Chapter 2
"Raoul, promise me you won't say anything," Christine pleaded.
"It is a simple engagement, Christine," Raoul replied. Ever since she had agreed to his proposal, Christine had been on edge. She was not vocal about it and became quite obviously uncomfortable when he spoke of it to others. Why? Did she not really wish to be with him? No, that could not be the case. She had told him that she loved him and he could see in her eyes that it was truth. Still, she hesitated. He could not understand it! What did she fear?
"I know Raoul, but… please. Do this for me?" She asked. Christine could understand Raoul's frustration but she knew the dangers of announcing their engagement. She had not seen the Phantom in three month but she was smart enough to know that he had not left her. She could feel his gaze on her at all times. That burning gaze which made her soul squirm and her body fidget. What would he do if he discovered her engagement? Surely something drastic. He had told her that she belonged to him. Belonged to him and only him. Christine shivered at the memory. In that moment, she had been feeling so much. Hatred, confusion, euphoria. His declaration of love for her had sent her reeling and his possessiveness was frightening. Although, the idea of being so fiercely loved that she would not be released was somewhat exhilarating. What did she feel for her angel? After all of this time, she still did not know. In fact, the only thing she had managed to work out was that she sometimes longed for his voice. The way their song converged together gave her a feeling like no other. Sometimes her longing brought her to tears and she found her body racked with sobs in her dressing room. She had even caught herself wishing, hoping that her angel's voice would reach out to comfort her. That he would appear as he had the first night they had truly met, coming from within her mirror and leading her to his world of music. But no matter how much Christine sobbed and hoped, her angel had never appeared to comfort and console her. Where was he?
The Viscount ran his hand through his golden hair. "If that is what you wish Christine, I will respect your request," he answered reluctantly. He still did not understand her reasoning but if she was truly uncomfortable announcing their engagement to the public, he would hold his tongue. Eventually, the news would be released. There was no rush. Raoul changed the subject. "You look beautiful tonight," he marveled.
A blush rose to Christine's cheeks. They were attending the Masquerade ball tonight and she had chosen the most elegant dress she could find. It was so extravagant that it could have been fit for one of her Opera characters. It was a pale pink gown made completely of satin that hugged her bodice and flared at her waist. She had accented it with a silver masque and jewelry. She did feel quite beautiful.
"Thank you. You look quite dashing yourself," she replied. He was dressed in a dark gray suit, which contrasted with his light golden hair. He had chosen a silver mask as well in order to match her. The Viscount wanted the whole world to know that she was on his arm that night.
Raoul smiled in reply. Silently, he extended his arm to her and she gratefully took it, happy that he was not arguing with her once again about the engagement. The couple made their way out to the floor and before long, the orchestra had begun a light song, perfect for dancing.
Christine was surprised to find herself smiling and really, truly enjoying herself. She had thought that the fear of her engagement becoming public, of him finding out, would put a severe damper on her spirits. Yet, she found herself laughing and giggling as Raoul twirled her around the floor and they made quiet conversation. Suddenly, Christine could see her future with Raoul clearly. She could see them attending the balls and parties, all the while remaining somewhat secluded and only greeting those they must. She could see them living in the Viscount's manor, sitting in the foyer and making small talk. Christine could see herself being happy with Raoul. These thoughts brought an even larger smile to her lips as she continued to spin about the room in the arms of her future husband. All seemed well.
Christine's bliss was short lived though. Soon, she felt an icy tingle run up her spine. She stopped dancing immediately and a pained expression came over her features.
"What's wrong?" Raoul asked. He had seen the abrupt stop Christine had made and now saw her solidly planted to the floor. What had come over her?
Christine's heart beat faster and her breaths came more quickly. "He's here," was all she managed to get out before a cloud of red smoke filled the room. The sound of gasps and coughing filled the room as many struggled to see through the fog, to look for its source. Christine remained rooted to the spot where she stood. Her body was suck. All she could manage to do was look ahead into the burning eyes that she recognized so well. The eyes of her angel. The eyes of the Phantom.
Christine felt the grip of Raoul's hand on her fingers but she barely noticed. Those eyes… they had entranced her. The smoke began to clear and there he was, clear for all to see. He wore a fitted red suit with a small sword tucked at his belt. His dark boots and gloves matched his slicked back hair as he made his way toward her. But the most terrifying piece of the costume was the death mask that covered all except his mouth, chin, and eyes. Christine could not deny that he was a handsome man, with his muscular body and tall frame. It seemed that all of him was fit to be a prince, except for the deformity that claimed half of his face. Thinking back on the day that she had seen him for the first time, she remembered his rage when she had taken away his mask. How he had yelled at her, screamed at her. She had felt pure terror in that moment, but it had quickly softened into pity and hurt when his blue eyes had borne into her. The same eyes that were now quickly approaching her.
Christine vaguely felt Raoul try to tear her away but she remained where she was, awaiting the voice of her angel.
"Mon ange," the Phantom purred. He could see that his dramatic entrance had had the desired effect upon Christine. She was fixed to the spot even as he saw that damned Viscount try to drag her away. Her gaze was only on him and all else seemed to have disappeared. Good. She was once again under his control. Erik had quickly made his way towards her and was now only a short distance away. He extended his hand. "Dance with me, my angel," he commanded.
Christine had barely heard the words leave his mouth before she worked herself out of the Viscount's grip and closed the small gap between them. Christine quickly became weary of her actions as she began to come back to reality. What was she doing? She had just dragged herself out of her fiancé's arms to come closer to a man whom she had thought she wanted nothing to do with! Christine felt light headed and her mind was a mess. What was happening to her?
"Play," Erik instructed the orchestra without ever taking his gaze off Christine. It took a moment, but soon the band began to play one of the songs Christine had heard earlier in the night. Erik extended a hand to her and without thinking, Christine placed her fingers in his grasp. He swept her into his embrace as they began their dance about the floor. He was impeccable. His movements were soft and fluid and he never seemed to stumble or miss a step. He was such a strong leader that Christine found her own mistakes being gently swept away by his gracefulness.
"Have you missed me, my dear?" Erik whispered in her ear as they continued to dance.
Christine shook her head in confusion as simply asked him, "Why are you here?"
"Why am I here?" Erik repeated. "I am here to reunite with my angel, and to show these fools that they have yet to be rid of their Opera Ghost," he answered.
Christine's eyes fell to the floor as she tried to make sense of his words. What did he want? He had stayed away for three whole months, why make an entrance now? Her mind reeled as she tried to make sense of the situation but she soon felt a gloved hand raise her chin up to meet the Phantom's gaze.
"Look me in the eyes Christine," he said. "After all, I have missed your face too much these past few months for you to turn away from me now."
Christine looked up but steeled a glare upon him as best she could. The Phantom only let out a low chuckle in reply.
"Ah, it seems your young Viscount is quite unhappy with me," The Phantom observed smugly.
It was true that Raoul had been staring first in disbelief and then anger as the pair moved across the room. He was furious that this monster had not only taken Christine from him but had done so in a room full of people! He stood helplessly as he watched the monster twirl Christine effortlessly. He knew better than to step in now. That could put both him and Christine in danger. It was not a risk he was willing to take.
"Leave him out of this," Christine managed to answer. She had been well aware of Raoul's gaze as well as all the others that now laid upon her. The whole room had gone silent when the Phantom appeared and now it was only the sound of the music that filled the quiet.
"I'm afraid I cannot do that Christine. He has caused quite the problem," He growled.
Christine began to panic. She could not let the Phantom get to Raoul. She knew that the man had killed before and would likely do it again.
"What do you mean?" Christine asked.
"I was there that night on the roof, Christine. I heard everything."
Christine's panic grew until she could no longer keep a calm face. Her insides were twisting every which way and if not for the Phantom's grip on her, she felt as if she would have fallen to the ground. Thankfully, the song ended and Christine was able to stand still and regain her balance. She returned her gaze to the Phantom's face only to find his eyes set on her collarbone. Panic flared again as she realized what he was staring at. The engagement ring. Raoul had insisted she wear it, but wanting to keep their engagement a secret, she had placed it on a chain around her neck where its meaning would be less obvious.
Anger flashed though the Phantom's eyes and he quickly reached down to tear the ring off Christine's neck. She inhaled sharply as she felt the chain break.
"It seems we have even more of a problem on our hands than I originally thought," the Phantom spat. He was livid! That boy had not only stolen Christine from him but now intended to make her his. This would not do. Christine belonged to him and him alone. The Viscount had no right to claim her.
Erik tried to regain his composure as he slid the ring and its chain into his pocket and plastered a smile on his face. He grabbed Christine around the waist and pulled him close to his side as he turned to address the entire room.
"My friends!" he said sarcastically, "How funny that you thought you had all ridded yourselves of your notorious Opera Ghost!" he added. The room remained silent as Erik continued his speech. "Well, I can assure you that I am still with you," he declared. "And, I have written you an Opera!" he announced.
Still holding her at his side, Christine watched as the Phantom slid a bag she had only now noticed off his back and onto the floor, papers spilling out the sides as it hit the hard surface.
"Don Juan Triumphant," he pronounced, "will be the next Opera performed in this wretched excuse for an Opera House."
Christine could feel his grip tighten around her waist as he turned to face her.
"My only other requirement is that Ms. Daae be given the lead role of Aminta," he noted.
"Of course, if you do not take my wishes seriously, there will be hell to pay." This time the Phantom had turned to face the whole crowd as he spat the words.
Christine watched on as she saw the Phantom lean down to whisper in her ear. For a moment, all she could think of was his scent, his breath on her skin, his closeness. Her breaths quickened and her heart beat faster as he spoke to her.
"I have missed you so much, my dear." She felt him draw her to his chest in an embrace. Then a thought came to her mind and Christine realized how much she had missed her angel as well. Her fear for Raoul's life had taken away any sense of joy she could have felt upon seeing him, but now his warm embrace and sweet scent had made her remember the feeling that her angel gave to her. The feeling of euphoria. The feeling of flying. Memories of the night hey had first met came flooding into Christine's mind as she remembered the way he had gently led her down below the Opera House. How he had sung to her with love in his heart. She knew that her angel would never hurt her. Not ever.
"What is your name, angel?" she said so quietly that only he could hear.
The Phantom hesitated. Could it really be that after all this time, he had never told her his name?
"Erik," he replied gently.
"Thank you," was all Christine could manage in return.
With that, Erik pulled away from her and smiled at the crowd. "Till we meet again!" he concluded.
There was a puff of familiar red smoke and with that, he was gone.
