Chapter two: To flirt with the devil
One week later,
"Raoul!" Christine said giving him a poke.
"What?" He laughed lightly and faced her. "I'm sorry…what did you say?"
"I said are you an idiot?"
He grinned. "I feel like one. I'm sorry Christine. Parisa just told me that she's pregnant."
"Congratulations." She smiled. "that explains why you've been walking on air this afternoon."
"Are you really happy?" He asked Christine as he took a hold of her hands. "Parisa and I have been worried."
"I'm fine." She answered honestly. "How could I be upset when I look at you two. You're both so happy. Are you hoping for a boy or girl?"
"Either, as long as their healthy."
"Hmmm," Christine said with a tilt of her head. "just a healthy child? That gives God a lot of options to mess around with the child."
"Funny Christine."
"No I'm serious." She stood up. "You should pray for an obedient and healthy child."
Raoul threw his hands up in the air. "I don't care! I'm just so happy that we're actually able to have a child!"
She nodded. "I know. Will we see you two at the masquerade tonight?"
Raoul nodded. "Yes. Parisa's going to surprise me."
Christine laughed. "I know. I've seen her costume."
"What is it? I hope that it's not a slave girl costume. I have enough men looking at her as it is!"
Christine laughed harder. "It's not one." Raoul sighed. "At least…I wouldn't call it that."
Raoul frowned. "Funny Christine." He cleared his throat. "Have you had any contact from…him again?"
"No. I told you, just the one time in the tunnel." That was a lie. Erik was still trying every way he knew how to get her to come and speak with him. Notes and sometimes attempting to talk to her in person, but she always rejected him. "I suspect that means he is up to something."
"How do you know him so well?"
"I'm an actress." She stated. "I've known many men, played opposite many and have an opportunity to observe just as many." She cleared her throat. "Enough of that. I wish to go and prepare for the masquerade. After all, I am representing the company and I must look my best."
"Indeed, you will be the second best dressed woman there."
Christine arched her brow. "The second best?"
"My wife, is and always will be the first." He stated proudly.
"Run along now." Christine cooed. "And don't forget to wipe your feet on the way out!"
Raoul rolled his eyes as he moved towards the exit. "I'll see you there Christine. With a friend of the male variety I hope?"
She snorted. "Nope. I intend to go alone. Goodbye Raoul."
"Goodbye Christine."
Christine walked quickly towards her chambers. She was still feeling somewhat depressed because of Raoul and Parisa's happiness. However, she had her work to keep her happy until she found the one who'd make her happy.
She closed the door and began changing into her Egyptian costume. She ducked behind the changing screen and looked to the mirror. "All right, what is on your mind? I know you're there."
"So," Erik's voice slithered into the room like a snake. "I hear that Chagney is expecting a little brat."
"As you predicted." Christine said as she moved behind the screen and began undressing. "I know you're behind the mirror."
"And I see you had it secured."
"Yes." She mocked. "I can't have you breaking in on me at all hours of the night. I'd never rest."
"You could always rest in the lair."
"True. But unfortunately, your scent still taints the air like a rabid dog marking it's territory."
"Christine," Erik spat out. "must you be so vile?"
"Me? Vile?" She arched her brow. "Isn't that the cigar telling pipe not to smoke?"
"The correct phrase is the pot calling the kettle black."
"Nope. You're full of hot air and blowing smoke. When a pot heats, it's steam doesn't smell. But a cigar and pipe are smelly and distasteful, like you."
"Damn it Christine. Am I really so disgusting to you?"
"More than you'll ever know."
She came out from the behind the screen in her turquoise blue Egyptian outfit. She could just imagine Erik's reaction. The gown was clinging and the material was semi-transparent. She was certain that this dress was going to create quite the stir at the masquerade.
She looked towards the mirror and saw Erik had pulled the screen back from behind it to reveal himself to her. His eyes were dark as he studied her reflection. She smiled and spun around in her dress. "Do you approve?"
"You…are not going out in public like this."
She laughed and sat down at her dressing room makeup table and began combing her brown hair. "I see. Parisa can, but I cannot."
"I don't care about that whore."
"Oh Erik, do try to stop the name calling. It makes one think of worse names to call you." She laughed lightly. "You know, I do believe you're jealous of Parisa and Raoul."
"Jealous of a whore and a boy?" He laughed. "A stupid deduction Christine."
"You're the stupid one." She fastened the gold headdress to her head. She began applying a deep red lipstick to her mouth. She walked over to the mirror and placed her hand over the lock on it. "Jealous of two people who are so deeply in love. And you know fully well that you cannot have that wonderful emotion because I do not believe you are worthy of it."
"I am no more worthy of it than you." His eyes studied her form, which was almost pressed against the glass. "I see nothing in you yet that makes you deserving of love. I doubt if you'd even know how to please a man! As cold as you are you'd freeze him before he'd set one finger upon your bed!"
Christine's blood simmered and she unlocked the mirror allowing Erik entrance into her room. Erik studied her warily as she closed the mirror behind him. She stepped towards him, pressing him back against the mirror with the palm of her hand.
"What are you-"
Christine cut him off with a deep kiss. Disgust filled her as she worked her mouth against his. She felt his hands, one on her waist and the other cupping her neck, as he dipped her backwards. Disgust filled her as she felt herself begin to enjoy Erik's roughly returned kiss. Other emotions, different ones, like passion also came with his kiss. Erik slowly pulled away and looked at her.
She saw the desire in his eyes and had to work up all of her acting skills to pull this charade off. "Now Erik, we are adults and I daresay we are used to playing with other's hearts so I can tell you straight out." She smiled coquetishly at him. "If you thought, that my kiss was a promise of what you will have, you thought wrong! It was to let you know what you will not have."
Erik clearly wasn't expecting that. "You devil. You flirt with Hell!" Christine turned and ran outside of her dressing room with Erik right on her heels. "Christine!"
He bellowed and she laughed as she ran around a corner. She had the common sense to run out upon the stage.
"Christine?" she turned towards Meg, who was approaching her from the right wings with her hair held tightly in one hand. She flashed a smile at her as she listened to Erik's footsteps come to a stop from behind the curtains. "Can you please help me with this?"
"Yes, Meg." Christine walked towards her making a mental note to have that mirror removed and a brick wall built it it's place.
