AN: sorry if you had trouble reviewing because it said that you had reviewed the last chapter before. I deleted the chapter that wasn't really a chapter so it changed up all the numbers past 8. My apologies again.
The REAL Chapter 13.
Erik had been battling in his mind about whether or not he would actually break Christine and Chagny up. From what he had seen, this extremely lucky boy was quite possessive of Christine and very protective too. Also from what he had seen, Chagny had no interest whatsoever in other women. He was nice to waitresses but not overly so, and he never looked at another woman except when he had to speak to them. That's why it would be difficult to buy that Chagny had cheated. Difficult, but not impossible.
Why does he have to be so damn perfect? Doesn't he have any flaws?
No matter how many times Erik forced himself to follow Christine on her outings with Raoul (usually outdoor ones where he wouldn't be discovered as easily) he only found more irritating perfection. Thankfully for Erik's eyes, they weren't the most passionate of couples but there was light affection here and there.
With every lesson he had with Christine, she was friendly but sort of distantly guarded. Erik had to make more of a professional show of himself—she couldn't know of his feelings until HE had gone.
After a few more torturously business-like lessons, Erik finally decided to do it.
"Hello this is 'For Your Entertainment' services how may we help you this evening", a cool female voice answered the phone in a purr.
"Well it's not actually for me, it's for my friend…see I'm bringing him a surprise bachelor party…can you do that?", Erik asked, trying not to snicker like a mischievous child as he held the payphone to his ear.
"Of course we can. What type of girls is your friend into?"
"Oh every sort. The more exotic and wild, the better." he replied smoothly. "Bring at LEAST two."
"Exotic and wild is our specialty", the girl on the other line giggled. "Are you sure you don't want any amusement for yourself, honey?"
"Nah I have a girl, thanks. How much will this cost?"
"Around $7,000."
Erik grinned even wider. Chagny was going to pay—literally.
"My friend will pay every cent, and possibly more. He's rich…", Erik hinted. "You might know where he lives: the Chagny Estate."
The girl gasped.
"Are you talking about Mr. Henry de Chagny or his son?"
"His son of course."
Oh our girls have only dreamed of getting him…we'll be there by ten tonight—"
"Wait uh can you postpone it until tomorrow at eight? He won't be home until then…", Erik quickly covered. He could almost hear the girl nod.
"Sure."
"Thanks so much", he said, then hung up, pausing a moment before laughing with triumph.
I only wish I could watch…
//////////
She's going to be so thrilled.., Raoul thought as he gazed at the small velvet box in his palm. His house was already lit with candles, the housemaid preparing a caviar dinner with wine. Everything was absolutely perfect. NOTHING could ruin this night for him.
The doorbell rang.
"Bit early for Christine to show up…", he murmured to himself, puzzled, as he made his way to the door. Once he opened it, his jaw dropped in horror and disbelief.
There stood three women—one blonde, one black, and one Asian, all scantily clad.
"Hey baby the party's arrived.", the blonde said, smiling smugly as she invited herself in. The others followed, purposely brushing past him and giving him suggestive winks.
"W-what? Wait a minute…how the hell…", stammered Raoul, starting to panic. As the girls made themselves at home on the leather sofa, he demanded what was going on.
"Your friend sent us for your bachelor party.", the Asian replied, adjusting her tight black and red corset.
"Bachelor party? I'm not getting married! I was planning on proposing TONIGHT! And WHAT friend?!", he exploded. The black girl chose to answer these questions casually.
"Your friend told us you were", she shrugged. "And we don't know his name he just said that you needed some lovin'."
"So…let us give it to you.", the blonde purred, slightly leaning on him and trailing her long nails down his chest. The other two stood and surrounded him as well, and as he was pushing them away, the doorbell rang again.
"Oh God."
Struggling to get away, Raoul finally opened the door to see who he had previously been dying to see and now dreaded.
"Christine—I swear, this is NOT what it looks like…I have no idea who said I had a bachelor party but I promise it wasn't me…", he choked, all three girls tugging and hanging onto him.
All Christine could do was stare in shock, going pale. It felt like her life just shattered into a million pieces—her boyfriend of three years and friend since childhood had betrayed her.
Assuming that Christine was another prostitute, the black woman looked her up and down and tsk-ed.
"You're late.", she snapped, still pulling at Raoul to come back inside. Yet again trying to push them off him, he gave Christine his most apologetic and pleading look. She only staggered back, still staring before finally turning her back on the sight and running away in tears.
After shouting after Christine in vain and prying the women off him at last, Raoul let himself be alone to cry as well.
/////
Christine had to walk all the way down the estates long winding driveway since the taxi had already left. And it was an extremely long way to the road—so she called Meg to pick her up. When she got to the street, Christine was still crying a little, though not sobbing anymore. It only took a few minutes of torture with her own thoughts before Meg pulled up.
"You poor thing…get in", the blonde sighed, looking down at the emotional wreck on the curb. Trying to get herself together, Christine climbed in the Jeep and began to tell her story.
//////
She should be showing up anytime now…,Erik thought, sitting on the bench outside Christine's apartment. As he waited, he noticed a pattern in his techniques in winning her.
I stole her dog the "rescued" it, I ruined her relationship, now I'm going to comfort her about it…and hopefully replace him with myself…
Just as he was beginning to feel guilty about hurting the girl, a red Jeep pulled up and Christine stepped out, looking weak and quite upset. Immediately, Erik got into character, appearing surprised at her condition.
"What happened?", he asked, standing from the bench as Christine approached the door. She looked at him dully at first but then in confusion.
"Why are you here?"
Crap. Think, Erik, think…
"Good place to perform—but I'm just resting right now.", he quickly lied. "So…why are you back so early?"
Erik tried his best to look genuine as Christine stepped closer, sniffling and shaking her head.
"Did…did something happen with Raoul?", he urged, feeling more guilty than ever as she nodded.
"I-I can't believe it…it's completely not like him to do something like this…if-if Raoul ever hurt me then he's not even Raoul anymore…", she stuttered, then her voice grew stronger and she made eye contact with Erik. "He cheated on me. With three women. At one time! Three whores at his house when I showed…"
Then she broke down, and Erik took the liberty of gently holding her in a comforting embrace. The guilt was more prominent, but the pride in his results was stronger.
"Wow…oh Christine, I'm so sorry…that's awful..", he sighted sympathetically, but his heart swelled when she leaned on him, quietly crying into his shirt. Eventually, she pulled away, her now puffy eyes moving to the door.
"Will you come in with me? I don't want to be alone after…that.", she said. She looked at him with such a pitiful expression, Erik doubted anyone could resist accepting her.
"Of course", he replied understandingly as he followed her inside. In his mind, he was whooping with triumph by the time the two were greeted by a yipping Thunder. Kneeling, Christine cuddled the huge dog as Erik stretched out on the reclining sofa. Both girl and dog joined him there soon enough.
"Want to get your mind off things? Like um…I don't know, watching a movie or T.V or something…", he trailed off awkwardly, eyes flickering. She nodded and smiled weakly.
"What I want right now is…ice cream. That is what girls do when we're sad, after all."
Erik smiled as well and Christine got up and headed to the kitchen, pausing a moment.
"Do you want some too? Or a drink or anything?", she offered. He nodded gratefully.
"Sure I'll take some ice cream too thanks."
"I only have chocolate", she added warningly, but he only grinned wider.
"I love chocolate."
Christine pushed a curl behind her ear, holding back a small chuckle as she disappeared into the kitchen. As he waited, he stroked the mutt who was now resting on his lap.
Good memories with you boy. But all my extra tips from your "singing" just went to feeding you!, he thought teasingly, as if Thunder could hear him. Hey, maybe he could…