A/N: Yes, I know it is short. C'est La Vie.
This chapter is dedicated to thoughts.
Poor, Unhappy Erik
Madame Giry was sitting in her private sitting room. Very few people were allowed to enter it. Her daughter and Christine were the only ones who really ever saw it, with the exception of Erik of course, whom she regarded as a son. Currently, she was mending one of her ballet girls' tights by the light of a candle. She heard a light tapping coming from the wall behind her.
"Come in, Erik." She smiled. A section of paneling slid away to reveal the dreaded Phantom of the Opera. He came into the room, sliding the panel back into place behind him.
"Good evening, Margarett." He whispered.
"Erik," scolded Mme. Giry. "eet eez just me. You 'ave no reason to whisper." Erik smiled wanly.
"Margarett," he said, still whispering. "I am sorry. But I have grown used to quiet. Even a whisper is loud…" he trailed off. Mme. Giry smirked.
"Well, Erik," she replied. "zen you must become re-accustomed to noise. Guess who eez coming to visit me." Erik sighed.
"Not your annoying cousin, I hope." He whispered.
"No," smiled Mme. Giry, not looking up from her sewing. "eet eez someone you know much better zan my cousin." Erik thought about it for a moment, then, not coming up with anyone, he sighed.
"Tell me who it is." Mme. Giry smiled.
"Oh," she said, still looking at her sewing. "no-one special. Just Christine Daae." Erik nearly choked.
"Margarett!" he exclaimed. "Are you mad? The poor girl will be terrified the entire time she's here!" Mme. Giry smiled.
"Zat eez not what she told me." Erik sighed. He was being baited, and he knew it.
"What did she tell you?" he asked at last. Mme. Giry looked up from her sewing sadly.
"She haz been 'aving an 'orrible time." She sighed. "she hates 'er 'usband, he never leestens to 'er. Her daughter just died, and 'er 'usband does not even care. Ze girl eez meezerable. Zat eez why she eez coming here. She has divorced her 'usband!" she said this as though it should really cheer Erik up. It only made him angry.
"The fop is treating her like that?!" he exclaimed "I'll kill him!" he got up to go, but Mme. Giry leaped up and pulled on his cape.
"No!" she exclaimed "You will stay here and look after Christine!" Erik suddenly stopped.
"Have you told her I am here?" he asked.
"No." replied Giry. Erik looked thoughtful.
"Keep it that way." He sighed. Giry finally let him go, back through the paneling.
"Oh," she sighed. "my poor, unhappy Erik."
A/N: Please review.
