Chapter FOUR is finally up. Amazingly, I enjoyed writing every chapter for this story ^-^

Neverland Child: Haha yes, I actually had to google that certain dance since I didn't know the name. I do a little (amateur) ballet when I was little so I knew a little. And yes, I am addicted to Pirates of the Caribbean.

LoRF: I'm really glad you think of the story so far!

Samantha: Ah thank you! for telling me the correct term for it. Diaphragm. tsk. and google is not a bad source either lol

Pidpit: Yes, they are becoming friends. Eirk, finally having a friend :D

Enjoy my little Angel of music ;) XD

She wasn't like Christine. She wasn't afraid of me, well a little. But no one was brave enough to face what's underneath the mask. And she actually talk to me as if…as if…I'm a human being rather than a monster.

And here I thought her mother was Christine Daae but no, Genevieve instead.

But those eyes…even her voice sounds like Christine…

I shook my head as I appeared back in my lair, confused. If Christine is not her mother, then why does her eyes tell otherwise? My eyes landed on the black box. I walk over to it, and open the box. The dried red rose was in perfect condition. A sweet aroma filled my nostrils as I rub the black ribbon between my leather glove.

How could her mother even acquire this? This was only given to Christine and Christine only. Get a hold of yourself, man…I thought. You need to get over her…

I gave a heavy sigh and close the box, setting it near the music sheets. My hands came upon my back to take off the cape but found nothing. The cape. Is with Emily.

"Great," I mumbled. "Another excuse for her to return and for me stay away from her."

Angel of Music, guide and guardian

Grant to me your glory

Angel of Music, hide no longer

Secret and strange Angel…

"Did you hear that?" I ask Carolina as we were walking through the busy street of Paris.

"Hear what? Over this large crowd?" Carolina replied. I shook my head, "Nothing…I thought I heard my mother's voice. Weird."

"Maybe the play is getting to your head."

"Maybe,"

"So how'd it go with Erik?" I bought a pink stem rose from a young girl and kept walking.

"Spare you the details but it was quite interesting. He also gave me singing lesson-" My sentence was cut off as I bump into a stranger's hard rock body.

"My apologies, Miss," he spoke as he bent down to pick me up from the ground. He gave an apologetic smile as his silver eyes twinkled. Unlike Erik's silver ones, the stranger had amusement in his.

"Maybe you should be watching where you're going next time," I replied, dusting any dirt off my skirt. He raised a dark eyebrow at me as he bent down to pick up the pink rose.

"Will you accept this rose as my apology or do I have to shout it out?" I snatch the rose out of his hand too quickly. I was beginning to dislike whoever this stranger was.

"I accept the rose, since I bought it. You would make a fool of yourself anyway." I kept walking with Carolina, with my chin up.

"I didn't catch your name." The stranger said.

"Who would like to know?" I ask twirling the rose between my fingers.

"Jean Claude at your service." he said, tipping his hat.

"Emily Saunters. Good day." I curtsied.

"Well Miss Saunters," he said with a lopsided grin. "Pleasure to meet you. I hope we will meet again." Carolina and I watch as he retreated back to his carriage. Carolina then squealed beside me as she clapped.

"I hate him." I said.

"What? Emily, do you now know who that was?"

"A very flirty stranger."

"He's the son of Claude." Seeing my not-buying it face, she continued, "The Claude family is very rich and they own many opera houses."

"That's great," I said, peering into the Swarovski jewelry window. I spotted a necklace that had a ruby swan just like the one Erik has.

"Beautiful isn't it?" I ask Carolina. "You should get it," she said when we kept walking.

"I can't. Mother is very tight on the finances right now."

"I'm hungry. Let's go to the pastry."

"Mother, what are you staring at?" I ask when I appeared in her room. She was staring at the mirror, mesmerized. She turned around with a smile. As if she's hiding something from me...

"Nothing, my dear." Replied mother as she swipes back my bang away from my face.

"You look so beautiful," She commented. I look down at the attire I was wearing. A costume of an angel complete with authentic wings. We were going to the masquerade hosted at the opera house tonight. I had begged mother to go and after a few more please she gave in.

"As do you," She was dressed as a beautiful bride.

"Not as beautiful as you dear. My petite Angel of Music."

"Oh! I am so jealous of you right now," Jacqueline giggled along with the girls. We were on the stage, rehearsing but Madame Giry told us we can have our little break. I formed a little group, talking about what happened earlier.

"I still don't know why you all think he's handsome," I spoke. Veronica, sitting next to me, gasp.

"You don't find him handsome?" She ask. A chorus of shocked gasp erupt when I shook my head. Besides, I find someone else handsome…

"Ladies, meet our new owner of the opera house. Monsieur Dominic Claude and his son, Jean Claude." Madame Giry announced. Everyone clapped as they approach. The girls clapped the most when Jean appeared. I clapped slowly at him. When his eyes landed on me, he winked. I made a face and avert my eyes looking at the intricate design of the curtain.

"Thank you, Mme. Giry. As owner of the opera house, I will expect a much better performance and I can't wait for the seats to fill up in December. This is my son, Jean Claude. If anyone has a problem, you can tell him and he will report back to me. Thank you again."

Damn, now I have to see his face all day. Everyday.

Since I was too tired to write another music piece, I decided to follow Emily and her friend, Carolina. Hiding on every corner and away from the public as possible, I listen to their conversation.

"Did you hear that?" She ask Carolina as they walk through the busy street of Paris.

"Hear what? Over this large crowd?" Carolina ask. Emily then shook her head, her silky black hair swishing back and forth. "Nothing, I thought I heard my mother's voice. Weird."

"Maybe the play is getting to your head."

"Maybe,"

"So how'd it go with Erik?" I watch as she bought a pink stem rose from a young girl and kept walking.

"Spare you the details but it was quite interesting. He also gave me singing lesson-" She was cut off midway as she bump into Jean Claude. I growled, almost stepping out from hiding. Jean Claude, a young boy at 20, known for his flirty ways. That boy needs to be careful…I thought darkly.

"My apologies, Miss," he spoke as he bent down to pick Emily up from the ground. I grind my teeth when I saw his hand glide over her hips but Emily didn't felt it. He gave an apologetic smile to her. Wipe that foolish grin off your face!

"Maybe you should be watching where you're going next time," I nodded, knowing Emily didn't fall for his tricks. He raised a dark eyebrow at her as he bent down to pick up the pink rose.

"Will you accept this rose as my apology or do I have to shout it out?" She snatch the rose out of his hand too quickly. Hah! Showed you!

"I accept the rose, since I bought it. You would make a fool of yourself anyway." She kept walking with Carolina, with her chin up.

"I didn't catch your name." Jean said.

"Who would like to know?" She ask twirling the rose between her fingers.

"Jean Claude at your service." he said, tipping his hat.

"Emily Saunters. Good day." She curtsied.

"Well Miss Saunters," he said with that stupid lopsided grin. "Pleasure to meet you. I hope we will meet again." Carolina and Emily watch as he retreated back to his carriage. Carolina then squealed beside Emily as she clapped.

"I hate him." Emily said.

"What? Emily, do you now know who that was?"

"A very flirty stranger."

Or a possible rapist I mused.

"He's the son of Claude." Seeing her not-buying it face I tried not to grin, she continued, "The Claude family is very rich and they own many opera houses."

"That's great," Emily said, peering into the Swarovski jewelry window.

"Beautiful isn't it?" She ask Carolina. "You should get it," she said when they kept walking.

"I can't. Mother is very tight on the finances right now."

"I'm hungry. Let's go to the pastry." I waited till they were out of sight before I walk up the Swarovski window. She was looking at the ruby swan. There were small red rubies running along the wings and the swan in the same sleeping position like mine.

When we reach back in the opera house, Jean was approaching me.

"Oh god, he's right there," I said sighing.

"Give him a chance. Go talk to him. You never know what's underneath all that clothes," Carolina winked as she disappeared into the dressing room.

"No, Carolina!" I hiss, coming after her.

"Ah, Emily!" Jean called. I sighed, turning around with a smile plastered on my face. He was carrying a red orange rose.

"This is for you," he said. I reluctantly took it, mumbling a merci under my breath.

"So about that play," he started. "I think you'll make a great Elizabeth."

"Yes, she's a strong woman not to mention the fact she's beautiful."

"Like you," he said leaning in. I cleared my throat, maneuvering away from him, not liking where this was going.

"Have you heard? Jacqueline's costume was so tight that when she did a split, the seam ripped," I forced a laugh out.

"That's great," he said, "I'd like to know more about you, Emily."

"Why me? There's a lot of other girls who has the potential."

"You're so beautiful, Emily." He stop looking to his right. A group of girls tittered and shuffled away, whispering while looking back at us. He then look back at me.

"I'd like to know what's underneath the dress." I raise my hand, ready to slap the smirk off his but his father appeared.

"Everyone! May I have your attention please?" He waited as everyone quiet down, tuning into what Dominic had to say.

"As you all know, we've heard stories that the Opera Ghost is still alive and have no fear, we will continue the show, which is coming up in around two weeks so I want everyone to be prepared and get their mind off of the Opera Ghost. That is all," Rehearsal resumed quickly afterwards and I was still with Jean.

"So what do you say?" He ask using his charming smile. "Care to join me for lunch and dinner, and maybe dessert later?" he winked.

"You sicken me!" I turned around, leaving the stage, angry.

I should go to my room. No, that would be the first place he would find me. I chose the Prima Donna's room instead to let out some steam.

"Oh! That Jean Claude! He disgusts me with his flirty charms. Can't he see I'm not interested in him?" I grab the nearest pillow and imagining it was Jean's face and toss it against the wall papered flower. I sat at the vanity chair, looking at the hairbrush angry.

"Did something upset my little swan," Erik's voice crooned. I huff, turning away from the mirror, looking at the wall instead.

"Or should I say someone?" he spoke again.

"What does it matter? You don't care. You're just a hot tempered man,"

"Hot tempered?" he spoke behind me. I jump at how close he sound. How did he even get here?

He bent down behind me, meeting eye level with me through the mirror.

"Stop frowning. You'll get wrinkles." I soften my eyebrows but my frown was still there.

"Do you know how Jean Claude is?"

"Sadly, yes." replied Erik as he turn away from the mirror and sat down on the couch. I turn around fully, to meet his gaze. His eyes averted somewhere else.

"He's very flirty for one,"

"You saw him with me?" I ask.

"Heard mostly," His hands clench into fists so hard, I heard his knuckles crack.

"He didn't try anything," I said.

"I'll kill him."

I slap my palm on the chair. Irritated with his evil ways.

"Why do you insist on killing everyone?"

"Because the world is out to get me, Emily," he growled, standing up, grabbing my upper arm.

"Not me," I softly said, staring into his silver eyes. So mesmerizing. The eyes are windows to the soul… He release his hold, pacing around the room with his hands clasps behind his back.

"You don't understand. I'm a dangerous man. For god's sake, I murdered a man during one of my play. You can't be friends with…a monster like me."

"I could try," He shook his head, scoffing.

"No, Christine tried and-"

"Stop comparing me to her! She's gone! Get it through your thick skull! I'm not Christine! I'm Emily!"

"I didn't mean it like that,"

"Yes you did," I said through my tears. "Christine! Christine! It's always Christine. It's never Emily! Emily! Emily!"

"Do you think I enjoy what I did? Hurt people and just laugh about it as if it's nothing? To lose the woman you love over a…pansy! Not all of us came from a privilege life, Emily! She was my first love, of course I have to think and talk about her everyday," His chest heaving up and down as he breathe heavily.

"You should stop it Erik, it's not only hurting you but me also! Every time I try to get closer to you, you would always back away as if you don't want to touch me. What? Do I have a disease or something? Are you scared to look at me? What is it, Erik? Tell me why can't you look at me?"

"Because you look so much like her!" He shouted. I step back, a little weak in the knees at what he said.

"Your eyes…same shape…same color…" He sobbed as he collapse on the couch, covering his face in his hands.

I sat down beside him, gently rubbing his back. There, we sat in silence, not speaking. Now I know why he won't look at me.