" Christine. Its time to wake up my sweet." The sunlight shone upon the white sheets that I cuddled in. Raoul was already up and dressed in his finest frock and vest. The nightgown I had on felt disgraceful suddenly as I guessed the price of each of those things he decorated himself in.
" Are you alright?" His question pieced my bubble of musing thoughts and I made a small sound in my throat.
" You have been talking in your sleep again. Is he still bothering you, if so I can get you a sleep tonic." I smiled.
" Its not that. I didn't even dream about him." The lie slipped out before I could capture it behind my teeth. " I actually had a dream about the time we met on the roof of the Opera House." I was too deep into the lie to stop now. Raoul's eyes sparkled with lustful light and a dirty feeling came over me as if I landed in a gutter.
Well, I have to get to the Opera House, or the steps at least." I laughed.
People who heard me sing before the fire destroyed the Opera House would come and listen to me sing old hymns and other lady like songs. Where everyone chose to meet was on the steps of the Opera Populaire before going into the hotel across the street to have tea and cakes while sharing the latest gossip of the town. I guess that is what you get for being part of Paris's upper class, lies and deceit that would poison one's soul. I sighed at the thought and getting out of bed kissed Raoul good-bye.
"Oh by the way, my love. It is wet today, so bundle yourself up. I don't want my rose to wilt with a cold." He rubbed arm in a lover's caress and looking back once more was gone. He never called me anything but "my rose" he claimed he didn't like any of the others, but I could tell he was lying from a mile away. He didn't call me anything else because of Erik. Erik stole all the good ones, the ones that can make a woman's heart dance in flattery and love.
"Erik." His name was like poison to me. Could injure me in one way, but draw me to him in another. The more I said it the more painful and soothing it became. It has been less than three months since I stared into his scarred face and saw his soul unmasked before me. That sight when I chose to conjure it up made me burn with guilt. For I never loved Raoul, I probably never would. But I was scared of the feelings that Erik divulged from me and now I would never see him again.
" A price that I paid. If only I could see him again." I chuckled quietly looking for a dress when I heard a soft tap at the door.
" What did you forget this time Raoul?" I still wore that nightgown when I flung open the door not to Raoul, but to Erik, his hands covered in blood.
She stood in front of me in a nightgown that barely covered her nakedness. I would have blushed in embarrassment if I could, but I was losing too much blood. Christine was still staring at me with eyes betraying her shock at me on her doorstep, her face as white as my mask.
" Erik?" She whispered and I smiled slightly. " Oh my God!" She grabbed me avoiding the wound in my side as best as she could. Hauling me inside, she sat me down on the bed slowly and ordered me to take off my jacket and shirt. Both I noticed, were soaked with blood, but not as much as I thought. I couldn't help but to sigh with relief which Christine's ears sensitive ears picked up.
" What did you do to yourself?" Her question stung as if she just slapped me across the face.
" You think I did this?" I whispered hoarsely.
" Well that is what it looks like now doesn't it. If you wanted to see me you could have just asked instead of coming up with the ridiculous attempt at sucide to get my attention."
" The only reason I came here," I growled menacingly at her. " Was because you are the only person I knew in the area that would willing to help me. That is it, no some attempt at suicide. I just came here for some bandages and soon I will be leaving."
I leaned back unto the pillows behind me and watched as Christine disappeared into the other room for a few moments only to return with a set of bandages and a bottle of liquor.
"Here." She shoved them into my hands and grabbing a dress off of a hanger vanished into the bathroom. I opened the whiskey and took a swig, wincing as it burned a trail down my throat. I never liked liquor, it always had a bitter aftertaste, like the love Christine, no the love that I had for Christine. But all pain can be numbed and just like my music numbed the pain of losing Christine, the whiskey numbed the pain of the wound. Slowly I sat up and began to wrap myself in the clean bandages. After what seemed like eternity I had enough gauze on to add a bit of padding to my once lean physique. The blood stopped flowing and grabbing the other rolls, I stuffed them into my pockets in my jacket. Suddenly like a ghost, Christine appeared from the bathroom dressed in a bright yellow sundress the came up to her knees.
Are you done?" Her sarcastic tone startled me. She had never taken on such a tone with me, only affirming my knowledge of her love for that "fop".
"Yes. Now," Hauling my self up into a standing position, I studied her face, pinched in anger.
" I am leaving. Goodbye." I turned as best as I could and nearly made it to the door when she asked a question that I had been longing to hear.
"Why did you come here?" I smiled to myself and turning my head slightly, I replied with words that were a lie to the core.
" Not for you Christine. Not anymore and from now on, nevermore." And I shut the door behind me.