Chapter 176

The governor introduced the band and the harp player John hired began to play the intro of their first song. It was a great idea, fitting perfectly with the ambiance of the room. They chose to perform their three most goth songs, and it was cool as hell with them dressed in costumes and the crowd seemed to love them. After the second song, Pearl looked into the crowd and saw phantom man only a few feet from the stage, watching her intensely. What was his obsession with her? She thought.

They finished their last song and the crowd cheered. Pearl thanked them all for coming out and told them they should donate all their money to this great cause. They walked off stage and Pearl looked around. The phantom man was gone. Who was he?

Pearl and the rest of the guys made their way over to the bar where Fi and Iris were seated, clapping for them. "Best show so far, guys. I am digging the outfits. You should make this a thing when you are on tour. I'm serious." Iris said. Pearl thought about that idea and loved it. "We could call it the masquerade tour. Great idea, Iris." Pearl said. The rest of the guys loved it as well.

They toasted their performance and several people came over, wanting photos with them and taking to them about their band.

"Who was that guy you were dancing with before our set?" Dylan asked.

"I have no idea. He seemed so familiar but he was in full costume. He grabbed my arm and begged me to dance with him after I told him I had a man and fuck off. It was completely weird." Pearl said.

"Can't blame the guy, you look beautiful tonight." Dylan said, shrugging.

"Big help, Dylan. Big." Pearl said, rolling her eyes.

Just then, she heard a throat clear behind her. She turned and it was phantom man again. He leaned in close to her and said, "Last chance to forget about your man and run away with me."

Pearl rolled her eyes. "You should know that the idea of that never crossed my mind and never will. I do, however want to know who you are. I've met you before, I just know it." She said.

He let out a laugh and shook his head. "Too bad, we could have been so damned good together." He said, winking. He took a drink of his wine and added, "Isn't it pretty to think so?" And he walked away. Pearl knew the line. It was the last line of Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.

"Hemingway." She said.

He turned and took a few steps back over to her and said "And she loves books, too." Just then Pearl's heart began to pound.

"Erik!" She cried out. But he had already disappeared into the crowd. Could it be? No. He was in France. He told her he had work in France. She pushed her way into the crowd and tried to follow him but saw him nowhere. Was her mind playing tricks on her? She was frantic now. Desperate. She moved through the crowd and back to the bar.

"Pearl. Are you ok?" Dylan asked.

"No. Yes. I don't know. I think Erik is here." She said.

"Where?" Dylan asked.

"The phantom of the opera man. I think it's him." She said.

"Pearl, you need rest. This man has got you all messed up." Dylan said. He was probably right but she was going to spend the entire night looking for him just in case.

"Another round of applause for Poems for Wolves!"

The governor said. They all waved and bowed by the bar. "Now, the moment I've been excited to all evening. The unmasking of the highest level donors!" The crowd cheered. "Our first donor, madame butterfly, please come to the stage!" A woman dressed in a full geisha costume walked to the stage. "Our first donor is none other than Miss French Quarter Jazz herself, Daisy Mae Wallace!" The crowd cheered. She was a vocal jazz legend. She removed her mask took a bow. "Thank you, Ms. Wallace! And now, our second donor. Please come up to the stage!" He announced. Another woman walked to the stage, dressed as a peacock. "Please help me in thanking the owner of the New Orleans saints and billionaire, Ms. Gayle Benson!" She removed her mask and took a bow. The crowd cheered and she waved and blew kisses to the crowd.

"Now for the last donor of the night. I got the call early this week and this was a last minute and completely unexpected thing and boy, was I happily surprised! Please welcome our biggest donor of the evening!" The crowd parted and there was the phantom man, walking to the stage.

Pearl watched him as he climbed the steps and stood in the light. "Our last donor gave a record breaking two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the event tonight and his presence will more than likely make you all want to give a little more. Please help me in welcoming his highness, Prince Friederike Pilsen-Chamberlain, the crown prince of Wales!" The crowd gasped and fell silent, whispers of "oh my god!" And "I can't believe it!" Filled the room. Erik removed his mask and took a bow, focusing his eyes on Pearl the entire time.