I'm not going to lie, if I could swap lives with just about anyone else in Paris, I would jump at the chance. That… man, who I had taken to nickname in my head Phantom – due to his uncanny ability to float around the house silently – was slowly driving me to insanity. It seemed as though anywhere I went in the house, I could sense his eyes on me, watching me eat, read, and sometimes even sleep (only when I was on the couch by accident. He had boundaries).

One day, like any other, I felt his presence, and I snapped. I believe it had something to do with a combination of stress from my work at the opera, and general irritation from my situation in life that just made me furious.

"Great Blazes!" I cried, startling him, "Bloody hell, can you stop staring at me?!" He looked taken aback behind his mask.

"I-" he started, "Forgive me." And with that, he left the room. I sat back on the seat of which I was perched and contemplated what had just occurred.

Where had that come from? I asked myself. I just exploded at him. And I am always angry with him when he blows off at me. Am I a hypocrite? No, I assured myself, I just needed to blow off some steam. Still, I feel bad. I ought to go apologize.

I stood, dusting off my pale green dress, and went in search for Phantom. Luckily, he had not retreated to his music room and was sitting reading, at the dining table. He didn't move when I entered, however his grip tightened on the book he was reading, which was indication enough that he was aware of my presence in the room.

I lowered my head as I spoke to him. "Forgive me for my actions and for me raising my voice. I had no right, and I am sorry if I startled you."

I turned to walk away, when he spoke to me.

"It is not your fault," he murmured, "I should not have been watching you so closely. It is I who ought to be apologizing."

I smiled a little. "I take it that you were not aware of the awkwardness of the situation from my perspective."

He glanced up at me, "In truth, I am not very trusting. I was watching you because I am worried that you will betray me."

I laughed, "And with that I'd be cast out of this home."

He laughed as well, "I understand that. But still, you could be housed with a friend until you found a proper home."

I laughed again, "The only friends I have would probably not be so willing to house me. They have dinner parties often and it would be awkward for me to be there as well.

"And why, may I ask, would it be awkward for yourself to be a guest as well."

I laughed yet again, "Because the company of a Vicomte and his fiancée," I saw him stiffen, "Are often well off folk, those of who my company would by no means be appreciated."

"Then I am glad you continue to reside here, and choose not to leave this house."

I smiled again, and left the room.

So that was slightly awkward. But I could not, in my own right mind say that I didn't enjoy it. He had a manner of speech that much reflected my own. Despite Phantom's flaws, he seemed very temperate man… on certain days.

I was a slight bit saddened when he went back to the distance and silence. Apparently he did not enjoy speaking with me. I shrugged it off as a walked around the block to the proper entrance to the opera, and was greeted with a familiar smiling face.

Raoul.

He smile widened when he saw me, coming up, to walk me inside. I wasn't sure why, but he seemed to be in a very cheerful mood today.

"Good morning, Victoria, my fine friend. How are you on this glorious day?" he asked almost obnoxiously brightly.

Okay, too cheerful. Something's wrong.

"What's gotten you in such a joyful mood?" I questioned playfully.

"Can a man not be happy on a day like this?"

I shot him a confused alarmed look. "The sky is clouded, the air is icy, it smells like waste and you'll have to deal with at least one break down from your fiancée… not that I blame her." I added quickly, "I don't understand how you can be so happy, when all of this is occurring before your eyes."

He shrugged, "I have to be happy somehow. Life will get far too depressing if I allow all of that to weigh down on me."

My expression lifted, "That's fair."

He smiled at me, offering me his arm "Isn't it."

I gladly took his arm and the two of us strolled into the opera, like a pair of high off royalty.

My cheerfulness soon depleted, as our final dress rehearsal began before opening night. To say that it was going wrong would have been the understatement of the century. The chorus was a mess, props went missing without a shred of an idea where they went. Everyone was leaving early, people were missing their cues and if I had to choose between being whipped or continue rehearsing this, then someone hand me the whip. I'll do it myself.

It got so bad at one point or managers just decided to push back opening night. It had been months since the last show – Don Juan Triumphant – and there hadn't been a paying audience member for an eternity, so now money was becoming tight. Can someone please just kill me?

Finally, myself and the other backstage technicians, just chose to storm out.

We were only half way through rehearsal, so when I stormed back into the house, I could tell that I had started Phantom. I didn't say a word to him, and just stomped to my room, throwing the door shut.

I finally forced myself to leave the comfort of my room. I sought out the library, hoping that a good read my settle and calm my thoughts. To my surprise, Phantom was seated on the couch, clearly engrossed in whatever he was reading. I picked a random book from the shelf – Les Miserables, how fitting to my current mood – and seated myself quietly beside Phantom. To my astounding surprise, he remained exactly where he was. Silently, I rested, ever so slightly against his shoulder. I heard him suck in a breath, clearly not used to being so close to another, and yet he still did not move.

We read far into the night, until I could barely keep my eyes open. The last thing I remember was resting my head on his shoulder.

*Re-uploaded because my dumbass used 'Erik' instead of 'Phantom' before Victoria was aware of his name. {face palms} *