Signed Hearts
By: .heart.angel.93

A/N: Well hello again, dear readers! As you might notice, this is another idea I had bouncing in my imgination, and tonight I decided to finally post it. It's a modern day, AU phic and I'm hoping you'll like. Anyways, I just wanted to get it out there, so tell me if you like the idea! Don't worry, Petals is still comming!

.heart.angel.93

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Phantom Of the Opera. Tell me, do you?

Signed Hearts

"Pondering why the storm sets in
Unraveling my life
Cut my hands on broken glass
Holding on too tight"

-Million Pieces, Emmy Rossum

I sat there, feeling quite numb. My hands pricked with anticipation, and my feet had lost circulation. Though I did not dare to move them, not an inch, and so I sat still. On the outside though, I looked calm and collected no doubt, but on the inside, I was a bundle of nerves.

"Christine?" A dark-haired women, with a dark suit walked over to me, bending down to my eye level. Weakly I nodded. "Mr. Thompson will see you now." She smiled and I feebly tried to do the same. In truth, ever since my father's will had been mentioned, I had barely thought about it, I was too busy grieving my late father. Now, as strange as it seems, I was nervous at what my father had left for me.

I stood up, feeling my feet prickle with numbness, and shook them a bit to relieve them.

"It's alright to be nervous Christine." She smiled down at me, and I wondered if that is what she said to all of her clients. I felt like a little child awaiting what mark they were to be received on a major test, even if I was nearing twenty. And as they had told me gratefully, I wouldn't have to be under child care. Shaking my head of the words that had been spoken to me earlier that month, I followed silently down the corridors of the large law office. Marble floors gleamed and the steel elevators shined. Secretaries talked on their phones, as interns raced to buy coffee, everything a law office should be.

As we walked past a glistening window, I couldn't help but catch my appearance in the reflection, and I didn't like what I saw. Sure, I looked smart you could say, but in truth I looked like a grieving girl lost without her father. My usual cheerful eyes were dull and my hair was barely brushed. Sighing, I quickly looked away. I shouldn't have looked.

We entered a large open office and I stepped in cautiously.

"You can take a seat, Mr. Thompson will be with you shortly." She then swivelled on her heel, and began to proceed down the hall. Feeling a bit awkward, I managed to make my way to the leather seat in front of the large mahogany desk. Looking around, I took in the lavish décor and the pictures that littered the room. My attention soon swept to the picture on the desk, a smiling man, holding to what presumed to be his daughter in front of a cottage on what seemed to be a bright afternoon. Feeling a pang shoot through me, I heaved a breath and sucked up the tears that threatened to fall.

Christine, you have to be strong. Its been a month for Pete's sake! Do what Mrs. Giry said, try to move on. Don't forget…just take another step forw-

I was interrupted by my cleansing thoughts by the door opening, and a stout man walking in. His greying hair at the tips showed hints of aging, and his mouth was pulled into a tight line. In truth, he seemed like he had been pulled into a lengthy conversation and was grim no less. As he nodded to me, we briefly shared eye contact, and I decided right then that I hated wills.

XXX

"Ms Daae…I'm afraid…your father left you in quite a.." He paused, shuffled some, what I presumed to be legal papers, and glanced back at me, taking off his reading glasses. "Actually, Ms Daae, he left you practically nothing." He concluded, looking up at me sorrowfully.

"Nothing?" I echoed in shock. Sure, I wasn't expecting a lot, but I had thought I would receive something. "…Are..you being serious?" I asked, feeling colour drain from my face.

"Well, he did leave you…" He slipped back on his glasses and squinted at the fine print. "His violin?" He returned his grey eyes back to me.

"..His violin." I murmured, remembering the meaning of it's true beauty of the piece..how he would.. Wiping my eye, I laughed nervously as he handed a Kleenex box.

"I'm presuming this was quite a priceless possession?"

"..Yes, it was." I smiled feebly at him, accepting the box gratefully. "I'm..so sorry, of this." I grabbed a tissue and wiped my eye dry.

No more tears Christine. Be brave. You have to be brave. I scolded myself silently. I wouldn't cry again.

His face softened, sighing he looked back down at the papers.

"I'm afraid that is the only thing he left for you."

"Oh, alright." I frowned. How was it possible, that father, a wealthy professional CEO have so little to leave to his daughter? I love his violin…but…must there be something else? "What about the estates? The cottage? His stocks.." I question.

Sighing, he ran a hand in his thinning hair.

"Ms Daae, there is something that Mr. Daae did not tell you." He took off his glasses once again and folded them neatly into his pocket. With that, he drew out a folder underneath the papers and slid them over to me. "You father, Ms Daae, was doing quite well in his business as you might have known." I nodded opening the folder with trembling fingers. "But you see, in the late months of 2005-" I jerked up my head.

"2005?" I questioned, confused.

"Yes, 2005." He pointed to a date on the first paper in the folder. "Your father ran into…some finical trouble. A man, by the name Deslter, from Destler Communications, agreed to help him out." I leafed through the folder still barely registration what he was telling me. I barely knew of the name Destler, a highly profitable company on the edge of billions. "You see, your father was doing well until another hit in the fall of 2006." He pointed to another article as I quickly scanned it.

"It says that..my father, wasn't able to pay Mr. Destler, and Mr. Destler…asked…for his will?" I asked confused, looking up from what I had just read. "This doesn't make sense. How can one sign over a will..?"
He sighed once again, and took out some papers. "However they did it, they signed it. Apparently your father was in…quite a rut." He said sympathetically.

I glanced back down at the papers, my brow creased in deep concentration.

"So, I'm guessing, Mr. Destler and his company…owns my father's business and our estates?" A lump formed in my throat.

"I'm sorry to say so Ms Daae, but it is signed." He pointed to another piece of legal agreement I had overlooked. "And your father also signed you over aswell."

I jerked my head up.

"Excuse me?"

"Your father agreed to an arranged marriage Ms Daae." He said gravely. I sat still, the papers fluttered from my hands and fell to the floor. "Ms Daae, you have be arranged to wed Mr. Destler of Destler Communications."

I fainted.

A/N: Quite short, I know. It's an idea though, so if you wish me to continue, please tell me! R&R as always.
Thanks for reading!

.heart.angel.93