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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.

Chapter List
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Chapter 09

The following morning as Erik was taking breakfast in the dining room, Vincent delivered the mail to him. Erik was surprised to receive the envelope containing an invitation to a soirée hosted by the Count de Gaultier. Apparently word had gotten around that Erik was residing in the area, and the town had been presented with the chance to lure him out of his den.

Turning the invitation in his hands, Erik contemplated whether it would be wise to attend. Frankly, he had no wish to participate in the feaux gatherings of the upper class, but this presented him with an excellent chance to meet Marianne Pinon once more after their last scorching encounter.

The thought was thrilling and terrifying at the same time. He desperately wanted to see her after the way she had responded to him, but he knew he was treading on shaky ground. As he gazed out the window over to his gardens bathed in sunlight, it finally dawned on him that he had accomplished his goal. He had created a new life for himself; all he ever wanted was now within his grasp, ready for him to reach out and touch his dreams. At last he had found his way out of the darkness, able to leave his sinister past behind him.

He decided to accept the invitation then and there, whatever the motives were behind it. He would finally come full circle and become part of society in the hope that he would become accepted despite his intricacies. Four days later, he entered the grand ballroom of the De Gaultier mansion, dressed immaculately and exuding an air of elegance.

Marianne Pinon had attended the soiree, secretly hoping that Erik would be invited, but knowing deep inside that it would be highly improbable for him to come. She was dressed in a bordeaux evening gown. Her hair was arranged in an intricate signon at the top of her head, a few curls framing her lovely face. The low-cut dress left her shoulders exposed and her slim waist granted her an air of fragility. Unbeknownst to her, many sets of male eyes were fixed upon her as she made her way across the room.

She had met with Olivier shortly after her arrival at the party and had conversed amiably with him for the better part of the evening. At first the situation had been awkward between them, but eventually they became comfortable with each other once more as neither mentioned the incident that had transpired between them. After all, they had been friends for such a long time that it would be impossible for either of them to imagine a life in which the other would not be part of. When he asked her to dance, Marianne accepted cordially as Olivier took her hand in his.

Gliding on the dance floor, Marianne gazed absentmindedly at the crowd of faces surrounding them, as they chatted with Olivier. As the minutes passed, Marianne felt more at ease, letting herself be led by Olivier, swirling upon the dance floor. Marianne felt a gaze fix upon her, but when she looked around all she saw were the familiar faces of the guests. Nobody was paying any particular attention to her, so she shook her head dismissing the thought.

As Erik saw Marianne turning at his direction, searching the crowd with her eyes, he took a step backwards, hiding from view. He had been watching the dancing pair for a short while, grinding his teeth as he witnessed Marianne dancing in another man’s arms. As he saw Olivier’s arm snaking around Marianne’s waist, he clenched his fists trying to keep himself in check.

“Wine Sir?” a servant offered, shaking him out of his daze.

He grabbed a glass of red wine from the tray, swallowing the drink in one swig. He replaced the empty glass on the boy’s tray and took another one. Dismissing the servant with a nod, he took a sip from his second glass of Bordeaux, his feral gaze once again fixing upon Marianne and her dancing partner. The two of them seemed to be very content in each other’s arms.

“Monsieur Destler, I hope you are having a pleasant evening?” It was the host, Count de Gaultier smiling politely at him.

“I am having a very interesting night Count. Thank you very much for inviting me.” He looked upon the elder man, trying to be as civil as possible. It was the first time he was attending a soirée of the sort, and the fact that he was churning with a jealous rage wasn’t helping much.

“That is very kind of you Monsieur. I had hoped that you would accept my invitation, as all of us here were quite eager to meet the new tenant of the Ventre estate.”

Erik gave the Count a half smile raising his visible eyebrow. “I had not realized I have become a subject of conversation among the noble circles Count de Gaultier.”

For a moment, the Count regretted the words that had passed his lips and tried to amend the situation. “Monsieur Destler, it certainly wasn’t my intention to offend you.”

“Not to worry Count. I am rather amused by the attention that has been drawn to my person.”

“Shall I introduce you to some of my guests Monsieur? They would be more than happy to make your acquaintance.”

Erik smiled at his host condescendingly, following him as they mingled with the other guests. However, his gaze kept travelling back to Marianne’s form every once in a while.

Noticing the commotion, Marianne turned her head to peer through the crowd at what had apparently caught the interest of every woman in the room. All that she could see though, was the Count de Gaultier, mingling with his guests. Looking more closely, she saw the figure of a tall man standing with his back turned to her, seemingly the centre of attention.

For a second she thought it was Erik but immediately dismissed the thought as she considered it highly improbable that he would attend a social gathering such as this one. She tried to forget about it, turning her attention back to Olivier, but her eyes kept wandering back to the man’s form, wishing that it truly was him, and at the same time dreading his presence.

At that moment, Erik turned his gaze to the dance floor seeking her out. Marianne misstepped when their eyes met and her heart skipped a beat as he fixed her with his feral gaze.

The two stared at each other for a few seconds, before Erik’s attention was drawn from Marianne as the Count de Gaultier introduced him to Amelie Menteouse. Marianne shivered seeing Erik return the seductive look of the blonde woman. As Erik brought Mademoiselle Menteouse’s hand to his lips, Marianne felt a hot flare of anger rising up inside her. She stopped dead on her tracks, causing Olivier to give her a worried look.

“Are you feeling alright my dear?”

“Yes Olivier, I’m simply tired that’s all. Could you please excuse me while I rest for a while?”

“Certainly my dear.” said Olivier, bowing his head gracefully at her.

Marianne nodded at Olivier and headed to a group of women that were sitting nearby, chatting about the new tenant of the Ventre estate.

“He’s quite handsome, don’t you agree?” she heard a familiar voice as she turned to look at Sophie Virago talking to Corine Souris. The two women kept talking about Erik not leaving him from their sights. Marianne was irritated at the reaction that everyone around her seemed to be having to Erik’s presence. It seemed that nobody was intrigued by the mask he wore on his face; apparently it had become an object that fascinated the interest of women surrounding them to an even greater extent.

Marianne was ready to stand up and walk away, appalled by the comments all around her concerning Monsieur Destler when she saw him approach, a predatory look in his eyes. Her heart was thumping against her chest as he approached and she felt oblivious to everything around her except for his gaze that was fixed upon her. She was frozen into place as Erik advanced, his eyes burning into hers, a sardonic smile on his lips.

As she contemplated what the best course of action would be, he brushed by her, walking over to Sophie Virago. Marianne was stunned when she saw Erik kiss Sophie’s hand, asking her to dance with him. Witnessing Sophie’s elation, Marianne stood abruptly, furiously walking away as Erik led Sophie to the dance floor.

Erik, amused, watched Marianne as she stormed through the balcony doors out to the veranda, smiling wickedly to himself. He danced for a while with the tedious woman in his arms, never leaving Marianne from his sight.

A few minutes passed and Erik decided that he had given her enough time to calm down. He excused himself to Sophie and headed over to where Marianne was sitting outside. Seeing him coming to her, Marianne stood turning her back to him. Erik approached her slowly and spoke in an even tone.

“Good evening Mademoiselle Pinon.”

Marianne jumped at the sound of his voice turning to look into his eyes.

“Good evening Monsieur Destler.” she replied cautiously.

“I trust you are having an enjoyable evening?”

“Very much Monsieur. I presume I don’t have to ask you; I can see that you are certainly enjoying yourself tonight.”

“Indeed I am Mademoiselle. However, I think that the evening just got more interesting.”

Marianne averted her eyes from his timidly as Erik lifted her chin with his fingertips.

“You look lovely tonight.”

She couldn’t help but blush at his statement. “Thank you.”

“Will you join me for a dance?” he asked hopefully.

“Do you really think that would be wise Monsieur Destler?”

“I see no reason not to Mademoiselle. After all, I can be a perfect gentleman when the situation calls for it.” Receiving no response, he pressed on “I assure you that I will control myself.”

“I’m afraid that our encounters have proven we do not get along so fine Monsieur. I bid you goodnight.” She turned on her heel, ready to leave him when Erik caught her hand gently between his own.

“Do not be so cruel Mademoiselle. One dance is all I’m asking from you.” Erik looked into her eyes hopefully as Marianne hesitated. He drew her closer to him wrapping his arm around her waist, still holding her hand bringing it to his solid chest.

Marianne opened her mouth to protest but was cut short as Erik softly brought a finger to her lips silencing her effectively. As the music soared around them, Marianne lost herself in Erik’s embrace.

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A/N: Thank you for the reviews!
Stay tuned for the second part. Please feel free to read and review!
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No Easy Way