Beauty Of Music

Chapter 13

Even after Christine and Phillippe disappeared from sight, Catherine remained where she was, leaning up again the corner, lost in her thoughts. She thought about her Papa, how she wished he were here to see all of this happening for her and how much she missed him. She raised her head to look up at the night sky and saw it was a clear night with the stars sparkling like diamonds.

"Oh Papa, I hope you are proud of me just as much as Christine is and how much I hope Maestro would be proud of me" she said, looking up at the stars feeling her father was watching over her.

Erik heard every word she spoke. He took a deep breath and quietly came out of the shadows and let his presents be known.

"I am proud Catherine, fiercely proud. You have triumphed tonight" he said as he came up behind her slowly.

Catherine jumped after hearing his voice suddenly and then she turned and saw it was Erik and she smiled gleefully.

"Maestro?! You came to hear me sing. I am so glad you are here" she said excitedly.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss your debut for the world" he said with a small smile. He could feel his cheeks warming up and was grateful she could not see under his mask.

Neither one of them spoke for a moment and then Catherine cleared her throat.

"So, shall we return to the Opera House?" she asked.

"We could, but I feel the two of us should celebrate your success" said Erik.

"What did you have in mind Maestro?" asked Catherine.

"Well, how about a carriage ride through the city. If it would please you Catherine?" he asked, nervously.

"I would like that very much Maestro" said Catherine, eagerly.

"Well then, shall we go?" he asked, offering out his right arm to her.

Without hesitation, Catherine took him by the arm, and he led her to the main road to hail a carriage. When one had stopped, he helped Catherine get on and instructed the driver as he got in and then they were off.

XXX

After spending another hour at the Bistro, Carlotta and Cholet returned to the Opera House and Carlotta looked like she was on a mission because Catherine's ability to sing so well was nagging at her mind and she wanted answers from the sister. Before the carriage stopped at the side entrance, Carlotta climbed down and made her way towards Jean-Claude's office and knocked on the glass on the door frantically.

"Where is Christine and Catherine?!" she exclaimed in a demanding tone.

Jean-Claude, who had returned before she did, got up from his chair.

"Christine? Catherine?" he repeated, feeling confused at first.

"Yes! Christine and Catherine, where are they!?" Carlotta demanded.

"Christine, Catherine" Jean-Claude repeated again.

Carlotta huffed with annoyance.

"Was your mother a Parrot?" she asked rhetorically in frustration.

"Parrot?" Jean-Claude repeated.

Carlotta took a deep breath to calm her temper.

"Do you like your job?" she asked.

"Yes, very much" said Jean-Claude.

"Then I suggest you tell me where their room is. Otherwise, goodbye" said Carlotta in a threatening tone.

"They are not back yet" said Jean-Claude, nervously.

"Well...When they come back let me know. I will be upstairs in our suite" said Carlotta, she stormed inside through the side entrance.

XXX

Catherine was having the time of her life with Erik. The carriage took them passed the Eiffel tower, they saw the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, they rode through the Place Vendome, past the Patheon and when they came to Notre Dame they decided to get out and walk along the banks of the Seine. Neither she nor Erik spoke the entire ride but enjoyed each other's company all the same. Erik offered Catherine his arm as they walked along.

" I've had such a wonderful night Maestro" Catherine sighed with content.

"I am glad to hear that Catherine. Your triumph tonight at the Bistro is your first step to becoming a great singer" said Erik.

"Oh, I didn't just mean that. I have also had a wonderful time with you. Not just in our lessons but also walking together tonight, on such a beautiful night like this" Catherine giggled before pulling away from Erik and then rested her arms on the wall, looking out onto the night sky and the water below.

"Oh, well...I too have enjoyed this time with you just as much if not more, more than words can express" said Erik nervously, he could feel his cheeks warming up beneath his mask again.

Neither of them spoke for a while and kept looking out onto the water, admiring the reflection of the Moon, Until Catherine heard the sound of faint music, coming from further down the walkway.

"Maestro, do you hear that?" she asked, looking down in the direction the music was coming from.

Erik looked in the same direction she was, and he too could hear the music playing too.

"Yes, yes I do. Shall we go and have a look?" he asked, offering his arm to her again which she gladly took once again.

As they walked further down the music grew louder and soon, they found it's source. It was a middle-aged man with scruffy brown hair, hidden under an old sailors cap, a long scruffy beard, ragged clothes, old brown boots that were almost in pieces and he was playing the Accordion. It was an exceptionally beautiful tune, something you could dance to which gave Erik an idea. He stepped out in front of Catherine.

"May I have this dance, Mademoiselle?" he said, holding out his right hand to her.

Catherine was stunned, she looked down at Erik's hand then up at his masked face and her smile grew. Without hesitation, she took Erik's hand. Feeling nervous, Erik gently pulled her towards him then placed his left hand on her waist and slowly led her into a waltz. Catherine enjoyed dancing with Erik very much and didn't want this moment to end. The two were so lost in the moment, neither of noticed people had gathered around to watch them dance, some couples even joined in.