Search for the Opera Ghost: Rewrite

XVIII.

He lifted her onto the edge of the bed as his lips pressed against hers, his hands grasped her hips while his tongue ventured into her mouth and caressed her tongue. He pulled away and gently kissed her mouth again then said, "I can offer you whatever you want." Zuri leaned her head against his shoulder as he twined his fingers in her dark hair.

"I love you Erik. I can't be with you though."

He angrily stared at her then grasped her wrist and pulled her swiftly away from the bed. She cried out in surprise as he shouted, "You little coward!"

"What!" Zuri shouted back, astonished by his accusation.

"You heard me loud and clear. Did you satisfy your curiousity Zuri? Now that you know who the Opera Ghost really is you can go back can't you?"

"I can't believe you! You who raped me because I wanted to be your friend! Thank you Erik for making me feel even worse about myself. No man will ever want me now!" She pulled away from him then turned around and faced the other wall. "I feel like a whore now." She sniffled softly.

Erik exploded, "Yes Zuri, for God's sake, I raped you. I apologized and I am not going to apologize any more! God, I wish you would shut up about it!"

Zuri whipped around and snapped at him. "Of course Erik. It is all my fault. Forgive me for coming to be your friend. Whenever you have a problem next time why don't you blame it on another woman, since women are obviously purposely trying to make your life hell!"

Erik growled loudly while he pulled her into her arms harshly then his lips collided with hers causing them to bruise. Her lungs burned for air while he continued to assualt her mouth. She scratched at his chest, trying to free herself from his grasp. He pulled back and watched silently as she took a big breath of air into her lungs.

He stared deep in her eyes, a longing overtaking his body suddenly. He intiated another kiss, though not as violent, it was commanding and passionate. Erik wrapped his arms around her lower back, pulling her closer to his body. He felt her relax slowly against his body. She felt so good against his body, he never wanted to let go of her. "Why do you call me a coward?" She asked as she pulled back from his lips, her own were red from his kisses.

"You know we belong together and yet you want to leave me."

"I want to stay, but I can't and you know why."

"We could fake your death."

"Erik, that would never work. It is best that I go back home and face my father's wrath and you stay here where you want to be alone."

Erik erupted in a rage, "You little idiot! I want you, don't you get it?! We were made for each other. Why I have never met such an infuriating, stubborn woman in all my life that I absolutely can't live without! Don't you see it Zuri? We belong to each other. Was this not your dream? Didn't you want your ghost to sweep you off your feet?"

"You are only feeling lust Erik!"

"Fine! I'll take you back up, but I warn you Zuri, you are denying yourself the future you wanted and if you are unhappy for the rest of your life then so be it! I will not come after you and rescue you when you need me the most. You will regret your decision Zuri, I vow to you that you will!"

He turned around and stomped off leaving her alone. Zuri sank to the floor, her heart crushed by her own doing. Warm tears flowed down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around her knees and wondered why she had driven him away from her. She knew that her heart belonged to him and she had declared her love for him, but Erik didn't want to marry. He didn't want to live a conventional life. 'Who could blame him?' She thought bitterly.

To love him fully, she decided, she would give up her conventional world. She would give up propriety and everything it meant to be a good daughter and woman in society's view. If she had to become a social pariah, she would for him and only him. With her decision made she ventured into the main part of his home and found him writing music. He looked up at her to see tears running down her cheeks. "I have something to say."