"Erik!" Edward called. "They're here!" Edward heard scuffling noises upstairs. Erik was still getting ready. He rolled his eyes.
"Honestly Edward," Anne started. "Why you invited him into our home I'll never know."
"Anne, try to understand. The man had nowhere to stay. Naturally, I asked him to stay here. He's a perfectly nice man."
"Yes, well, my father won't approve of this."
"Why not?"
"You know why not."
"Oh you mean his face."
"Of course I mean his face! Have you seen it?"
"Yes I have, and I don't think it's that bad. It isn't fair to judge a person before you've gotten to know them."
Anne didn't reply. A moment later the doors opened.
"Anne, Edward, how nice of you to invite us." William Cecil said.
"The pleasure is ours." Edward said. A moment later, Erik came down the stairs.
"And who is this?" William asked suspiciously.
"William, this is Erik Destler. A friend."
"And why, might I ask, do you where a mask, Mr. Destler?" Erik froze.
"Erik was, unfortunately, born with a deformed face."
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you Mr. Destler." William said stiffly. "This is my son Robert Cecil." The hunchback standing next to him stuck out his hand and shook hands with Erik. "My other son, Raoul." Raoul and Erik shook hands. "And Raoul's fiancée, Christine Daae." Erik felt his heart stop as his eyes landed on Christine.
"Mr. Destler." She curtsied.
"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Daae." Erik breathed.
"I believe we have met before." Christine said.
"Yes…I believe we have."
"Well," Anne said. "Shall we go to dinner?" The all nodded and followed Anne and Edward. Erik offered Christine his arm and she took it. Raoul stared daggers at him, but Erik pretended not to notice.
A few hours later
"Well Edward this has been lovely, but we should be leaving." William said, rising from his seat.
"Of course, I'm glad you could come. Francesco will take you to the dock." Edward said.
"Christine," Raoul said. "It's time to go." Christine and Erik had been deep in conversation and hadn't noticed it was time to leave.
"Oh." Christine said, rising from her seat. "Well actually, Raoul, I was wondering if we could stay a little longer. Erik was going to show me the gardens."
"I suppose." Raoul grumbled. "Father, we will meet you at home" William nodded. Erik stood up and offered Christine his arm. She took it and he led her to the gardens.
"It's lovely." Christine said.
"It is isn't it? I love to just come out here and read." Erik replied.
"That does sound nice." There was a moment of silence. "I should probably get back…I don't want to keep Raoul waiting." Christine started to turn around, Erik grabbed her hand. She turned to him and he immediately let her go. "I'm sorry." He whispered. But instead of walking away Christine came closer. Erik forgot how to breathe. They were only inches apart. Without warning, Christine leaned up and pressed her lips against his. Erik found himself kissing her back. Christine's arms wrapped around his neck while his hands framed her face.
"Christine!" Raoul yelled. The two jumped apart. For a moment they were worried that he had seen them. "Where are you?" Raoul said. The both sighed with relief as Raoul turned the corner. "Ah, there you are. Shall we go?" Christine nodded. "Well, Erik, it was nice meeting you." Raoul said coldly.
"Yes," Erik replied in the same manor. "A pleasure."
"I hope we can do this again sometime." Christine said. She and Erik locked eyes. He suppressed a smile. He knew what she meant.
"Well said my dear." Raoul said warmly to her. Erik felt a stab of jealously as Raoul wrapped his arm around Christine. "Come, my father will wonder where we are. Mr. Destler." Raoul gave Erik a stiff nod.
"Raoul…Christine." Erik said, returning the gesture
Erik had never felt so happy. Was it possible that Christine loved him? He hoped so because he couldn't be more in love with her.
"It worked, Francesco." Edward smiled.
"What worked, Signore?" Francesco asked.
"She loves him."
"How can you tell?"
"Did you see her expression when she left?"
Francesco shook his head. "I've meet Miss Daae many times and I've never seen her smile like that."
"Signore, this is wonderful, but what if Raoul finds out?"
"Don't worry Francesco. Everything will be fine."
