My Blue Rose (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 14 - Accepted

Carly's POV:

I was stunned. The look and warmth in his eyes were enough of a proof. I looked into those golden eyes and with my own heart pounding with all the love I felt for this man I whispered,

“I love you as well.” He drew back and I could see the disbelief in his eyes.

“No, no...” I was confused. He said he loved me. Why would he be turning down my affection? It hurt to tell the truth. It hurt to be rejected. I bit my lip and felt a little blood in my mouth.

“Don't you want me to love you?” He sighed and said,

“Of course, I always have. But you can't. Don't you see! I can't be loved! There is nothing about me that is loveable. I was a fool to think that I could ever have you. You must be insane. I didn't mean to put my spell on you.” I was drop-jawed at his comment. I needed to talk to him but I suddenly realized that we might get caught if we weren't careful. This conversation was going pretty loud. I walked forward and took Erik's hand. He stared at my fingers in shock. He started to say something but I interrupted,

“Erik, take me to your house. We have to talk in private.”

“What! It isn't fit for a human?”

“Then why do you live there?” He looked at me with pained eyes.

“Because I am not a human. I told you that there is a monster inside me. It is true. I am the monster.” I shook my head and gripped his hand tighter.

“Take me to your home. I have some things to tell you and I would prefer the whole opera house not to know where we are.” He finally relented and guided me through the maze of tunnels. I was in awe of it and then I saw his home. It was in the sewer and hardly what one would expect. We tiptoed through the grim until he pulled me through a dark doorway. He lit a few candles and let me walk in. It was as clean as quarters in a sewer could be. I was standing in his living room. There was a grand piano and a bookshelf. Through another doorway I thought I saw a bedroom. I walked over to his piano and looked down at it. I wondered how he had gotten it in here but I had expected to find one. He loved his music too much to be away from it for long. I ran my hands over the keys and said,

“Erik, you didn't put be under any spell. I fell in love with you in those weeks I was at your home. You know why I kept that rose?” I looked at him and he shook his head. He was too much in shock to think.

“I kept it because it reminded me of you. You said that it was like me but that isn't quite true. It is you. You are a blue rose. You are beautiful and rare. You are one of a kind.” I could see the tears filling his eyes. I walked over and brushed away the ones I could. “I love you.” He pulled away and shook his head.

“As I said before you can't love me. Don't you understand?” His hand flew to his face and I saw pain flash through his eyes. I reached up and laid a hand over his.

“Do you want me to prove to you that I love you?” He nodded. I grabbed a handful of his shirt and kissed him on the lips. I loved the feeling of them against mine. This was my first kiss and let's say it passed the test as the most amazing thing that I happened to me. He felt frozen under my touch. Finally he moved. He laid his hands on my waist and pulled me closer. I released his shirt and ran my fingers through his hair. It was soft and I couldn't help but moan a little. At that he pulled away. I blushed for fear I had done something wrong. My heart was pounding and I could hear his heavy breathing. He looked at me in shock. I heard him whisper,

“No one has ever kissed me.” I smiled and moved toward him again. He pull back.

“No, I can't ruin you. Being around me would hurt you. I can't do that.” I felt a tear come to my eye.

“Why? All you have ever done for me is good?” He shook his head.

“What lies under the mask would haunt you for the rest of your days. I know that if we continue the relationship then you will one day see it. That would be the end for you. Please, leave before it hurts either of us more. You don't understand!” I looked at those tears that were running freely down his cheeks. I sighed and said,

“Take it off.” His eyes went wide and I could see the fear radiating from them.

“No! No! Please don't say that!” I frowned. I needed to see beneath it. I set my mouth in a firm line.

“Erik, I love you. I don't care what is under the mask. I don't care if it looks like hell itself.” Erik shook his head.

“If that is true then why do you need to see?”

“Because that will make you believe me.” He looked down and said,

“Maybe it will convince you I am no good for you.” He reached up and pulled it off. He raised his face with his eyes closed. I took a deep breath. It was strange. One half of his face was perfectly fine. The other looked like it had been warped. It clung to his bones and muscles showing off every bone to precision. It was also a different color. The normal side of his face was pale but the other side was ashen gray. I walked toward him and reached up to lay a hand on it. I touched it gently and whispered,

“My blue rose.” He opened his eyes and gasped. I could see the shock in them. I pulled him close and kissed him. This time he didn't hesitated to respond. I had accepted him.