A/N: finally an update!! I've been home from boarding school for a week and I'm going back to boarding school tomorrow! I've had a great time but unfortunately not so much time to write! This chapter was written in a bit of a hurry so forgive me for the various grammar mistakes, I will revise it later!

To my dear reviewers:
I have a few plans for Adrian. Love triangle? maybe...
You're all very kind and I'm glad people have reviewed and if I do need your help with translations, I will ask!


Discipline. Monsieur Reyer told me that I required discipline to be able to stay with the orchestra. I was meant to be able adjust my playing according to the way he conducted, with the right pauses. Apparently, I played with too much emotion, much like a solo violinist. Monsieur Reyer spoke with me after the rehearsal.

He cleared his throat as I was packing up my violin, "Mademoiselle Dupont." I looked up at him, "I believed that you would be suitable for the orchestra because you have talent. But sadly for you, talent is not everything! If you have not disciplined yourself considerably by the next rehearsal, I am afraid that you may well have to give up your place in the orchestra!" He walked away with a frown and no kind words. I put the violin case down on the floor and slumped down beside it, putting my head in my hands.

"Do not mind him so much Désirée," I looked up to see Adrian coming towards me. He helped me up, for the second time since we had met, "I will try and help if I can." He sighed, picked up my violin and handed it to me. "Come, and let us get something to eat."

I glanced questioningly at him; how did he know that I was so hungry?

He smiled charmingly at the look I gave him, "Your stomach was grumbling all throughout rehearsal. Do you think I didn't notice? Besides, I think something sweet might put a smile back on your face."

He took my violin from my hand and headed towards the storage cupboard by the orchestra pit. I tried to smoothen out my unruly hair. I didn't have my purse with me either.

"Adrian!" I called. He turned, smiling. "Would you mind if I went up to my room for my purse? I won't be long."

He smiled and nodded, "Come back and meet me here."

I smiled at him and ran upstairs. This time there were no ballerinas to knock out of the way. I got to my room quickly and closed the door behind me, smiling to myself despite Monsieur Reyer's harsh words. Adrian was too good to me. I went to the mirror and studies myself. My hair was a horrible mess and my cheeks were flushed. I frowned and smoothened down my hair but while doing so, I noticed something moving in the more shadowy area of my room. I whirled around suddenly and saw someone I wasn't quite expecting.

"Why are you in my room, Monsieur Fantôme?" I asked the cloaked figure angrily, "You have no right to be here, in my personal quarters! I must inform Madame Giry!"

He didn't move into the light, and I refused to move towards him, in fact, I didn't dare move. He had a certain powerful aura that scared me just a little.

"Mademoiselle, these quarters may not be yours much longer if you decide to go off on an outing with your new beau!" he said, with annoyance in his cold voice, "I have to agree with Monsieur Reyer, talent is not everything, Mademoiselle Dupont! You need much improvement."

I blushed, "Adrian is not my beau!"

"And yet you do fancy him!" He argued back, "Do not fool me, Mademoiselle, you are so completely smitten with him-"

I held up my hand to silence him, "That is enough Monsieur!" I stepped forward, raising my voice, "I am not a little girl and you are not my guardian! I am a grown woman of three and twenty, I do not need instructions!" I walked to the dresser and took my purse, and walked across to the door.

"I can help you more than your friend can," he said. I cringed inwardly as he put a certain sarcastic emphasis on 'friend'. "You will never be able to do much by tomorrow."

My hand was already on the door handle. I needed to keep this job very badly if I wanted to ever re-build my parents' house. "You may be the most infuriating man I've ever met, Monsieur Fantôme, but I think will take up your offer. What do you ask of in return?" I asked anxiously. Truth be told, I didn't really want to hear his answer.

"We can settle my price later." He said simply. I nodded, feeling like I had just made a deal with the devil. I opened the door to leave the room but stopped in the way. What should I call him?

"Monsieur Fantôme?" I said. He looked at me impatiently, "What should I call you? 'Monsieur Fantôme' is a rather odious name."

I was met with silence for a few moments until heard him say softly, "Erik."

I nodded again, "Do call me Désirée then, Erik." I said as I was leaving.

He cleared his throat, "I prefer to obey the rules of propriety, Mademoiselle Dupont."

I slammed the door shut angrily and ran down the stairs again. There I was, trying to offer my friendship but all I got was a cold remark! He was certainly most infuriating! And that haughty manner of his! I found Adrian waiting for me in the entrance hall. He smiled when he saw me, my anger started to melt away and I walked towards him.

"You've been up there for a while Désirée. You said you would not be very long!" he smiled and gallantly offered me his arm, "shall we?" I smiled and took his arm and we walked together into broad daylight, which compared to the gloom of the opera house immediately made me feel much better and much happier. I smiled as the warmth of the sun touched my skin.


A/N: One word: REVIEW!!!

Other than that, I will update as soon as school allows. -groan- damn school.

Your humble and obedient authoress

Pirate'sDream (aka Treasure)