As Kiera continued to work with Henri and Isabelle, their professional relationship quickly turned into a close friendship. They would often grab lunch together during their breaks, and sometimes even stay late to chat about their personal lives.
Kiera confided in them about her past struggles and aspirations for the future. Henri and Isabelle shared their own stories and offered words of wisdom and support.
As they walked towards the entrance of the opera house to go out of the opera house to the cafe they like so much, Henri pointed out the new managers of the opera house, Antoine and Catherine.
Antoine was a tall man with a stern expression, and Catherine was a short woman with piercing blue eyes. They both looked very serious and business-like.
"Those are the new managers," Henri said, nodding toward them. "They haven't been here long, but they've already made some questionable decisions."
Isabelle added, "They seem to be easily swayed by Colette and her friends. It's like they're afraid to stand up to her."
Kiera felt a sense of unease as she looked at the managers. She had heard stories of how they favored certain performers and made life difficult for others. She didn't want to get on their bad side, but she also didn't want to be a pushover.
"I'll be careful around them," Kiera said, trying to sound confident.
Henri patted her on the back. "Don't worry, Kiera. We'll be there to support you."
As they walked away from the managers, Kiera noticed a group of girls standing nearby, watching them with sneers on their faces. They were the girls who followed Colette around like a pack of wolves, always looking for someone to bully.
Kiera had learned to avoid them as much as possible, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of anger and frustration whenever she saw them.
"Ignore them," Isabelle said, noticing Kiera's expression. "They're not worth your time or energy."
Kiera nodded, trying to keep her composure. She didn't want to let them get to her, but it was hard when they seemed to be everywhere she turned.
As they walked out of the opera house and onto the bustling streets of Paris, Kiera took a deep breath, trying to shake off the negative feelings that had been weighing on her.
"Thanks for walking me out plus i really needed to get out of the opera house," Kiera said, smiling at her friends.
soon they were sitting at the favorite small cafe for lunch as they were talking about their day and Kiera needed to bring something up which she did.
"Guys, I have to tell you about something that happened with Colette. She made me clean her dressing room as if I was a maid and then she blamed me for breaking her favorite perfume bottle. I didn't do it, but the new managers of the opera house believed her and not me."
Isabelle and Henri looked at Kiera with concern.
"That's terrible, Kiera," Isabelle said, shaking her head. "Colette can be so cruel. I'm sorry that happened to you."
Henri added, "We'll talk to the new managers and try to set the record straight. Colette shouldn't be allowed to treat anyone like that, let alone a fellow performer."
Kiera felt grateful for their support. "Thank you, both of you. I just feel like I'm never going to fit in here."
Isabelle put a hand on Kiera's shoulder. "Don't worry, Kiera. You're already a valuable member of the team. And with us by your side, you'll always have a family here at the Opera Garnier."
"But if I didn't break Colette's perfume bottle normally used for her throat then who broke it?" she wonder allow in front of Isabelle and Henri.
she thought of another topic to bring up to her friends as they ate their lunch.
" Is the phantom of the opera as horrifying as the ballet girls say? I heard some in the corner on the stage after rehearsals today. By eavesdropping." Kiera asked Henri and Isabelle while waiting for their response on the matter while the broken bottle was in the back of her mind.
Henri chuckled at Kiera's question. "Oh, the Phantom. He's quite the enigma. Some say he's a monster who haunts the Opera Garnier, others say he has the appearance of yellow skin of paper and glowing golden eyes with a lasso waiting to strike!"
Isabelle chimed in, "I've heard rumors that he's even caused accidents and strange occurrences around the opera house."
Kiera's eyes widened in curiosity. "Really? That's fascinating. Do you think he's real?"
Henri shrugged. "It's hard to say. I've never seen him myself, but I suppose anything is possible."
Isabelle added, "Regardless, it's best to stay out of his way. If he does exist, he's known for being quite dangerous."
Kiera nodded, taking in the information. The Phantom of the Opera seemed to add to the mystery and allure of the opera house, and Kiera couldn't help but feel a thrill at the thought of encountering him.
They became like a family to Kiera, providing a sense of comfort and belonging that she had been missing since arriving in this strange new world. And she knew that no matter what happened, they would always have her back.
Keria thought for a moment about the upcoming new performance and the rehearsals to go with it. " do any of you know what the title of the new performance is and called, Henri? I know there's going to be an audition..but even though I seem like getting the main role it's always snatched by christain or Colette mostly by Colette... " she huffed as she follow her gut about the possibility of the new managers giving in Colette's demands and making things worse for her.
Henri and Isabelle looked at each other with concern as Kiera spoke. They knew all too well the power dynamics at play within the opera house, with the prima donnas often getting their way and the newcomers struggling to assert themselves.
Henri sipped his coffee before answering. "The new performance is called 'La Traviata."It's a tragic love story set in Paris. And as for the auditions, they'll be held next week.
Henri sighed and shook his head. "The new managers are Antoine and Catherine. They've only been here a few months, but they've already made some questionable decisions."
Isabelle added, "They seem to favor Colette, even though she can be difficult to work with. I remember one time when they gave her a bigger dressing room and better costumes for a performance, even though she wasn't lead."
And as for the auditions, they'll be held next week. Don't worry, Kiera. You have just as much of a chance as anyone else, and we'll make sure the new managers are fair in their decision-making."
Isabelle nodded in agreement. "And even if you don't get the main role, you'll still be an important part of the production. Every member of the cast and crew plays a vital role in bringing the show to life."
Kiera smiled at her friends' words of encouragement. "Thank you both. I'll keep that in mind."
Kiera smiled, feeling reassured by their words. But her mind kept drifting back to the past, to the time when the New managers of the opera house took charge after the old manager left for Australia for some reason.
She couldn't help but remember the way Colette had treated her back then, making her into an actual maid in a sense. She would order Kiera to fetch her tea or fix her costumes, and sometimes even make her clean the dressing room after rehearsals.
But what hurt Kiera the most was when Colette convinced the new managers that Kiera had stolen her prized necklace, which was later found to be in Colette's possession all along. Kiera had been punished and humiliated, made to do menial tasks, and treated as an outcast by the other performers.
The memory of it all still stung, and Kiera knew she couldn't let herself be treated that way again. She took a deep breath and shook her head, forcing the memories to the back of her mind.
Kiera looks at her hands still slightly bandaged up from picking nettle plants that Colette had ordered her to get for some reason but she couldn't refuse or else get kicked out of the opera house while sitting at the table and winced while remembering how much they stung. she also wonders if it was for the so-called theft of Colette's necklace of diamond and pearl that went not so missing at all fiasco.
Kiera had another flashback to the day when Colette had asked her to get stinging nettle plants for the upcoming performance although it was 2 weeks ago.
"Kiera, I need you to go out and get some stinging nettle plants for me," Colette had said, her tone dripping with condescension.
Kiera had hesitated, not sure where she was supposed to find the plants.
Colette had rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Kiera, do I have to do everything for you? Just go to the graveyard down the street and look for the plants near the fence."
Kiera had reluctantly followed Colette's instructions but had ended up getting stung multiple times while picking the plants.
As she sat at the table, Kiera winced as she remembered the pain.
"I don't know why Colette asked me to get those plants," Kiera said, rubbing her bandaged hands. "It was so painful and I don't even know if they're necessary for the performance."
Henri shakes his head, "I doubt it. It sounds more like she was just trying to make your life miserable."
Isabelle chimes in, "Yes, unfortunately, Colette has a tendency to bully those she feels threatened by. And she's been on a power trip ever since the new managers arrived."
Kiera sighed, "I don't understand why they put up with her behavior. It's not fair."
"That's why we need to speak up and make our voices heard," Henri said firmly. "We can't let Colette get away with treating people like servants."
Isabelle nodded in agreement. "And we're here to support you, Kiera. You're not alone in this."
Kiera felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was grateful to have such supportive friends at the opera house, especially given the difficulties she had faced with Colette.
"Thank you both," Kiera said with a small smile. "It means a lot to me to have you guys in my corner."
Henri grinned, "Of course, we're like family here at the Opera Garnier. And family always sticks together."
Isabelle nodded, "And we'll do everything in our power to make sure you're treated fairly, Kiera."
Kiera felt a renewed sense of hope for her future at the opera house. With friends like Henri and Isabelle, she knew she could face any challenge that came her way.
As they finished their lunch and paid for it.
"I am going to go to the cemetery it shouldn't be far by carriage " Keria stands up from her chair while Henri and Isabelle made sure to tell her to come back at 7:30 pm .
she walks to a carriage and pays 7 francs to the man who would be driving it . " she opens the door and gets it as she tells the drier where to go. " to the cemetery please and i will pay you again to take me back to the opera house before 7:30 pm." Keria said while looking out the window as they set off to the cemetery.
a tune seems to flow up into the air as she starts to hum in sadness as they came to the cemetery 30 minutes later when she came out of the carriage she asked the man to wait for her.
she goes deeper into the cemetery while her hums got louder and burst into a song.
sometimes i wonder... why i am here
the days go by and by
while thinking of you
ooo ooo
sometimes as winter flys by
i found you lying on the ground
i wish i knew i wish i knew
i should gotten the ambulance to come and get you
to the hosptal its my fault
its my fault
so much pain so much hurt
i can't believe it your gone...
your singing in the choir led me to learn how to sing
and more
sometimes i wonder i wish i took you to see me raise up on the stage
sometimes i wonder... why i am here
the days go by and by
while thinking of you
ooo ooo
i miss you my own mom and you always had advice
i am stuck in another world... and you always say that i love
you.
As Kiera continued to sing, her voice echoing through the cemetery, she felt a sense of catharsis wash over her. It had been a while since she had allowed herself to fully embrace her emotions, but the memory of her mother had stirred something deep within her.
While walking through the cemetery, Kiera suddenly remembered a hidden spot she had found a few weeks ago. It was a peaceful corner of the cemetery, surrounded by magnolia trees and gardenia bushes, where she could gather stinging nettle plants without anyone knowing. It was also where she went when she was feeling particularly upset or overwhelmed.
Kiera followed her instincts and soon found herself standing in front of the familiar spot. She pushed aside the gardenia bushes and stepped into the small clearing, taking a deep breath of the fragrant air. She closed her eyes and let the memories of her mother wash over her, taking comfort in the peaceful surroundings.
After a few moments, Kiera opened her eyes and began to gather the stinging nettle plants. She was careful to avoid getting stung again, remembering the pain from her previous experience. As she worked, she couldn't help but think about the upcoming auditions and the challenges she would face in trying to secure the lead role. she placed the stinging nettles in an apron that was spread out in the grass but although she was careful not to get stung she still did as the stinging parts of thorns still got through the fabric acting as gloves on her hands also did get her arms somewhat too.
She winced in pain and couldn't help but think about her mother.
"Ouch... Mom, I really wonder what I can do about this... Wish you were still here. And I am worried about my son," Kiera mumbled to herself as she continued to work.
But she also knew that she had Henri and Isabelle by her side and a secret place in the cemetery where she could find solace. She closed her eyes and started singing softly to herself once again, the tune rising and falling in the stillness of the clearing.
She knew that the upcoming auditions would be a challenge, but she was ready to face them with renewed strength and determination. And with that thought, Kiera finished gathering the stinging nettle plants and carefully placed them in an apron spread out on the grass.
As she prepared to leave the clearing and head back to the opera house, Kiera looked around at the peaceful surroundings, grateful for the brief moment of respite. She promised herself that she would come back to this spot whenever she needed a moment of peace and quiet.
"Something about this place... I can't put my finger on it." Kiera spoke softly as
Feeling a sense of calm, Kiera made her way back to the carriage waiting for her. She paid the driver and settled into her seat, the memories of her mother and the promise of the upcoming auditions swirling through her mind.
She knew that with Henri and Isabelle by her side, she could face anything that came her way. And maybe, just maybe, she would even have a chance at the lead role in "La Traviata."