January 1865
Being the head apprenti for the manager of the Opera Populair was a position that Jules took very seriously.
Everything about this position required precision and responsibility. Arranging and attending meetings, handling the continuous requests of journalists, ensuring all employees attend their daily tasks and keeping record of all paperwork.
He was passionate about the Opera.
He worked for the most peculiar man he's ever met before.
This made the occupation the more interesting.
Jules reached into his pocket to grab hold of his bronze pocket watch.
It was already three o'clock.
He had to confess, he was very curious to why his employer was so urgent to speak with him.
He decided to wait a few more minutes before he would gently knock on the door. Seconds passed when he heard the familiar sound of another door closing. It was fascinating to Jules of how his employer chose to run the Opera Populair's day to day responsibilities. The man was a severe introvert. He did everything in complete solitude, only trusting Jules enough to handle anything else that didn't require his direct attention.
He knocked, waiting patiently.
"Come in, Jules."
Jules entered.
"Good morning Sir, I was informed you were looking for me urgently." He asked silently closing the door behind him. Once more he took in the Manager of the Opera Populair's appearance.
Such a mysterious man.
Covered in black velvet all over with the shy glimpse of a white mask concealing his entire face. He couldn't help himself but be curious to why his employer would choose to be dressed and behave this way. Though Jules knew better then to rummage through other people's personal matters that had absolutely nothing to do with him. He had too much respect for his employer.
"Indeed I did, you are fully aware of the whereabouts about all the staff in this opera house am I correct?" He asked, directing his enormous mixed burnt umber and ochre eyes at Jules. The only two features which he allowed to be visible.
"Yes I do Sir, I was just about to plan the weekly inspection of all the staff. Is there a problem?" Jules asked nervously.
"No Jules, a particular staff member just imprisoned my attention lately. Annabel Fiori."
Jules had to search through his exhausted memory to try and place the name. After a few minutes he found the link. "Oh yes! Miss Fiori, one of Mme Murie's Corps de Ballet dancers. Of course, but Sir, why this particular young dancer? What about her?"
"Is there a chance that she might have resigned from the Opera? That the information might have slipped by me?" Quade asked.
"I have not been informed about anyone resigning from the Opera, Sir." Jules assured thinking back to his doings earlier the morning.
What relief! Quade thought gratefully.
"Good, I need you to inform her immediately that I would like her to audition for me. I may consider her as my new leading Prima Donna. She has remarkable talent." Quade explained before he could contain himself. He could see Jules was a bit taken back by what he said.
It wasn't common to even consider amateurs for such types of roles. But Quade knew better, Annabel might be amateur, but she had something special inside her that needed to be showcased.
"The ballet girl? As Prima Donna? Sir, I hardly can believe your words." Jules said trying to comprehend what his employer was implying.
"Jules, you should know by now not to question me." Quade said pulling out his chair and sitting down.
"Yes of course Sir." Jules said sitting down opposite from Quade awaiting the letter of invitation that was being written.
Quade felt euphoria.
She was ready for the next step. This for sure will make her career soar!
He would make sure of that.
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What a beautiful night it had been.
Annabel walked into her bedroom and tiredly lay down.
Oh Roger, you were exactly as I remembered you.
It had been a long night, and she payed the price by losing hours of proper rest.
It was all the worthwhile! They talked as if they had never stopped. It was awful when they had to went their separate ways, but both of them had responsibilities the following day. Sleep was indeed a priority.
It was three o' clock in the morning when she arrived at her door. At six o' clock practice would begin which meant she only had two hours of sleep. It didn't trouble her much, because of her recent dreaming she hasn't slept properly anyway. This was no exception. Everything that happened to her made all the punishment worth it.
The next morning it was an impossible task to open her eyes.
She had to fight through her fatigue and force herself to stand up.
Annabel arrived at practice and started to stretch her still asleep limbs, with Meg and the rest of the Corps de Ballet. Mme Murie arrived a minute before six o' clock like she did every time.
Mme Murie clapped her hands and the Corps de Ballet quickly arranged themselves in a straight line facing their instructor.
"Good morning ladies, before we begin practice I have an announcement from the Manager." She explained holding onto an ivory envelope.
Meg whispered excitedly in Annabel's ear 'The Mysterious da Vinci! Not a spoken word has been heard from him since the opening of the opera house.'
"I have been informed by the Manager's head apprenti that he has chosen one of you ladies to audition for the role of Margarita in Faust that would be staged in a month. And that very lucky lady is you Miss Fiori." Mme Murie finished with a smile full of pride and slowly handed the envelope to the now speechless Annabel.
The rest of the Corps de Ballet gasped and within seconds enclosed around Annabel talking all at once with intense excitement.
"Silence!" Mme Murie demanded.
Immediately the girls silenced, cautiously moving away from the stunned Annabel.
"Congratulations mademoiselle, you have indeed make me proud." Mme Murie said with satisfaction.
"Madame...there must be a mistake. I...he...has never heard me sing." Annabel struggled her face as pale as a bed sheet.
Mme Murie shook her head laughing at the young girl's statement. 'Nonsense child! We are talking about the man who invented the entire Opera Populair and wrote every single opera that achieved praise from national and international highly respected attendants, I am certain he heard enough to decide on you.'
Annabel could not let out another word for she was bombarded with the voices of the Corps de Ballet once more washing over her.