= (RE - EDITED IN CHAPTER NINE!) =

inujisan – Wouldn't you melt if Erik used that beautiful voice on you? But me, oh my! It is so alluring! (Grabs a paper fan and starts to fan away her blush away)

Lou – Nice way to hide a blush Bam.

Bam – Thank you Lou. But yes, she has been there longer then the current managers. She knows how to keep the theatre occupants happy and to keep the damages down to a minimum!

SexyKnickers – Thank you so much! I am very glad you are enjoying this far and hope you enjoy this chapter.

Lou – Strawberry cream filled éclair for you my dear!

I made it extra long since I haven't posted anything in a while. Thank you for the reviews you guys!

Once I reached home, I had Mary go prepare me a bath so I could get ready for the Masquerade. My home was empty; Ruth and Andrew left a few days prior after my confession to Andrew. Ruth was retching violently in the morning and headed home in Munich with Andrew. I think Ruth might have her first child earlier then she thought. I headed up to my room to set my outfit for the party.

I found a gold and white gown from a little boutique shop a few streets down from the opera house. The skirt was white with some of the golden corset draping over skirt only a quarter of the skirt with a white ribbon tied at the waist. A mask lay on top of the dress, it was a golden wood color with dark gold lining around the eyes. Musical stanzas lay beneath and on top of the eyes with musical notes within the stanzas. It could tied around my face in comfort and wouldn't leave a red marks on my face from wearing too long.

"Fräulein Barrett? Your bath is ready; just call one of the maids if you need help with your hair." I nodded, "thank you Mary. You and Randall are dismissed for the night, enjoy your evening with Randall." She blushed red and closed the door quickly. I chuckled and went to soak in the bath for a while. I stripped quickly and laid in the tub while I was deep in thought.

Erik would be probably down in his home composing as usually and I would have to chatter and waltz with potential benefactors. I think I will leave when the clock strikes eleven o'clock, still have to go to work. Who knows?

My hands started pruning and I decided to get out and get ready, I called Bijou into the room to help me with my hair. Once I shimmed into the dress, I sat at my vanity and told her what I wanted to do my hair. She nodded and gave me some ideas on how some things should be.

After a while, I had long sausage curls pulled back with my bangs curled. My lips were painted crimson red with a faint blush around my exposed cheeks; I slipped on my mask and I marveled how it felt like the good old days. "Ah Bijou! You made me feel like the Prima Donna!" She handed me my white feathered fan, I thanked her and gave her the rest of the night off for a reward; my heels waited at the front door for me. I slipped them on and headed out the door before glancing at the family coat of arms. I sighed in defeat headed into my carriage. Luke helped me in and drove the carriage through the gate and into the city of Paris.

While Anna started to think her own thoughts, my excitement of the Masquerade was high! Here I was, in an elegant dress that I could describe as a princess gown! It wasn't Halloween and I was dressed up, though it was New Year's Eve! Though I can't imagine what it would like… Hey what was that?

Anna had a thought and it showed a man and her in the mirror looking happy as he put on a ruby necklace around her neck. The man was whispering in her as she giggled as he breath tickled the shell of her ear... It kind of scared me, Anna laughing... He pecked his lips with her, until the memory shattered once Anna winced at it. "What ever did I see in that man?" Anna muttered to herself, as she came out of thoughts when the carriage jolted to a stop.

The door open to reveal a crowd and red carpet that led to the entrance of the theatre. Luke offered me his hand to help down, I took it gladly, knowing I would probably trip I didn't. As soon as my feet were planted on the ground, we went back to the driver's seat and took off. The crowd outside were waiting and laughing with each other until their friends arrived. I walked to the entrance to be amazed at the inside.

It was so beautiful! Deep reds, blacks, and gold decorations littered the foyer. Chamber music was being played on a balcony on the second floor, waiters walking around with champagne and little finger food. While masked men and women waltzed past me; different flashes of color passed my eyes. Laughter and chatter almost covered the music, two men walked up to me in the guise of a ram and rooster. Their masks were lifted up to see that it was the managers; each took a turn and kissed my hand.

"Welcome to our Masquerade mademoiselle, we hope you enjoy yourself." Both bowed before I laughed, "Moncharmin and Richard, you would never greet me in no manner! Though it's a pleasure to see you both. Though if I look that different, then maybe my costume is too good!" I walked away and started to enjoy the wine. I was asked to dance a couple of times, while I chattered on how we could use more funding for our opera house and compliment on how they were graceful on their feet.

I saw blond hair bob up and down in a kind of panicked way. I craned my neck to see Christina in a Domino mask; it looked like she was trying to find someone. I excused myself from a group of women to go talk to her. I grabbed her arm and pulled her to the side in an empty hallway. She gasped and tried to squirm out of my grasp, "let me go!" I let go and turned her towards me, "Christina, it's me! Mademoiselle Barrett!"

She calmed down and sighed a breath of relief. I knew Erik must have gotten to her, he tried to woo her down in his home and it ended not as he planned. "Oh Mademoiselle Barrett you scared me! I was looking for… Someone." I rolled my eyes from behind my mask, "you were looking for the Vicomte. There is no need to lie to me Christina." She looked flustered and was trying to ask how I knew that. "Your lover was asking me on how you were doing and asking me why you would be acting like this." I chuckled, "he has some protective issues and is trying to find ways on to sway you."

She laughed nervously, and then looked side to side. "You believe that the Phantom is real, don't you Mademoiselle Barrett?" I nodded, "yes I do. I have seen the damage he has done to the theatre. But please, call me Anna." She explained to her problem, and felt for her. She didn't want to upset her teacher, but she loves the Vicomte.

I began to feel for the girl, she only viewed the man who taught her to sing as a teacher, not a lover. Unshed tears began to gather in her eyes, "Mein lieber*, don't cry. You are at a party and you don't want the Vicomte to see like this no?" She shook her head no, I smiled, "come here." I hugged her to me, "if you need someone to listen, I will be glad to listen."

There appeared another Domino, exactly like Christina's except that girly blond mustache that showed on his lip. I let her go to him and went back to the party to see a man in a Red Death costume let go of a clown's wrist. Death's head showed from beneath the wide brim hat and followed the young couple to the roof before looking in my eyes. He had some rage in them, but they soften as they took in my form. He followed them up the staircase with the flourish of his long cape.

I saw the portly figure of a certain reporter stalking the hallways, trying every door. I growled mentally myself and silently walked behind the man since he wasn't facing me. The man was there when the chandelier fell and now he's back here to annoy the hell out of me. I grabbed him by shoulder and pulled him back a bit so he fell onto the floor. His black mask covered his face, but he wasn't wearing his glasses. He had on the waiter's outfit so he could easily blend into the party without suspicion.

He looked up to see I wasn't in the mood to play. "Mlle. Barrett, how good to see you again. I see your looking rather well." He got back on his feet, "I was wondering if I could a review from the infamous Berlin prima donna that is know as Fräulein Anna Barrett." I felt Anna's heart clenched in fear and pain, she was feeling cornered and scared as the man in front of her probably knew her past.

He looked at me, knowing he had the right person in front of his beady eyes. "Fräulein Barrett had a spectacular career. She had the best voice in Germany, she had men that wanted her, women that envied her, and what did she do with all that? She chucked it away for a man that is named Warren Helmer and he ended her career just by having her fall in love with him; only to have him stab her in the back by putting his fiancé in her place as prima donna."

Anna was feeling an over emotional melt down and touched her cheeks, streams of tears were pouring out of each eye in agony of betrayal. She started to run in the opposite direction, only to hit a crimson clad chest. She looked up to see it was Erik, for his amber eyes, showed the same torment she was feeling. She wailed into his chest while the Phantom was hesitant on where to put his hand. He settled on her shoulders and pulled her close, he shot a menacing glare over her head at the fat reporter. "If you ever come close to her again or even breathe in her direction, you will found dead in the alley. Now if I were you, I would leave now or you would regret for what you did."

He left as fast as his fat legs could carry him. As soon as we were alone, he spoke up again. "I believe it would be best if you came home with me tonight, I already informed your driver and that everything is settled. We are both upset and it won't be good if either of returned to the party in our state. Now come on my masked melody, its best if we got some rest."

He pushed aside a tapestry to reveal a mirror; he triggered a button that looked like a brick. He ushered me into the dark, with his gold eyes leading the way to his home.

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Lou – Strawberry cream filled éclairs for everyone!