Hello! Thanks to those who reviewed last time, they are so amazing! Anyways here ya go, enjoy :)
**Still don't own phantom :(**
Christine POV
The lobby of the Opera House was practically empty except for a few maids cleaning and the occasional worker walking in and out of the entrance.
I was waiting for Raoul. It was fifteen minutes after the time he wished to meet and I felt silly just standing in the lobby looking like I had no purpose being there.
I wished at least Meg would join me while I waited for Raoul so I could have someone to keep me company, but she was busy practicing the dance we learned. Meg was lots of help getting me ready though. She had pulled my hair back for me halfway getting my hair out of my face but leaving some curls to rest on my back. And I wore the purple dress she picked out that my angel had given to me.
I didn't want to dress up so fancy but Meg insisted. She kept calling it a date no matter how many times I told her otherwise. I said to her we were just going as friends and that Raoul wouldn't date me. But she kept on with her argument; saying the tone of his voice and the way he worded it when he asked me suggested it was more than a friendly dinner.
Then I saw the doors to the opera house open and it wasn't just a worker, it was Raoul.
"Christine! I'm sorry I'm late, please forgive me." Raoul said this as he walked over to me and kissed my hand.
"It's alright Raoul, I didn't mind."
"Good, than shall we be going?"
"Of course."
Raoul then took me to his carriage and we sat next to each other. I had only the slight rocking if the carriage and the sound of horse hoofs to take my mind off of what Meg had said about Raoul taking me on a date. I didn't know how much I liked that thought.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Raoul's eyes gazing at me. He moved them up and down my body making me feel uncomfortable and causing all of my muscles to tighten up and become motionless. I wished I had worn a different dress, one with a higher neckline and maybe even not as pretty. I didn't want Raoul's eyes on me the way they were.
"I have all the confidence in the world that you are going to enjoy the restaurant I'm taking you to."
"I'm sure it will be lovely, Raoul."
"Just as you are, Christine. You look very stunning this evening; like you always do." When Raoul said this my face went red and I looked straight in front of me so he wouldn't see me blush. I hoped that that comment didn't just confirm what Meg had been preaching to me all evening.
I wished that I was no longer in the carriage. It was so confined and I could almost feel Raoul's stares. I wanted out. I wanted to be with Meg...or even my angel of music, taking lessons. Upon remembering my angel I went numb. Our lessons were always at six in the evening. I had only an hour to eat with Raoul and come back. I didn't want to be late in fear my angel would drop me as a student but I also didn't want to be rude and rush Raoul.
I decided to push it out of my mind and just be careful about watching the time. There was no use thinking about it too hard anyways, it would only stress me out causing me to maybe even bother Raoul about it and I wanted him to have a nice time.
It seemed like a better idea to focus on letting Raoul know I was going with him only as friends anyways. I didn't want him feeling free to advance to making some moves on me...not that I could picture him doing that, but I didn't want to take a chance; especially since he called me stunning.
"Christine, are you ok? The carriage has been stopped now for a few minutes. And you haven't responded to me when I was talking to you."
"Oh I'm very sorry. I guess I just have lots in my mind."
"Well we are here, so just try to relax and forget about whatever it is on your mind and enjoy the night."
"Alright Raoul, I will."
Raoul then helped me out if the carriage and escorted me, my arm wrapped in his, into a very extravagant building with dim candles, beautiful wooden tables and paintings. There were also flowers on every table. I had never even stepped foot in a place like this before in my life because of the lack of money my papa and I had. I felt my jaw drop slightly at the atmosphere and Raoul smiled at me with sparkling eyes. He had a nice smile; it reminded me of our childhood together. He still had the same smile.
I couldn't help but smile back at him and when I did that he took his arm away from mine and grabbed my hand. I felt my stomach turn circles I was a little uncomfortable, I shouldn't be letting him do that...it would give him the wrong message; but did I maybe perhaps like it? I wasn't sure.
A waiter led us to a table set for two. As we walked through people to get to it I noticed we were receiving glances and stares from everybody we passed. Some girls looked at me with hate. It seemed as though all girls my age except for Meg hated me. What have I done to earn it from strangers?
When we sat down we began to look at our menus. Everything was very high priced. Even the cheapest items were expensive, definitely beyond what I would be able to afford. I didn't want to eat anything here really; I would feel like too much of a burden to Raoul.
"So Christine, what would you like? I would be more than happy to order for you."
"I would just like some water and the soup."
"Are you sure Christine? Don't hesitate to get something more expensive. I don't mind."
"I'm fine thank you Raoul's, but I'm not very hungry."
"Very well then."
After we got our food I found myself not eating much. My soup was very strong tasting; I was tired of it quickly. Raoul had been making small talk which had quickly turned into a one sided conversation of him talking about himself. I enjoyed listening to him for a little bit but found my brain wandering to other things like the dance we worked on this morning or a list of all the songs I would love to learn how to sing.
The thought of singing brought my mind back to my angel. I needed to know the time; I couldn't be late for our lesson at six!
"Raoul, do you happen to have the time?" I interrupted something he was saying and I felt bad, but I needed to know.
"Uh, yes Christine; it's about ten after six." My heart stopped and it felt as though all the blood had drained from me.
"I'm so sorry, but I'm late for something very important. Could you please take me back?"
"I would be glad to; just what is it you are late for?"
"It's just very important and I needed to get back, please Raoul?" As I said that I started to get up from my chair.
"Alright, let's be on our way then."
Once we were in the carriage and moving I felt like no matter how fast the horses were taking us, it would never be quick enough.
Erik POV
I was beginning to pace back and forth. Had Christine forgotten her lesson? No probably not. Perhaps she chose not to attend. I saw her walk out of the Opera House earlier with the fop. She would rather be in his company than mine, just like any other person on this damn earth. Who would want to even be around me; a walking corpse?
I felt my heart begin to pound harder in my chest and my hands clench into fists at the thought of Christine being in the fop's presence. I had offered voice lessons! Something that was priceless and she put them aside like they meant nothing to her!
I decided to go find her, even if it meant I had to go outside...I didn't trust the man she was with. I shouldn't have just let her walk out the door with him, yes I did think she was becoming less vulnerable but she was very pretty, and small. If he decided to...I didn't want to think about it. Damn me! Damn me to hell! What if she was late because he hurt her?!
I was running through my passage ways at a frantic pace. My muscles strained with anger towards that insolent boy. If I found out he harmed Christine in any way I would personally find a way to make him regret it.
On my way to my secret exit that lead outside, I noticed Christine enter the lobby. She looked stressed as she almost Ran through the doors with the fop close behind her.
"Christine, what is so important that has caused you to be in such a rush?" The fool said to her.
"I'm really sorry Raoul, but I just have to be somewhere." After she said this he grabbed her hand causing her to stop and look at him.
"Is it something I said?" The man she called Raoul asked.
"No, not at all, I had a lovely time with you." She tried to walk off again but Raoul stood his ground and held on tight to her hand; pulling her back once again to stop and face him.
"Then what is it? You haven't even said goodbye to me yet and you're already leaving."
"Raoul, I have to go right now." Her eyebrows creased together and her body tensed up.
"Then promise me I can see you again tomorrow."
"Sure Raoul, I'll see you tomorrow." She then ran off and Raoul didn't stop her anymore. He caused Christine to be late for her lesson. I loathed him with a great passion, the way he looked at her and even said her name repulsed me. I would do my best to keep my Christine away from him.
I rushed back to the chapel and stood in the middle of the room deciding to make myself visible for when she entered. I was a little angry at her for leaving the Opera House with Raoul. I wanted to calmly let her know it was not appreciated and I figured she would take it more to heart if it were in person and I wasn't telling her from behind the wall.
When she walked through the door the stopped in place once she saw me and her eyes met mine. I noticed she had a small tear running down her cheek. My heart sank and I couldn't possibly find it in me to be angry with her anymore. It was obvious she was not happy with her decision to go with Raoul.
"Angel; I'm so glad you're here. I thought you would have left me."
"We'll it is passed your lesson time, Christine."
"Please forgive me." Another tear slowly slid down her cheek and caught the light of a candle. I felt my heart being ripped out by the tear itself. She didn't mean to miss the lesson; she wanted my presence and was afraid I had left her. I felt relief wash over me causing me to relax and push everything but Christine aside.
"I thought that maybe for this lesson you could come back down to my home and sing; if you wanted to." I felt a hot blush rise to the surface under my mask; I hoped she wouldn't say no.
"Yes, I would enjoy that very much." A smile pulled itself across Christine's lips. How I preferred it over tears.
"Very well." I put my hand out for her to grab as I said that and she took it with no hesitation.
Finally, when we entered my home I led Christine to the piano bench and only let go of her hand once she and I both sat down.
On my piano were a myriad of sheet music that my hands shifted through until I found a particular song I had in mind.
"Here, sing this." I handed her the parchment and she studied it closely.
I began to play the chords and harmony while I watched her facial expressions as she skimmed the notes on the page. Her eyes were focused and moving left to right following the music and her mouth was wording some of the lyrics until she at last began to sing.
"Think of me,
think of me fondly,
when we've said
goodbye.
Remember me
once in a while
please promise me
you'll try."
Her voice lifted me away from my God forsaken life and carried me to a place without darkness. Every pitch of her voice smothered me causing me to drown in its sweetness. I could feel my heart move with the rise and fall of the notes. I, a disgusting gargoyle did not deserve such a luxury. I was in heaven.
"Then you'll find that
once again you long
To take your heart back
and be free;
If you'll ever find a moment
Spare a thought for me"
Christine's voice brought a sweetness to the aria that Carlotta never had. Carlotta was never actually in tune to begin with, but Christine, she hit every pitch perfectly and was one with the music.
Once she hit the last note with all the power her petite body could give, she closed her eyes and breathed heavily. The dress I made for her rising and falling as I struck the last chords.
Christine then looked at me and we both made eye contact for what seemed like hours. Her eyes were a pure blue that grabbed mine and wouldn't let them look anywhere else.
Soon her eyes wandered down my body and I could feel their penetration work a path across my chest and torso. Then she quickly looked back up and her cheeks were blushing red.
"Christine, you sang beautifully. We just need to work on your posture."
"Can you tell? I'm somewhat soar from dancing and it's a little difficult to sing properly. I'm sorry to waste your time with such a foolish flaw Angel, I'll do better from now on."
"Nonsense. I could run you a warm bath to relax your muscles."
"That sounds absolutely splendid!" Her smile returned and her eyes beamed.
"This way then, my child."
I brought her to the bathroom and ran warm water as she stood behind me and watched. I then placed some hair oils and soap on the edge if the tub.
"Here you are, help yourself to anything you need in here."
I then bowed my head slightly and exited the room. I sat down in my throne like chair with a book and read in front of my living room fire. When I was about halfway through the first page I could hear a small splash of water coming from the bathroom. I assumed she had gotten in the water now.
I couldn't help but picture images of Christine step into the tub, her bare skin meeting the water. I tried to push it away from my thoughts quickly though, It was wrong to think in such a way. She was just my pupil. Besides, why even provoke such thoughts when she would never be anything more. My face would forbid it.
Soon I heard the doorknob turn to the bathroom turn and I looked back and saw Christine look at me in shock. She had only a thin towel wrapped around her torso leaving her bare legs on display. Her hair was still dripping wet with water…
So I kinda made an attempt at leaving you hanging until the next chapter; I'm not sure if it was really all that what will happen next kinda thing. And hope it didn't weird yall out…
I will try to update very very soon though, especially since I'm no longer in school! :D
So please review, you're an angel if you do and anything you have to say- good or bad is wonderful :)