A/N: How can I say this? I'm so sorry. I had to find time to finish this chapter. Though, luckily, school is almost over which means that I won't be held up! (Hopefully so) Let's just say that school is my main reason and sadly my computer had to get a new motherboard, but all is good now!
Also, I was hoping if someone would like to beta for me. I know my grammar is in need of much assistance and help would amazing. Thank you.
Alright, enough of my petty excuses. The main reason is that you're here is to read, right? Ok then, read on!
.heart.angel.93
Disclaimer: Don't own Phantom. Though it does help that most people don't either.
In the Arms Of An Angel: Part 1
"I know we are... we are the lucky ones.
I know we are... we are the lucky ones.
I know we are... we are the lucky ones.
I know we are... we are the lucky ones, dear.
We are the lucky ones, dear..."
-We are the Lucky Ones, Bif Naked
XXX
My reflection stared back at me as I patted my hair down. The brown eyes of a girl stared at me, wearing a white laced mask, a nervous glint in her eyes. Or, should I say, my eyes. Sighing I reached for my jewel studded purse, smoothed out my silky white dress once more, then headed towards the door. Twisting the knob with an intake of breath, I waltzed into my apartment's sitting room to meet Raoul who was leaning against the window frame. His tux was crisp, and his cologne was floating around delicately that made me smile at his easy going nature.
"Ready to-" He lifted his head up, blond locks shaking. For a moment we stood still, both looking at each other. He seemed to be speechless and I blushed, turning away and staring at the wood flooring feverishly.
"Yes, I'm ready." I smiled softly, looking back to his blue gaze.
"-Right, right…" He seemed to shake out of the trance I had set him in, and a glowing grin now enchanted his face. "Christine...you-.." He shook his head, his eyes now sparkling. "You look like and angel."
"Well…that was the original idea for my costume…" He laughed, walking over to me.
"Even without the costume-" He lifted the lacy mask from my face gently, "You would still look like an angel." With that, he lent down and gently kissed my cheek, while I enjoyed every second of it.
XXX
"Do we take a right here?" Raoul asked as we sped through the downtown area.
"I-I think so.." I looked back down at the directions that were in my hands. "Yeah, right here, on Delemere."
"Right." He quickly changed lanes and turned right. For a moment the car was quiet, just the roaring of Raoul's Mercedes racing through the night. "So, how's Meg?" He asked, his eyes still trained on the road.
"Meg?" My stomach did a flip at the mention of her name, as a memory from our last encounter hit me straight on.
"Meg…what is that suppose to mean?"
"..I don't know truthfully…he just..told me to warn you." We were sitting at a outside café, and Meg had just finished telling me about her meeting with a certain Destler employee.
"Is he hinting he's dangerous?" I lent forward, idea's already swirling around in my head.
"Christine, I don't know! I'm sorry…I just thought it would be best to do what he asked; and warn you."
"Well..this is great." I lent back, now utterly exhausted with the news. "Did he tell you anything else?" I added in fear ridden sarcasm.
"Christine…" Meg sighed, her blond hair falling out of her pony-tail. "I didn't mean for you to get ..scared..just, don't ignore it."
How can you ignore a warning? Sighing, I looked out the window, biting down the nerves. Tonight was going to be for Raoul.
"She's well. I think she's visiting her mother tonight." He nodded distractedly and pulled another right. Soon faint noises settled into the silence as we came closer to the large lighted driveway. Drawing up to the circled valet area, the Mercedes came to a halt. Trying not to gape at the enormous, elegant building before me, I allowed Raoul to walk around and pull open the door for me.
"Wow…." I managed to whisper, the spotlights lighting up the sky, fireworks exploding into coloured designs overhead.
"I know. They go all out for these things." Raoul pulled up beside me, his breath on my ear playfully. His voice was full of pride and joy as he escorted me towards the white pillars, and I couldn't blame him. I could hear music being played softly from the large columned entrance and I could feel my body relaxing from its tense stance before.
"My lady," Raoul grinned charmingly and offered his arm. Accepting it, I felt a little rush of adrenaline run through me.
Slowly, we waltzed into the grand foyer, glowing lights lighting up the dome-like ceiling.
"Raoul! It's beautiful…!" I couldn't tear my eyes from the architecture of the gorgeous building. The soft paintings spoke volumes as they shimmered from their golden frames as feverishly decorated linens draped around the richly decorated room.
"Oh, look Christine!" He pointed through the maze of people and my eyes dropped from the grand structure and onto the mass crowd of gowns and ties.
My stomach suddenly dropped.
Masks. Everywhere. I drew a sharp breath and felt my whole body brace itself to see one mask in particular, one I was dreading. The room suddenly spun as my eyes roamed over the insane amount of masked figures. In a daze, Raoul pressed on, oblivious to my discomfort, his expression full of joyful bliss.
"Mr. Chagny! Raoul, my good chap!" Rick Betram laughed, the larger man already red in the face.
"Rick! How are you?" Raoul smiled, taking out his other hand and shook Rick's.
"Ah, and the beautiful angel! Christine!" He bellowed, and somehow my mouth twisted into a smile, though my head was in a sickening current. Swallowing my increasing nausea, I greeted him.
"Rick, delighted to see you again."
"You too Christine," He smiled, his eyes running over my costume. "...You too." Flicking his eyes up to Raoul, he smiled and called over a nearby waiter and took another glass of champagne for Raoul and was in the midst of handing me one when I spoke.
"...Raoul, I just need to go the ladies room…" I looked at the crowd over his shoulder other then at his surprised expression.
"Are you alright Christine?" I looked back at him, his gaze caressed with worry.
"Yes…" I couldn't help but smile sadly. I couldn't ruin his night because of my paranoid mind, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. "I'll be back..." Turning around to face the dancing crowd ahead of me, I couldn't help but feel the room tilt. Slowly I began to move through the crowd, and I felt my stomach grew into a tighter knot. Everywhere I looked there was a mask staring at me. My mind was reeling backwards, and I felt like every muscle in my body was stiffening from fear.
"Excuse me..sorry….excuse me…" I whispered, my hands parting the crowd for me. My thoughts I noticed, had taken an alarming turn, now rushing back into the nightmare that was him. The music was now a dizzying reminder of him, the richly decorated furnishings now reminded me of him, the white pillars that stood tall, reminded me of him, everything reminded me of him.
Stress that I had been hiding for so long, the nerves that had risen when Meg had said he was dangerous, were catching up on me. I suddenly realized my vision was blurring and I cursed myself for ever leaving the safety of Raoul, but now in a smiling pool of masks.
That's when I saw it, the glimmering stars. Open French doors let in the cool summer breeze, past the dancing gowns and party guests. Starting to gain more control of my blackening thoughts, I walked faster towards my goal; outside. Away from the masked man-people. Tripping and knocking into other guests, I finally made it out of the dense crowd feeling suddenly exhausted. Stumbling over to the doors and into the breeze, I welcomed the cool air. Heaving, I grabbed the stone railing, inhaling the fresh air. Looking up, I spotted the lush grounds before me. Gardens spread out like a wild-fire and I found out I was standing on a marble terrace. Feeling the need to get away, I found my balance slowly and dragged my fingers along the railing half-heartily. Walking in a sort of daze, I let the breeze ruffle my dress and took a deep breath. The party's noise dulled behind me as I slowly walked down the marble stairs towards the radiant garden that shimmered in the moonlight.
I noticed a few couples walking past, smiling and laughing but the atmosphere had changed. It no longer felt crowded or suffocating. It felt glorious and free. No fake faces staring into you, not at you. I felt finally at peace.
That's when I heard it.
A haunting yet beautiful melody carried across the garden, twisting magically around the trees and flowers. Furrowing my brow, I started to cautiously follow the memorizing sound and before I knew what was happening, soon found myself entranced by it's passionate beauty. Never in my life had I heard anything so beautiful, something so utterly, enchantingly deep….
Images of my deceased father aroused in my mind, blindly accompanying painful memories. Slowly my memories almost became my reality as it came to life in my eyes, and yet I was still walking through the now growing maze of hedges. It was like the music, the violin, was digging up everything I used to be and drawing me closer to its dream, to it's player.
I alarm bells rung in my head but were drowned out by the melody that played tricks on my logical thoughts. I didn't want to think about the past, yet I found myself lost in it, lost in the melody that was twisting my past in it's hands, and it was fruitless to stop it.
Soon I couldn't stop myself from following it, for I was past the point of thinking anything logically or thinking of anything for that matter. All that was running through my veins and mind was the sweet music. Then, as clear as glass, came the purest sound I had ever heard. An angel's voice.
XXX
"Has Christine returned yet?" Rick asked Raoul as he joined him again after talking to another client. He took a swig of his champagne and looked out into the waltzing crowd. Raoul stared at him for a moment, then blinked his blue eyes towards the dizzying crowd himself.
"..No..she hasn't returned." Raoul ran a hand through his hair, worry lines caressing his brow as he let out a breath.
"No..?"
"I don't know where she could have gone... She said she would come back." Raoul took a swift look over the swirling crowd again and sighed. "I just hope she isn't lost.."
"Lost. ... In a ballroom?" Rick snorted, his cheeks red and his green eyes slightly glazed over.
"It is-" He sighed once again, closing his eyes.. "Maybe I should go look for her." Before he could excuse himself though, a man in a black tuxedo walked over to the pair and smiled as he removed his golden mask.
"You must be Mr. Chagny! Excellent to have finally meet you. I'm Chris Roche, head of corporate services." The man extended his hand, "Can I have a quick word with you? The company would like to introduce you to our new clients. They'd be delighted to finally meet you!" The man smiled warmly and Raoul plastered on a smile reluctantly. He was starting to regret bringing Christine to the masked ball after all.
XXX
I felt like I was floating on a colourful wind that one might have found in a fantasy, so you could say I was startled when I felt stone underneath my feet unexpectedly. Though, surprisingly, all fear had left my body and I felt compelled to follow the voice and violin still. Slowly, I registered that I was being lead to the middle of a cobble-stoned courtyard. My vision was blurred with soft glazes as the night sky cast shadows around me and I didn't question the location at all. Swaying slightly with every delicate note, I slowed towards the middle, as though the music was declaring me to do so.
For that pure, righteous moment, I felt as though I was going to meet my Angel of Music. The Angel I had wished for in my dreams, the fantasy I had dreamt for months.
As though moved by an unseen force, the shadows seemed to split as a figure started to appear-- my Angel of Music.
XXX
"Mr. Chagny, these are my good friends from our new big clients." The man continued as they stood together in a collaborating circle. Raoul nodded to the group, ready to reassure his company's business.
"I'm delighted to meet you all."
"Mr. Tello, from Richardson Inc.," The other droned on as Raoul shoke the man's hand. Mr. Rouche continued to go down the line as Raoul continued to greet them all.
"And finally, our newest, and biggest client coming into our partnership…"
XXX
I barely registered that the figure was coming closer to me, yet I knew I would never forget it. My eyes were entranced by his voice that seemed to paint pictures around me, as though a flowing river. Though, as oddly enough, the music still played, though the figure carried no instrument. My entire mind, body and soul was spellbound.
XXX
"-Elissa Kurs, from Destler Communications." The man finished as the group applauded. The young women smile modestly and came forward to shake Raoul's hand.
Suddenly something clicked in Raoul's mind with a devastating crash.
Destler Communications. Destler Communications.Destler Communications.
Staring at his hand that was now shaking with one of the enemy, Raoul's mind went horribly blank except the gnawing worry that was seeping through him. Suddenly everything clicked, and suddenly his was at lost.
"Christine.."
XXX
The voice continued to blow around me in a refreshing current, and I was half-consciously aware that the music had stopped in reality but was still living in my soul.
Then I noticed he had taken my hand and we were slowly moving to the music still in mind. The Angel was bringing me into the dream that was him.
And I allowed him to do it.
XXX
To be Continued
A/N: Second part next time (which is quicker then this update, I assure you). Thanks guys for not giving up on me! And I would like to thank all who reviewed! Thank you guys! Also, a shout out to story alerts and fav.'s. They mean so much to me! Hm, it would seem that we have a deceiving angel on our hands. What will happen next chapter? ;)
Thanks again, and R&R!
PS. The song used is a really good song if you guys wanted to check it out. : ) The chorus is really beautiful.
.heart.angel.93