Author's note: Early thanks to those who read the 1st one and proceeded here. I really appreciate it, but it would be nicer if you leave a review...right?^_^ so anyway enjoy the chapter, forgive me if it's quite long, so keep calm and carry on!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything...except the laptop I'm using!
Chapter 2:
"Gustave! Alice! Go down stairs, dinner is ready!" Christine's soprano voice was a benefit for calling her son who loves spending his time upstairs in the music room.
"The boy spends too much time to music then?"
Christine turned around and smiled.
"Welcome back home, love. I'm so glad you decided to spend a little time with us." She said as she kissed her husband's cheek.
"It's been a long time I know, I barely saw how our son grew. and by the way, is it just me of it got breezier in here?"
"It is nothing just ignore it."
Both of them sat on the table in silence waiting for the two young people.
Raoul, finally bored decided to speak up.
"Is Alice there? The little, brunette trying hard soprano?"
Christine almost choked on what Raoul said. Alice is now a known singer in Paris thanks to Gustave's teaching.
"Not so trying hard now, how long have you lived inside a cave? She is quite well-known now, as a matter of fact, she is also invited to the re-opening."
"You always make me bluff Christine; she can't even hum in rhythm."
"Not with your son's teaching."
Raoul was about to argue when he heard a lovely humming of "Think of me" he turned around and was shocked. It was Alice.
"Sorry we're late Miss and Sir de Chagny." She said politely.
Christine looked at Raoul with a "see?" impression. Raoul Grunted.
"My, you've grown to a wonderful young lady Alice."
"Thank you Sir."
"Gustave sit down beside your father." said Christine sternly as Gustave sat on the table 3 seats apart from his father.
Alice and Raoul stopped their conversation when Christine gave an angry look on her son. Gustave sighed and followed his mother.
"Look here, a complete family and guest. Isn't this nice Gustave? Gustave?!"
Gustave looked at his mother and rolled his eyes.
"Oh yes, quite magnificent!" he answered sarcastically.
Alice coughed and kicked Gustave under the table which made him bit his lip.
It was quiet dinner. Everybody was minding their own business. Alice, eating silently while remembering the times when she first met the Vicomte at the local theater. Gustave, trying not to look either of his parent's eyes. Raoul, trying to catch his son's eyes. And finally Christine eyeing them all and see what will happen.
"So Gustave how's life?" Raoul said finally breaking the silence.
Gustave gave a stern look at his father. Christine returns Gustave with wide open eyes.
"Fine, I keep my studies very well, but still I spend my time more on playing and writing music." Christine gave a smile of approval to her son.
"Which I know that you will never be interested in just like you to me." he continued. Christine looked at her son again with wider eyes, Alice choked on a glass of water, and Gustave finished his meal as if nothing happened.
Raoul sighed. Christine placed her hands in her face and Gustave not looking sorry at all. "If you would ever need me I'll be upstairs." He said as he leaved the table.
Christine cleared her throat and revealed a thick envelope. "I think Gustave; you would like to see this."
Gustave turned around. The envelope was stamped on top with the opera populaire's seal.
"Care to join us?"
Gustave hesitated at first, but forcefully sat himself down once again on the table.
"Ready?"
Gustave agreed with a bit mixture of sarcasm.
Christine opened the envelope slowly. Inside it was 2 smaller envelopes and 1 small package.
Gustave stood up from seat swiftly peaking at letter that given was to his mother.
"The first envelope- greetings de Chagny family! We are hereby glad to proclaim that you are invited to the grand re-opening of the Opera Populaire with grand celebration and it with be a great privilege if your presence will be served. It would also be an honor if you would perform once again to the theater where the seed of your present success was planted. Yours sincerely, Joseph Andre and Alexander Firmin (Sons of the former Opera managers).and I guess the other envelope is for you Alice, you are also to perform in the re-opening."
"Finally a chance to escape from this musical prison! Not to mention you get to be exposed Alice, my ever grateful student." Gustave snatched the bigger envelope and took Alice's letter and gave it to her.
"Thank you Miss de Chagny, I won't be having this letter if it weren't for Gustave"
The big clock in the main hall clanged the signal that it's already 9 in the evening.
"Time to go to bed everyone, we have big day tomorrow." said Christine as she escorts Alice to the main hall.
"I will be seeing you tomorrow then Madame."
"Yes, you will. Goodnight Alice."
Alice bowed as she exit the de Chagny mansion and waved goodbye to her most trusted friend and tutor. Christine went back to the dining hall and saw the two men facing away from each other. The younger one, acts as if it is nothing while the older one tries to speak something out.
With hands on her hips she said loudly and sternly "And that goes also to the both of you."
The two men looked at her with curiosity then finally both of them exchanged glances but in an awkward way. Gustave was about to exit when his mother pinched in the arm. With a little look of annoyance he already knew what his mother meant.
"Goodnight son." Said Raoul still seated in the dining table.
"Goodnight…Father." And slammed the door shut.
I really hoped you liked it, please let me know!
This story made me finish...
15 mentos, 2 sandwhiches and 5 songs! whew!
