Can I Change Fate?

Part 12

Erik POV

"Erik, I don't remember," tears ran down her cheeks angrily as Rose gazed at me from under her lashes. "I don't remember anything." I could tell that she was about to burst from frustration. Pulling her against me, I buried my face in her hair.

A mixture of emotions bubbled inside of me. Confusion, hurt, and understanding filled me as I held her. Did she remember me? She remembers my name, that I know, but was that all she could think when she sees my face? I was most likely just a name to her.

The thing that irked me the most was her collapse. That had to be the reason on her memory loss, but why did it happen? Questions swarmed my mind as I stood there holding the girl of my dreams. The funny thing was that she didn't remember me.

Suddenly Rose pulled away and looked at me. "Thank you," she whispered. A soft smile tugged at her lips, giving me the urge to press my own against them. "Thanks for not running for the hills."

"Why would I ever do that?" I raised an eyebrow in confusion.

She let out a small laugh. "I don't know." Her eyes grew sad and apologetic. "I can tell that you're not very emotional, so crying women are probably not your thing."

I threw back my head and laughed. Looking back at her, I took her hand and placed against my chest. "As long as my heart beats, I will be at your side as long as you want me." My tone was serious now. Pulling her abruptly toward me, I whispered in her ear. "You, mademoiselle, have captured me. I will follow you anywhere. Hell, I will follow you to the deepest pits of hell and back."

"Erik," her voice was husky as her brown eyes searched mine. I brushed a stray curl behind her ear. Her hand cupped my cheek. "What would I do without you?" Rose grinned, dancing out of my grasp.

"You need to rest, Rose," I warned. A smile threatened to take over my lips, but I forced it back.

"Erik?"

"Yes?"

Rose looked away shyly. "I was wondering if you could," her brown iris's met mine, "stay with me until I fall asleep?" My heart fluttered at this. Smiling my awful lop-sided grin, I picked her up and carried her towards the swan bed.

"Erik!"

"Madame?" I asked innocently as she hit my back lightly with her fists. As if that would stop me, I smirked.

Rose gave me a glare which then turned into a reluctant grin. "Put me down!" I cocked my head and quirked an eyebrow.

"Why would I do that, Mademoiselle?" I placed her onto the bed and pinned her arms above her head as she squirmed. My eyes glinted mischievously as an idea popped in my head.

"Erik? Erik, why are you looking-hahaha!" I cut her mid-sentence as I tickled her. "Erik-hahaha- quit it-hahaha!" Rose glared at me, trying to suppress a smile between laughter.

Abby POV

Throughout practice, I was distracted. I couldn't stop thinking about Rose. The image of her bloody and unconscious refused to leave my mind. I sent a mental message, hoping Erik could hear it. Take care of her, Phantom. Leaning against the railing, I started stretching.

"Abigail?"

I jumped when a hand gripped my shoulder. Looking up, I found myself lost in Raoul's dark gaze. What was he doing here?

"Raoul?"

He bowed his head and pulled out a bright yellow lily. My eyes widened. "Now who is that for, dear sir," I asked lightly. Please let it be for me, please, oh please, oh please!

"Close your eyes," his eyes glinted slyly. Smiling, I obeyed. I felt his fingers brush against my ear. "Open them," his cool minty breath teased my ear. Opening my eyes, I found myself face to face with the Vicomte, fallen in a trance in his beautiful brown eyes.

Rose POV

Erik plopped down beside me after tickling me. I gave him a pointed glare at his innocent expression. Rolling my eyes, I curled up against him. Oh why did he have to love Christine? My head started throbbing.

"Erik," I started softly.

"Yes?" His breath tickled my ear, making me shiver. Turning to face him, my eyes searched his. Would he be mad if I kiss him? Would he push me away? Shaking the thoughts away, I placed my finger against his cheek. As I traced his jawline, Erik closed his eyes. I stopped when my finger reached his lips.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm sorry that people treated you the way they did."

His jaw suddenly tensed. Placing his hand over mine, Erik's expression turned cold. "How do you know that?" Suspicion and anger was all over his face as he gazed intently down at me. Okay, maybe I shouldn't have said that.

"I know that because..." I turned away. "I know what it's like, okay? I know how it feels to be told that you're lower than everybody." A couple of tears ran down my cheeks as memories of my mother and her daily beatings came raining down on me. "I can tell just by looking at you that you had gone through something painful." The last part was obviously somewhat true.

Erik moved closer to me and brought my chin toward him. His expression had turned soft and demanding. "What happened, Rose?" I didn't want to tell him. If I did, then it would be like reliving it. But, I wanted Erik to trust me.

"After my father died, my mom started drinking. She loved him so much, that life after the funeral was...hard. She lost her job and friends, who only were there because of the money." I let out a low sigh. "Soon she turned on me. I looked so much like my dad that she hated me."

Turning to face him, I saw understanding and pain in his midnight blue orbs. He pulled me against him. "The world is cruel and heartless. I'm sorry that you had to see that for yourself." I smiled.

"Not as cruel as you," I teased. Erik let out a low chuckle.

"No," he stroked my cheek. "Not as cruel as me." The tension in the air shifted. I suddenly became aware of his close proximity. My heart pounded violently against my chest as he leaned toward me. Disappointment and pleasure flooded through me as he leaned his head against mine. For a moment, we lay there, like that.

"Erik," I cupped his cheek. "Don't hate me."

Closing my eyes, I boldly pressed my lips against his. Warmth spread through me at the contact. To my surprise, he pressed me closer. His lips were hard and rough against my own. My hand traveled up his back to his hair. I was suddenly aware of his hands at my waist.

"Rose," Erik whispered against my lips. I tensed, waiting for him to declare his love for Christine. I braced myself for his next words. "I love you."

I love you.

"What?"

He gazed intently in my eyes. "I love you, Rose O'Connell."

Erik loved me? Tears filled my eyes, as I looked up at him. That was the first time anybody ever told me that they loved me.

"I love you too," I grinned. Erik brushed his thumb against my tear- stained cheek. He pressed his lips against mine roughly. I responded, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulled away and started kissing my neck. I let out a moan of pleasure. His head shot up and his eyes locked on mine. I blushed in embarrassment.

His dark blue orbs darkened and he pressed his lips against mine. I smiled against his lips before pushing him away. "I need rest remember?"

Erik chuckled as he nuzzled my neck. "But, mademoiselle, I enjoy tasting those beautiful lips of yours." I hit him in the arm and gave a grin.

"Well, I need sleep."

"And I need you," Erik smirked. I rolled my eyes and curled against his chest. Smiling, I fell asleep to the beat of his heart.

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I know! But i just wanted to give Erik and Rose a moment! Don't judge me!
-Hell's Angel