Meant to Be

He led her into his room to the second guest room, but she stopped. "Is this your permanent home? I mean I thought it was only a hiding place for during the war, but the way things appear you plan on living here after the building is complete!" Erik looked at Elisabeth. She whispered. "Is the coffin ready for the day you die? Please don't tell me you actually sleep in that thing." He glanced at the coffin, where Ayesha was warily watching the two humans. "It is true, I'm weary of the world and its cruelty. I only want a place where I can be left in peace. Please don't be frightened, I'm not crazy, just a tad eccentric." She asked, "is there any difference?" "Yes, Money" He kidded. She laughed. It was the first time he'd been in the presence of a woman who enjoyed his company, not shrinking in fear or demanding he kill for her amusement. All it took to amuse her was a simple joke "Do you play?" She indicated the massive organ that dominated the entire right wall. "Often my music is the only reason I live." He said solemnly. She smiled for the first time since he'd met her.

"The truth is I am a huge fan of music in all forms, especially Opera." That explained why she had run inside the Opera House for shelter. "Sing me a song." He asked, once again distracted. Elisabeth began to sing a selection from Madame Butterfly, and he lost himself in her voice. It was so melodious and soft. Here was a good voice for his Amnita. "What wonders you could perform when this building is complete." He said. She replied, "Oh, I don't plan on performing, it's just a hobby really." He gasped. "How do you, a single, poor woman, plan to earn a living? I'd hate to see you leave here only to enter the street profession." She glanced down quickly. "My dear I did not mean to offend you." "No, it's quite all right, go do you're shopping."

He snapped. "Fine, I will." He turned, and then looked back at her. "You can play if you want; the only thing I ask is that you never touch this." He picked up his manuscript of Don Juan Triumphant and placed it in his coffin. ‘It isn't finished." With that he turned and left. He returned two hours later to the sound of Elisabeth singing Juliet and playing his organ. Her playing wasn't as good, but her voice was beyond words. He placed the bags in the kitchen except for two, which he brought to her. As soon as he saw her he gasped.

She was wearing nothing but his bathrobe and her hair was piled up in a towel turban. "Do you have any decency?" He screamed. "My dress is beyond ruin, and I have nothing else!" She screamed back. "Well now you do! Go put on something more modest." He grumbled. She huffed into her room. The truth was he had been shocked at seeing her. In thirty-seven years he had never come close to a nude woman except for paintings, and Elisabeth was no painting. Even though the robe had been tied tightly, and nothing showed except her face, the thought of what lay beyond that robe had sent him reeling with desire. He barely knew this girl! He heard her exclaim in her room and smiled, It was nice to spoil people. He'd spoiled Reza before he passed, and was now spoiling Jules and those brats of his.

Soon Elisabeth entered the room and said, ‘It isn't proper for a lady to pass through a gentlemen's bedchamber on the way to the living room." He smiled. "This is no ordinary house, and I am no ordinary gentleman." "But you can't possibly be planning to stay here, how will you pull it off? The management will find you, and you'll end your days in a cell." He chuckled. "I have taken many precautions against getting caught." With that he stood up and disappeared.