The Phantom's Daughter (Book 2)

Who's Watching

After changing out of her costume, Elise began to make her way back down to the theatre.
But before she could reach it, she found her path blocked.
"I know you didn't want to see me tonight. But I had to come and congratulate you" admitted Jeff.
"You watched then?" Questioned Elise.
"How could I not" replied Jeff.
"Well, I didn't think it was your kind of thing. Most of the male audience members were probably bored by my performance"
"Well then, they are fools. Because you were the most amazing thing I have ever seen".

Elise rolled her eyes, "There's no need to exaggerate".
"I'm not. You were incredible. You looked so natural up there, like you belonged in the air" admitted Jeff.
"Thank you. It's nice to receive such praise, because I don't normally get much feedback from the press, as they like to focus on Meg and the oo-la-la girls" replied Elise.
"Well, if you performed more often, maybe the papers would right more about you. But I know that you wouldn't want that, since your existence is supposed to be a secret"
"I guess that's true... It's strange to have someone know about my secret past, who wasn't involved in it"
"I'm glad that you felt like you could trust me"
"So am I".

Jeff placed his hands around Elise's face, and stared into her eyes. But this time, Elise did not recoil at his touch, she stayed put and looked right back at him.
Then, without saying anything they both lent in and kissed each other.
Even though it was her first kiss, Elise's body seemed to know what it was doing, even though her mind did not.
Jeff ran his fingers through her hair, and she did the same to him.
She felt out of breath, but did not want to withdraw from Jeff's embrace.
He pushed her up against a nearby wall, and Elise wrapped her legs around his waist, while he had his arms around her back, holding her up.

When Jeff's kisses moved from her mouth down her neck, she placed her fingers against his lips and pushed him away, allowing her legs to drop back to the floor.
"I'm sorry, I think I got a bit carried away" apologised Jeff as he stepped back.
"I think I did too" mumbled Elise.
"I'm sorry if it felt like I was forcing you" replied Jeff.
"No, I think I wanted to keep going just as much as you. But I had to stop. I'm needed backstage, as I have to watch Meg perform. She watched me, so I would be a terrible person if I missed her number because I was up here with you. I also don't want anyone to catch us together".

"O.K... Can I come and find you later?" Asked Jeff.
"I will find you when I'm ready, and then maybe we can continue this back in my room" suggested Elise.
"Sounds good to me. I will wait for you in the bar, and keep an eye out for you. Come and find me when you are ready" replied Jeff.
Jeff leaned in and kissed Elise softly on the lips before heading off down the corridor and out the building.

After straightening herself back up Elise continued down to the theatre.
When she arrived, she just had time to wish Meg good luck, before her friend stepped on stage.
Elise watched the performance from the wings beside Madame Giry, who had a strained smile on her face.
Madame Giry left the second Meg had finished, without even waiting for her daughter to exit the stage, which confused Elise.
Meg ran off stage in the tiny bikini she had been wearing, and headed straight for Elise who wrapped her up in a white dressing gown, to preserve her modesty.

"How was I?" Asked an out of breath Meg.
"Amazing" praised Elise.
"Good. Where's mother, did she not watch?" Questioned Meg.
"She did. I think I saw her heading out the back door, so maybe she's going to her office"
"Well then, let's go and find her and see what she thought of my performance".
Meg grabbed hold of Elise's hand and began pulling her down the wings and out the door.
She didn't let go of Elise until they had reached Madame Giry's office.

"So mother, what did you think. I was worried that the new routine might have been a bit too risky, but the audience seemed to love it. They've never been so loud, screaming all for me" admitted Meg.
"Meg I-" started Madame Giry.
"And the master must have heard, every note and every word. Mother tell me what did he think? He must now know that I'm the only one he needs" interrupted Meg.
Madame Giry's silence made Meg frown, and suddenly Elise realised what was upsetting her guardian.
Elise had been too focused on Jeff and then Meg, that she hadn't realised that her father's box had been empty, and she hadn't sensed him in the wings either.

"Mother what's wrong?" Meg asked.
"Meg my darling, you did all that you could. Charming, bright, and yet still not enough" admitted Madame Giry.
"I don't understand" replied Meg.
"You had the audience eating out of the palm of your hand. Everyone was entranced, except for the one person you were trying to impress"
"He wasn't there?".
The excitement and joy slowly began to fade from Meg's face, and Elise felt her heart sink.

"Where, poor girl, do you think that he was... That's right, he was with her" revealed Madame Giry.
"With Christine" gasped Meg.
"The pair were clearly too smitten to give you a second thought" replied Madame Giry.
"That can't be true. Christine is married to Raoul"
"I'm sorry, but it's the truth. They are in love, and Gustave is their secret child, created out of wedlock, for I know that Raoul is not the boys father".

Elise's jaw dropped as Madame Giry revealed her fathers secret to Meg.
She had no idea how her guardian had figured out the truth, until she remembered the strange figure she had seen leaving the corridor after her and Erik had learned the truth from Christine.
This sudden revelation had no effect on Meg, who was still upset that Erik hadn't watched her perform.
"But you said that if I did this well, I would prove to him that he didn't need her" reminded Meg.
"I know. And I'm sorry, but all that you gave him has all been a waste" replied Madame Giry.
"No, you're wrong"
"All the things you did for him have been in vain. He has a new family now, and we have all been replaced"
"No! Don't say that".

Meg began to cry as she ran out of the room looking very distraught.
"How long have you known the truth about Gustave?" Asked Elise, who wanted to confirm that Madame Giry had been the mysterious figure.
"I learned the truth at the same time as you, for I was lurking outside the door" sighed Madame Giry.
"I see. And have you told anyone else?" Questioned Elise.
"Aside from Meg just now, no"
"Good... Maybe I should go after her"
"No, I think it best if you left her alone for now"
"Alright. Are you still coming to watch Christine?"
"Yes, but you should go on ahead, I will join you soon"
"O.K".