This story isn't mine. Yes, I love soap operas and I decided to make another, using Amor Real for the Phantom of the Opera. Caridad Bravo Adams was the one who wrote the original story, who also wrote Corazon Salvaje (aka Wild Hearts). She is truly a genius. Characters might or will seem OC, so please bare it. This is story is AU. Pictures are up on my profile with more of their summary. Again I own nothing and do it for fun. Enjoy the story.

Anne parted her lips away from Maurice. She looked into his green eyes as he looked into her more crystal green eyes. He smiled softly at her, playing with her hair. They met a couple months ago when she was working for a hospital. She tended to him, healing his wounds. He was nothing, but a simple militia soldier, but she saw the intelligence and gentleness in him. Maurice of course fell in love with her at first sight. She was beautiful and caring.

"Mademoiselle Annie," called her maid, making her snap back to earth.

"I have to go," she whispered to Maurice.

He sighed and nodded. "Meet me here tomorrow," he said.

Anne nodded and quickly made her way down the steps. She saw Elise, her maid, on the bottom of the steps, making sure they weren't seen. She looked back one last time at Maurice and blew him a kiss. He blew one back and leaned against the hard stone of the church. Anne grinned and walked back to her house with Elise.

"Oh, Mademoiselle Annie, why do you make me do such things," she complained. "If your parents find out about Mousier Maurice, they'll kill you and me, since I'm part of this, too."

Anne just laughed. "Oh, Elise, you worry too much. They won't find out unless you say something."

Elise shook her head. "No. Not me, mademoiselle. Not a word from me."

"Good. Now don't worry. This won't last very long. Maurice is going to speak to my father soon and I'm sure he'll let us get married. If my parents ask where I was today, what do you tell them?" asked Anne.

"Church, as usual," replied Elise.

"You are so smart, Ellie," she teased as they got back home. She stopped short when she saw her brother, standing in front of her home. Anne scowled inside. Her brother was an arrogant jerk, who only lived in pubs. He gambled, slacked, and slept with many prostitutes. It's a miracle her father hasn't thrown him out of the house by now. Her father, Stephan, always complained that Ricard never does anything. He's disappointed in him because they can't and will never count on him to help with the family business, especially with Stephan's health getting weaker. They owned farms with plantations a bit outside Paris, but they weren't producing much cotton or other supplies like they used to.

"Back from church, little sister," he said, smirking.

"Of course," she said.

"How truthful. What a way to waist your time," he laughed. "Well I'm off to where God takes me," he said, giving a big laugh, throwing his arms up in the air, before walking away.

Anne rolled eyes and went into the manor. "Mother, I came back…" She said walking into the living room, but got hushed by her. Camille was sitting on the couch with her aunt, Charlotte. Anne noticed her father sleeping on his big chair.

"Why did you take so long?" asked Camille.

"T-There were a lot of people in confession," lied Anne.

"His leg was hurting, so I gave him medication to help him sleep," whispered Camille.

Anne sighed and kneeled next to her father. She gently laid a hand on his leg, wishing it would heal. Anne got up and smiled. "I'm going to go up to my room," she said as Camille and Charlotte went back to their knitting.

"I heard that the Dunstan's are having a party this Saturday and Raine's brother is going to be there," said Charlotte.

Camille looked up at her sister. "The one from London?"

Charlotte nodded. "And they say he's single and handsome. He has a plantation far bigger than ours." Camille gave her a cold look. "I mean yours."

Camille sighed. "Let's hope to God that this goes well, but that girl is so stubborn. What is Anne expecting? Prince Charming?"

Charlotte laughed. "Oh, Camille, every girl her age dreams of that."

"That's because her father has spoiled her, but this year, even if she kicks and screams, she's going to get married," said Camille, sternly. Charlotte shook her head. Her sister never thought of the person's happiness. All she wants is to keep this family from loosing money. That's how she married Stephan in the first place.

"Good morning, Father," said Anne, walking into his study. Stephan smiled at her as he read the newspaper. "How are you feeling today?" she asked, stroking his leg.

"Better, just a bit better," he said. "Belle, I wanted to speak to you about getting married. I would feel more comfortable to see you married before I die. You know we can't count on your brother."

Anne grinned. "Yes, father. I promise that this year, without a doubt, I'll marry." Stephan chuckled. She kissed his hand and got up.

"Mademoiselle," whispered Elise as she ran up to her.

"What's wrong?" asked Anne.

Elise looked around to make sure nobody could hear. "Monsieur Martin is waiting for you in the gardens."

A smile spread on Anne's face. "Really?" Elise nodded furiously. Anne quickly made her way outside and ran towards the gardens. She quickly spotted Maurice in their usual hiding place. She giggled as he spun her around. He cupped her face and kissed her deeply. Anne sighed into the kiss and kissed back. "Are there any bad news?"

"The troop that I'm in is heading to Strasbourg," he said.

Anne's smile disappeared. "For how long?" she asked.

"They didn't say," he responded.

She let out a gasp. "Why don't you speak to my father now?" she said, hugging him. "Just a couple of minutes ago he was speaking to me about how I must get married."

"Yes, I know, my love, but I doubt that your family would accept a simple militia man to marry you," he said, cupping her face.

"Why not? If my father would want me to marry a man with class, he would have done it already. He loves me, Maurice. I'm sure that he'll let me marry whoever I want to marry," she said, stroking his face.

"Because he's positive that you'll marry someone of your class, Belle," he said, angrily.

Anne's eyes started to water, sitting down on the bench. "You don't love me, then," she said, sadly.

Maurice turned and looked at her. He sat down next to her and wiped her tears away with her hankie. "You know very well that there's nothing more important than you," he said. "That I would go crazy if I would ever loose you, Belle. Never doubt of my love," he whispered, kissing her hand. He took her hankie and placed it his shirt pocket. "I'll take you in my heart."

Anne smiled. "I want us to marry already, Maurice," she said hugging him. "Please, please."

"You lost three hundred francs gambling again?" said Camille to her son. "How do you think we'll pay for this?"

"I have some savings," Ricard said, lamely.

"You know that you can't use that!" she hissed. "Our family is border line into the ruins and you still gamble in those ridiculous games. Where the hell am I going to get the money and what excuse will I tell your father? No, Ricard, no. This time I will not help you. You will have to get out of this alone! And would you please shave! You know your father hates seeing you like that."

Ricard looked at his mother in shock. He didn't know what do. Fuck, he hissed in his mind.

Erik sighed as he sat in his music room. He had a music sheet in front of him. He was trying to get an inspiration, but none came to him. He used get inspired from his love Christine or even his beloved Paris Opéra, but he was far away from those ruins or even Paris itself. He bought a manor in the city of Orleans and has been living there for six months. He thought it'll be better to get away from his past and thought the fresh air could clear his thoughts but it didn't. Every night he would have nightmares about that faithful night. All the murders he committed, all the lives he ruined, including his own. He remembered Christine's betrayal so clearly. After he left, he wanted to burn the ring she gave him, but doing that would hurt him more. Everyday he would go out to his balcony, expecting to see Christine running to him, but he knew he was lying to himself.

It was lonely in the countryside and he really didn't speak to anyone, except his employees and a friend he made, who happens to be a priest, Father Alexandre. Erik also barely went out unless it was for work. Apparently, he was working with a new name, as a composer. Erik Lévesque. People loved his work and would pack the new theater on the other side of Paris. He didn't care. He got money out of it and it was always nice to be praised.

Erik is such a liar, isn't he? Of course he loved the fame that it brought him. He was finally accepted by society, something he has been searching all his life. People always wondered who he was and would mysteriously look up at the masked man in his box, but he would never make any public statement or appearance. Though with all the fame and money, he was still lonely and he has begun to accept his life by himself.

Erik put his pen down and finally took off his mask. It would always bother him whenever he left it on for too long. He winced as he ran his hand across his face. Not because it hurt physically, but the pain of his past still hurt him. He remembered when he left home because he couldn't take his mother's abuse anymore. Erik was later captured by gypsies and forced to be part of the freak show in their circus. The Devil's Child was what they called him. He closed his eyes remembering the whips and the scars that are across his back.

Erik reopened his eyes when he heard someone knocking on the door. He immediately went to put his mask on. He looked up and saw Marie, smiling shyly at him. He knew it was both fear and love that she acted like that with him. Fear because he was the master of the home and because he would go around showing his moody attitude whenever he would get frustrated when working on his composition. Love because it was obvious that she was infatuated with him. With the mask on, Erik could get any woman he wanted, but without it, he was sure they'll all run away from fear. Just once has Marie seen him without it, but he guessed she still loved him. She was beautiful and smart, but he only saw her as an employee maybe even as a friend he can confide in.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, Monsieur Lévesque," she said in a low tone.

"It's alright, Marie. What it is?"

"Monsieur Nadir is here," she responded.

He nodded and got up. "Tell him that I'll be right there." He gave out a sigh as Marie closed the door behind him. He put his sheets away. Erik smiled as he walked into the main room of the manor. "Nadir," he chuckled as he saw his old friend. They patted each other's back as they hugged each other. "Long time no see."

"Yes, I heard about your opera house," he said. Erik sighed and sat on the couch. "But now look at you. You're a famous composer and everyone packs in to see your plays. I never thought I would see that."

"Yes, but I've been thinking," said Erik.

Nadir sat across from him. "About what?" he asked.

"Marrying." Nadir looked at him in shock. "I-I mean, I would like to come home and see a beautiful and gentle wife with two kids running around."

"But, your face..."

"I know about my face," he growled. "She'll never see it. Never." Erik let out a breath. "It's what I want. I want to give my children the love that I never had."

"Well, I'm sure there are a lot of young women in Paris willing to marry someone like you," he said.

Erik smiled. "I'm going to Paris this weekend I have business to take care of, would you come with me?" he asked.

Nadir laughed. "Of course, what wouldn't I do for an old friend?"

"I know that the plantation doesn't produce like before," said Anne as she walked beside his brother.

"The plantation is in ruins, little sister," said Ricard.

"In the ruins?" she said, surprised. "What do you mean by that?"

Erik and Nadir walked in the streets of Paris, trying not to be noticed by the people. Luckily for Erik that Parisians are always in a hurry or too busy to look around. "Why don't you dress differently, Erik?" suggested Nadir. "All black in a hot summer day in Paris must be killing you."

"What for? A woman should only care what I'm like not what I wear," he said.

"But not to get a woman of high social class," responded Nadir. "Like that one," he said, pointing at Anne. Erik froze seeing the young beauty a few feet away from him. He watched as a poor boy feel and dropped the food in his hand. Anne quickly went her way over to him and helped him up. Ricard rolled his eyes in annoyance as his sister helped the peasant. "Wouldn't you like someone like her to be warming your bed?" asked Nadir.

Erik nodded. "Yes, but I wonder how she'll react when she sees my mask, especially what lies underneath it."

"Come on, Belle," Erik heard her brother say in irritation. Anne watched the helpless boy as she was dragged away by her brother.

Nadir shrugged. "Yes, but helping some random boy on the streets, maybe she doesn't care about something like that."

Erik shrugged and continued walking with Nadir. The woman was still fresh in his mind. How he wished he could have her, but forcing someone to love you was no good. He already knew that from experience and it never made him happy.

"Well, do you want to go eat at your house?" asked Nadir. Erik had a house in Paris whenever he needed to stay overnight especially on an opening weekend.

Erik nodded. "Fine, but I must to go and get my monthly bills from Mason, but I'll meet you there."

"Monsieur Durand!" greeted the old man as Ricard walked into his shop. "How have you been?"

"Fine, fine, Mason," he said, smirking. "But I bet not as much as you." The old man chuckled and picked up a couple of his book, but Ricard stopped him. "I need to borrow some money," he said.

The old man laughed and went to place the books on his desk. "I'll be glad to help, Monsieur Durand, but you already owe me a lot of money."

"Do you doubt my honorability," asked Ricard, getting angrily. "You think that I won't pay you back?"

Mason looked at the young man. "N-No, of course not, let me go get the money," he said going through his drawer.

"Stupid old man," mumbled Ricard under his breath. Mason placed the three hundred francs in a pouch, while giving him the receipt. He scowled looking at the interest that he had to pay. "I see you raised the interest, old man," he said, annoyed. Erik walked in and saw as Mason handed over the money to Ricard. The young man looked up to see Erik, standing on the doorway. He felt angered that he was standing there like he owned the place, but didn't say anything because in part, he scared him. "Well, I'm going to start going now," he said to Mason.

"Alright, Monsieur Durand, and remember to pay me back," he said. Ricard rolled his eyes and headed out the door. He gave one last look at the masked man, but his cold blue eyes made him fidget away.

"Who was he?" asked Erik.

Mason looked at him. "Bonjour, Monsieur Lévesque," he greeted, but Erik ignored it.

"Who was he?" he repeated.

"H-He's Monsieur Ricard Durand. His father is Monsieur Stephan Durand," he responded.

Erik nodded. "I've heard of him. And what did this Ricard want?" he asked with no formality.

"W-Well, you know, he's young and men his age are gamblers and trouble makers," he said, chuckling nervously. "And when they don't have money to pay…"

"You lend them the money," he finished for him.

"Y-Yes, but with a huge interest! He comes from an honorable family, but rumors says that they're family isn't doing to well financially," he whispered.

"I saw him in the street with this… woman. Is she his wife?" he asked.

Mason shook his head. "Monsieur Ricard isn't married, but it could have been his sister, Mademoiselle Annabelle. She's very pretty and kindhearted. S-She's also single because apparently none of the men she has courted has been to her liking and even less now since her father can't afford any money to her future husband so he could marry her."

Erik looked at Mason in deep thought. She was single and beautiful. The family was in ruins and no man in her same class would want to marry her… No one would think of marrying her… but him.

Anne walked with Elise to her friend's house, Nicole. They have known each other since they were little girls. They still are close friends, but since Nicole's marriage to Raymond Dubois a few years ago, they have lost some contact. She didn't know how Nicole could accept a marriage to him. Raymond had to be twice as old as her, but her friend married him anyways and out of love. Anne was greeted by the Dubois' maid, Mikaela, when they entered their home.

"Bonjour, Mademoiselle Anne," said Mikaela, taking her parasol. "I'll go get Madame Nicole for you."

"No, it's alright," said Anne, smiling, seeing that Nicole was in the drawing room. She went to move, but stopped short when she saw Raymond walking towards her.

"Bonjour, Annie," he said, smiling.

Anne smiled back. "Bonjour, Raymond," she said as he kissed her hand. "I'm here to see Nicole."

"Well, my house is your house," he said.

Anne grinned. "Merci."

"Say hello to your parents for me," he said, chuckling.

"With pleasure."

Mikaela handed Raymond his hat and cane. "Thank you. Excusez-moi," he said as he left.

Anne finally made her into the drawing room, seeing Nicole playing with her son. "May I come in?" she teased.

Nicole smiled. "Come in," she said. "Mikaela, please go give him a bath and change his dirty clothes," she ordered. Anne leaned down as kissed him on the head. Raymond, being a proud father of a son, gave him his name.

"Of course, Madame," she responded.

"And you? It's a miracle that you come and see me," said Nicole. "What's new?"

"Maurice left," she said sadly. Nicole sighed. "I need you to do me a favor," said Anne.

"What is it?" asked Nicole as they sat down.

"I need you to get Maurice's letters when he sends them and give them to me," she said. Nicole looked away and shifted in her seat. "Please, Nikki, I need you to do me this favor. If you refuse, then Maurice won't have anywhere to send me his letters."

"But I'm afraid that Raymond might find out," she said, worriedly. Nicole winced as Anne's face saddened. "Fine, tell your Maurice to send his letters her and I'll tell Mikaela to give them to you. Honestly, Annie, you have to end this romance. Nothing good is going to come out of it."

"It's just that I don't want to give up. Maurice and I are in love," she said smiling. "You have to understand."

"Oh, I understand everything that you tell me. The problem is that he doesn't have money," said Nicole.

"I don't care about that," said Anne, stubbornly.

"But your family does!"

"Not my father! I know that when he knows how much I love him, he'll accept him."

"Why, hasn't he spoken with your parents?" asked Nicole, curiously.

Anne sighed. "He's also afraid that they'll tell him no, but he promised me that when he comes back, he'll speak to my father."

Nicole smiled. "Good. I'm happy for you."

Anne lay in bed at night thinking of Maurice's words before he left. It'll become more difficult for them to be together. She felt like she was being pressured from everyone to marry a rich man. Her mother had confirmed to her that they were actually in ruins. She knew that her family wasn't in good financial wealth, but not to the point that they had no money. It scared her being married to a man that she didn't love. Almost all her friends were already wed and had children, but they only married for convenience, not love.

"Annie, are you still awake," asked her aunt through the door.

"Yes, Aunt Charlotte," she replied.

Charlotte walked in with a candle in her hand. "Are you still thinking about what your mother said?" she asked, sitting on her bed. Anne nodded. "I understand you, love, but you're not a little girl anymore, Annie, and Prince Charming hasn't come yet."

"But he can come any day now."

Charlotte smiled. "I truly hope so, but all of your friends are married with kids. Besides all the single men in this city are becoming less attractive and it will be a shame if you have to marry an old man."

"It's just that I want to marry in love, Aunt Charlotte," she said, sighing.

Charlotte laughed. "Love will come later with the right treatment and the children…"

"No! It comes before," she said, grinning.

"Oh, Annie, your father has spoiled you, but you and I know that your mother will do anything to get what she wants and will pick to the oldest, richest man in all of Paris. That's why you have to listen to me," she said, sweetly. "You have to start looking for someone or she'll have to pick for you."

Anne looked at her scared. Her mother was capable of doing that, but she prayed that her father won't be persuaded by her.

"I'm worried about Annie, Stephan," said Camille as she turned the lights of the candles off.

"Why? What's wrong with Belle?" he asked.

"She hasn't married, that's what's wrong with her," she said as she lay on the bed. Stephan nodded. "It's our right to intervene with this, so I was thinking, Edmond Lambert for example. He could be a good enough candidate for her. He's a gentleman and he owns lots of property in all of France."

"Please, Camille. Edmond practically has my age," he said.

"Well, how about Jacques Laurent. He's not as rich as Edmond, but…"

"And what has Belle said about all of this?" asked Stephan.

Camille sighed. "She'll probably say no since she lives in the moon waiting for Prince Charming to sweep her off her feet, but it's time that we make her come to her sense. She's a beautiful girl and she could choose from the richest man in the state."

Stephan sighed. "Then let her choose."

"Well, since she hasn't chosen yet, it's our obligation to…"

"Choose a husband for her? Never that," he said, angrily. "I've always told you that, Camille. I'll never give my daughter to the highest bidder. Annabelle isn't on sale."

Ricard smirked at his competitor as they played poker. He had a nice hand and he bid his last chip. The other man smirked back at him and revealed a full house in his hand. Ricard looked at him in shock as the man collected his money, including his.

Three months later

"Camille, guess what I just heard?" said Charlotte excitedly.

"What is it?" asked her sister annoyed.

"You know that famous composer Erik Lévesque, the one that never shows his face for any occasion?" she said out of breath.

Camille nodded. "Yes, yes, what about him?"

"He's having a party this Saturday and has invited all the wealthy families in Paris, including us! I even heard that he's looking for a wife. He's single, handsome, rich," giggled Charlotte.

Camille looked at her and smiled. "Oh, God, we're saved. I just hope that Annie doesn't mess this up, but let's not tell any of this to Annie. If she finds out about this, she won't go. I'll tell Stephan that Annie accepted to go and that maybe she'll find a beau that she might consider to marry."

"Oh, Camille, what a wonderful idea!" squealed Charlotte. "I'm sure that Annie would love him."

"Bonjour, Monsieur Durand," welcomed Mason as Ricard entered his office. "Come in. I'm sure you're here to pay back some of what you owe me."

Ricard scowled. "I'll pay you, old man, but right now I need you to give me two-thousand francs."

"T-That's a lot of money and you already owe me a lot," he stuttered.

"But I need it this instance!" he shouted.

"I understand your hurry, but at this moment I can dispose that kind of money," he clarified.

"You have more than what I need," said Ricard annoyed. "I know that you steal money from your boss and have become rich of it."

"That money has come from years of hard work," he said, defending himself.

"Yes, of course, working hard from stealing from your boss," he spat.

Mason shook his head. "I have never robbed from Monsieur Levesque."

"I don't care if you've robbed him or not. I just care about you giving me that money!" whined Ricard.

"F-Fine, but only by a guarantee," said Mason.

Ricard looked at him in disgust. "You're asking a guarantee from me," he hissed.

"W-Why yes, the deed to your house would do."

Ricard growled and shook Mason. "How dare you?! Imbecile! Son of a bitch!"

"You have to accept," said Mason as he struggled to shake Ricard off him. "Everyone knows about your family's financial ruin and I'm the only one willing to give you money!" Ricard froze and looked at him. "I can only help you for an exchange of a guarantee," he wheezed. Ricard gave him one last look and shook in fear as he left Mason's office.

"My key, please," said the young man to the hotel keeper.

"Of course, monsieur. The gentleman is looking for you," said the hotel keeper, handing the key over to him. The man turned and saw Ricard, sitting on the benches nervously.

"Ah, Monsieur Durand! You've came here to finally pay me back?" he said, walking towards him.

"I couldn't get the money," whispered Ricard.

"What do you mean by that? You're not going to honor your word?"

"Of course, I am," he hissed. "I just need more time to pay you back."

The man sighed. "I already told you that I can't stay in Paris any longer."

"Please, just one more week…"

"I'm sorry, but I can't," interrupted the man.

Ricard looked at him in shock. "But, you have to understand…"

"You should have thought about that before you decided to gamble," he said. "Two days."

Ricard let out a harsh breath. "N-No, I can't get the money in two days…"

"I won't wait any longer than two days and if you don't pay me by then, I have no other choice, but to ask your father for the money. Excusez-moi," he said, walking to his hotel room. Ricard looked at him as he walked away. Two days? He thought. Where am I going to get the money?

"You didn't have to come all the way to Paris, Monsieur Levesque," said Mason, taking his safe out. "I could have gone to Orleans myself. The roads are dangerous now," he said, chuckling. "Well, here's your money from your last play, all in gold! Do you want to count it?"

"No, I can trust your judgment," he said, eying him. "I also want to see the book of the accounts of all my plays. You know just make sure everything is in order," said Erik, smirking at him. He has had suspicion for a while that the old man was stealing from him.

"Y-You won't believe me, monsieur, but I haven't been up to date with all of the accounts," he stuttered.

Erik sighed, angrily. "I'll give until the day after tomorrow to have it ready for me. I'll be in Paris for a while, so I'll come for it then. Good day, Monsieur," he spat as he left.

Annabelle cried silently as she wrote her letter to Maurice. In only three months she has only received one letter and it was vaguely short.

Mon amour,

Time has past since you left and you have never left my mind since. I've waited patiently, so I can be in your arms again. There's not one moment that I haven't missed seeing you. It's been killing me inside little by little. This distance is hard for me to stand. I need you to return to me. Today I waited naively for your letter, but nothing came. I fear that I can not wait any longer and my parents are running on loose string. I love you.

Tu amour,

Annabelle

The chapters are long with lots of dialogue, but I hope it isn't a bother. Hope you liked the first chapter and please review.