Umm sorry that i haven't updated in a while, i just had my first case of writer's block. i hope that you all can forgive me! (if i still have any readers) personally i don't like how i wrote this chapter but i don't know how else i could. don't forget to review!

-Isabella-

(Third Person)

Gabrielle hesitated for a brief moment before entering her home, shutting the door on the setting sun, which was barely above the horizon.

She had been exploring the Opera House all day, trying to find the familiar face that was now covered by a black mask, trying to find those light grey eyes that were both entrancing and honest.

Gabrielle was sure that the figure she had seen was, in fact the boy that vanished while touring the Opera House all those years ago when she was staying at the orphanage.

The boy she had always been entranced by, who was purely misunderstood and nothing more.

"Gabrielle!" exclaimed Christine as she came into the foyer. Gabrielle looked up to see her Aunt walking towards her. "Yes Aunt?" said Gabrielle. Christine let out a sigh of relief. "I am so glad that you are ok!" she said, pulling Gabrielle into an embrace.

She pulled back "and please do call me Christine instead of Aunt" Christine said with a small smile on her lips. "Of course Christine" replied Gabrielle.

A serious look now formed on the former Prima Donna's face. "Did anything… strange happen while you were there?" she said quietly.

Gabrielle shook her head, deciding not to tell her about the masked man she had seen this morning.

Christine gave another relieved sigh before gently taking Gabrielle's hand and leading her to the dining room.

"Where is Uncle?" said Gabrielle as both she and Christine sat down, waiting for their dinner. "He shall be home soon" Christine replied, placing her hands on her lap. At that moment, dinner was served.

"How is Gaston?" said Christine, trying to make conversation while she paused from her meal. "He is well enough" Gabrielle replied, beginning to pick at her food and did not eat anything, save a piece of bread.

Christine sighed. Gabrielle was never really fond of Gaston; Christine could see it in her eyes. The only times Christine saw pure joy on Gabrielle's face was when she sung.

Christine had taught her niece everything she knew about singing, often giving her lessons. Christine knew she would never be as good at teaching as he was. Christine let her thoughts trail off.

She truly missed her Angel, her Erik. She hastily pushed the thoughts aside as Raoul came into the room.

His eyes swept over the two women sitting down. He gave Christine a quick peck on the cheek and sat opposite Gabrielle. Gabrielle looked down at her plate, poking her food absentmindedly with her fork as her uncle studied her expression.

Christine sighed as she looked at the two of them; the resemblance between them was uncanny.

Gabrielle quietly excused herself and retreated to her room.

Raoul looked at Christine. "Did anything happen?" he asked quietly. Christine shook her head. Relief washed over him, he had feared the worst for his niece. "I should go talk to her" said Christine. She quietly stood up and made her way to Gabrielle's room.

Hesitantly, she knocked on the door before opening it to find Gabrielle lying on the bed staring up at the ceiling, a blank expression plastered onto her face. She briefly acknowledged her Aunt's presence before turning her head to look at the ceiling again; Christine sighed. "Gabrielle" she said, waiting for the young lady's attention. Gabrielle reluctantly sat up and faced Christine.

"Is there anything wrong?" said Gabrielle.

Christine sighed "Gabrielle is there something you want to tell me? I mean you were awfully quiet at dinner and you barley touched your foo-" Gabrielle cut her off "I assure you every thing is fine, I just have a lot on my mind at the moment" she said defensively, her voice rising in annoyance.

She gave her Aunt an Apologetic look "I am sorry, forgive me for my sudden out burst" said Gabrielle quietly.

Her Aunt nodded. Gabrielle continued "would you mind if I spent another day at the Opera? I find it most intriguing…" Christine bit her lip before speaking "I guess you can, as long as you never are alone and are extremely careful".

She gave her a reassuring smile "Good night Gabrielle" and with that she left her niece's room, shutting the door quietly behind her.

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The sun's rays quietly crept over the room, illuminating the sleeping figure curled up in bed.

Her light hair fanned out across the ivory pillows. Gabrielle began to stir and gradually opened her eyes, studying her surroundings before sitting up.

She reluctantly pulled back the sheets and stood up, trying to steady herself when the maid came in to see if her mistress was awake.

"Good Morning, would you like me to help you with your corset Miss?" she inquired. Gabrielle quietly nodded.

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When she finished her breakfast, Gabrielle eagerly walked to the carriage outside, the shallow snow crunching under her feet.

During her journey she began to hum, temporarily soothing her excitement but humming wasn't going to keep her calm as she stepped out of the warm carriage, onto the cold Parisian street and walked purposefully to the large doors of the grand Opera House before her.

As she was about to enter, the wind picked up suddenly and snow began to fall gently.

She gladly went through the doors and welcomed the sudden warmth with open arms, though she kept her coat on. She needed to get to the Manager's Office to inform Gaston of her presence.

Unsure of which way to go, she hesitantly asked a passing Ballerina. As soon as she had given directions to Gabrielle, the Ballerina looked awfully distressed.

"What is wrong?" Gabrielle asked. "I must go, I am already late for rehearsals" she said hurriedly and with that she ran out of sight.

Puzzled slightly, Gabrielle followed the Ballerina's instructions, leading through many dark parts of the Opera House.

After half an hour she was beginning to tire and had the feeling that she wasn't anywhere near the manager's office, looking at her surroundings, it defiantly proved that.

She found a few old props lying around, probably used in past productions. Gabrielle gave a sigh and sat down on the ground, near a large papier-mâché elephant, she knew it was un-lady like but no one was in sight and she was far too tired to care.

She was beginning to doze off when a voice whispered in her ear.

"Are you lost?"

Gabrielle jumped at the sound she looked beside, finding no one there. She shook her head and began to doze off again when she felt something brush over her back. She gave a loud yelp and jumped up from the ground.

A gloved hand clamped over her mouth, urging her to be quiet. After much thrashing, she reluctantly became quiet and still.

"That's better" the voice said, letting go. Gabrielle wheeled around to see two grey eyes staring back. Right in front of her was a masked man, but it was not his mask that caught her attention.

His steel grey eyes were soft and unusually kind. Gabrielle barley reached up to his shoulder in height. She gawked at him.

"I am the Opera Ghost" said the man. Gabrielle shook her head "no you are not; you're that boy, from the orphanage" she whispered quietly.

There was a brief flash of anger in his eyes. Gabrielle frowned. "You remember me?" he asked, cocking his head to one side slightly.

Gabrielle nodded. "But I do not remember your name" she said. He sighed, "Christian, my name is Christian" he said reluctantly.

"Do you remember me?" said Gabrielle. He smiled slightly "of course, I mean you were the only one who did not flee in terror at the sight of me"

She gave a modest blush. Christian looked shocked slightly but quickly composed himself. He did not think of that statement as a compliment.

"Mademoiselle what on earth possessed you to come down here?" he asked curiously.

"Down where?" said Gabrielle. He gave a short laugh "To the third cellar of course!"

"The third cellar?" she repeated. "Yes the third cellar, it is where you and I are standing right now" He said impatiently "Now answer my question".

"I was merely touring the Opera House" she said carelessly

Christian raised his eyebrow. Gabrielle sighed.

"Alright, I was looking for the manager's office and I guess I got slightly lost." She admitted.

While Christian trying to make a decision on what he should do, Gabrielle noticed it becoming colder, she hugged her coat closer to her and gave a slight shudder.

"I shall show you the way to the manager's office" said Christian "But tell no one of our meeting, in fact forget me altogether. It is better for both of us" the last sentence he mumbled mostly to himself, this troubled Gabrielle.

They walked in complete silence. Christian was merely staring ahead, a slight frown on his lips. Gabrielle could not help stare, he was as mesmerising now as he was five years ago if not more.

After an immeasurable amount of time, Christian stopped "This is where I take my leave. The manager's office is the door in front of you" He bowed slightly and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Gabrielle exclaimed. He stiffened at the sound of her voice but did not turn to face her.

"Thank you" she whispered quietly. He nodded once and disappeared into the shadows.

She slowly entered the office. Gaston looked up from the most recent note from the infamous Opera Ghost to see Gabrielle shut the door quietly behind her.

"Hello my dear" he said smiling. "I did not expect you here today" he walked cheerfully over to his fiancé and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Gabrielle remained silent due to the fact she was still registering her encounter with Christian.

"I did not mean to trouble you but I just love the Opera House so much" She gave a weak smile. "You are most welcome here darling!" he said, lifting her chin up. An idea popped into her head.

"My darling Gaston I was wondering if there are any bed rooms I could stay in for a few nights" she said sweetly, she was determined to find Christian again. "Are you sure your Aunt and Uncle will allow it?" he asked in a polite tone.

Gabrielle nodded "I'm sure they would be fine with it" he looked at her "I'll see what I can do".

"Thank you" she said, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

She hurried out into the snow towards the carriage. A new feeling was starting to bloom within her, even though she didn't know it.

A pair of steel grey eyes watched as the young woman stepped into the carriage.

Gabrielle

I hope you reader's liked this chapter better than i did and hopefully i will update faster!

all i can say is review!