Finally back in town AGAIN! Haha, my summer is turning out to be a little busier than planned which is pushing my writing over to the side :( Well sorry for the delay; but here it is! I hope yall have been just as excited as me about updates.

Nothing has changed as far as me not owning anything you may recognize

Enjoy!

Christine POV

I woke up with my covers scattered around me in a jumbled mess. I was so hot and had managed to push off all my covers by tossing and turning last night. Some covers had even slipped down off my bed onto the floor.

I felt miserable. My head pounded and my face was sticky from dried tears that I had cried last night. I had gotten barely any sleep. I was awoken in the middle of the night last night to the sound of my angel…yelling? It scared me. He sounded so angry and I didn't know who he was talking to.

I heard another man's voice and a woman's…it sounded like Madam Giry's. But I doubted it was since I had no idea why she would be down here. I just sat in my bed listening to what they were saying but I couldn't figure out what their topic was. I could only hear bits jumbled and pieces at a time; not full sentences that made any sence.

It seemed like my angels voice was getting louder and louder. His tone was becoming filled with a bitterness that caused me to tremble. Why would an angel talk like that? But then a thought struck me; what if the voices in the other room with him were saying mean things to my angel? What if they were hurting him?!

When that came to my mind I had jumped out of bed and practically run down the hallway to the living room, but I stopped in the entrance of it when I saw Madam Giry was there. I didn't want her to see that I wasn't in the room with the ballerinas so I stayed silent and hidden.

The man that was sitting next to her looked very strange. I had never before seen a man with such brown eyes. His skin was an alabaster color that was very unique and beautiful, it matched his dark black hair that shined in the candle light. He looked like a person in the stories Raoul and I would read together. He was so different, perhaps he was an angel too.

"Erik, I believe Madam Giry has no clue as to what is going on, and from her point of view it worries her. She has no idea what your plans are for this Christine girl and is only looking after you both." The man said with a slight accent my ears had never witnessed before. When he said that I remember feeling my face go white with fear. Did Madam Giry know I wasn't sleeping with the other girls? I could feel my brain turning and thinking up possible reasons why she was here and what the words of that man had meant. Why were they talking bout me?

I had so many questions. But what stood out the most to me was that he called my angel Erik…was that his name in heaven? It was beautiful but I noticed every time the name was spoken he would cringe a little bit.

Madam Giry and that man finally left and it was just me and my angel. He looked anxious and I noted that his hands were restless at his sides as he began to make his way to the piano where I now stood.

"Christine. I thought you were sleeping." Some of his anger lingered in his words as they rolled off his tongue. He sounded like he was very tired.

"I was…but I heard yelling and decided to come check on you."

"I'm fine. Now go back to bed." He dismissed me sourly. But something told me not to listen…it was foolish but I didn't want to leave him because I felt he was in fact troubled by something and not telling me. I also had so many questions I knew only he had the answers to so; I denied him believing that I would not be able to sleep without the emptiness of not knowing filled.

"You don't need to worry about it, Christine. Now just go back to bed. You have rehearsals tomorrow." He said this firmly, almost ordering me to do it like he was my father and not an angel. It was shortsighted of me to ignore his request but I had to show him I was not going to be pushed away from him, so I went and sat down on his sofa. I really wanted answers so bad that it made my head hurt. I felt rude but I just knew I couldn't handle not knowing.

"Angel…is everything alright? You seem upset; maybe mad even." I was scared for him too and that was the biggest reason for my rebellion. I was terrified that he was hurting inside and not telling me. I had never seen him look so tense and…angry. I wanted to help him and was hoping that he would talk to me.

"Like I said a minute ago, I'm fine. Now please, just go to bed." He was avoiding eye contact and the tone of his voice showed he was suppressing anger; but I didn't care. I wanted answers and I wanted to help him; I wouldn't be able to have any of that from my bed.

"What did they mean when they called you Erik?" I saw rage make its home on my angels face when I asked this and immediately regretted it when I saw his breathing become harder and his hands clinch into fists.

"Christine go to bed or I will take you there myself!" His words felt like a knife in my chest…he had yelled at me, he's never raised his voice at me before or threatened such absurd things. But I could feel my heart beat hard with fear and my muscles forgot how to move when I saw him look up at me with a face that showed he would not hesitate to go through with what he just said. I wanted to run to my room, and I had every intention of doing so, but I couldn't, I had frozen in fear that only escaladed when he started to swiftly walk towards me with longs strides.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me off the sofa's soft cushions with a thrust that awoke my muscles memory on how to move. I was being dragged behind him and I found it difficult for my legs to keep up with his quick pace and stumbled over every other step.

He opened the door to my room so harshly that it swung open and hit the wall beside it which created a noise that caused me to flinch. He then yanked me around to see his masked face spilling over with indignation. His brown and blue eyes pierced into me like needles and never left my face as he grabbed my upper arms with a strength I was sure would leave bruises; and he spoke.

"Christine, when I tell you to do something, I expect you do follow through with it instead of ignoring me. Now get in bed!" He then let go of me so fast that it caused me to jerk back and stumble. He left me and slammed my door closed so hard that I was sure it would crumble into pieces and fall in a pile at the threshold. But it didn't and I was glad that it was a barrier separating me from my angel.

I tripped over my feet with weak knees to the door and locked it. Only part of my reason for doing so was to keep him out, it was mostly to remind me not to leave. I didn't want to witness anymore anger, instead I went and laid down in my bed and thought of what had just happened.

I was crying hard enough that relentless sobs shook my body and eventually caused my bones to feel sore. I knew I deserved my angel's fury for prying so hard. All I had to soothe my bleakness were angry chords coming from the piano in the living room that only encouraged more tears to escape my red eyes. I should have gone to bed the first time he told me; or better yet, I should have never left my room in the first place.

But what to do now that it was morning? I couldn't keep myself locked in my room forever; I had rehearsals. I didn't feel like attending them though. I was tired and drained from last night. I wanted nothing more than to sit at my angel's side and sing, without the memories of last night to remind me that he was furious at me. Strong regret filled every nook of my body and instead of making any effort to fix my messed up bed or get ready for the day, I surrendered to it and remained plopped down on my mattress. I wasn't comfortable but I didn't care. I would deal with it like my angel had to deal with my nagging questions last night.

Right about the time I was almost going to drift into sleep again, three gentle knocks came from my door and caused me to sit up. I opened my mouth to tell my angel on the other side to go away but my throat was throbbing from crying myself to sleep last night and all that came out was a croaky whisper I was sure couldn't be heard from behind the door.

"Christine?" I heard my angel say as I watched the brass door knob turn side to side from him trying to get in my locked room. I didn't get up to let him in or anything. I was too embarrassed to look at him after I egged him on so much that he had to drag me to my room last night. I simply hoped he would give up and leave me alone, but I should have known better.

"Christine, if you do not answer me, I am going to come in whether the door is locked or not." He didn't say it in harsh and bitter tones, but rather one that expressed his worry. Part of me was mad at him for embarrassing me the way he did last night and decided I should just let him worry until he tried to find a way in, but another part of me thought I should get up and let him in. Before I could decide my door opened and revealed an angel with creased eyebrows.

"My child, why did you not answer me?" He did not look mad, simply just relieved that I was ok. But I didn't try to talk again, it hurt, so instead of acknowledging him just plopped back down and rested my head on my pillow.

"Christine…" he said as he walked to my bedside, stepping over pillows and covers that fell on the floor in my restless sleep.

"If you are making an attempt at punishing me by being silent and ignoring me, it is not working." He kneeled down beside me. "I can play that game much better than you; I've had years of practice." His voice shifted to become more firm as he spoke and I could feel a hot blush consume my cheeks.

I stared up at his form that appeared tall and powerful even when he was crouched down, and I shook my head while whispering "I just can't talk." After I said that, his facial expressions turned so quickly into a serious, business like one it intrigued me.

"Very well then." He said as he stood up. "I will have to send a note to the managers and excuse you from rehearsals today. You are of no use if you voice is gone." I was relieved when he said that; it meant I could simply stay here and rest; although one question was brought to my attention that I dared not ask. I was a dancer, why would I need my voice? I didn't care all that much to pry for the answer though. I was just glad I wasn't going to have to attend. My muscles hardly felt like dancing.

"Christine, the reason I came in here was that your breakfast has been waiting for you for a few hours now. It is very late and I was concerned you were going to keep yourself locked up in here for the rest of day, after…what happened last night." I felt my cheeks once again become engulfed in flames when he mentioned that.

"No. I wasn't going to. I'm just tired is all." I lied. I was hoping to stay in here and out of my angel's view for as long as I could due to my embarrassment.

"Good." He said as he then walked out the door and shut it behind him. I was tired but I knew I could never get to sleep now. I felt restless again and just wanted to be rid of such a vexatious feeling.

I got up and put the piles of blankets back on my bed as neatly as I could, but it never looked perfect like it was when I first got here. Then I put on one of the many divine dresses my angel had given to me and brushed my hair.

I walked into the small dining room and noticed my angel was sitting in his spot on the other side of the table drinking hot tea and scribbling music notes on a piece of parchment in between sips.

I sat down in front of some biscuits, fruit and some tea that had been laid out for me along with the prevalent red rose and black satin ribbon tied around its stem. I looked up at the angel across from me and back down to the rose. He had a certain charm about him that matched the flower's details. They were both alluring and held mystery in every fold of a petal…or personality. It seemed I was discovering new sides to him every day; whether he revealed it through music…or actions…like last night's scene.

"Christine, is your food not satisfactory?" His words pulled me from my thoughts and caused me to look up into his blue and brown eyes that were brimming with concern.

"What?"

"You have only stared at your plate without even taking a bite. Do you not like biscuits and fruit? I was also hoping that the tea would help your voice come back."

"Oh no, I like them fine. It just seems that this whole morning I've been lost in thought and have not been very productive at getting much accomplished." He nodded at my statement then went back to focusing on his music and I picked up my fork and began picking at my food.

I took a few bites of fruit here and there and then nibbled on my biscuit. I barley put a dent in my breakfast but I didn't really feel like eating. My mind was still burdened by thoughts of my angel sitting in front of me, and then what happened last night. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't free myself from my mind's stark grip that held my attention firmly on subjects I was growing tired of. I wanted to just give my head a break from all this thinking but I felt that that was unattainable with many unanswered questions buzzing around in my head like a swarm of angry bees. Finally I found myself too weak to withstand not knowing and built up enough courage to talk to the angel sitting in front of me.

"Angel…" I was disappointed that my voice came out with hardly any sound due to my scratchy soar throat.

"Yes Christine?" He looked up at me with only his eyes. His head was still turned down toward his music and his pen still in his hand.

"Could you please tell me why that man and Madam Giry were here last night…and why they called you Erik?"

His face cringed when I spoke the name Erik. He acted like I had just stuck him with a needle and looked rather mad.

"Christine, some questions are best just left unanswered." I could tell he was trying to stay calm when I noticed all his anger dropped down into his fists as he released his pen from a menacing grip onto the table and his knuckles went white. He was taking deep breaths probably to try and keep a fire I saw within his clenched jaw under control.

After last light I was hesitant to poke an answer out of him but for some reason I felt it was important for me to know and I felt curiosity's harsh grip pull me in with an ominous smile.

I stood up and made eye contact with him as I languidly made my way to his side and rested my hand on his shoulder. I saw how that small action seemed to reach into him and grab all anger; pulling it out and causing him to slowly relax. The expression on his face softened as he looked up at me with surrendering eyes.

He took a deep breath then finally spoke.

Erik POV

"My child…I am good friends with Madam Giry and that man whose name is Nadir. The reason they were here was strictly between us only and you needn't worry yourself about it."

"Oh." Christine's head slowly pulled itself down so her eyes could make contact with the floor as if she could find the answer to her question down there. It pained me to deny her answers, I could only imagine how confused she must have been but I knew it was crucial for her to remain oblivious; if I gave too much away it would only push her out of my grasp. I couldn't bear the thought of her knowing that both Nadir and Madam Giry saw her with me and were trying to protect Christine and me from each other; it would also be devastating at this moment in time if Christine were to find out that I was trying to push the career of Prima Donna into her life.

"Why were they calling you Erik though?" She was very persistent. I hoped that I had blocked answering that part of the question when I ignored it. Damn her for prying into my business! She was sticking her nose into a place it didn't belong…it would ruin everything! I knew I could not live in this angel fantasy forever but it was too soon to end everything now. There would be no hope of salvation if this illusion were to crumple this early. Damn Nadir and Madam Giry for even showing up last night! Everything was in my control before they intruded into my business and now it felt like I was drowning in lies, questions, and frantic thoughts as I desperately fought to get to the surface of things. I was fighting a losing battle.

I slammed my fist on the dinner table as I stood up and towered over Christine. I felt my breathing quicken as I searched my throat for words to speak but found none. My mind was fogging up, making it inexecutable to come up with an answer that satisfied me. I couldn't face the situation. I needed music to take me into its arms and clear my head. I was itching to play something, anything. I swiftly walked out of the dining room forcing myself to ignore Christine's pleading eyes and began pouring out Mozart onto my piano in the living room.

I was deeply absorbed in the music's sweet notes and began to feel my heart start to beat with the rhythm of the melody as it rose and fell. I could feel my tense muscles begin to relax and become one with the tune.

Within a few minutes I soon felt a soft touch on my upper back, so light and gentle it almost seemed as though I was imagining it. I came to a smooth stop in the music and slowly looked up to see Christine standing above me to my left. Once we made eye contact she made her way around the piano bench and sat down next to me, never releasing her eye's steady gaze on mine.

"Christine." The corners of her mouth leisurely separated to opposite sides of her face into a small smile when I said her name.

"I'm sorry." The words slipped through my lips like slick ice I couldn't stop. Anything to keep my Christine smiling.

She put her arms around my neck and scooted closer into me. I felt my heart forget how to beat as I returned the embrace by placing my arms on her waist.

"No Angel; I'm sorry for prying." Her words caused small vibrations on my chest that her head was nestled against and caused me to let out a breath I was unaware I was holding in. We just sat there for what seemed like many hours but I enjoyed every second of it. I savored the way her soft hair tickled my chin and I inhaled her sweet aroma of cinnamon.

During the embrace however, I sensed a wave of guilt wash over me. This breath taking angel in my arms deserved to know everything. The whole truth. I wasn't sure I could give that to her yet, but I decided starting somewhere would be good.

"That's my name." My instinct begged me to stop words from escaping my tongue but I suppressed my urge to obey.

"What?" Christine asked pulling her head away from my chest to look into my eyes.

"Erik is my name." I didn't know which direction this conversation was going in so I simply followed the words that came from my throat without permission.

"Erik…Erik. I like how it sounds. It suits you." She said in a sweet tone that almost made my name sound beautiful. It rolled off her tongue so smoothly that it made me want to capture its graceful sound in a jar to keep with me at all times so I could hear it whenever I pleased.

She then cuddled her head back down into my chest and pulled herself closer to me while squeezing her arms tighter around my neck. We remained like that for a little while longer and the whole time I couldn't stop thinking about my name rolling off her lips. For the first time in my life I didn't hate it. Only an angel such as Christine could bring that horrifying name in to a state of beauty. Oh how I treasured Christine, in the short time I've known her, she has brought me nothing but miracles.

Yay! We made it to the bottom! Wooo!

And hey, I got a proposal for yall; If I get ten reviews for this chapter I WILL update by tomorrow night, I promise. Then if I get ten more for that chapter I will update the next morning, then if ten more come my way ill update that following night on the same day :) the more reviews, the faster I update.

So review on for those willing to play :D

It would be nice to hear from you even if you're reading this when it's finished; all comments are appreciated weather they're good or bad; I will take them to heart and try to apply them to my writing.

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