Dear Readers,

I do not own Phantom of the Opera. Please read and rate.

Sincerely,

Serafimo's Pretense

Erik POV

I roused with the pleasant feeling of not being alone. I quickly shut my eyes again, believing this was a dream. I felt the form of a woman resting against me, I was holding her. Christine. Then, I recalled last night's events and felt guilty. Meg Giry had shown so much courage and kindness to me and this is how I repay her? By thinking of Christine, my Christine. No she's not mine; never was.

I was bewildered at the thought of Meg's tenderness. She had looked me without fear or loathing. She wanted to be close to me even after seeing my deformity. Meg, you are amazing. I had let Meg see me, all of me, yet I didn't feel ashamed. I had joked with her last night; it felt so natural just to be around her. I barely knew this ballerina. But I didn't want to let her go. I didn't want her to wake up and remember what a monster I am. Meg offered me her kindness willingly. I didn't have to coax her with my voice or pretend to be an angel. Meg knew my transgressions and chose to show me kindness. Alas, we could never be; not after Christine. I will not make Meg be her replacement. Madame Giry had done too much for me.

I felt a presence at the door and turned to see who it was. Madame Giry stood in the doorway. I realized the awkward position I was in with her daughter and moved to get up, but Madame Giry held up her hand in a silent command. Stop. I lay back down with Meg still in my arms. Madame Giry walked quietly to the bed.

"Antoinette, I assure you, your daughter and I have not done anything indecent," I whispered.

"I know," Antoinette responded.

She loving stroked Meg's cheek then looked out the window with a far away look in her eyes.

"What will you do now, Erik?" Antoinette asked.

My eyebrows furrowed. I hadn't really thought about it all that much. I knew I couldn't stay here and I needed money.

"I'm not sure yet. But I won't bother you for much longer, just until I find a job," I said.

Meg shifted and nuzzled her face into my chest. She moved closer to me, her hand over my heart.

Antoinette sighed and said, "Meg has taken an interest in you."

The sad look in her eyes told me what kind of interest it was.

"Meg is so young, she's just confused," I said, trying to comfort Antoinette.

"Meg is only three months younger than Christine," Antoinette whispered, enraged.

I winced. Yes, Christine is young, but I loved her. Tears of guilt and regret filled my eyes. Antoinette's expression softened.

"I do not wish my daughter's heart to be broken," Antoinette said.

I gave her a confused look. How was I to go about that; since Meg's kind heart was already set on a monster.

"Do not lead her on," she said. And with that, Antoinette left.

It might be too late for that. I had already led her on by telling her to stay last night. It was foolish, but I didn't want to be alone. I sighed and looked down on Meg's sleeping form. She's a beautiful girl. Why did she have an interest in me? My eyes feasted on Meg: blonde hair that fell into soft curls, flawless skin, full lips, and a dancer's body. I felt a man's aching and looked away to make it subside. Little Meg Giry had grown up; I just didn't notice. I stared out the window for who-knows-how long, thinking about the women in my life.

Meg POV

I slowly roused from sleep, but I didn't open my eyes, not yet. I wanted to cherish the feeling of the Phantom holding me in his arms. I nuzzled my face into his chest; his sparse chest hair tickled my chin. I placed my hand over his heart, which was beating rather quickly. I heard a woman's voice and recognized it as Mama's.

"…interest in you," I heard her say.

What is Mama doing? She's telling him!

"Meg is so young, she's just confused," Monsieur Phantom replied.

So young! I am not a child! Christine and I are the practically the same age!

"Meg is only three months younger than Christine," Mama said in an angered tone.

Exactly!

Monsieur Phantom shifted uncomfortably at the statement.

Please, Monsieur Phantom, don't break my heart.

"I do not wish my daughter's heart to be broken," Mama said.

Monsieur Phantom removed his arm from my waist.

Had he been holding me all night? I only vaguely remembered the last moments before I fell asleep.

"Do not lead her on," Maman said and I heard her walk away.

Why was Mama so worried? Monsieur Phantom turned out not to be the monster everyone said he is, but just a very confused and sad man. Unless…NO! Please, no… He still loves her. After all this, he still loves her.

I was always a little jealous of my friend. But now, I felt more jealously and resentment for her than I had ever felt for anyone in all my life. Christine, you are the only thing keeping me from the man I'm in love with.