by Jamie
Cecile entered the parlor where Armand had sat silently crying for the past hour. She briskly walked to him and then paused a moment before embracing him.
"Armand, I want you to know that I never meant for this to be carried out this far." Armand looked up at her and pulled her close allowing her to rest in his nested arms. "I told him the truth, but I never expected him to make such a rash decision. I can imagine that it makes you happy though...having me all to yourself." Armand gave a small sympathetic smile.
"It only makes me happy to see you happy." He caressed her delicate face. "How do you feel?" She looked away from him and seemed to just stare into the fireplace.
"I'm not sure yet. I'm still in shock! In a way I'm happy to be back with the man I should have married, however I feel absolutely miserable that I ruined Firmin's life. I did love him, Armand. You never should have come to visit us in Austria. That is what started all this mess!" Armand sat there shocked.
"But, Cecile, aren't you in the least bit pleased that you're no longer living in those intolerable conditions. You may now have the luxury that you have always deserved. Anything you may wish I will give you." She looked in his bright blue eyes and kissed his soft lips.
Cecile and Armand attended the party together hoping that Firmin would be there, but he was already on his way by boat across the English Chanel. After entering the party, Cecile was soon swept into a group of high class women who assumed that she was one of them, only since she lived in Austria, she was never heard of before. Cecile tried to keep up her spirits as the women commented about her and Armand. They would say how cute a couple they made and how he was such a wonderful choice. Cecile tried to tell them that she indeed wasn't married to Armand, but they wouldn't understand, so she just smiled and allowed them to continue their gossip.
Meanwhile, Armand had found a group of entreprenueres to talk with, along with some business men. He was hoping that someone would need an finacier so that he could leave this horrid place, but instead he found himself talking to Messieurs Debien and Poligny of the Paris Opera House. They were a couple of gentlemen that Firmin had introduced to Armand in college. Years ago they were young and fresh, but now they had a look about them as if they had aged a century.
"Well, M. Moncharmin, you just don't understand what it's like to run an Opera house." M. Debien said in an irritated tone.
"But surely it can't be that horrible. In fact I'd enjoy owning such a fine investment." Armand said with a pompus attitude. He then spotted a duke from another part of the country. "Um, gentlemen, would you excuse me?" Armand said and went towards the duke in hopes for employment. Messieurs Debien and Poligny exchanged glances.
"Pierre, did you hear that? He would love to have such a fine investment!" M. Poligny said to his colleuge. "This could be our chance to get rid of the dreaded event." The old man's eyes lit up with hope.
"Yes, Jean, but we musn't tell him of...well you know who!" They winked at each other and chased after Armand.
The party was filled with the wonderful music from a M. Daae's brillient violin. As many conversations commenced, many deals were made including a fatal decision.
"Gentlemen, I don't know about this..." Armand said as they poured him more champagne. "I'm not at all knowledgable about music!" The managers looked at each other with furrowed brows. M. Poligny's eyes lit up.
"Yes, but isn't your friend Firmin Moncharmin a music student?" Armand looked sad.
"Yes, he is, but he wouldn't go into this with me....although he is moving to Paris..." Armand was feeling smothered by the two managers leaning into him, trying to persued him into buying the Opera House. "Gentlemen, I truly must think about this...I will talk to you tomorrow about my decision." With that said, Armand found Cecile who looked less than thrilled to be there and they both left together.
"Did you enjoy the party?" Armand asked as he entered his home with Cecile. She crossed her eyes.
"Truthfully, I found it extremely boring. And you?" She asked, noticing his preoccupied mind.
"Well, I was doing business with some gentlemen...but that was about it." She smiled.
"You look a little stressed." He smiled and nodded. "Let me help you relax." She gave him a very seductive look. Armand, who was thinking about the decision, suddenly looked at her and felt a flush of heat through his body. He grinned back at her and embraced her. She kissed him and lead him to his bedroom. All she could think the entire night long was how adorable Armand looked in his suit. She quickly desposed of the coat and tie, leaving him in only his shirt and pants. Armand kissed her back and helped her out of her dress. She crawled under the thick comforter of his bed as he locked the door and drew the long gold trimmed velvet curtains of the window. He lit a fire and unbuttoned his shirt as he walked back to the four post bed. He took off his pants and untied the bed curtains. He pulled back the one and entered the darkness of the bed. He felt around for Cecile and once he found her he didn't let go until morning.
To Be Continued...