I'm sorry that this chapter is rather short compared to the first two, but I'll try to make it up to you by updating the next chapter within the next few days. R&R!

Chapter Three: Patience

Erik winced as the soprano sang. He didn't know who gave her a microphone, but that person deserved to be fired. Oh, she was technically doing everything right, but she was like a robot. Joy and passion were absent in her countenance and tone.

His eyes roamed to Christine, who was almost lost in the middle of the other sopranos. She had the passion that the lead soprano, Carlotta, was sorely lacking. Though young and unsure of her place in the world, she had the kind of joy in life he'd never felt. He smiled when she subtly glanced at her watch. Apparently, he wasn't the only one who was tired of Carlotta's singing. Christine could sing circles around her. It was truly an injustice that she didn't have a larger role in the performance. As Carlotta sang a particular high note that she really shouldn't be trying to reach, Christine winced and rolled her eyes.

My Christine, he thought, caressing her name in his mind. She was his, even though she didn't know it yet. I will have her, he promised himself. I just have to be patient.

The rehearsal finally came to an end. Erik ruled against immediately going to Christine as he knew it would be more prudent to wait until the other students had left. He watched as Christine approached her father and tapped on his shoulder. As the conversation progressed, he noticed Christine's disappointed expression and the pleading in her eyes. However, her father seemed oblivious to the fact that whatever he was saying was hurting his daughter. Then, when Mr. Daaë dismissed his daughter with a careless wave of his hand, he rose.

Christine sighed. Her father was going to be too busy to spend time with her yet again. She wouldn't have minded as much normally except this was the only night she wouldn't have to work for the next couple of weeks. But, that didn't matter to her father. Work, Carlotta's voice lessons… those mattered to her father. She didn't. As she sighed in defeat and turned to go, she spotted a figure in black standing near the back of the auditorium. She looked closer and saw a white mask.

Erik.

She hurried down the aisle until she reached him. With a sudden wave of uncertainty, she smiled shyly. "Hello, Erik."

"Hello, Christine," he replied, returning her smile. Relieved, she ventured to ask, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm on the college board, so I came here to watch the rehearsal for the upcoming performance." Inwardly, he smirked. Who would have guessed that he was a board member of the very college she attended? He made the connection after Buquet's boast about her being in his Spanish class. How funny that she had been so close and he'd never noticed! Now, he was watching the choir rehearsal, which could be easily be explained as a coincidence.

"Oh," was Christine's only response. His expression puzzled her, but she chose to ignore it. Really, she shouldn't be very surprised that he was on the board of the same university she attended; after all, it did containone of the most prestigious music programs in the country.

"I was wondering… would you join me for dinner this evening?" he inquired.

Taken aback, she stuttered, "What? Dinner with you?"

"I promise not to ask any inappropriate questions," he prodded with a smile. Please, Christine, he silently begged. Please say yes.

She softened. How many times had her father put her off due to inconvenience? Erik had shown her nothing but kindness, and it would be horrid of her to not return the favor when all he was asking was to take her to dinner. So, she smiled and said, "I would love to join you." As they left the building together, she noticed her father watching them. Oh, NOW he cares.

o0o

Christine watched Erik anxiously as she sat across from him in the small café. He had been a perfect gentleman throughout the course of the evening, but she couldn't help but notice how he watched her. Indeed, it seemed as though his eyes never left her.

"Erik… may I ask you something?" she questioned, her voice timid.

"Of course, Christine," he replied smoothly. Please don't let her ask about the mask…

"What do you want from me?" she whispered.

Oh, Christine… I want all of you… He sighed and placed his elbows on the table. As he placed his fingertips together, he spoke carefully. "Christine, I have a proposition for you." She nodded, and he continued. "The other night, when I told you that you have a beautiful voice, I meant it. However, you could use a teacher." He paused to make sure that he hadn't offended her. She merely continued to meet his gaze, so he took a deep breath before making his offer. "So, I was wondering if you would consider the possibility of me giving you lessons."

Is he serious? Christine wondered. Of all of the possible answers he could have given her, this was what she had least expected. She met Erik's eyes and saw that he was, in fact, very serious. "You want to give me voice lessons?" she asked skeptically. He nodded. "Why?"

"As I said, you have a wonderful voice, and I see much potential in you. I believe that you could go far with the right training."

"I, well, I don't have much money... I have to pay for all of my college courses, and…"

He laughed softly. "I don't desire or need your money, Christine." I only want you.

The girl's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Then, what do you want? I mean, nothing is free."

"We can work out a method of payment at a later date," he said dismissively.

None of this made any sense to Christine. "I… don't know… I mean, I hardly know you," she stammered.

His expression softened. "It's alright," Christine," he promised gently. "I only want what's best for you."

She bit her lip. "Would you… Is it okay if I think about your offer first?"

Erik hated waiting. More was resting on her answer than she knew, and every moment brought more torment for him. Yet, as he looked at her, he knew that patience was the only way he was going to accomplish what he so desperately wanted. "I will give you three days, Christine," he said. "Then, you must give me your answer."

Three days… that wasn't a very long time, but it would have to be enough. "I promise to have an answer for you by then."

As they parted for the evening, he briefly touched her cheek. "Remember… three days," he reminded her.

Please, Christine… everything rests on you.

o0o

Christine paced her bedroom floor. It was the third day. That night, she was supposed to give Erik an answer.

On one hand, she didn't like the whole "discuss payment at a later date" concept. She knew it was never a good idea to enter into any sort of bargain without knowing exactly what was expected of her.

Still… she couldn't deny the fact that Erik intrigued her. He was mysterious and cryptic, but she felt drawn to him. And, the truth was that she did want to sing. Living with someone like her father instilled a love of music in her. Her father was a great man, and she longed to become great like he was… to make him proud of her for the first time in her life. This was her opportunity, and as far as she knew, she would never have another chance.

Christine's mind was made up. She knew what she must do.

o0o

Erik waited expectantly. "What is your answer, Christine?"

She met his eyes readily. "Teach me," she said softly.

He held out his hand. She looked down, and slowly, ever so slowly, she took it. And, with that touch of her hand, Christine Daaë sold her soul.

Posted June 19, 2010