"Christine I love you" my Angel sang.
I have only come back to return the ring to him. My poor Angel, he looks so vulnerable and childlike. I can't stop the tears pouring down my face. I push the ring into his hand and covers my hands with his. Why must he make this so hard on me? I flip our hands over as he looks at me so full of hope and wonder, and trap the ring in his hand. It breaks my heart to turn away from him. He has been so good to me for so long.
"Say you'll share with me one love one lifetime," I sing softly, brokenly as I turn away from appears in the shadows moving away from the boat.
"Say the word and I will follow you" I hear a response, not entirely sure who sang it.
"Share each day with me, each night, each morning" I sing again in response, Raoul moves closer to me extending his hand for me to take.
"Say you love me, you know I do" I hear the Phantom sing as broken as I feel.
Raoul looks so well held together. I can't… I can't abandon the Phantom, my Angel, I can't leave him here like this. But Raoul... he will find another girl, he will find someone whom his parents will agree with him marrying. Phantom never will, I can't leave him. I mouth my apologies to Raoul, and turn away from him, moving back towards my Angel.
"Love me, that's all I ask of you" I respond to him and place my hand over his. He looks into my eyes and a deformed smile cracks his already chapped lips as he places the ring on my finger again.
"No! Christine! That monster will destroy you!" Raoul pleads.
"Leave Raoul. I have made my choice, and you still have your life, and I shall keep mine." I respond to him.
"Christine what about security and wealth? What about all of the things I can offer you?" Raoul states, anger coloring his cheeks.
"Will I be able to continue to sing Raoul? Would you and your parents allow me to do so?" I turn on him trying to make him understand.
"Well, while entertaining guests. Ladies normally show off their musical capabilities. You would still be able to practice your music."Raoul reasons.
"I wouldn't be able to be on the stage. That is where my father made his living and that is where I want to be. Wealth is nothing in the face of passion. Please Raoul. I am not the girl for whom you saved the scarf. Lotte died with my Father." I turn from him then and face the Phantom whose face betrays his disbelief.
"You would choose this horrid face, a life of running, over what he can offer you Christine?" the Phantom asks, as though he can't believe his eyes.
"Yes. I do not love you yet because I do not know much of the man behind the mask. However, I imagine I am safer with you than on my own in Paris." I respond warily, "Just have faith in me, show me your love and we will see what happens." I offer him.
Raoul lunges for me with a roar, and with reflexes too quick to follow the Phantom has placed me behind him and caught Raoul. Phantom quickly knocks Raoul unconscious and leaves him on the floor.
"We must move quickly Christine." The Phantom's tone becomes business-like as he pulls back a curtain hiding a mirror. "The mob will be onus soon. They have no doubt heard the commotion. We must leave now." A candlestick smashes into the mirror and behind the glassy surface is a dark tunnel.
"Take my hand Christine. I will lead you to safety." The Phantom once again extends his hand, and I take it without a second thought. I have no one else in the world, except this handsome stranger.
