Chapter 10

"Think of it, a secret engagement," I said softly, playing with the gorgeous diamond ring that was on a long silver chain that was around my neck. I looked down, seeing a beautiful, flowing pink gown and I had a mask in my hand. I looked around and smiled brightly. I was back. I was back in the Opera House and during a masquerade ball. I turned and I saw...

Raoul. Or Drake. Or...whatever.

Whoa. Talk about awkard, and yet I smiled. Why was I thinking, 'This is not the person I want to be engaged to?' I don't know, but I continued talking anyway.

"Look: your future bride. Just think of it."

"But why is it a secret? What have we to hide? You promised me," he asked in a hushed voice, stopping and turning me to him. Slowly, he leaned down to kiss me.

All of a sudden, I felt a chill go down my spine, getting the feeling that I was being watched. Not by the many people at the ball.

The Phantom.

I pulled away, putting my fingers to his lips.

"No, Raoul, please don't. They'll see."

"Well, then, let them see. It's an engagement, not a crime. Christine, what are you afraid of?"

"Let's not agrue. Please pretend that you will understand in time."

"I can only hope that I will understand in time."

Those last words that he spoke stung me. He smiled, pulling me out onto the dance floor and beginning to dance with me. It was an amazing party. Everyone looked so nice, even Madame Giry, who looked like she had just come from Japan. I couldn't help but join the members of the Opera House as they began to sing.

Masquerade,

Paper faces on parade,

Masquerade.

Hide your face so the world will never find you.

Masquerade,

Every face a different shade,

Masquerade.

Look around,

There's another mask behind you.

Masquerade,

Burning glances, turning heads.

Masquerade,

Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you.

Masquerade,

Grinning yellows,

Spinning reds,

Masquerade.

Take your fill,

Let the spectacle astound you.

I went back and rejoined Raoul, smiling as everyone sang and danced as the confetti began to fall from the ceiling. I kissed his cheek, leaning into him. Then, the lights dimmed and everyone froze. Everyone turned to the stairs and the ballroom erupted in surprised gasps. There was a man, dressed in a vibrant red and gold suit with a red cape and a white mask that covered all of his face except for his lower jaw and mouth, make up as black as night around his icy, threatening, blue-green eyes. It was him.

The Phantom of the Opera had returned.

He slowly made his way down the stairs, looking around as everyone cleared a path for him, afraid of what he might do if they didn't.

"Why so silent, good monsieurs," he asked, looking out at the crowd, his voice booming, just as it always was as he continued to walk. "Did you think that I had left you for good? Have you missed me, good monsiuers? I have written you an opera! Here, I bring the finished score: Don Juan Triumphante!"

"I'll be back," Raoul whispered, patting my back lightly, then ran off.

I nodded slightly as I watched Erik throw a black satchel down to the floor, music spilling out of the black leather bag.

He drew his sword quickly, speaking again. "Fondest greetings to you all. A few instructions just before rehearsals start. Carlotta must be taught to act, not her normal trick of strutting 'round the stage."

He rustled the green, fluffy feather on top of Carlotta's head with his sword. Piangi stepped forward, preparing to defend his lady. Erik pointed his sword at him, the fat man halting his approach and gazing up at the Phantom's dangerous eyes. Erik shook his head warningly, as if to say, 'I wouldn't do that if I were you.'

Smoothly, he continued. "Our Don Juan must lose some weight. It's not healthy for a man of Piangi's age, and my managers must learn that their place is in an office, not the arts!"

The Phantom strolled over to Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre, waving his sword for emphasis as he spoke. Then, he pointed the tip of his blade at both of them threateningly. Finally, he turned to me, a small, yet devilish smile on his face. I swallowed, watching him. He brought his hand up and beckoned me with his index finger. As I began to slowly walk toward him, he began to speak again.

"As for our star, Miss Christine Daae...no doubt she'll do her best. It's true, her voice is good. She knows, though, should she wish to excel, she has much still to learn. If pride will let her return to me, her teacher...her teacher," Erik declared, pointing to himself rather proudly. Suddenly, his voice softened as he spoke the last few words, as if they were just now settling in.

I soon found myself, standing on the stairs with him in front of me. It seemed that time had stood still and there was so much that I wanted to say. Why did you leave? Why are you back? Don't you know that you are and always will be my angel? Didn't you know that I love you?

Whoa. Wait. I love him? Well...did I?

He looked down at the ring around my neck, grabbing it gently.

"Your chains are still mine," he yelled, yanking and breaking the silver chain that held my ring that was now in his hand. "You belong to me!"

Without another word, the floor dropped beneath him and he disappeared as everyone screamed. Raoul went after him as the managers came and grabbed me to keep me from following them. But they didn't know that I had my own way down.

After all of the excitment had died down for the night, I slid my mirror open and stepped into the passageway, slowly closing the mirror behind me. I made my way down into the catacombs, being careful of where I stepped. Once I got to the lake, something inside was telling me to turn around, that Erik didn't want to see me, but I wanted to see him. I needed to see him, and ask him why he came back. The opera that he had written was not the only reason. There was something more.

Once I got across the lake, I stepped out of the boat and walked towards where his bedroom was. The lair hadn't changed much. There was still music everywhere and the mirrors that he had were still covered to hide the reflection of his scarred face. On the piano bench sat the musical box, the melody playing softly as the monkey clapped the small cymbols together. I smiled softly as I listened to it, realizing that it was the same song that we sang that night. I began walking towards the bedroom, wondering where he could've gone. I turned a corner and I saw him, his mask off, removing the black make up that he was wearing at the ball.

"Erik," I called softly, taking a small step inside.

He jumped at my voice, hurriedly putting the mask back on and standing up quickly, turning to look at me.

"What are you doing here," he demanded, coming over to me.

Before I could reply, I looked at his eyes, which had rings around them. It made him look like a raccoon. I smiled softly, trying not to laugh.

"What are you smiling about," he growled, looking down at me.

"Uh...you have rings around your eyes," I said, which was followed by a soft giggle.

He growled, going back to his desk, trying to clean his eyes without taking his mask off.

"Would you mind if I helped you," I asked, going over to him.

"Go away!" he yelled at me, then went back to trying to clean himself up.

I shook my head, kneeling in front of him and pulling his mask off, revealing his scarred face.

"Are you insane?!" he yelled, trying to get his mask back, but I threw behind me, holding him down as he tried to lunge for it.

"No. I just want to help you," I said sternly, getting a bench and sitting down, turning his face to me as I began to wipe his face off, gently.

"Why are you here," he asked, his tone more gentle now.

"Why did you come back," I asked, continuing to wipe his face.

"I...I never really left," he replied softly, closing his eyes so I could get the rest of the make up off.

"Have you been down here for three months and you didn't even bother to come to me?"

"You were always with him."

"He has a name.

"So do all of the other animals in the world."

I took a deep breath, continuing to clean his face off.

"You never answered my question," he said, placing his hand over mine.

"I came back for my ring."

He smirked. "Well, I am not giving it back."

"And why not?" I asked, finishing.

"Because you still belong to me," he replied, standing up.

"Well, what if I came back to you?"

He looked down at me, stunned. But then, he smiled softly.

"I would be very happy, Christine, and you would get your ring back," he said, going over and picking up his mask, putting it back on.

"Well...when will I see you again?"

"Sometime soon," he said, walking back over to me, taking my hand and kissing it.

I smiled, looking at him. "So I'm not going to get my ring back, am I?"

"Not yet."