Chapter 4

I OWN NOTHING BUT MY OC

The two men walked past me, Meg and Christine and we ran out to join the other girls in the dance. "We take particular pride in the ballet monsieur."

"I see why especially the little blond angel"

"My daughter Meg Giry"

"And that exceptional beauty" I suddenly felt three pairs of eyes on my back but felt sure they were talking about Christine who was in front of me. "No relation I trust."

"Angelina Chanson, promising talent Monsieur Firmin, very promising"

"I see." The two men said. I could scarcely breathe as I continued to dance "what do you know about her Madame?"

"Not much monsieur, she keeps to herself. She came to the opera house a day ago. She has a lovely voice monsieur."

"Really." My chest felt so tight I can't believe I was still able to dance

"Gentlemen, If you would kindly stand to one side."

I followed Christine and was standing just before the huge fake elephant and I heard the men talking quietly and then once the music stopped they were talking quietly when Carlotta screeched "because I will not be singing! Andiamo tuti! No its vitte, vitte finished! Get my doggy, bring my doggy, bye bye!" I didn't hear the convocation between the managers and Carlotta but she sauntered back to the stage and began to sing.

"Think of me, think of me fondly

When we've said goodbye

Remember me once in a while

Please promise me, you'll try

When you'll find that once again you long

To take your heart back and be free-" People started to scream, me included as the backdrop fell on Carlotta sending her into another diva fit. "He's here the phantom of the opera!" Meg told Christine and me.

"Joseph, for god's sake man what's going on up there?" The former manager yelled. "Please monsieur don't look at me! As God's my judge I wasn't at my post. Please monsieur theirs no one there and if there is, well then, it must be a ghost!"

"Signora these things do happen." Monsieur André spoke,

"For the past three years these things do happen, and did you stop them from happening no! And you two! You are as bad as him, these things do happen argh! Until you stop these things from happening this thing does not happen! Piangi andiamo! Bring my doggy bring my puppy"

"Armatures" Said Piangi the two managers exchanged worried glances.

"Gentlemen, good luck. If you need me I shall be in Australia" And with that the previous manager left. Meg, Christine and I walked to a corner to talk over what had happened "Oh my, what are we going to do I mean without Carlotta to 'sing' tonight the managers will have to cancel the play!"

"Never mind that!" Meg squealed "Did you see him Angel, the phantom I mean!"

"I thought I saw something move in the darkness but…oh my lord I saw the phantom." Thinking back I could clearly see the tall shape of a man and a white mask that seemed to glow in the low lighting. "Angelina Chanson could sing it monsieur."

"What a chorus girl? Don't be silly."

"She can sing monsieur I have been around music my whole life and I know she can sing. Let her sing for you monsieur"

"Alright. Come on. Don't be shy. Come on. Come on.

"From the beginning of the aria then please mademoiselle." spoke the maestro. I could see Monsieur Firmin's mouth moving but I couldn't hear any sound coming from it, I could only hear the music as it flowed through my body, the lyrics at the tip of my tongue.

"Think of me, think of me fondly
When we've said goodbye
Remember me once in a while
Please promise me, you'll try

When you'll find that once again you long
To take your heart back and be free
If you'll ever find a moment
Spare a thought for me" The world seemed to spin and before I knew what was happening I was singing in front of an audience in their seat having paid to hear me sing. I was wearing a white dress with yellow flowers embroidered on it my ebony hair held back by white flowers.

"We never said our love was evergreen
Or as unchanging as the sea
But if you can still remember
Stop and think of me

Think of all the things
We've shared and seen
Don't think about the way
Things might have been

Think of me, think of me waking
Silent and resigned
Imagine me trying too hard
To put you from my mind

Recall those days, look back on all those times
Think of those things we'll never do
There will never be a day
When I won't think of you

Flowers fade, the fruits of summer fade
They have their seasons, so do we
But please promise me that sometimes
You will think of me." My heart was racing, I felt pride swell up in my chest everyone in the audience was smiling and clapping me I had never thought this possible in my life.

After the curtain call I ran straight to the roof, the cool air pricked at my skin and I lifted my necklace to the moonlight so I could clearly see the shape of my angel. My angel of music, my mother promised me once she died she would send an angel of music to me. "Child as long as you believe in the angel he will be with you" a single tear slipped down me cheek at the memory. I try so hard to burry each memory but every time something happened one would slip out from its prison to torcher me. "Brava, brava, bravissima," I tensioned at the voice it was the same angelic voice that had spoken to Christine yesterday. "Angel, Angel" Meg's voice called "Angel," The voice gave my very soul wings "It's my angel," I thought. "Where in the world have you been hiding?
Really, you were perfect,
I only wish I knew your secret,
Where did you learn to sing?"

"Mother once spoke of an Angel
I used to dream he'd appear
Now as I sing I can sense him
And I know he's here
Here on this roof, he calls me softly
Somewhere inside, hiding
Somehow I know he's always with me
He, the unseen genius"

"Angel you must have been dreaming
Stories like this can't come true
Angel you're talking in riddles
And it's not like you"

"Angel of music, guide and guardian
Grant to me your glory
Angel of music, hide no longer
Secret and strange Angel
He's with me even now"
"Your hands are all around"
"All around me"
"Your face Angel, its white"
"It frightens me"
"Don't be frightened"

I walked down stairs alone Meg having stayed on the roof to see if she could talk to the angel herself and I met Madame Giry on the way who helped me to get to my new dressing room through the crowds of people. "You did very well my dear." Madame Giry picked up a single red rose with a black silk ribbon tied into a bow and handed it to me "he is pleased with you." And with that she left me alone obviously thinking I knew who 'he' was. Then the though dawned on me, "maybe she knows about my angel of music and he gave her this to give to me" I pondered aloud. The door to the dressing room gently opened revelling Louis holding a beautiful bouquet of pink lilies. "Bonjour Mademoiselle. You were incredible tonight and I thought it best for me to give you these myself so I could tell you myself." I took the flowers carefully as not to damage them. "Merci Monsieur, they are beautiful." I placed the flowers in a vase sitting on the desk blushing furiously that a Vicomte would bother to get me some flowers. "May I enquire you name Mademoiselle"
"Oh excuse me my name is Angelina Chanson Monsieur. And what is yours?"
"Louis de Chagny and I insist that you allow me to take you out to dinner as celebration of your performance."
"Monsieur please. There is no need for you to take me out."
"Nonsense I will take you out to the finest restaurant in Paris" He said heading out of the door. "Monsieur, please wait!" but he had already gone. I had a horrid feeling in my stomach that I had upset my angel. I though I heard the door lock behind him and when I went to check it was indeed locked. A terrible gust of wind flew through my room blowing out all of the candles and the only light was coming from my mirror.
"Insolent boy, this slave of fashion,
Basking in your glory,
Ignorant fool, this brave young Souter,
Sharing in my triumph!"
"Angel I hear you,
Speak I listen,
Stay by my side, guide me,
Angel my soul was weak forgive me,
Enter at last, Angel,"
Flattering child you shall know me'
See why in shadow I hide,
Look at your face in the mirror,
I am their inside," I don't know why I wasn't afraid of him sing to me or why I even sang along but how could I refuse an angel. When I turned around I could clearly see him. The phantom of the opera, he was my angel! That was why I saw him and no one else did. He was my angel and mine alone.
"Angel of music, guide and guardian
Grant to me your glory
Angel of music, hide no longer
Secret and strange Angel"
"I am your angel of music,
come to the angel of music." He reached out his hand and I walked to him and walked straight through the mirror. My hand linked with his and he lead me down a tunnel lit only by candles that seemed to move for him. Truly he was an angel.

"In sleep he sang to me
In dreams he came
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name
And do I dream again for now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside my mind"

"Sing once again with me
Our strange duet
My power over you grows stronger yet
And though you turn from me to glance behind
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside your mind."

"Those who have seen your face
Draw back in fear
I am the mask you wear

"It's me they hear."

"Your/My spirit and my/your voice in one combined
The Phantom of the Opera is here
Inside my/your mind" Our voices melded together in perfect harmony.

"He's there the phantom of the Opera,
Ah"

"Sing my angel of music"

"Ah"

"sing my angel"

"Ah"

"Sing for me!"

"Ah"

"Sing my angel"

"Ah"

"Sing for me"

"Ah" The man hoped out of the boat, flung his coat to the floor his voice had made my heart beat so fast I thought I may die. I was completely mesmerized by him I followed him out of the boat as he sung. My mind seemed completely at ease I was able to study him fully now his blue eyes seemed to see into my soul through my emerald orbs. His mask pecked my interest I longed to know what was behind his white mask the temptation was so strong I almost couldn't bare it. I hardly knew anything about this man but yet I felt as if my heart was forever bound to his. He led me to a mirror and when I looked into it I saw myself in a beautifully made wedding dress and I know I suddenly went limp.

Eriks Pov

I first heard her sing on the stage and it had a strange effect on my soul Christine suddenly became not important all that mattered was her. I had to take her to my home and show her the music. When she saw the wedding dress I had made for her I felt her go limp and carried her to my swan shaped bed. I put her gently down on the bed and lowered the black curtain watching her only for a second. She looked so peaceful truly like a fallen angel.

Angelica's pov

I sat up and found myself on a beautiful swan-shaped bed with a thin black veil draped around it.

"I remember there was mist...
Swirling mist upon a vast glassy lake
There were candles all around, and on the lake there was a boat
And in the boat there was a man

Who was that shape in the shadows?
Whose is the face in the mask?" By the time I had finished my line I was standing directly behind the masked man trying hard not to shake from the adrenaline run this man was truly handsome and even if he hid a monstrous secret from the world, to me at least, he would still be the exact same man. I felt my hand move of their own accord and before I could stop myself I had pulled the mask from his face in one swift motion. I quickly received a rough shove from the man whose mask I now held tightly in my hand sending me to the floor where I finally saw the height difference between us. He was towering over me and though I wanted to stand up, smack him hard across the face for pushing me over and storm out I couldn't. Partly because I didn't know how to get but mainly because I was ashamed. I had forced him to show me his face, even if I didn't get to actually see it, just like those beasts had forced me at the circus. Only they used sharp objects I used his trust. A single tear slipped down my cheek at the memory quickly followed by a river of tears which was quickly turning into a lake. "Damn you!
You little prying Pandora!" He half shouted half sung which together was a terrifying combination. "You little demon,
Is this what you wanted to see?
Curse you!
You little lying Delilah!
You little viper,
Now you cannot ever be free!
Damn you...
Curse you..." My quiet tear had by now become loud unruly sobs caused him to look at me his left hand covering where his mask used to sit. "I-I-I'm s-so sorry, p-p-please f-forgive m-me!" I checked out between sobs. I received a sad look from the phantom "Um, I will forgive you if you give me back my mask." I looked up at him and stretched out my hand with still held the mask and he stretched out his hand to take the mask from me. The phantom swiftly turned around and placed the mask over his face before he face me again. He held out his hand offering to help me up and I carefully took it hoping not to further incur his wrath but once I had stood up he pulled me gently in his warm embrace. I couldn't hold back anymore, I cried and cried into the mysterious man's chest silently begging for comfort "Come, we must return. Those two fools who run my theatre will be missing you." My only response was a slow nod as I let him lead me back to the surface and away from the comforting darkness of the night.

Me: Thanks again to Phantomfan01 and xTheDarkShadowsx for reviewing and all of the amazing people who are reading my story, it means so much to me that everyone who reviews the story gets to hug Erik from now on!

Reviewers: Alright!

Erik: NOOOOOO! NOT FAIR!

Me: Well you are in MY story so YOU GET HUGS OR I…WILL BURN ALL OF YOUR MASKS AND THEN SHOW ANGELINA YOUR FACE!

Erik: What…YOU CANT DO THAT TO ME… FINE I'LL BE HUGGED.

Angelina: Phantom, sweetie I'll never think badly of you because of how you look. I only care about how you look inside your heart and soul!

People of the world: Awww!

Random alien: Gluggg!

Everyone: What the?

Random alien: bye bye. REVIEW!

Me: AND HUG ERIK! BYE!