Search for the Opera Ghost: Rewrite

VIII.

Erik sat on the chaise across from her chair and finally asked, "Why did you seek me out?"

Zuri sighed deeply, "I suppose I felt some sort of kinship with you. I can never know what your life has been like Monsieur, don't take my words like that. However, I know what it feels to feel like you are the only one in the world and that you are all alone."

Erik snorted at her reply, "You can't possibly know what it is to be alone."

"But I do. I am the only female in my family and I feel all alone. You can't possibly know what it is like to be in that situation. It does not matter what I have to say. My father plans to sell me off like an animal to the highest bidder. It does not matter if I love the man I will wind up with or not."

"I suppose not. However, that does not explain exactly why you sought me out."

"As I said before, I felt like I had some sort of kinship with you. I came hoping that maybe we could meet and become friends." She paused and let out another sigh, "I suppose that was a stupid idea." When he did not say anything she ventured to ask her quesiton, "Now it is my turn. What is your name?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"You owe me your name since you were the one who...raped me."

Erik sighed loudly, "Very well. It is Erik."

"Erik." She let his name roll off her tongue. "That is a beautiful name."

"Why did you want to interview me?"

"I wanted to learn more about you. I thought that maybe I could be your friend." She paused then asked him, "Why don't you move away from this place?"

"It is my home mademoiselle."

"Yes. Yes it is." Zuri became silent for a few minutes then stood up. "Well monsieur, I should finish packing. I am sure you do not want to talk to me anymore."

"I have not finished speaking with you."

"Well I have with you Monsieur Erik."

"Why don't you wish to speak with me?" His eyebrow raised slightly as he watched her turn away from him. "You were wanting so much to ask me questions and now you wish to turn away from me, the very man you were seeking."

"I thought you hated me."

"You are ridiculous. I find you annoying and stubborn. Qualities in which I do not think a woman should have."

"Then leave monsieur. I am not keeping you."

"Because I have not finished asking my questions."

"Why should I let you finish when you did not want me to question you?"

"It is odd that you do not want me around anymore."

"Oh? I don't find it odd at all...especially after what you did to me."

Erik raised his eyebrow as he looked at her. "You enjoyed it somewhat."

Zuri whipped around to glare at him. "How dare you! I did not enjoy what you did to me. My reactions would have been different if I did!" A blush creeped over her cheeks as she continued, "You could have talked to me if you felt like I was that terrible."

Before she knew it she heard the swish of his cape and felt him pull her hard against his body. Zuri bit her lower lip as she looked into his golden eyes. "Mademoiselle...if you think that I imagined such behavior then perhaps I shall recreate it for you."

Zuri's eyes widened, "You would not dare. I have not done a single thing to you and you would do that to me again?"

He raised an eyebrow slowly, "If I have to."

Zuri pushed away then turned her back to him. "Go. I shall be gone by tomorrow."

"You're not going anywhere." He said as she tensed from his words.

"What do you mean? You wanted me to leave and now you don't want me to leave? I am confused by your behavior."

"You haven't finished answering my questions. Besides...I need some female company."

She quickly turned around to face him, his eyes caught hers as she spoke, "I despise you. I would never allow you to take me like you did. I do not find you attractive at all." He laughed loudly as her cheeks flushed in anger, "It is the truth!"

"You are a goddamned liar if I ever saw one." He paused and looked at her as if thinking, "Very well then Zuri. I wish to make another bet with you and this time it will be beneficial to us both."

"What?"

"I will let you stay till the end of next week. We both can ask each other questions, that way you can finally interview me."

"And? Certainly you are not going to be kind and leave it at that!" She interrupted.

"You say you do not find me attractive. I think that is a lie. I wish to see if you will beg for me."

Her eyes widened in surprise as she cried out, "No! I will not. You are mad! I am not going to sell my body to you, of all people, because you think that I will beg for you! You are out of your mind!"

Zuri heard the swish of his cape again and gasped loudly as he pushed her hard against the wall. His hand cupped her left breast and then began to massage the mound roughly. Zuri bit her lip hard, so hard that she tasted blood in her mouth. She could not let him have the upper hand. However, it was so hard to when her body was responding to him. "Then I must be imagining things then."

"Please...please stop."

"What was it that you said about me in your journal?" He paused then finally said with great emphasis, "Oh yes. I remember now. You said I had a dark appetite. A very astute observation from a woman."

Zuri blushed then told him, "I was only making observations. I don't know you."

He smirked, "I find it hard to believe that you are no longer interested in me."

"You are not a woman monsieur." She paused as she looked at his eyes, "Please...let me leave. I have realized my mistake in coming here. I won't bother you again."

Erik looked back at her before quickly wrenching her away from the wall and roughly throwing her onto the bed. He spread her legs and quickly sat between them. Zuri's breathing picked up as she watched him plant his arms on either side of her chest and lean his head nearer to her own. "I want to talk to you and it is going to take more that one measly night. You can take my offer or not. It does not matter because you are not leaving until I get my answers and if you think what I did to you before was bad then you will not enjoy what I have in store for you...or maybe you will. It is like you said, I am not a woman."

"Why are you doing this?!" Zuri cried out as she felt tears well up in her eyes.

"Because I wish to know more about your mission. You could have been sent by someone for all I know."

"You are being ridiculous now! I came on my own."

"To seek me out!"

"Yes! God yes!"

"Why?!"

"I told you why. Please get off me."

Erik growled loudly then pushed away from her. "I will leave you alone for now, however, if you are not here when I get back in the morning then I will not be pleased and you already know how I am when I am displeased."

She watched him disappear in the shadows. What had she got herself into? What was he intending to do to her if she tried to leave? She had to leave the opera house, whether he liked it or not. Zuri curled up on her bed and thought to herself as she tried to fall asleep. Why had she responded to him like that? What would happen if he did it again? Would she be able to stop herself? Zuri shook her head and tried to sleep as thoughts and questions popped in her mind. Ultimately she would have to leave...but how?