Three

I own no part of POTO...

You can hear his haunting voice calling your name from behind the mirror, but instead of answering you stay secluded in your hiding place. From the crack in the wardrobe doors you can see the mirror slide open. Even in the darkened room you have to admit to yourself he casts a beautiful silhouette. Erik’s caped form slowly prowls the seemingly empty room. Again you hear your name whispered, a rough prayer upon his lips. The worry in his voice tempts you to answer him, but you resist.

Turn around and look on the vanity. Your mind silently directs him, hoping he will see your note in the dim light. Damn…I had to go and leave it near a mirror. Of course he will avoid looking there…. How stupid am I?

By some stroke of luck, the cape brushes against the vanity table as Erik walks by, knocking your folded letter to the floor. The soft rustle of paper causes Erik to turn around and notice the missive now lying haphazardly on the woven carpet. As he bends to pick up the note, you have to stifle a groan at the sight of such well-fitted trousers.

His gloved hands open the letter and you can read the displeased expression upon the unmasked half of his face.

“What foolishness is she about now?” You find the irked tone of his voice strangely seductive as he reads the letter to the empty room. “Go to the roof of the opera. I will be waiting for you there.”

Erik throws the letter upon the glowing embers of the dying fire before turning back to the mirror and disappearing through it, all the while muttering about the inane ideas of women.

You wait for a few minutes to be sure Erik has truly left before coming out of your hiding place. He is going to be beyond mad when he goes to the roof and finds that next note. I had better hurry. Quietly you grab your cape and open the exit door.

A few doors down the hall you stop and knock softly. “Are you ready to go?” One affirmative nod finds you both returning to the dressing room and stepping through the mirror.

“Does he suspect anything?”

“I don’t believe so, though I can be rather confident in saying he is not going to be happy after the fruitless journey to the roof. The note I left will doubtless add fuel to the fire… so to speak. We should probably hurry…unless you have changed your mind.” Or I change mine…

“Certainly not.”

You grin weakly as you step carefully down the damp path. “I am glad to hear it. If he survives the shock I think this evening could be quite interesting.”

“Interesting? Not my word choice, but…”

“Well what word would be a more appropriate selection?”

“If it’s half as good as you say it is, then perhaps the term fuck of a lifetime would apply.”

“Touché…we just have to be ready when he gets there.”

You arrive at the lair and both of you move quickly to set up for your little surprise. Within a quarter of an hour there is a small bistro table with three chairs set in the middle of the main chamber. A small trio of cups and saucers and a matching teapot full of hot tea are placed on the table. The two of you grin at each other mischievously as you take your places on each side of the table leaving an empty chair in the middle. You pour the tea and take a sip in an effort to calm your nerves.

Will he think I’ve gone mad with this little idea? You smile over at your partner in crime, now more than a little nervous. I should stop this now, before he returns. I can’t do this.

“Nervous?” She takes a sip of her own tea.

“Does it show?”

“Just a bit.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t go through with this…” You bite your lower lip.

“I thought this was your idea.”

“It was, but…”

You both jump at the loud sound emitting from the tunnels.

“No buts now. I think, my dear, we have a guest.” She smiled again and reaches to pat your arm. “Relax. You just get him to calm down and join us. The rest will follow.”

What the hell was I thinking? You take as deep a breath as the corset will allow as you stand and move over to stand by the lake. The boat appears as the portcullis rises. Erik’s tense posture and the speed of the approaching boat cause your resolve to waver. You quickly step back into the main chamber and sit back down, smiling weakly at your surprised friend.

“Strength in numbers?”

“Coward.” The tone in her voice tells you she is teasing. “ I guess we shall just have to sit here like two proper ladies having tea.”

She picks up her cup and sips again, motioning you to do the same. One quick gulp tells you something has been added. You feel your cheeks flush as the warmth spreads through your belly.

“Thought it might relax you a bit. Don’t worry it's just a bit of brandy.”

“Very strong brandy.” You grin as another gulp makes its way down your throat.

“What the hell is this?” Erik’s dark voice booms across the chamber. “And who the hell is this?” A few strides of his long legs brings him to stand behind you. You shake as you feel yourself lifted up out of your seat and turned to face a very displeased man.

Forcing your voice to be steady, you look directly at him, stating, “It’s exactly what my letter said I was doing.”

The mention of the letter brings a new tenseness to his jaw. “That letter said you were at home planning to entertain a guest.”

You decide to play into his anger and answer with a harsh tone of your own. “And what precisely did you think I meant by that? To bring some other man at my flat for entertainment?” You sit back down in your seat in a huff.

“What else was I supposed to think?” Erik pauses in his tirade as he again regards the woman still sitting at the table, politely sipping her tea as if the scene being played out in front of her was a common everyday experience.

“Won’t you join us?” She motions to the empty chair.

“I beg your pardon, mademoiselle, but have you lost your mind? Do you know where you are and with whom you are currently speaking?"

She reaches for the teapot, filling the empty cup. “Oui, Monsieur O.G. I have been informed of the basics of who, what, and where. Do not trouble yourself about my planning to speak to anyone of this. I rather enjoy living.” She motions again to the empty seat. “Now please join us.”