The 'Other Man'

Erik watched from afar as Christine brought orders out to various cars. He was watching from a different car today, since she'd already seen the previous one. This one was Nadir's.

It had been two days since he'd last spoken to her. Two long, lonely days... It seemed Christine was working many days a week, for this was her fifth straight. Today she was working a night shift.

Erik did not like that very much. Night held many dangers. I being one of them. The masked man's favorite time was at night. It was when he could blend in. It was when he could almost feel like a normal man.

But Erik did not wish that for Christine. In fact, he was almost certain she loved the daylight. He sensed it by her sweet innocence.

And so, being that he was so closely affiliated with darkness, he was taking it upon himself to protect her from it. He would just have to watch her carefully, which was no problem for Erik. It would be his duty and desire.

Christine was pretty tired, which wasn't too abnormal since it was her fifth day on the job. Come on, Christine, you've got to do this for the rest of the summer. Straighten up! It was going on midnight, and she was more than ready to leave. No cars were around.

Well, there was one. Actually.. That green car has been there for a while now, hasn't it? Christine shrugged, and her thoughts returned to wanting to leave.

Marie was wiping counters. She'd left Christine to do the sweeping. When the middle-aged woman looked over to see how she was doing, she stopped wiping. "Earth to Christine.."

Christine's head shot towards her co-worker, who had recently become a shift manager. She hadn't swept anything. "I'm sorry. My thoughts were on other things, I guess."

"Honey, your thoughts are always on other things." She laughed. "But don't worry, so are mine. You've just gotta learn to work and think." She watched as the young brunette grinned. "You'll get the hang of it."

The guy in the back who cooked the fried foods, Billy, stepped into their area, Windex and paper towel in hand. "Ah, but nobody's as good as me when it comes to thinking and working. I've got so many things running through my mind, but I handle it. Don't I, Ms. Marie?" He chuckled.

"Billy, I told you not to call me 'Ms.'. I swear, do it again and you're fired!"

Billy just laughed and said, "Sure.." before returning to his work.

Christine could only laugh at the two of them. She couldn't wait to become more comfortable with the job. Then, maybe she would have fun.

Thirty minutes later, the lights were turned off and the three exited the little building. Christine glanced at the green car that was still there. "Hey, is that car one of yours?" she asked Marie and Billy.

"Hell no. You think I'd drive something that nice?" Billy asked while admiring the car.

"Nope," Marie said, in answer to both questions.

"Well, it's been here for a long time. I wonder why.." They began walking towards it.

"Well, maybe it's just one of those situations where the person fell asleep after eating or something," Marie said with a shrug.

Billy grinned. "Want me to get the person to leave?"

Marie shook her head. "No, just let whoever it is sleep."

Billy looked at Christine and she shrugged. Really, she was so tired that she didn't care who it was. They walked past the car and towards their own.

Erik waited for his love to get in her car, start it, and begin driving before beginning to follow. Actually, he'd better let her have a bit of a head start so as not to make himself look suspicious. After all, he knew where her apartment was thanks to protecting her.

As he followed, a smooth sensual song played from the car's CD player and Erik hummed along, his eyes always on her car. I wonder what music she's listening to? He wondered so many things.

He wished to know everything about her. Nothing could be known while things were going as they were. Soon, Erik. Soon.

Once close enough to her apartment, Erik dejectedly turned right onto a road to return to the mansion. I cannot risk her recognizing this car. She does not need to think she has.. a stalker.

Really, though, that was exactly what he was becoming.

After her six-day stretch, Christine finally got a nice two-day break from work and spent the time catching up with her father. While cooking them dinner, she asked, "How's the construction coming along? I haven't really taken the time to check on it."

Gary was sitting at the table waiting for dinner. "It's really coming along now, sweetheart. Mr. Delozier knew exactly what he was talking about when he mentioned this construction company. They're diligent and fast."

"That's great, Dad! I can't wait until we can move in." She brought their meals to the table.

"I feel the same way."

"Mama V would be so happy, don't you think?" Christine smiled sadly remembering her grandmother.

"Yes, I do believe she would be." Gary knew how close Christine had been to her grandmother. She was the mother Christine never had.

Gary Daae never did get married again. He never even tried dating. His heart belonged with Beth, his wife forever and always. But, his heart also belonged with his daughter. It was odd how, at one moment, he could be horribly depressed by the loss of his wife and the next be full of joy due to Christine. His daughter could always get him out of the worst of moods.

"So, Dad, do you think it's time to sing?" Christine winked at him with a grin on her face while taking their dishes to the sink.

Her father smiled. "You haven't asked to sing with me in a while, Christine. Why now?"

"I just feel like it, that's all. Come on, let's go to the piano." It had been a tradition of theirs when she was younger. Her father would play piano and Christine would sing. They'd perform their favorite songs for hours.

And so, for the next two hours, they got lost in the joys of music.

Christine arrived for her night shift early. There weren't many people in the parking lot today. It made her happy.

"Hey, Chris. How are ya?" Marie greeted.

"I'm great! And you?"

Marie blinked at Christine's enthusiasm"Great, huh? Let's see what you say two hours from now.. All in all, I'm ok."

Christine made some small talk with her coworkers, and then it was time to start her seven hour shift.

Things were going normally and the parking lot was getting more and more crowded as the 'dinner rush' began. Christine took orders and ran them out. Marie thought she was getting pretty good at it.

Three and a half hours passed quickly, which Christine was very pleased about. I'm thinking it's about time for my fifteen minute break.. She smiled at the thought.

Taking out one more order, her thoughts were on her coming break.

Christine approached a truck with a fond smile. Mama V used to own a truck. "Hello," she greeted when she was close enough to the driver's side window. It was at that moment that time seemed to freeze.

"Christine?" It was Raoul, a guy she had gone to high school with.

"Raoul!" She felt foolish exclaiming his name, but she couldn't help it. Back in high school, she'd had a slight crush on him, but so did everyone else.

"It's really to see you again, Christine." To her utmost surprise, he opened the truck's door, hopped out, took his order from her, and gave her a hug.

"It's good to see you, too. How have you been?"

"I've been good."

It looked like he was going to continue speaking, but Christine stopped him before he could. "Hold on. I was planning on taking my fifteen soon, so let me go in and tell my boss. Then we can catch up." She smiled.

Raoul handed her money for his order and Christine rushed inside. What a nice surprise! No wonder I've been in such a good mood.

Erik arrived at Sonic at 8:00 that night more than ready to see his love. The past two days had been excruciating. He decided to use yet another car he owned tonight.

Christine was working, much to his luck.

My precious angel.. She looks so happy, he thought, and her happiness made him happy.

He parked in one of the spaces a little farther down from the building and sat listening to some classical music while keeping his full attention on Christine as she performed her duties. He could stare at her for all eternity and never grow bored..

It was about thirty minutes later when something unusual happened.

His angel looked surprised while standing beside a rather ugly red truck. And then she smiled, as if it was a good surprise. Erik wondered what was so 'good' about it..

Then, the most horrifying picture was displayed before Erik's eyes. A boy got out of the truck. He got out and… hugged Christine!

NO!

Erik nearly threw open the car door and Punjabbed him. He had to literally clench his steering wheel to stop himself. His eyes found Christine's face again. She looked to be so happy.

I've never seen that look before.. She has never gazed at me before. That thought tore his heart in two.

But, wait! She is leaving! He watched as Christine walked, well, no, practically ran inside. What did he do to her? Eyes full of hatred, he glared at the boy who was still standing outside the hideous truck.

His eyes swiftly moved to the right again. Christine was going back to the boy! Erik gasped. No, no, no! He watched Christine get in the passenger's seat of the boy's truck. His knuckles were white as he squeezed the steering wheel tighter

Frantic tears came to his eyes. Erik looked at his hands, back at the truck, and back at his hands. What could they be doing in there? Damn them! Damn them, damn them! Insolent boy! I am the only person who deserves her! No one else! Feeling his rage heighten even further, he knew he would commit murder if he stayed any longer. Mind reeling, he angrily drove away.

"Wow, so you're working here now. At the busy Sonic." Raoul was a little amused by it.

"Yeah, it's not so bad. I get free food." She smiled. "Although, I probably shouldn't eat too much of the free food." She laughed.

Raoul just continued to watch her. She was so beautiful. Even more so than she was in high school.

"You alright?" She eyed him curiously.

He blinked. "Sorry. It's just.. you look great, Christine. You really do."

She could only blush and say, "Thank you."

They continued to talk of memories and the present. Christine told him about her first year of college, and Raoul told her about his. They were having a great time. She hadn't spent time with anyone her age all summer. This was nice.

All too soon, though, Christine's fifteen minute break ended. "Darn, I have to get back to work."

Raoul couldn't let her get away so easily. He knew he had to see her again. "Um, I was wondering.. Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?"

She looked up from her watch with a very surprised look on her face. "Really? Yeah, that'd be great!"

"Or breakfast, or lunch? Sometime when you're off," he laughed

"Yeah, that sounds good."

"Great! I still have your number in my phone, so I'll call you if that's ok."

Christine couldn't help but smile. "It's more than ok."

They said their goodbyes, Raoul giving her another hug, and Christine returned to work. She was in an even better mood now.

Erik stood in his office pacing. "How dare they! Ruining my plans! Destroying them!" He was talking to himself again…

Suddenly, he stopped. It looks as though I have competition. I've never lost a fight...

Erik smirked and laughed maliciously while rubbing his hands together.