1Mystery in the Music

Chapter 2: The Ovation

Christine waited for the curtain to rise. When she performed, all of the nerves and anxiousness just washed away. She felt as though she belonged on that stage. The music played and she breathed to get ready for the first note. And, on time just like a bell, was her voice, ringing throughout the theater. She could have sworn she heard gasps from the audience as she sang as passionately as she could..

It had been a lot of work to get her ready for the opera. She had to have all of Carlotta's dresses altered to fit her person. She hadn't seen Erik since they spoke in the managers' office, and she was anxious to see him again.

She lifted her arms to the ceiling as she sung, pouring so much emotion into her music, it made many weep. She wondered if her Angel was in the audience somewhere. Of course he was, he was always at her performances and he certainly wouldn't miss this one, for she was in the spotlight of the whole show.

When the opera came to an end, the audience stood up and cheered, throwing roses at Christine's feet. She smiled and bowed. They screamed and yelled, "Bravo! Bravissima!"

Christine bowed once more and exited the stage. When she came to her dressing room, men crowded the door. No women, only men! They gave her roses and said compliments, and not just on her singing. She smiled and thanked them. Then Madame Giry came to her rescue. She pushed her way through the crowd of men and helped Christine enter her dressing room.

"Thank you Madame." Christine said.

"You welcome, my dear. Do you need assistance in getting out of you costume?" Madame asked.

"No, I will be alright. Thank you."

Madame nodded and took her leave.

Christine finally got a look at her dressing room. It was filled with roses! She smiled and sat down in the chair in front of her vanity, and notice one rose in particular. First off it was blood red, and had a black ribbon tied to it. Under the rose sat a piece of paper. Christine picked it up, knowing it was from her Angel.

Dear Christine,

Words cannot express how I feel. I am overjoyed by your performance. You were amazing, love. Every woman in the building was envious of you tonight. Congratulations. I am also pleased with the ovation you received.

I will come visit you tonight in you dressing room; so make haste and change out of your costume. I shall be there at a quarter till. Until then, my love.

-E. Angel

E. Angel? He never closed his letters with E. Angel. He also called her his love. She smiled at that, other girls wouldn't. If other girls new that they had a man following them night and day, sending them letters and roses, they would probably be scared out of their wits. So, why didn't Christine feel that way? Could it be that she felt this deep connection to him? Maybe it was that he had never lied to her, or hurt her. She trusted that man, or a thing, and she didn't even know his name.

Christine rushed to get dressed. She washed her face of the horrible stage make up and put a little normal make up on. Then she took her hair down, letting the curls fall in a cascade down her back. Then, she put on a little black dress with black stilettos. She glanced at the clock. He would be there in five minutes. The mysterious man that protected her for anything and everything was going to show him self. Did he really mean that though? He had said that soon he would present himself, but she wouldn't know it was him. So what was he doing tonight?

All at once that scent hit her, and she knew he was there.

"Angel?" she asked, looking as if she was speaking to no one.. "Angel, are you there?"

"I am." Said a deep and rough male voice. She couldn't see him, and she didn't know where the voice was coming from, but she new it was him.

"Angel, why?" she asked, and he seemed to understand what she was asking.

"I couldn't stay away from you any longer, Christine." He said.

"Will you show yourself to me?" she asked.

"Not yet. Not today. I told you that I would show myself, but that you would not know it is me. Now you get to piece together the puzzle." He said.

"Angel, I don't want to wait, I want to see you." She pleaded. "Please, show yourself."

"No, love. Now is not the time, but soon, I promise." He said.

"Then why did you come to me tonight?" Christine asked.

"I wanted to congratulate you, but not by a piece of paper, and as I already told you, I don't want to stay away any longer."

"Yet you won't show yourself to me." She said, sounding irritated,

"Christine, please, I have my reasons that you will hopefully understand in time. Remember you already know me. Now you must put it all together. If you haven't figured it out by the end of next week, I will reveal myself to you physically." He said.

"Do you promise?" Christine asked.

"Have I ever lied to you?" he asked.

"No, that is why I don't expect you to break your promise. Now, do you promise?" she asked again, almost impatiently.

"I promise, love. But now you must go, your audience and fans want to meet you." He said.

"Okay, I will leave, but you will follow, yes?"

"Of course."

"Okay," Christine got up and made her way to the door, but stopped. "Angel, are you still there?"

"I am." Came his reply.

"I like that, by the way." She said, blushing.

"Like what?" he inquired.

"I like it when you call me love." And with out another word she left the room, smiling. She could have sworn she heard a gasp.

When Christine got down to the after part, everyone cheered for her. A large ovation to be sure. The only people in the room that weren't cheering were Carlotta and her squad of idiots. Christine thought nothing of it and when to talk to people. Everyone congratulated her and gave her hugs and pats on the back. Many men flirted with her shamelessly, but she wasn't interested in any of those men. She only had her eyes for one man.

Firmin and Andre gave a speech during the celebration, thanking the cast and especially Miss Daae for stepping in at the last minute.

At ten o'clock everyone decided that it was time to leave. Christine grabbed her purse and left. She didn't have any money for the bus or a cab so she decided to walk, but be very careful. She walked down the street then realized,

I'm in a little black dress. Dammit I probably look like a prostitute, she told herself. She kept walking. When she heard a bottle break in an alley as she walked by she began to walk a little bit faster. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see a man walk out of the alley. She kept walking, and he was still following her. She began to run, and she ran after her. When she screamed no one was there to hear her scream. When the man caught up to Christine, he tripped her to get her to stop, and got down on top of her. She tried to hit him to get away, but he would not let up. She kneed him in the groin, and as he doubled over in pain she got up and ran. He chased her again and jumped on her, bringing her to the ground. Just as his dirty hand began wandering up her leg, he was pulled from her by another man; she looked up at him and gasped.

AN:

:O ha ha! I am leaving you with a cliffy! I'm sorry but it must be done. I will update soon, don't worry.

There was a lot of question as to why Christine isn't freaked out by a strange man following her. I hope this chapter cleared it up a bit. She feels a strong connection toward him. That is all I am giving away, more will be revealed in time. This is what I love about being an author: I know something you don't know! Lol, just kidding, well not really, I don't know something you don't know. I would like to thank Shelby or Phantomoftheopera101 for betaing my stories for me. By the way her class: Phantom of the Opera 101 is for the idiots who think they know about Phantom, like the ones who spell Erik like Eric. Goodriddens! Lol, okay well I shall be updating Love is an Art soon, so be on the look out. Don't forget to review! Thank you!

-Primadonakate