"Christine, what is the matter?"
"Nothing is wrong,Erik."
"Then I suppose that frown on your face is not due to Elizabeth not being here."
"I understand why you're jealous of Ryan. I do. I just don't see what your problem with Elizabeth. You let Meg come over all of the time. What has Elizabeth ever done to you?"
Erik attempted to keep his calm, remembering what Sarah had said about being gentle with Christine. "Meg is appropriate young lady for you to keep company with. Elizabeth on the other hand has no concern for your safety and willing puts you in harm's way so that she may have her fun. No, Elizabeth is no an appropriate person for you to associate with."
"Erik, aren't you going to eat?" Christine took a bite of her food waiting for Erik to respond. He hadn't bothered to order at the restaurant when she did.
"No, Christine. Your beauty is more than enough to satisfy my appetite." Erik smiled.
"Oh." Christine blushed and continued to eat her food. The small amount of dialogue was the most they had said to each other since they had left the mansion.
Erik's cell phone began to ring, and he excused himself to go take it. When he returned, he found that Meg was sitting in his seat, talking away with Christine. "Hello, Megan."
"Hey, Erik. Christine and I were just talking. Do you mind if we went to the store?"
"Please Erik?" Christine looked to Erik. She hadn't been out of the house, let alone shopping, since she had come back from the hospital. Erik reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash, taking off the first few bills. He held them just out of Christine's reach.
"You may go to Maria's. I have to take care of some business at the opera house. I will pick up in an hour." He handed her the bills and watched as the girls giggled. Christine stood up. She gave Erik a hug and went to kiss on him on the cheek when his lips met hers and his arms took her in a possessive manner. Christine was tempted to struggle but found his lips too inviting. Finally, he released her and left her standing speechless with Meg.
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"Where have you been, Nadir?"
"Ms. Giry, you must learn to calm down."
"We don't have much time. Do you realize how upset Erik will be when he finds out what we are doing?"
"Would someone please tell me what is going on?"
"Ms. Daae, I have a plan to get you away from Erik."
"If he knew, Erik wouldn't be upset. He'd be furious. I don't think this is such a good idea." Christine didn't want to put up with Erik's temper again when he had been so nice to her lately. She wasn't sure what she felt anymore. Part of her wanted another kiss like the one Erik had just given her.
"Please trust me. I will give Meg the details to give to you in a few days." He turned on his heel and left the two girls standing in the shop a few doors down from Maria's.
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Erik dragged Christine up the stairs. Christine tried to pull her arm from his grasp. "Erik, please slow down. Please."
Erik continued at his relentless pace until hey were both standing in Christine's bedroom. Erik's eyes were menacing, and anger was radiating off his person. "Where did you go?"
"Erik, I went to Maria's with Meg."
"Don't lie to me, Christine. That may have been where I found you, but you went somewhere else before hand. You met with a man."
"Erik, please." Christine tried to gain her wrist back once more.
"NO. CHRISTINE BELONGS TO ERIK. IF ERIK CAN NOT TRUST CHRISTINE, CHRISTINE CAN NOT GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT ERIK. NO ONE WILL TAKE CHRISTINE FROM HIM." Erik took a deep breath, waiting for Christine to either start crying or fighting against him.
Christine, however, did neither. Her voice came out in barely a whisper. "What gave you the idea I was going anywhere? Have I given you any reason to distrust me of late?"
"You smell like a man's cologne. Nadir's to be precise. That's who you met with, wasn't it.?"
"We ran into each other on the way to Maria's."
"I am sure."
"Honestly, Erik. When would I have had time to do so? The past several weeks I have not been out of yours or Sarah's sight. Even when I am, you make me take all of my calls in the living room anyhow."
"Megan." Erik growled out the word. He would show the ballet rat not to mess with what was his. Then he would take care of Nadir.
"Erik, she meant no harm."Christine looked for some sign that Erik had heard her. There was no change in his demeanor. She allowed her free hand to reach up and touch his masked check. "Erik, nothing happened. I am here with you, am I not?"
Erik's dark expression left as he raised Christine hand to his lips, kissing her palm and then her wrist. "I did not hurt you, did I? I would never purposely hurt you, Christine. I love you."
"No, Erik. If it's alright, I am tired and would like to take a nap."
"Of course, my dear. I have several errands I must attend to, but I will see you this evening for our lesson." He left her in her room, wondering if it was possible that she had come to realize she felt for him. He knew one day she would fully realize that she loved him.
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Christine sat in her bed, unable to sleep. She had not expected Erik's actions. She no longer knew how she felt towards him. She wanted to hate him for imprisoning her and taking away all of her friends. She wanted to be able to take Nadir's advice and be rid of Erik forever. But yet, she wanted to know more about Erik and be in his presence. She wanted the calm, inviting feeling she got whenever she sang with Erik. The feeling as if though she had found her soul mate, but she knew this was a false feeling. How could she ever love him? Why did he have to try to make her feel things that her heart didn't want to feel? Why did he have to try to keep her?
Erik sat on the bench, his fingers resting on the keys. Christine sat down in a huff on the divan, fully out of breath. Together, they had taken a song and given it wings . There was no yesterday or tomorrow. There was just now. Their voices intertwining like lovers in the night. Christine gave a soft laugh.
Erik came towards her and sat down in front of her on the carpet. He took one of her hands in his. Christine made no attempt to take it back. She just returned his smile with one of her own. He brought his lips down upon her hand, never waiting to be out of her presence again. "Christine?"
"Yes, Erik?"
"I love you."
"I know."
"I want to marry you. Christine, please. You already wear my ring. I will make you the happiest of women. You will want for nothing. Please." Erik looked at her like a little kid who was pleading to get an ice cream cone.
"I don't know, Erik. Give me time to figure out what I want. Please?"
"Of course, Christine. Come. I will take you back to your room."
Christine's mind was troubled but not as much as her heart. She wanted to be with Erik right now. She knew where he was. She could hear him playing in the library. She slipped on a robe and headed for the library.
She was so caught up in his song that she no longer possessed her hands. They ran themselves over Erik's masked face and his neck. Erik kept playing, loving the feel of Christine's hands on the parts of skin she actually touched. Before either one of the knew what happened, Erik's mask laid in Christine's hands, away from his face.
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A/N: So what do yall think? Anyone ready to strangle me for the cliffhanger? I'll update when I have seven reviews. Please and thank you.