Limelight

Chapter Seven: Les All Hollows Mascarade (Part Three)

Chapter Seven: Les All Hollows Mascarade (Part Three)

October 31st, 1910, 11:58pm

We stood there, like that, for at the very least twenty minutes; my eyes remained closed and I just listened to the sound of his breathing. Then I felt his right hand lift and tap my arm, I opened my eyes to see that he was staring at me...and probably had been; my blush returned. He raised his right had and tenderly touched my chin and cheek, then he looked beyond me and pointed behind me; I turned to find a large, golden clock face only moments away from striking midnight, I smiled as I heard my fellow performers calling out the seconds "56...55...54..." they called. The man turned my body towards him again and lifted my left hand up, flattening my palm; "45...44...43..." they continued,  the man put his hand inside the sheet and started rummaging for something; "36...35...34.." the man found it and brought out his hand again. "27...26...25..." the man placed something velvety in my hand, but kept his hands wrapped around it, the man leaned close to me; "19...18...17.." my eyes closed as I felt the man's nose touch mine, his hands moved to my waist, pulling me even closer to him.

"10....9.....8.." they screamed, the man's lips grazed my cheek; "...5....4....3.." I started to breathe quicker and I could practically taste his breath (if your wondering what it tasted like...mint...it tasted like mint) "...2...1...Happy All Hollows!" they all screamed, as they said "1" the lights went out and the man...disappeared. My eyes opened and I stood there for a moment, my hands trembling, my breath quick, my pulse was so quick that I heard it reverberating in my head, and my legs shaking; my hands were warm and slowly closed around the small object, I looked down to see that it was a black, velvet box. Slowly, I opened the box and found a golden ring studded with large diamonds on a golden necklace chain; my breath was caught in my throat as the beautiful ring shimmered and gleamed in the candle light. I put my hand down beside me, to steady myself, and expected the cake to be there; but when I looked down the plate and cake were gone and in it's place there was an envelope with my name written on it in red ink.

I picked up the envelope and held the necklace close to my heart, then I did something I would've never expected I would do; I took the ring out of the box and slipped it on my wedding finger. I stood for a few moments and marveled at it's beauty, until I heard my sister's quick footfall; I gasped and ripped the ring off of my finger, hastily putting it back in its box and closing the lid. "Sissy?" She called, I turned and she ran up the stairs "Sissy, Mamma Giry told me to come get you...it's after midnight you know" said she, then she saw the box and envelope in my hands "Who's that from?" She asked.

"I don't know" I whispered, shaking my head "I-It was from the man...t-the man I was dancing with" I said softly, opening the lid again and staring at the ring. Victoria ran up to me and 'ooh'd' at the ring.

"That's so beautiful!" Victoria cried breathlessly, I nodded and agreed with her.

10 minutes later...

Victoria, Mamma Giry and I arrived back in my room where I showed Mamma the necklace, she smiled and told me to open the envelope, this I did and took out another tri-folded letter, there was a note inside, it ran thus:

Loveliest Elizabeth,

  My dear, your radiance stuns me, and your beautiful eyes paralyze me where I stand. As we danced I felt your grace and fragility, I feared if I tightened my grip of you too much that you might have broken. Nevertheless, that was the best dance I have ever had...darling, you could have climbed the tree in your dress; I wouldn't have minded. Do what you will with the ring...wear it as a necklace...leave it on display or...let it grace your finger, any I am fine with. I had a most wonderful evening and night with you, Elizabeth, may you have the best of dreams.

P.S. the cake was absolutely amazing...thank you, Margarita.

With All Love,

     The Opera Ghost.

Two hours later...

Mamma Giry and Victoria left me, my make-up was gone along with the fake wound and fake blood; but my dress and hair remained as they had all night. I sat upon my bed with my necklace in hand; I closed my eyes and sighed as my fingers ran over the jewels. But that wasn't was I was thinking about, no...far from it, actually; as I closed my eyes I saw The Opera Ghost's eyes staring back at me. Those mysterious, wonderful eyes...I opened my eyes when I heard the clock strike two, I sighed and slipped the ring back onto my wedding finger; it felt so warm, almost like it was happy to return to my finger. I took the necklace chain off and placed it on a side table, along with the box "I'll wear it on my finger" I whispered, pulling up the covers and slipping into my bed.

November 1st, 1910

I woke to find the ring still gracing my finger, but everything else had changed; I was no longer in my costume dress, I was in a pink night gown. My hair was washed and lay in many curls on my shoulders; as I sat up Mamma Giry's voice came to my ears "I washed you, on his orders, he wanted you to be comfortable when you slept; I expect you did seeing as it's ten o'clock during the day!" Mamma Giry walked to my bed and smiled "you decided to let it grace your marriage finger" she whispered then there was a short pause "You know...funny thing about that finger" she paused and put her hand on my leg "they made that a person's marriage finger because that is the only finger that has a direct link to the heart...tell me, Elizabeth, how did you feel when you put it on?" she asked, I smiled.

"...I felt warm and...happy, I was happy...and I still am happy; but when I take it off...I'm not happy anymore" said I, Mamma Giry smiled and touched my cheek with her worked hands.

"Well, don't take it off, then." Said she softly, I smiled and nodded.

Three hours later...   

Aaron Benjamin had been spying on me all day, at least, that's what Mamma Giry said to me when Mamma and I sat on the concrete benches near the pond whilst Victoria played with the dragonflies. The sun was high in the sky and I rested my head upon Mamma Giry's shoulder "Mamma" I whispered "why does the Opera Ghost hide?"

"He likes to be mysterious...he also likes to watch you from afar, so he can see you do your daily activities without his interruption." Mamma Giry answered, holding my hand.

"When does he watch me?"

"All the time, Elizabeth, he never takes his eyes off of you...unless your in the WC." Mamma answered as Victoria played 'follow the leader' with a slimy, green toad. Now I heard the great magnolia tree rustle once more and I heard the door open simultaneously; a butler who's name was Gerard walked to Mamma and I, he wore a tuxedo and carried a silver platter with three lemonade cupcakes on it. Gerard had slicked back, blonde hair and squinting, blue eyes; he also had a posh air to him, he stood as straight as a nail with an upturned nose and addressed Mamma and I. Victoria saw Gerard and came running up to us before Gerard could speak.

"Mademoiselles, complements of Master Benjamin" Gerard held out the platter, Victoria smiled and quickly grabbed her cupcake, stuffing it inside her mouth; Mamma took my cupcake and gave it to me. I waited and watched as Gerard left, shutting the door quietly behind him, I sighed, turned the cupcake around, then I stood and walked to the pond and tore the lemonade cupcake apart; throwing it to the swan family.