Sorry it took a little longer than usual to get this chapter up. Blame my stupid writer's block. But today it finally broke, so today I present to you this chapter! Oh, also shoutout to jaclyntaylor0504 and roselisa. And, angeliastar, you were right ;) Enjoy!

Chapter 9: 3 Months Later

While the Opera Populaire was shut down, the managers announced that, on New Years, they would be holding a masquerade ball to celebrate the reopening. After this announcement, Erik concocted a plan. He wouldn't tell me what he was planning. All he would say was, "Just wait and see..."

Well, how am I supposed to see if I'm going to be there?

Well, needless to say, I was going after all.

The day of the masquerade, Erik and I had been reading in the sitting room, when he got out of his chair and made his way over to where I was sitting, holding out his hand. "Come with me."

I didn't know what he was up to, but I took his hand anyways. He led me to his room where something was standing upright, covered by a sheet. He grabbed the sheet and pulled it off, revealing a mannequin. On it was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. It was a deep red with a beautiful black pattern on the bodice, the skirt cascading down from my waist. What amazed me even more, though, was the fact that the head of the mannequin bore my face, right down to the last detail. You could have thought it was me, it was so lifelike and real.

"Am I to assume that this is for me?" I asked sarcastically, still in awe, my gaze never leaving the face of the mannequin.

"Hmm," I heard behind me. "It's your measurements, your face. So yes, I would say that it's yours."

"It's beautiful, Erik." I said, walking up to the dress. "What's the occasion?"

"I would have thought that you would remember the masquerade tonight."

I looked at him in shock. "You mean I can go?"

"Well, of course. I did say that you would find out my plan if you attended."

I ran up to Erik and hugged him. "Oh, thank you! Wait," I said. "Don't I need a mask? It is a masquerade after all and I don't think your masks would fit me very well."

"Ah," he exclaimed, his finger pointing upwards. "I do seem to have forgotten about that little detail. Oh, what's this?" Then, out of thin air, a mask appeared in his hand. It was black with the same pattern on the dress, only in red. It was as breathtaking as the dress.

"Oh, Erik. Thank you so much." I said as I hugged him again.

He held me just as tight, then pulled away. "You need to get ready. Madame Giry will be down here in an hour to collect you." He took the dress off the mannequin and handed it to me. "Go on."

After I was washed up, made up, and in my dress, I grabbed my mask and made my way out of my room. I was pretty proud with how everything turned out: my makeup was great, my hair was in perfect waves, cascading over my shoulders. I looked good.

When I entered the sitting room where Erik was, I saw that he was turned away from me. I cleared my throat and he turned to me, taking in my appearance. I saw his eyes slightly widen. I was suddenly nervous under his gaze. "How do I look?"

"Words cannot describe how beautiful you look, Sabrina. Absolutely stunning." he said softly , slowly making his way towards me. I blushed as he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear and took my mask from my hand. "You will be the belle of the ball." he said as he tied my mask around my face.

He looked into my eyes as he finished, and I could swear I had never felt as I had before when I looked into his deep blue eyes. I felt the world around me stop, my heart also ceasing to beat. Everything just felt frozen and... right.

All too soon, the alarm went off, signaling that Madame Giry was near. We pulled away from each other as she entered the lair. She spotted me and clasped her hands over her chest. "Oh Sabrina, you look absolutely beautiful!" she exclaimed.

I curtsied. "Thank you, Madame."

"Well, we best be going. We don't want to be late. Are you ready, Sabrina?"

I took a deep breath. "As ready as I'll ever be, I suppose." I looked back to Erik. "So I guess I'll see you there?"

"Yes, you will." he said as he gently took my hand, pressing it against his lips. "Have fun." He then turned and went into his room.

I slowly went to follow after Madame Giry. She smiled at me and led me to the awaiting masquerade.

As we entered the ball, my senses were on high alert. Everyone was staring at me and I definitely didn't like it, not to mention I wasn't used to being around so many people.

"They're all staring at me," I whispered to Madame Giry.

She just rolled her eyes and smiled at me. "Child, if you could see yourself, you would be staring, as well. Now go on and have some fun." she said as she gave me a gentle push forward.

I looked back at her, then went on to observe everything around me. The elaborate costumes, the glittering decorations, the great music. Everything around me was so beautiful. Then I saw them: Christine and the man from the roof. They weren't wearing masks, so I could easily see their faces. The man looked so familiar. He reminded me of the little Vicomte that I was a...

Wait...no...

It can't be.

Then I saw Christine's mouth shape say his name. So it was true. Christine was in love with the man I was whipped for as a child: Raoul de Chagny.

As this realization hit me, the music took a haunting turn only one man could have the capability to write. Erik was here.

I looked up at the top of the staircase, only to find him in an outfit the same color of red as mine. He wore his sword on his hip and was carrying a leather mask was veiny, giving off the look of a skull. I instantly knew what he was dreassed as. He was Red Death, stalking abroad. He began making his way down the stairs.

"Why so silent, good monsieurs?

Did you think that I had left you for good?

Have you missed me, good monsieurs?

I have written you an opera,

Here I bring the finished score,

Don Juan Triumphant!"

He threw the leather folder and drew his sword in the same fluid motion. What in the world was he doing? I knew he was writing the opera - heck, I helped him write some of it - but I didn't think this was how he was going to present it. Always one for the dramatic flair, I thought.

He went on to tell Carlotta to learn how to act, Piangi that as the lead he needed to lose some weight, and the managers to stay in their office and not the arts.

"As for our star,

Miss Christine Daae..."

Now came the heart-wrenching part. He was going to start fawning over her again. i made my way to leave, then decided to stay. Maybe something interesting would happen.

"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..."

At that point, as they were gazing at each other, I made my leave. As I entered the nearest tunnel, I heard a commotion coming from the ball. I didn't know what happened, nor did I want to know. Knowing my luck, Erik probably took Christine and was taking her to the lair this instant.

I reached the lair to find it empty. I went into my room and changed out of my dress into my dressing gown. I took my mask off to find that makeup was running down my face, unaware that I had been crying.

As I washed my face and readied myself for bed, I heard the alarm, followed by footsteps. I assumed it was Madame Giry. "I'm sorry I left like that, Madame. I just couldn't stay there anymore. I'm sure you understand."

A much deeper voice answered me. "Actually, I don't." I whirled around to find Erik walking towards me. "Care to explain?"

I made something up quickly. "After all the fun I had up there, I was absolutely exhausted. I was on my way to bed as you walked in."

"Oh, really?" he asked. I nodded. "Hmm, interesting. Because I could have sworn that it was in the opposite direction as you were walking."

Shoot... I thought. "Uh..."

"Sabrina, is there something bothering you?" he asked me, concern showing on his face.

"Nope, nothing at all." I said a little too quickly."Goodnight."

I quickly walked past him, going into my room. As I shut the door, I leaned against it, sighing heavily. How was I ever going to make it if Erik did end up with Christine in the end?

The song used is Why So Silent? from Phantom of the Opera. I do not own it. That privilege is held by the one and only Andrew Lloyd Webber.