Funnygirl00, I'm sorry that that's the only reason you're reading this story. I'll see what I can do to make it a tad more interesting, yes? And if there's any spelling or grammatical errors in here, please tell me, because I hate it when I do that! Anyway, onward and upward with things.

Raoul took me shopping the very next morning, a Thursday. I bought two frilly dresses, one was a forest green with a black lace trim and sleeves, and the other was a pale yellow with white lace trim around the bodice and sleeves. I personally preferred my forest green one, but Raoul liked the yellow one best, so I got it, too. He took me out to lunch at a corner café, at which I had a scone and a cup of coffee. Raoul was telling me of when he visited Italy with the navy, and of the cathedrals and the older part of the city that contained the mausoleums and arenas. I was enthralled.

"And the shops, Christine! You would have loved it there. It was almost always bright and sunny and the people were so friendly. I saw something that reminded me of you, and I couldn't resist buying it," he said, rummaging around in his pocket for something.

"Raoul, you shouldn't have," I said, although I was eager to see what he would pull out. When he did, I was thrilled. It was a small velvet box. Too big for and engagement ring, I thought wryly. I opened it with reverence to see an intricate bronze bracelet that was wrought to look like one that had been made out of real flowers. "Oh, it's just like the ones you used to make for me," I murmured. The stems and leaves were of the traditional bronze color, but the petals and insides of the flowers were of their original colors with a metallic shine. I looked up from the box and smiled at Raoul gratefully.

"I could not ask for a better gift, Raoul, thank you." I gave him a heartfelt hug, taking in his musky, masculine scent. It smelled of expensive cologne with a hint of the sea. It was intoxicating.

"I'd do anything for you, Christine. Anything. Whatever you would ask of me, I'll do it gladly, and without complaint. You have but to ask." I smiled at him again.

"Thank you for the lovely time, Raoul." I slipped the bracelet onto my wrist. "But I had best get back, the sun has nearly set, and I'll be missed."

"By who? Your teacher?" the resentment in Raoul's voice was obvious, and I knew he knew that I was attracted to Erik.

"Raoul, please. I don't want this to become unpleasant." I laid my hand lightly on his forearm, attempting to have him leave it alone. He sighed.

"Very well, for you I shall. But I won't leave it to rest for long." I nodded my understanding. We walked back to the Opera house in companionable silence, and upon reaching the steps, we stood facing each other.

"Christine, may I?" I raised an eyebrow; at least he was listening to my request this time. I nodded.

"You may," I said. He leaned down towards me and our lips met. The kiss was light and tender, and I felt the enormity of Raoul's affection for me. It didn't last for long, but it was long enough. I smiled at him, placing my hands on his chest lightly. "Thank you again, Raoul," I said, stepping away towards the doors. "I'll be seeing you."

I saw him wave at me, and I chuckled, stepping inside the building, heading toward my dressing room. I was eager to put on my new dress; the forest green one. I thought that it looked better on me than the yellow one, and I knew Erik would like it. I shut the door behind me and immediately went behind my changing screen. I let the dress I was wearing drop by my ankles, while pulling the desired one out of the bag. I stepped into it and started doing it up the back before realizing I couldn't do it up all the way. I blew air out of my mouth as a horse might in frustration. I realized that the fitting lady had done up the dress for me while I was at the shop.

"Great," I muttered, sitting down. "How am I supposed to do this now?" I was extremely aggravated.

"Christine, aren't you coming down for your lesson? Or are you not feeling well?" I could hear the concern in Erik's voice as clear as day.

"No, no. I'm coming, I just can't get my dress done up all the way," I said, sighing. "Do you think you could help me?" I asked hopefully.

"Um, I suppose that I could," Erik stammered. I had to suppress a laugh at how uncomfortable he was. I made my way around the changing screen.

"It's just those three buttons, Erik," I said, trying to gesture to the ones I meant. "I just can't seem to reach them." I felt his fingers slowly put each button in its proper place, being careful not to touch my skin. I could feel the heat from his fingers, though, and a small smile touched my lips. The last one was fastened in, and I turned around to face Erik.

"Do you like it?" I asked, turning around so he could see. He nodded silently.

"Shall we go, then?" he asked. I felt a twinge of disappointment within myself because Erik didn't like my dress more, but I forced myself to shrug it off.

After the lesson was over, Erik and I did as we usually did: we sat around the fire in his den, sipping tea. Tonight we were both silent. It was the sort of silence that you wanted to break, but couldn't because it would be awkward. I stared into the fire for a long while before saying, "I need to visit Daddy." The words were out before I could stop them. "The anniversary of his death is soon, and I'd like to bring him flowers…"

"I could take you, Christine," Erik said, looking at me intently. "If you'd like me to come along, that is." I nodded enthusiastically. Having Erik come with me would be a welcome respite from the grief that always assailed me when I visited Daddy's grave. "Would it be agreeable to leave in two days time? That should give adequate time to prepare your affairs before we set off."

I nodded. "Yes, thank you, Erik." I said. I stood up to take my empty tea cup into the kitchen, and I could feel Erik watching me as I left. I came back and leaned against the doorway. "You're very generous, monsieur, and I appreciate it."

"Christine, you ought to know by know that I would do anything to make you happy." Erik stood up, teacup in hand. His porcelain mask reflected the flickering firelight, and he stood, still as a statue in his black suit.

"Yes, I know," I murmured. "I should go up and prepare my things," I said half-heartedly, not really wanting to go, but knowing I should. Erik's presence in that moment was so enigmatic; I loathed the prospect of leaving.

"Mmh," he said. Erik seemed very distant, and I wondered what was bothering him.

"Erik, is something bothering you?" I asked, stepping toward him. He seemed to step out of his reverie, and then slip right back into it as soon as he saw me. "Have I done something to upset you?" I asked, growing worried.

"No, the issue is not you, Christine," he said quietly, avoiding eye contact. I took that as "yes, Christine, I am upset at you, but I'm not going to say anything."

"Erik, please, you can tell me," I said, resting my hand on his arm. He seemed to flinch at the contact. I withdrew my hand with a hurt look on my face. "I'll leave then," I said, stepping back and turning around.

I headed out of the house, my eyes brimming with tears so that I could hardly see. I made it to the boat without incident and stepped in. I figured I could paddle while sitting down, and as such, proceeded to make my way across the lake. No, it wasn't perfect paddling, but it worked for me until I got about to the middle of the lake. I looked back, trying to see if Erik was standing on the shore. He wasn't. I steeled myself and kept paddling, but I was crying so hard that I couldn't see where I was going, and just when I knew I ought to be about on the opposite shore, I looked up to find that I was still on the lake, and an unfamiliar part of it at that.

Panic took over me then. "Erik!" I screeched, hoping beyond hope that he would hear me. I knew that the lake was vast, and I also knew that Erik knew every inch of it. I could hear my scream echo throughout the support beams, and that made me even more frightened. I took several shaky breaths and decided to stand up to get a better vantage point.

I've never been so stupid in my life.

I stood, and the boat began to wobble violently. I tried to sit down, but the sudden movement was enough to capsize the boat, and I fell into the water.

I could hear the water of the lake whooshing around me. I didn't want to open my eyes, for fear of what I would see. I could swim well enough, but my dress was so heavy that it started to make me sink. There was a moment of complete and utter horror, in which I thought:

So this is how I'm going to die.

I saw my short life flash before my eyes, and then I lost consciousness.