Props and roses with black ribbons to those who are still reading this. Thank you for your support. Please do review. Constructive criticism is appreciated, but please don't bash my story. I've considered making taking some parts of the prologue (minus the Fountain of Youth) and turn it into a C/E phic. Thoughts? Oh, and check out my other phanphiction, The Call.

Lovest Always, Lady Merridell

Disclaimer: I do NOT own PotO. I wish I did, but I don't.

Chapter 3

Under New Management

The mood in the cab was thick with tense excitement. The sky was bright and promised to be wonderful. A gentle breeze swept through the crowded city. Some stopped to enjoy it while others took no notice.

I stared up the building looming high and proud overhead. Next to me a rather strongly built French-speaking American, who seemed quite unimpressed by the immense opera house. The chauffeur stopped in front of the Rue Scribe entrance and helped us to empty the trunk of my suitcase. We, or rather I, thanked the kind Frenchman for his services. The streets were crowded with tourists and busybodies.

As we entered, my breath caught in my throat. Elegant and simply gorgeous. I soaked in every last detail, from the intricately carved Greek statues to the grand marble staircases. The ceiling was painted with scenes of Greek wars. Attention to detail was incredible and it would takes days, even years, to memorize and pick out every last detail. My mind spun.

We made our way up more staircases, which were grand in their own unique ways. There were elaborate columns with carvings tracing up and down and all around. Whoever designed this was a genius as well as extremely attentive, I thought. No stone left unturned.

We finally reached the manager's office and living quarters. I was getting tired of lugging around my suitcase.

I opened the door to my new room and, once again, was blown away. Craig left me with my things as I stared at my new room, awed.

"Five minutes, you and me eat, got it?" he growled. I took no notice.

"Yeah, ok," I murmured, relishing the moment. I felt him leave and finally remembered to release the breath I had been holding. The Napoleon lll style was breathtaking. There was a beautiful cherrywood dresser with a mirror, a large handsome four-poster with scarlet and gold drapes. The ceiling had prancing cherubs (thankfully covered accordingly) in the clouds, smiling childishly in shades of reds, blues, soft pinks, and delicate gold.

Gold seemed to be the underlying theme as was the rest of the Opéra house. As were chandeliers since a rather large, elegant one was hanging from the high ceiling. Its brilliant crystals sparkling from the electric lighting.

What I assumed was a closet was in one corner of the room while the small, but cozy, fireplace resides in the left side. Next to the closet was a door to the bathroom, which was just as luxurious as the rest of the room.

There was a beautiful oriental rug, slightly worn, but otherwise in good condition. A round cherrywood nightstand sat beside the large bed with a rather grand lamp resting on top. By the fireplace was a cushioned Napolean style chair.

I walked over to the bed and ran my hand over the soft, satiny gold and scarlet comforter, a smile small playing about my lips. It wasn't my dream room, but it came very close and I loved it. Above the fireplace was a shelf with a golden clock and room for books which I planned to take advantage of. There was a window on the other end of the room with a luxurious little cushioned window seat.

Another door opposite of the closet lead to my office and from there it lead outside into the hallway. The office followed the same theme with a cherrywood desk and luxurious cushioned chairs.

I checked the clock, realizing if I didn't hurry I would be late. And Craig would NOT be happy, not the he ever really was as far as I could tell. Leaving my suitcase on the bed, I left quickly, glancing at the map I had made myself of the Palais Garnier.

After several moments of wandering I frowned. "No, this can't be right. I never get lost! Hmm, maybe I took a wrong turn," I mumbled, examining the map.

"You did not turn left at the last turn," whispered a voice.

My head shot up and I looked around. No one was there. Feeling nervous, I decided to just smile.

"Er...thanks," I said. After several moments of silence, I shrugged and turned back and this time I turned left.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Every detail is as exact as I could get it save for the manager's quarters. I kinda improvised that a bit, but it went well. I hope you can agree. Au revoir!