I do not own any of the characters from The Phantom of the Opera, although I do rather enjoy borrowing them from time to time.
A/N Howdy all,
thanks for making the trip over here to A very
heartfelt thanks for all of your emails showing your support through
the last few difficult days. I was really touched by your caring
thoughts. Now it's time to put it all
in the past and continue where we left off. Let me know what you
think in your reviews. Also, since this site doesn't have a story
alert system, I will be emailing out an alert with each chapter
update. So if you would like to be added to the list, please email
me at – ToryD
Beta – MJMod Chapter 10 Christine squinted
against the early morning sun as she crossed the expansive lawn
towards the servant's entrance of the main house. Pushing open the
door she was met with the curious stares
of the other staff members of Erik's household. Marie looked up from
her clipboard as Christine walked quietly into the large kitchen.
"Ms. Daae, you are late. I expect you to be here at precisely six
every morning for the daily agenda," Marie said in a censorious
tone. Christine felt as
though she were back in Mrs. Weber's second grade class where she
was often called out in front of her fellow students for tardiness. "My apologies,"
Christine murmured as she passed the stern-faced Marie. "Just take a seat,"
Marie said with a deep sigh. Christine slid into an
empty seat next to a young blond woman who offered her a small
sympathetic smile. "As I was saying,
the guests will be arriving at four this
afternoon, so we must have all of the guest rooms in order for
inspection by two," Marie informed the staff as she checked off one
of her many notation. "Mr. Dessler informed me that he is
expecting thirty guests, so it is imperative that all of you be on
hand to assist during the duration of the weekend." Marie looked
up over the rim of her glasses and stared directly at Christine.
"Ms. Daae, as per your contract you will be excused for Sunday
afternoon," she stated with her irritation clearly written across
her disapproving face. Christine felt a
heated flush to her cheeks as the entire staffed turned affronted
looks towards her at her special treatment. "Joseph, do you have
everything in order?" Marie asked as her pen hovered over the
endless checklist. Caught unprepared for
Marie's question, Joseph straightened
up in his chair as he abruptly pulled his leering gaze away from
Christine's breasts. "Uh…we're
ready, Ms. Daae finished up the course
yesterday," he said with a smug look. Christine cringed
inwardly at the sound of her name on his wet protruding lips. How
in the hell am I going to make it through the next four years,
she thought to herself in despair. Marie frowned at the
disturbing look she saw in Joseph's eyes before he answered her
question. "Good, then Ms. Daae will assist with the kitchen
preparations," Marie instructed as she checked off another item on
her list. "That is all for now," she announced as she turned on
her heel and headed towards her office. The sound of several
chairs scraping the tile floor ensued as the twenty plus staff
members dispersed to go about their
assigned duties. The pretty blond woman
Christine was seated next to stood and offered her hand as she
introduced herself. "I'm Meg, I work here in the kitchen," she
said in a sweet voice that was the first sign of welcome that
Christine had received since her arrival. Christine took Meg's
soft hand in hers and returned the introduction. "Christine Daae.
And I guess I am to be working in the stables." Meg gave Christine an
uneasy smile. "Yes, I heard that you were to be working with
Joseph," she said carefully which caused an unsettling feeling in
the pit of Christine's stomach. "Why do you say it
like that?" Christine asked with a sinking feeling. Sighing deeply, Meg
proceeded to warn the newest member to the Dessler staff. "Well,
it's just that he has a bit of a reputation, umm…" she paused
as she sought to choose her words carefully. "I just think that
you need to be on your guard. Try not to be alone with him if you
can help it," she finished as she turned to walk towards the sink.
"Do you want some coffee?" she asked in a cheery voice that
rivaled the noonday sun. "Thank you,"
Christine said as she digested the vague warning. "There are some
muffins over there if you're hungry," Meg said as she picked up a
large knife and began slicing several stalks of celery. Taking one of the
offered muffin's Christine returned to the long table and resumed
her previous seat. "How long have you worked for Eri…Mr.
Dessler," Christine asked as she observed the efficient slicing
action of her co-worker. "I have been here
for two years," Meg said as she transferred the chopped celery into
a large pot. "It's a great place to work, or at least is usually
is," Meg said in a gossipy tone. Christine looked up
sharply at the strange comment. "Has something happened recently
to change that?" Christine asked as she took a long drink of her
coffee. "Well," Meg said
in a slightly excited tone as she walked quickly towards the table.
"Mr. Dessler has been so angry lately." Christine tried to
keep a blank face as her heart began to race in her chest at the
mention of Erik's anger. "Angry?" She asked with a questioning
look. "Yes! For about
three weeks now. He is usually a great boss, easy to get along with,
but now," Meg paused dramatically as she recalled the
unpleasantness of the last few weeks. "I guess I really can't
blame him with all that he has been through with the shooting and
all." Christine's face
paled at the mention of her father's death. Meg frowned as she
took in the flash of pain that crossed Christine's face. "Are
you all right?" she asked as she reached out and placed a
comforting hand upon Christine's arm. Blinking rapidly at
the threatening tears, Christine pasted a brave smile on her face.
"Yes, I'm fine. If you will just show me what you need me to do
to help," Christine said shakily as she stood to put an end to the
painful conversation. Meg sat for a second
as the realization of Christine's identity hit her like a ton of
bricks. Christine Daae, Charles Daae, this was the daughter of the
man who was shot. "I'm so sorry, Christine," she said in a
soft sympathetic tone that cut through the thin veil that had housed
Christine's fragile emotions. Silent tears fell down
Christine's pale cheeks as she allowed herself this one moment to
feel the pain that she had so carefully banked down over the last few
weeks. Meg stood and crossed
to stand in front of Christine. "Do you want to talk about it
Christine," she offered in a compassionate voice. Shaking her head,
Christine tried to recover her lapse of emotion. "No, thank you.
I just need to stay busy. So if you will just show me what I can do
to help," she said as she wiped at her offending tears. Meg nodded her head
sadly, "Well you can start on these carrots," she said as she
pointed towards a large stack of fresh carrots. Taking a deep breath
Christine headed off in the direction of her assigned task, thinking
that if she could just keep breathing she would survive this; she
just needed to keep breathing. SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Erik sat staring at
his computer screen as he listened to Marie's update on this
weekend's plans. What had seemed such a good idea only a week ago,
now seemed to be a torture of his own creation. What had he been
thinking inviting thirty of Christine's peers for a weekend filled
with situations designed to embarrass her? "Raoul Chancy will
be arriving later this evening in time for cocktails," Marie
informed her boss. Erik felt a heated
flush upon his skin at the mention of Christine's former boyfriend.
He remembered the first time he read that name in his surveillance
reports on Christine. He felt the same overwhelming rage fill the
pit in his stomach. Clenching his hands into tight fists, he tried
to get his anger under control. "Anything else?" he asked in a
chipped manner that caused Marie to glance up sharply from her notes. "No, nothing
important," Marie said cautiously. Erik shifted
restlessly in his chair. Knowing that he shouldn't but unable to
stop himself he asked about Christine. "Did Christine do well on
her first day?" he asked with a false sense of disinterest. Marie looked at Erik
with a keen speculation alight in her knowing eyes. "Yes, Joseph
said that she was able to fertilize the entire course yesterday,"
Marie informed her tense employer. "IN ONE DAY?" he
bellowed as he jumped up from his tall leather chair. "In that
heat? What the hell was Joseph thinking?" he demanded in an anger
filled voice. Erik began to pace the length of his study at an
agitated pace. "She is not used to such hard labor. She could
have gotten heat stroke." Marie watched with
concerned eyes, as Erik wrestled between his love for Christine and
his thirst for revenge. "Erik, she is fine. I just left her
downstairs. She is scheduled for kitchen duty today," Marie
explained gently. Erik closed his eyes
against the thought of any harm coming to her. "I don't want her
hurt Marie," he said in a stilted voice that spoke of his deep
emotion. "I will make sure no
harm comes to her Erik," she offered reassuringly only to think of
the threat that Joseph could possibly pose. Inhaling a deep breath
he resumed his seat and turned his attention back to Marie, "I know
that this doesn't make much sense to you, but it is just something
I need to do," he said in a hollow tone that caused Marie's heart
to break for the tortured man. "Erik, I knew your
mother for many years, and I don't think that she would approve of
what you are doing," Marie said with a concerned tone. Erik let his head fall
into his hands as he took in the truth of Marie's words. "I know
you're right, but God help me, I just
can't stop," he said in a pain-filled voice that served to
justify Marie's distress. Rising she walked over
to the man who had accomplished so much in his life. "Erik," she
called to him. "I want you to listen carefully to the question I
am going to ask and then consider well before you answer. What do
you foresee when these four years have passed? Will you simply let
her walk away?" Marie asked gently. Erik felt an
all-encompassing alarm fill him at the prospect of losing Christine
forever, for she had been his sole purpose for living these past
fifteen years. What would become of them in four years time? Could
he simply let her slip from his grasp? His thoughts filled with
unanswerable questions as he felt the utter helplessness that was of
his own making. Looking up into Marie's wrinkled face,
he saw her sadness reflected for his untenable situation. Seeing the tortured
look in Erik's overly bright eyes, she instinctively knew the
answers to her questions. He would never be able to part with her,
not after four years, not after forty. For this poor man loved
Christine to the very depths of his soul. With a deep sigh, she
leaned down and kissed his once scarred forehead. "I'll have one
of the girls bring you some coffee," she said as she made her way
towards the door. As she closed the door softly behind her she
considered what she could do to help her poor Erik, as this current
situation was set to end in pain for all involved. Everything hinges
on Christine, she thought to herself as she pushed open the heavy
kitchen door. Seeing Christine stirring a boiling pot at the stove
she devised a plan to see if there was any possibility of a future
between Erik and Christine. With so much past hurt and betrayals on
both sides, one would almost certainly conclude that the answer would
be a resounding no, but some indefinable intuition pushed Marie to
ponder the slight possibility that there still might be a small
chance for healing. "Ms. Daae," she
called out. Christine turned from
her boiling pot of potatoes to look at the intimidating Mrs. Giry.
"Yes Mrs. Giry?" she replied politely. "Mr. Dessler would
like his coffee served now. Meg will
show you how to prepare his tray," Marie said in an absent manner
as she crossed the room towards her office. Christine felt her
heartbeat quicken at the thought of coming face to face with Erik. Meg reached up and
retrieved an exquisite silver serving tray. Placing a single service
of china on the tray, Meg proceeded to explain how Erik liked his
coffee. "One teaspoon of sugar and just a drop of milk." Once the tray was
prepared, Meg directed Christine through the massive foyer to a long
Persian carpeted hallway. "Third door on your left is his study.
Be sure to knock and await his invitation before you enter the room,"
Meg advised. Nodding Christine
balanced the tray as she made her way down the long hall alone.
Lifting her hand, she knocked lightly upon the doors hand carved
polished surface. "Come in," Erik's
strong voice called out. Christine pushed open
the door and kept her eyes trained upon the tray, as if she were too
timid to look at the face of her employer. Erik felt as though
someone had punched him in his stomach at the sight of Christine so
humbled before him. "Christine," her name was torn from his lips
in an anguished tone. Christine unable to
help herself looked up into Erik's pain-filled green eyes, and for
one short moment in time, she was transported back to when she was
loved by the very man who stood before her now. Erik rushed to her
side and took the heavy tray from her hands. Christine felt her
breath catch at the brush of Erik's strong fingers across her hand. Looking at the pink
hue to her face, Erik reached out to trace a light finger along her
sun burnt cheek. "Do you have any ointment to put on your burn?"
he questioned in a concerned tone. Unable to speak,
Christine merely shook her head. Frowning, Erik felt
the full weight of his guilt settle around him. "Christine, I…"
he began only to stop as words failed him. Christine looked up
into his anxious eyes and wished that she could turn back to
a time when there was only love between them. Erik looked into her
sorrow-filled eyes and slowly leaned down to take her lips in a soft,
lingering kiss. Christine closed her
eyes as she allowed Erik to once again claim her heart as he had so
many years ago. As Erik threaded his
fingers in her hair, Christine leaned into his hard body, seeking his
warmth as though she had just come in from the cold. Erik's seeking
tongue played lightly against Christine's parted lips before he
delved in to taste all of her sweetness. As he held her tightly
against him, he knew that there would never be a woman to stir his
passion as Christine. She was his one love, his very soul mate that
he was destined to spend the rest of his life with. Christine felt as if
she were flying amongst the clouds as Erik kissed her with a
thoroughness that was his alone. Moaning softly she met his seeking
tongue with her own, savoring the sweet sensual taste that was only
her Erik. "WHERE IS MY POOKY
BEAR?" a heavily accented female voice boomed throughout the
mansion. Erik silently cursed
Chantelle's timing as he reluctantly released Christine from his
embrace. Christine stumbled
back from Erik as she pressed a trembling fingers against her
kiss-swollen lips. "Christine,
we need to have a talk," Erik began as the door was thrust open
to admit an
oppressive scent of strong French perfume. "Pooky Bear,"
Chantelle cooed as she crossed the room. As she drew near she thrust
her little black poodle towards the unprepared Christine. Christine quickly took
the wiggling little dog in her arms as she watched the petite woman
throw herself into Erik's unwelcoming arms. "Why you no pick me
up at airport? Why you only send car for me?" Chantelle pouted in
her heavily accented English as she plastered herself well-crafted
breast against Erik's arm. Christine watched with
a piercing pain in her heart. The undeniable realization that
Erik had once again toyed with her emotions in his all-consuming
thirst for revenge hit her with unerring precision. And stupid fool
that she was, she fell unthinkingly into his arms, as though she was
his very own puppet to do with as he wished. Closing her eyes
against the painful sight, she lowered her head to brush her cheek
gently against the soft black fur of the little dog she held. Erik, who hadn't
taken his eyes off of Christine, saw that she was fighting to retain
some semblance of her composure. "Christine," he called to her
softly. Christine bit her
bottom lip to try to stem the flow of ready tears that had filled her
eyes. Only wanting to get away from the sight of Erik's reunion
with his beautiful mistress, Christine decided to take on her role of
servant. "Will you be needing anything else Mr. Dessler?" she
questioned woodenly as she looked towards the ground. Erik gave Christine a
beseeching look that went unnoticed. Wanting nothing more to haul
her into his protective embrace, he knew that this situation was
becoming unbearable for all involved. "No, thank you Christine.""
he said resignedly. "Wait," Chantelle
called out in a well practiced commanding fashion. "My little
Ramón needs a walk, and get chef to make him steak. I
am sure that he is hungry after long trip." Christine turned on
her heel and left as quickly as she could with little Ramon tucked
under one arm. Once she reached the door, she couldn't stop
herself from steeling one last glimpse of the vibrant redhead that
was still cooing softly into Erik's handsome face. With a feeling
of self-disgust, Christine shut the door on the sight of her once
loving Erik. She shut the door on all of the beautiful memories of a
past love that was now forever lost. But most of all, Christine shut
the door on all the love she once held in her heart, for now there
was only a cold dark emptiness.