" I looked up at him and smiled.
"My stomach just hurts, I haven't eaten in awhile."
"Of course, come with me and we'll get you something to eat."
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Y'all, let me just apologize to you guys for not updating this since literally last year. I'm not going to promise a consistent update schedule, because I'm terrible at keeping those. I'll try to update whenever I can, or when I remember to at least. Thank you for reading, comment anything you want to, I'd love to interact with you guys and answer any questions that you have about anything.
catch you on the flip side
