Chapter three: Singing lessons

"Now then my dear let us begin!" Erik said, as he "handed" Christine a copy of the libretto. Well, actually he made it "appear" out of thin air via a little "smoke and mirrors" trick of his. "Your first entry is on page one. Do you see where I am speaking of?" Erik inquired, waiting as Christine nodded. "Good."

"Does it begin before you and Mlle. Daaè met?" Christine asked, scanning the libretto over with her coffee-colored eyes.

"Yes, it begins shortly before I met Mlle. Daaè. Now begin!"Erik commanded impatiently waiting for her to begin the first song, which was part of the rehearsal for Hannibal; it was strangely similar to the Andrew Lloyd Webber version.

After she had completed her part in the chorus, she began the part where Mlle. Daaè and Erik first met.

Well, she tried to anyway. Erik continued to stop her and correct her pronunciation, the way she carried the tune, and always attempted to force her sing higher and higher notes. It had become so frustrating! No matter what she did, no matter how much she tried to please him, it never seemed to work! Sensing her frustration, Erik's attempt to make her sit down for a few moments and relax was ultimately successful.

Erik emitted a sigh, saying, "You will never get far if you do not relax, my dear. I am only trying to help you! I know it is difficult, but I can assure you that it is well worth it." His hazel eyes rested on her petite, perturbed form.

With a sigh, Christine nodded, silently guaranteeing him that she was truly comprehending his words of encouragement. Suddenly, the girl realized that she desperately needed to get back to work! No, she didn't need to return to her voice lessons, but she undoubtedly needed to resume her position as the maid.

"I'm sorry, Erik! I have to go. If I don't get back to work soon, I could lose my job!" She said, Christine sputtered, as she rapidly gathered her things. In a few, fleeting seconds, she had rushed out of the room.

Erik sighed, ultimately coming to the conclusion to observe the regular rehearsals. Returning his fedora to the top of his head, he whirled around, his cloak trailing him. By means of secret passage ways he arrived in the main theatre. Carleena was screaming her lungs out. Nothing new here.

'I think I will have her play Carlotta. She certainly acts like the 'famous' diva used to.' Erik thought with a wry smile, his thoughts lingering on the past. 'And they want her to perform as Christine? Ha! The audience would go deaf within an hour! Now, who are they having play me?' His eyes scanned the stage, finding a scrawny boy. He groaned inwardly and rubbed his temples with his slender fingers. 'Oh, no! Not that wretched little boy! He can't sing! Well, not well enough to play my role.'

M. Octavius - or 'Oct.', for that is what everyone had taken the liberty of calling him, was attempting to throw his voice; needless to say, he didn't succeed in this attempt. The only thing that he was succeeding in was going off pitch. Erik winced; perhaps one of his infamous black-bordered letters would be in order. But not yet, of course... He had to guarantee himself that Christine's vocal training went well. He had to assure himself that she would be ready in time to perform as the lead character.

However, Erik didn't believe he had anything to be utterly concerned over. Things were looking reasonably good, and she had unquestionably made progress during their lesson today. Actually, she had made tremendous progress. Christine had hit certain notes that he hadn't expected her to hit for another week - even under his tutelage! Evidently, he had greatly underestimated the amount of training she needed, well it would not happen again.

Mia Geri made her entrance onstage. She had been given the role of Little Meg Giry, and this undoubtedly suited her as well. Erik's eyes remained locked on the stage, as he watched the rehearsal that had just begun. The characters of Christine and Meg quietly conversed. Their 'conversation' consisted of Meg shamelessly begging to know who Christine's tutor was; her pleading soon transformed into frivolous gossip about the 'Ghost'. Christine ignored Meg's gossip and thought aloud about how her tutor, the 'Angel of Music', had appeared to her at last!

The next aria they rehearsed was meant to be performed before Christine and Meg's routine; but something had gone wrong, and the scene had been delayed. It was a simple yet lovely duet between the Phantom and Christine, which informed the audience of her loss of faith in her ability to sing. And even though her father had promised, she never expected the Angel of Music to come to her. She had finally come to the decision to quit singing forever... However, the Phantom, whom was hiding behind the mirror, soon made his presence known by humming a lullaby that her father had taught her long ago. He masqueraded as her Angel of Music! As the scene continued, the Phantom inquired as to what was bothering the girl, trying to console her. Christine told him of her sadness at the loss of her father and that before he died, her papa swore to send her the Angel of Music.

Erik closed his eyes, envisioning his past. He could literally see Christine, curled up on the ground and sniffling. He could vividly remember the girl's eyes light up when he informed him that he was indeed the long-awaited Angel of Music, sent by her deceased father. Resting his chin in the palm of his hand, he listened intently to the actor's and actresses' voices, but he visualized Christine Daae and himself.

"My darling child why do you weep?" The Phantom questioned.

"Who is there? Who calls to me? Is it the Angel my father would send to me? Have you come at last?" Christine replied with the hopeful inquiry.

"I am here, my child, but why do you weep? Your father has sent me to guide you! Could you have thought that I might never have come? Could it be you have lost your faith?"

"Angel, I weep for the death of my father! How could you suppose that I might have lost faith? Beloved Angel, I knew you would come at last!" Christine answered hurriedly, denying that she has lost faith because she is fearful that she should lose her mentor.

And so the aria continues. The Phantom commanded her to return to him every morning for lessons and to never let her heart stray. He told her that she must sacrifice every mortal distraction and give her heart to no man on this earth, but only remain true to him forever. If she failed in this undertaking, he would leave her forever.

It was this aria that Erik and Christine, the young talented maid that worked at the Opera, had been working on earlier in her dressing room. He opened his eyes quickly, thinking that it was nearly time to return to Christine's dressing room. Checking his watch, he discovered that had been right. It was time to return.

During his voyage back to her dressing room, his thoughts loitered, drifting back to the first time he had appeared to Christine Daae in her dressing room as the 'Angel of Music'. The sparkle in her eyes resembled the sparkle in Christine's eyes.

When Erik reached the room, Christine was indeed waiting for him, as he had silently been hoping. Whether he was late or she had simply left her shift a few minutes ahead of time was a mystery to Erik. But neither of them mentioned it.

"Hello, Angel." Christine greeted him with a smile. She had become quite fond of calling him by the nickname from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

A/N: I can take that out if no one likes it.

Should I continue this chapter? That seemed like a good ending to me but it could be continued I suppose.

Once again I swear this will turn E/C Daae in the end!

And lizzzerina, thanks for reading my story, I hoped you liked the chapter.