Christine
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We stood under the night sky embraced in each others arms, as if it were completely normal. It had been so long since I shared a meaningful kiss with someone, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort.
We separated, I looked into his eyes and backed away realizing that this was wrong. I was going to say something, most likely something I would regret but sounds from inside the building pulled my attention from the man on front of me. I adjusted my self and turned walking back into the room followed by Erik. Ava sat at the piano hitting a few keys with her finger,
"Ava dear, what are you doing awake?" I asked her
"I had another nightmare and I tried to look for you but I couldn't find you." She looked at me then over my shoulder towards Erik
"Ava this is my, my friend Erik. He is the owner of the park and wished to cover a few before rehearsals."
"You own this place?" She asked in wonder
"Every inch of it, perhaps if your mother agrees I could show you both around." He spoke looking at me with a sense of tenderness
"Perhaps, it's time for bed now it is getting late." I tell her placing my hand on her cheek
"Okay, I love you mother goodnight." She moved herself off the bench and shuffled back to her room. Turning back towards Erik I let out a small sigh.
"Such a child, Christine."
"Thank you now if you don't mind I have a song to learn, if you would be so kind as to leave I will see you at the performance." I say rushing him out for multiple reasons
"You are right, until the performance mon ange."
Once he leaves I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding in. How am I possibly going to survive these next few days without tearing myself apart. I looked back at the piano holding the music I am to sing. Slowly picking up the leather bound packet I open it and look over the music. Carefully looking over the parchment I start humming the tune, it's so, beautiful, so perfect. As I get lost in the melodies I didn't even notice the door open until Raoul spoke. I look over to see him immediately sit in the arm chair.
"The blasted man is no where to be seen." He snaps
"Who are you talking about darling?" I ask taking is jacket from him and hanging it up
"This Mister Y he didn't show up. What the devil is going on in this place."
"Raoul, things have changed." I whispered not fully thinking about what I was saying
"What are you talking about?" He scowled
"Nothing dear, nothing. It's getting late, I'm going to retire for the night." I say before going into the bedroom shutting the door behind me
My thoughts were swirled from the affairs that took place less then an hour ago as I changed out of my day wear. Pulling the pins out of my hair I let it fall freely I sighed and looked into the mirror, my emotions which I had shut out for years were coming back and I didn't know how to handle it. While I sat alone it gave me time to think, what should I do? I have to sing, we need the money but what happens when I do. DO we just leave and that's it? Go back to the way it was?
My head began to pound at the thought of all this. I stood from the vanity bench and got into bed pulling the covers over my body and relaxing into the pillows. I managed to fall into a restless sleep for the rest of the night.
I woke up, the feeling of calmness before I remembered what was going on. I rolled onto my side to look at Raoul's sleeping form. It didn't feel right, we hadn't actually shared a bed in years so it was unusual for me to wake up next to someone. I pushed the thoughts of my unhappy marriage aside and got out of bed, It was just after seven thirty, I grabbed my dressing gown and put it on tying it tightly before beginning to get ready I pulled out the first dress I saw not caring which it was and hung it on the changing screen. I went back over to the closet and go Raoul's clothing out as well and laid it on the bed. I walked behind the screen to get changed.
After I got dressed and had my hair pinned up it was nearing nine o'clock. I woke my husband and left the room to wake my child. I opened the door and knelt next to Ava's bed,
"It's time to get up angel."
She rolled over and managed to wake up, "Get dressed and I'll make breakfast." I told her
She got up without a problem and I left the room towards the kitchen, the only things available at the moment were bread and eggs. I cooked the eggs and made some toast, Raoul sat at the table reading the newspaper even though it was the local paper. Ava emerged from her room fully dressed with her hair pulled back into a braid. She sat at the other end of the table avoiding Raoul. I placed the plated of food down and we ate in silence.
Afterwards we called for a carriage to take us to the theater, Ava was excited and couldn't keep the smile off her face as we rode through streets past the amusement park.
"Can we go there at some point mother. Please?" She asked
Raoul rolled his eyes but I ignored it, "Possibly we will see if we have some extra time."
"Thank you, mother." She smiled and continued to look out the window
The carriage pulled up outside the grand theater, it was larger then I expected but then again knowing the man who built it I wasn't surprised. We entered the theater and were greeted by an employee who showed us to the stage where we were to meet the theaters director when he arrived back at the theater. Raoul was getting annoyed because we had to wait for the man,
"Excuse me miss, would you mind?" I asked one of the dancers to see if she knew when the director would be getting back
"Heaven help me, it can't possibly be you." She smiled
The woman looked at me, she seemed familiar. Where do I know her from?
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Meg
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She's here. She really came.
"I'm sorry, but do I know you." Christine asked, which upset me a little
"Take a guess." I said stepping back. With a look of confusion then excitement she exclaimed,
"Meg!" Pulling me into a huge hug I hugged her back, I really did miss her, how could I not she was my best friend, "Oh I missed you so much."
"I missed you too Christine." I said letting her go, "you look so - grown up."
"You still look like your sixteen years old." She laughed, causing me to blush.
"Viscount." I addressed Raoul who seemed very uninterested, "What are you doing here?" I ask as if I didn't already know
"I'm here to sing, and as a treat for my child, Meg this is Ava." She introduced me to the little girl sitting at the piano looking over my music,
"Hello." I say and the girl looks at me
"Hello." she replied looking back down at the piano
"Christine what are you to sing?" I ask, genuinely curious
"Just an aria nothing much."
"You are to sing it tomorrow night correct?"
"Yes, the final act."
"What? There must be a mistake that's when I am to sing, I'm the lead for goodness sake. I was to open and close the show."
"I'm sure your boss, whomever it is will figure this out." Raoul spoke in a irritated voice
"Meg, I would love it if you would come out with us sometime while we are here. Show us around a bit." She said
"Yeah." Is all I say, you could tell I was upset, this was supposed to be my big night.
"Ava, would you-" I hear Christine say stopping mid sentence looking around the stage, "Meg have you seen Ava."
"No I thought she was at the piano."
"When I find that girl." Raoul breathed, even though it seemed he was supposed to be watching her
"No, I'll find her. Why don't you go get a drink, I saw a bar out in the lobby?" Christine said
"Don't tell me what to do. I'm going to get a drink." Raoul said walking away
Christine turned back and I could see the dispirited look in her eyes. She began to call for her daughter again and moved backstage.
"Christine wait." I call after her, I can't let her accidentally run into him.