My Blue Rose (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 15 - A New Home

Carly's POV:

I finally pulled away to get some air. I didn't know he could be this passionate. His mask was still off and I ran my hand through his hair. It was then that I noticed something didn't feel right about the hair on his deformed side. I gave him a weird look and he pulled away.

“Carly, you see, I had to dye it. It is pure white.” I could tell he was embarrassed but the more I thought about it the more I decided that it was okay. I mean, I didn't mind that he was strange looking. At least I wouldn't ever lose him to another girl. I smiled and said,

“I think you would look cute with a swath of white hair.” He gave me this open mouthed look. He was in shock.

“What did you just call me?”

“I called you cute.” He just shook his head.

“That is the last thing I am. I am not cute. I am hideous.” He turned away and reached for the mask. I shook my head and snatched it away from him.

“No, leave the mask off. You don't need it around me. I like that side of your face. It is different and beautiful. Just like the rest of you.” I leaned forward and kissed him again. I was certainly enjoying that privilege. He kissed me back and we didn't part for air for some time. I think he enjoyed it too. When we finally parted he was smiling but tears were hanging in his eyes.

“I guess I can't argue with that for proof. I believe that you love me. And I won't doubt ever again.” He hugged me and then I remembered my family. I pulled away and said,

“Erik, my family will be looking for me. I have to return to the surface. Erik I want you to promise me something.”
“Anything, Love.” I blushed as his new term for me.

“I want you to come back to your mansion. I understand that you told everyone that you had gone to Europe.” He sighed.

“Yes, I did.” I grinned.

“Well, then you can come back from Europe. I would like to start our lessons again. I want to have you around for a long time.” I kissed him again. Man, I liked doing that.

“What about the...” He trailed off.

“Kidnapping episode. Well, as it turned out I am a good liar. They don't even suspect you any more. At first they did but after I told them it wasn't you then they accepted that your story was truth.” He shook his head.

“I didn't know you even knew how to lie.”
“I figured it out pretty quick. Now I have to go. I want to stay but I will worry Mother and Father.” He took my hand and suddenly said,

“Where is Jonathan's ring?” I smiled and squeezed his hand in mine.

“He broke up with me after I got back. It seems that he met another girl who he loves more than me. We weren't right for each other. Besides I loved you then. I wasn't about to go out with another when my heart wasn't there. Erik's eyes filled with tears and he kissed my forehead. My heart melted as his kind actions. I sure had a romantic... There was the problem. I didn't know what to call us. We weren't dating, we certainly weren't engaged or married. I had a dilemma.

“Erik, what would we call ourselves?” He looked at me and I could see he didn't know.

“Well, I guess we could be boyfriend girlfriend. Though I think that sounds to modern.” I thought about it and then grinned.

“Maybe you could be my suitor. How does that sound? You could court me.” Erik smiled and kissed me.

“That sounds good to me. I think your parents would approve.” I giggled. We hurried to the surface without saying anything more. There wasn't anything that needed to be said. He pointed me in the right direction to the auditorium and with one last kiss we parted. I hadn't felt so happy in years. I couldn't tell my mom and dad but I didn't think about anything else the whole night. I fell asleep with Erik on my mind. My love and my life.