A/N: Thank you SO much for the reviews. A special thanks to Paola A. What ya said made me extremely happy and you're definitely right. Here is the next chapter.. I'm not sure I'm totally happy with this one…

Chapter 3

Hope

"So what will you be wearing Christine?" Christine looked at her overenthusiastic friend as she stretched. She thought about the question for a moment before answering. "I'm not quite sure. I hadn't really put much thought into it to be honest." "Really?! Mon dieu! I have been thinking of nothing else!" The blond said with a smile. Her brunette friend couldn't help but laugh. "I'm sure of that. But I just... hadn't really thought about it. I suppose I just wasn't going to be going."

He listened, his hopes crushed within seconds. Not going? His green eyes started to glisten with fresh tears as he looked on from his hiding place above in the rafters, clenching the rope in his hands as he did so.

"Oh but Christine you must!" The blond said urgently. Yes Christine, you must! He thought, looking at the blond friend with great hope. "Everyone will be there and I can't bare the thought of going without you! It would be great fun! Who knows, perhaps you will meet somebody." Meg said mischievously to Christine, who blushed at the thought. Yes, blush my dear, for if you do go, you SHALL be meeting somebody. I promise you that.

"Well then... I suppose I can't let you down. But I only do this because I am your friend... not because I am looking for a suitor." "Of course Christine!" Meg giggled and Christine couldn't help but do so herself as she reached for her toes, limbering up some more.

"Well then.. I guess you will have to help me look for something to wear?" The blond shrieked with happiness. "Oh yes! I will indeed do so mon ami! You will be the envy of all of Paris when I get done with you!" Oh dear... what have I gotten myself into? The brown-eyed girl thought to herself as she, her friend, and the rest of the girls began their practice.

Erik sat and watched, as he usually did and thought to himself. I will have to make sure I thank the little Giry girl one day if all goes to plan...

He sat for only a while longer before departing, going back down to his chambers in order to prepare. The Masquerade was only a few days away and he had yet to finish his preparations.

Meg and Christine were talking in the store they were at in the city of Paris. Meg's mother, Marie Giry, had given them some money, not saying where she had received such a hefty sum, and told them to go and buy themselves something appropriate for the occasion coming up.

"Mon dieu! Look at this dress Christine! It would look simply radiant on you!" Meg picked up the skirt of the dress and ran it through her fingers as her friend walked over towards her. One look at it took Christine's breath away. It was a gorgeous dress of white in color. Lace trimmed the bottom and the sleeves that were hardly there. The bodice was adorned with pearls and lace as well. "Oh my..." Christine managed to breath out as she ran her fingers along it. "It is simply astounding Meg... but.." "No buts' Christine. It would look amazing on you! Simply amazing! Oh, and look!" Meg walked over to another counter and lifted up a precious looking white mask. "This would go with it perfectly!" Christine looked and her heart melted. It was a simple enough mask, small diamonds adorning it. Meg is right; it would go perfectly with the dress... but the cost! "Meg, I don't think we could afford all this, and your outfit that you have picked out." "Of course we can! Mother gave me quite enough money for all of this." "But where did your mother get this money? It worries me that we spend her savings on something as trivial as a few dresses and accessories for some silly ball." Christine seemed torn in two as she spoke. Meg looked at her with a small smile. "That is just it! I said the same thing to my mother when she gave me all of this money, but she assured me it was a gift and to spend it as we pleased." Christine seemed a bit more reassured and with that they purchased what they had sought and were off to the Opera Populaire with huge grins upon their beautiful, young faces.

"She received your money monsieur." Madam Giry said to her long time friend. He looked up at his savior and smiled slightly. "Thank you Marie. You have no idea how much your friendship has meant to me." The man beside her said, scrawling on a piece of paper. "I expect to see you at the ball then?" This brought an even bigger smile to the man's face and his green eyes seemed to glisten with the happiness he felt. "Oui mademoiselle. You shall be expecting me. I have no doubt that you shall recognize me, but I implore you to please do as we discussed and nothing more." Madam Giry curtsied. "But of course. I shall see you then, Erik." With that, Erik gave her the letter he had been writing, after properly enclosing it into an envelope and sealing it with his trademark red skull. They shared a small smile and Madam Giry left in search of her daughter, Meg, and Christine.

Erik watched as his friend left and he sighed. "Soon my love... soon."

Christine was sitting in her room, thinking about what her friend had said. A suitor? I will probably get stuck with some young fop. She wrinkled her nose at the thought.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. "Entre." Madame Giry walked in with a smile and sat on the bed next to her, handing over a letter. "This is for you my dear. I received it earlier and almost forgot to give it to you." Christine looked at her and began to open the letter as the older, mother-like women left her domicile.

She quirked her brow and then proceeded to read the letter.

Le plus cher,

Nothing could possibly show how excited I am to

be in your presence at the Masquerade. I am awaiting your company and cannot wait to be blessed with your presence. I can only hope you are as excited to be there as I am. Keep a weathered eye out for me. I'm sure you won't miss me.

Sincerely yours

She re-read the letter again and again. A secret admirer… But who? She racked her brain for the slight implication as to who it could be.

She set the letter on her bedside table after coming to the conclusion that she could think of no one and snuffed out her candle, proceeding to go to sleep.

I know this is all sappy and cutsie-wootsie, but that is what I intended; FLUFF! I promise though, some darker sides will show themselves later on, but this is just what has been pouring out of me thus far. I can't help it! You know you like it though. I know I always wanted to see Erik portrayed this way. In the movie it does such for quite some time if you haven't noticed. I'm just bringing it out tenfold. So please, read on and review.