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No Easy Way	By : secretlysecretly Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 7568 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Chapter 05

“Monsieur Destler, I have come to see you because I feel that my behavior was unacceptable when we met a few days ago. I was completely out of line saying all the dreadful things I said to you and on top of it all not even thanking you for coming to my rescue…” Marianne was blushing profusely just thinking about the way she had yelled at him for no reason.

Erik didn’t utter a word in response. He merely sat there, looking at her as if he were urging her to continue with her little speech.

“I would like to thank you properly for your assistance in my hour of need, because surely, had it not been for you, I would have crashed into a tree and who knows what could have…”

“Don’t even mention it Mademoiselle Pinon.” he interrupted her abruptly, for the first time smiling genuinely at her. “I suggest that we forget all about this unfortunate incident and make a fresh start, as if you just came to welcome me to my new neighborhood. What do you think?” he said, smiling at her mischievously.

Marianne couldn’t help but wonder whether her face mirrored her astonishment at his words. She had expected a number of different reactions to her visit and had prepared herself for each and every one, but this was something completely unexpected for her.

“Thank you Sir, but you are too kind. I…”

“This is nonsense. You don’t have to apologize to me for a moment of weakness.” he cut in, sensing her discomfort. “I certainly appreciate the fact that you have come all the way to my house to apologize. I must admit I wasn’t expecting a visit from you after the way we both conducted ourselves that afternoon. I suppose I should apologize to you as well, since I misjudged you on that account. However, let us leave it at that, shall we?” he said, granting her a kind smile.

She too smiled at him broadly and simply said “Thank you Monsieur Destler, I appreciate your kindness.”

“Don’t even mention it.” he replied politely.

“Well, Monsieur Destler, what brought you to this part of the country? Where were you residing before you became a citizen of the Rouen countryside?” she asked, in an effort to make small-talk with him. However, instead of replying to her, she saw him immediately tense at her question.

For Erik it was an impossible question to answer. Suddenly he felt trapped. What answer could he possibly give her? On one hand he did want to become acquainted with this strange woman that was his neighbor, but on the other he didn’t want to lie to her and of course telling her the truth would effectively drive her away. He fidgeted in his seat nervously, but still no words would come out.

Marianne saw the hesitation in his eyes the moment that the words left her mouth. She couldn’t understand why such a simple question would make him so defensive against her. Could he be hiding something?

For a while no words passed between them. They simply sat there, sipping their tea quietly.

Marianne was starting to feel uneasy and in order to break the awkward silence that had settled between them, decided that it was time for another question on her part.

“I couldn’t help but overhear the music earlier. Was it you playing?” still no reply came from him. “What was that piece by the way? I don’t believe I’ve ever heard it being played before, and the tune didn’t remind me of any composer. I must say the melody was quite intriguing.”

Erik gave her an angry look. He couldn’t believe this. What was it about this girl? First asking him about his origins which he couldn’t discuss with anyone, then about his music. Alas, they were both perfectly legitimate questions, which deserved to be dignified with an answer. An answer he couldn’t possibly give her. He knew how bizarre it must seem to her, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Marianne was shocked. She had simply asked him about a musical piece and again he was giving her a feral look. What else could she do? She couldn’t possibly ask him another question; he certainly didn’t seem to be willing to answer any.

Erik was frozen. He was unable to utter a single word in response. He searched his mind for something to say, anything that would seem appropriate would be helpful at this point. And then, things became even worse.

“Monsieur Destler, you don’t seem to be very talkative a person. Perhaps the lady of the house would be more forthcoming with some answers to my only natural queries…?” she said, attempting to draw a smile from him. Instead of a smile though, she received an icy glare from him. His face suddenly turned an angry shade of red and he looked as if were ready to murder her right on the spot.

Erik had almost forgotten what it had felt like to be the infamous Phantom of the Opera. In an instant, his old self resurfaced, white-hot blinding rage engulfing him. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep the monster inside him at bay, but it was impossible. ‘Who does she think she is? What gives her the right to interrogate me regarding my past, as if I were a common servant? I could snap her pretty little neck in an instant if I wanted to.’

“Mademoiselle Pinon, your ‘only natural queries’ seem to me like nothing more than prying.” he said, clenching his fists.

Marianne was appalled. She put down her teacup and considered him with a haughty look in her eyes. “What could be more normal than asking each other a few questions to get acquainted Monsieur? Obviously I have struck a sensitive cord in you. It certainly wasn’t my purpose to invade your precious privacy.” She bit the last words out to him and stood abruptly from her seat.

“If you will excuse me, I do believe I have extended my visit to you more than it was apparently welcome. After all, I have fulfilled my obligation of apologizing to you …” she turned to leave, now furious at him.

Erik stood as well, following Marianne into the house as she made her way to the door.

“Wait!” he spat out.

“Monsieur Destler, I am afraid you have missed the chance of being chivalrous. Thank you for seeing me. I assure you that it will not happen again.” She was almost at the door. Just a few more steps and she wouldn’t have to put up with this infuriating man any longer.

“I told you to wait!” his deep voice reverberated in the grand hallway.

Marianne was frozen on the spot. His tone was demanding and she found herself almost compelled to abide to his order. She turned to look at him, meeting his feral gaze with her own. His eyes were on fire, burning right into her core. For an instance she felt overcome by a strange mixture of fear and …was it longing? Could she possibly be attracted to this brute of a man?

She mentally shook herself and spoke with as much conviction as she could muster. “I do not follow orders Monsieur. I thought this insignificant detail would have become apparent to you by now.”

She turned on her heel, grasping the door mantle hurriedly, frantic to get as far away from this man as possible. However, before she realized it, an arm snaked its way around her waist and her body was crushed to his hard length.

“You will learn that when I make a request of you, you are not to question me.” he hissed in her ear.

Marianne clenched her teeth, trying to break free from his embrace, and when he didn’t shift, she felt the panic rise in her chest. In an attempt to sound unruffled, she cleared her throat and spoke in a controlled voice.

“Let go of me you … swine!”

At this, Erik loosened his grip on her and she was able to turn in his arms and look at him.

The arrogant smile that was set on his face was her undoing. All thoughts of propriety left her and she couldn’t resist her baser instincts. Her hand flew and she slapped him hard, leaving an angry red imprint of her palm on his uncovered cheek.

For a terrifying second, she thought that he would strike her back as he slowly brought his hand up to touch his burning cheek. Yet, what petrified her was his mesmerizing voice as he spoke.

“I advise you to never do that again. Ever!”

Although the tone of his voice was nonchalant, she could sense the rage underlying it. His eyes never left hers as she simply stood there, her mind screaming at her to run while her body remained frozen on the spot. She still hadn’t moved when Erik reached out his hand, opening the door for her.

“You may leave now.” he said, his eyes never leaving hers.

At last she collected herself and walked towards her awaiting carriage in a haze. Pierre helped her inside and she finally found herself in the safe haven of the familiar surroundings.

As the carriage made its way out of the estate, she found herself compelled to look back to the house. Stunned, she saw Erik’s form as he still stood there, his eyes fixed upon the carriage as she made her hasty escape.

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No Easy Way