Chapter 2
Bellatrix
Bellatrix yawned. This opera is more boring than she had expected. The woman sang in a mournful voice and Bellatrix turned to Eric. “What is happening now?” she whispered.
“Now? Well, the phantom has kidnapped Christine, and he is taking her to his house,” Eric whispered back.
“Hmmm,” Bellatrix replied, yawning again. “That is her lover that is following her?”
“Yes, he is trying to get her back,” Eric said.
“I wish I had a lover,” Bellatrix said. She didn’t notice Eric freeze besides her. “Where I live, your lover is decided for you.”
“Like an arranged marriage?” Eric asked, frowning.
“Who is that man with her lover?” Bellatrix said, changing the subject.
Eric continued explaining to her what was happening, and the torturous opera came to end soon enough. Eric said that there was a ball afterwards and had made Bellatrix rent a dress from a local shop.
She had selected a long black dress, with a slit to the side. She liked the way it showed her legs. She had come out of the changing room and asked Eric’s opinion. He had choked up for some reason and acted all weird.
She had done her makeup, following all those videos on Instagram. She had then carefully arranged her hair and finished off with a bright red lipstick. Eric had acted in the same weird manner when he saw her ready. He had rented a suit, and Bellatrix thought he looked rather nice.
They walked to a large room; Eric had called it the ball room. It was magnificent, with golden decorations and enchanting music.
“This must have cost you tons,” Bellatrix whispered. “You know how bad I am with these things, but even I can tell that this is only for those very rich people.”
“A friend works for the opera company,” Eric whispered back. “He gave me a decent enough discount.”
Eric was pretty popular. He always had a friend in some city, and it often meant discounts and cheap offers. Bellatrix looked around in wonder. She couldn’t believe places as beautiful as this existed. If the pack ever saw this…
“What do people do here?” Bellatrix asked.
“Well, they dance. They eat and socialise. It’s a party. You enjoy yourself,” Eric said.
“Back in my hometown, the parties had us dancing our tribal dance. We chanted the ancient tribal words and drank Sayor. It’s like alcohol,” Bellatrix said.
Just then, Eric’s friend turned up. He asked Eric if he could talk, and Eric walked away. Bellatrix stood there alone, watching the place in amazement.
“I must say, you are the most beautiful sight I have seen all night,” a deep voice said. Bellatrix turned around and saw a man. He was tall, broad, and handsome. Exactly like all those models. He had sharp, chiselled features. His eyes were the color of grass, a lovely green. His hair was jade black and set back.
“Hi,” Bellatrix said. “I am sorry, I don’t know you.”
“Antoine,” the man said, bowing. Bellatrix caught his scent, and something inside her stirred. “I saw you from across the hall and was instantly mesmerized by your beauty.”
“I am Bellatrix,” she replied, smiling at him. Something about him really attracted her, and she blinked at him flirtatiously. “I am here with my friend, Eric. I am a traveler, and this is my first time to the opera.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Bellatrix,” Antoine said, giving her a charming smile. “It’s not every day that one meets a woman as beautiful as you are. Your friend is very lucky that he is traveling in your company. How did you find the opera?”
“A bit boring,” Bellatrix replied. “I know people really enjoy it, or at least that’s what Eric told me, but I did not enjoy it much. A bit droll.”
“Yes, I believe it is more of an acquired taste,” Antoine said. “Not everyone likes it. People say that only sophisticated people can appreciate the opera. I digress. It is music. You enjoy what touches your soul.”
“So, do you like it?” Bellatrix asked, leaning forward. She felt mesmerized by Antoine’s manners, his voice, and his scent. She hadn’t felt this way before. About anyone. She just wanted to spend all her time with him, finding out more and more about him.
“I enjoy it, occasionally,” he replied. “Depending on who is singing it. Some sopranos, they do not know how to sing. They sound like a whaling banshee.”
Bellatrix laughed, and Antoine gave her a charming wink.
