Okay, this is the chapter were it all begins to get a bit darker and abit more serious. Im sorry! I promise there will be fluff along the way, I wont deprive you of that but from here on its going to be bumpy for our characters!

I love you guys *sigh* thanks again for your support!

Enjoy

Chapter 14-Christines POV

I couldnt believe it. They were clapping! Applauding me, I looked to the wings and there were crowds of people watching me, I dont know when during the song they came, but there they were all smiling at me and clapping. The managers sat grinning at me, the ballerinas all looked pale, a few of them were even clapping, I was blushing wildily. I had given that song my everything, I sung for my Papa, I sung for my Maestro. I took one last look at the sea of seats, I didnt know when Id be in this place again, standing on a great stage. But I caught Madame Girys eye, her face was pale, she gave me a weak smile, as I walked blushing of the stage.

As I walked, people said well done to me, marvelled at me, laughed at how they couldnt believe I had a voice like that, some patted my back, I was very appreciative, but I wanted to get away, surely they were lying I wasnt as good as they said. I wanted to see what my Maestro thought, had I done him well? I didnt see his masked face among the clapping crowds. I yearned for his approval, I felt a hand grab me from the centre of the crowd and pull me into an embrace. It was Meg, I smiled as she ran with me away from the large groups of people, until we reached the main corridor, were we stopped as we panted and began to laugh.

'Oh Christine, why did you never tell me you could sing!' Meg said in mock hurt, dramatically covering her heart with her hand.

'Well, I guess, Im not that good.' I blushed looking at my feet.

'Oh hush! You were perfect! Ive never heard a voice like that before. Who taught you?' she asked. I felt my tummy tighten, I wanted to tell her, but what would my Maestro think? I decided to tell her some of my story.

'Meg, you must promise not to tell anyone-' but before I could continue, I saw Megs cheeks go red and I heard a male voice say:

'Christine Daae.' I turned to see a handsome face looking into mine, the new patron. His eyes were kingfisher blue, his lips perfectly shaped, his eye brows high on his pale forehead, which went into his dark blonde hair, which as side parted and looked as if a great deal of time had been spent on it.

'Would you mind miss, if I stole our friend for a while.' he said to Meg, dazzling a smile to her, she giggled and nodded. I felt my tummy tighten, I didnt want to be alone with him. I needed to see my Maestro, but he automatically gave me the feeling he wasnt a man that took no for an answer.

'Christine Daae, were is your red scarf?' he questioned me, flashing his perfect teeth his eyes sparkling.

'Im sorry monsieur?' I was lost, had he got me confused with someone else? His eyes lost a little of their sparkle, he shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot.

'Your red scarf. You cant of lost it! After all the trouble I went through to save it. I was just a boy and soaked to the skin.' I racked my brains desperately, trying to think.

'Im so sorry monsieur. Do I know you? Your face seems familiar, but I cant put my finger on it.' I felt so silly, but I just couldnt think.

'Christine, its me. Raoul? Do you not remember, that summer? I saved your scarf in Sweden, you were only a little girl.' I did remember, only vaguely, but I did. My thoughts went back to a small, weedy boy, who jumped into the waves to save my red scarf. I remember applauding him greatly. I was surprised he remembered, I had forgotten this memory.

'Yes, I remember! Sorry, I completely forgot.' I said he took my hand, I gave him an uneasy smile. He beamed at me, and planted a kiss on my hand, I pulled it away quickly blushing.

'Oh Christine, I have missed you! How much you have changed, but as soon as I heard your voice I knew it was you. Your voice is marvellous' he was smiling away at me like we had been friends forever and ever.

'Thank you very much. Its been a very long time since Ive seen you Raoul.' I did not know what to say to him, I was trying desperately to rack my brains for anymore details of our past together, but I couldnt remember a thing.

'And what a crime that has been my sweet Christine! To think we childhood sweethearts havent seen each other in many years, I expected us to be married by now!' he laughed, but I didnt know he if he was joking or not, I presumed he was.

'Childhood sweethearts, oh Raoul!' I laughed at the idea tapping his shoulder gently.

'Now tell me my Christine, how are you and your dear Papa, I would much like to speak with him.' he didnt notice my awkwardness.

'My Papa is dead Raoul, he was murdered two weeks ago.' I whispered, I saw his mouth drop and it opened and closed.

'Im sorry to hear that' he mumbled 'You seem to look well though, whom may I ask is teaching you to sing so beautifully?'

'I can't tell you that, it's a secret.' I smiled at him.

'Well perhaps I could get this secret out of you, say over supper, Ill call my carriage right away and we can go into town.' He took my hand and began to all but drag my down the corridor, I stood my ground.

'Im sorry Raoul, but I can't. I must meet with someone else, I promised them I would.' I let go of his hand, apologising again.

'But Christine! We must talk soon. I shall meet you tomorrow.' he said looking a little cross at the fact I didnt come with him.

'Perhaps, its been good to see you Raoul.' I kissed his hand and then turned to leave, I had to use all my will power not to run to the chapel as I felt Raoul's eyes burning into my back.

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Erik POV

I had watched an angel sing from my usual place in box five. She was nervous at first I could tell, her first few notes were tight. 'Come on my child, remember what I taught you,' I thought mentally, then as if by magic, she relaxed and let her voice flow fully. I saw as the further she got into the song, the more she relaxed, the more at one with the music she became. Her voice was an adventure of emotions, she made the music real, made it have real meaning, it brought tears to my eyes. As she sung I noticed the wings began to fill with people, they had obviously been put under the spell of this girls magnificent voice, and were drawn to it. They all look flabbergasted. I smiled at them all, they doubted her all along, now they know how great she is. As she hit those final notes, as if they were the easiest thing to do in the world. The people in the wings burst into applause. I saw the managers beaming at each other. I stood and clapped along with them, I knew she wouldnt be able to see or hear me, but she had made me beyond proud today. Then as I looked down upon the seats I saw Madame Girys pale face glare up to box five looking to see something. I shrugged, and rushed to my hidden passages to congratulate my Christine.

I was going to surprise her, wait for her in the chapel, but as I walked I noticed she was with someone else. Who was he? This new patron. He obviously new my Christine, he called her his 'childhood sweetheart' I was seething with rage. How dare he be so bold around her. How dare he talk of her Papa with no respect. I could see the girls slight awkwardness as they talked. She didnt remember him as much as he would of liked, I could tell this was frustrating him slightly, but he kept his cool exterior. I could tell inside he was crumbling. The way he kissed her hand made my stomach clench and bile rise to my throat. How I wished I could do that, I would kiss Christine a thousand times if I was allowed. But I wasnt, I was a monster. He was the prince charming. Only prince charming's kiss princess and angels I thought bitterly. He had offered her supper, but she had refused, this pleased me slightly, she didnt seem to be melting under his charms like the other girls did. She looked slightly frightened as he took her hand and rushed her down the corridor.

'Im sorry Raoul, but I cant. I must meet with someone else, I promised them I would.' she smiled at him sweetly, apologising again, this angel shouldnt have to apologise, couldnt this boy see she was tired? That after her extraordinary singing she needed rest and comfort not fine dining and being courted.

'Insolent boy' I cursed under my breath, as Christine walked away from him as soon as she was around the corner she began to sprint.

I beat her to the chapel, just. She was quick! Even my passages which cut miles off the Opera house only just made it before her. I stood in the centre of the chapel, hiding what I had in my hands behind my back, I want sure whether to give it to her or not. I felt I needed to give her something after that amazing display. I heard the door open, I turned to see my Christine. The most beautiful thing to ever grace this planet, I was going to dump the idea of my little plan, but I decided not to.

'Maestro,' she asked timidly, I sighed in reply and shook my head, she looked hurt.

'Well Christine what can I say?' I paced around her, keeping my hands behind my back.

'Oh Maestro, didnt I make you proud? I sung terribly didnt I? I knew they were lying!' her eyes were filled with hurt, I raised my long hand to stop her.

'Christine, all I can say is that was the most outstanding thing I have ever heard. You did more me more then proud my child.' I smiled at her, her face pulled up in a giant smile, her eyes twinkled before I could do anything she had thrown herself at me, causing me to stumble and fall to the ground with Christines small weight on over my chest. She laughed and hugged me as I sat there awkwardly my long legs in front of me. My heart stopped, as I inhaled her sweet scent, and her curls tickled my chin as she clung to my skeletal frame, she looked deeply into my eyes grinning, I looked away, she shouldnt look into my cursed eyes. I used all my courage and offered her a hand to help her up, she took it gratefully.

'Oh Maestro, thank you so much! Do you truly mean it?' she asked, her big eyes questioning me as she slightly blushed.

'Of course I mean it. I got you, I dont know if you'll. But I-' I couldnt get the words out, so I produced the red rose from behind my back and gave it to her. I heard her gasp, she didnt like it? Was it too bold of me. Oh what was I doing. Then I felt her little hand squeeze mine, I flinched but no pain came.

'Oh, its beautiful. Just beautiful. Its the most perfect thing ever.' she ran her little fingers across the black satin bow I had tied around it, she smiled at me, her eyes glittering, taking my breath.

'Im glad you think so. Now, how about a celebratory supper for my Christine.'

She beamed at me once more, slipping her hand into mine. How I wish I didnt flinch away.

'Let us go Maestro!' she giggled.

I had that feeling of being watched again, and we both turned as we heard the creaking of a door. But no one was there, we shrugged at each other. My body was going through a mixture of emotions, the love, the pride, the admiration I had for this girl, then the cold hatred I already had for this boy. I knew in my heart he was going to cause trouble. I didnt want to ruin Christine's moment, but I would ask her about him. I needed to know about him. Jealously was not something I did well.

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Raoul POV

I had caught up with Christine. Gosh she was beautiful, beyond beautiful. My body yearned for her. I told myself to be calm, she was only young. Young girls were much like filly's easily scared away. I didnt wish to scare her, quite the opposite. I reminded her of the past, I thought this would rekindle our friendship, our love and Id sweep her off. But no. She looked confused when I told her. Her memory jogged and she remembered me, but even so she still treated me with a resistance. When I took her hand she pulled it away slightly and when I kissed it she blushed violently. Her Papa had been murdered. God, when did that happen? I hadn't heard of it. Poor girl, she probably needed a man to look after her. I would be that man I decided.

'Well perhaps I could get this secret out of you, say over supper, Ill call my carriage right away and we can go into town.' I had taken her hand, and began walking her away.

'Im sorry Raoul, but I cant. I must meet with someone else, I promised them I would.' she had let go of my hand quickly.

She had refused me! Refused ME! How on earth did that happen? She said she had other engagements. Did she have another suitor? I doubt he was a Vicomte, I doubt he owned half of the land in Paris, I doubt he owned the finest estate ever built. I doubt he was as handsome as me. I stood for a moment watching her walk away. Then I shook my head and followed her keeping my distance.

I heard her shut a door, I was panting, she had ran the whole way. I regained my breath and saw the door she must of walked through, I pushed it open quietly and peered in. There was Christine embracing another person, a tall figure, dressed completely in black, something about him made a shiver run up my spine, he was thin I could see that. The had obviously toppled over, as she laughed, her laugh filling the cold of the room. She was clutching him tightly, but his long hands remained on the ground, I could see he was shaking. Why was he not embracing her back? The fool. The idiotic fool. Did he not realise how beautiful this girl was? I wanted to burst in. But I continued watching. My anger growing. The tall figure, jumped up unfolding his long legs, offering her a shaky hand.

He towered over her. He was fiddling with something behind his back, he mumbled something, his voice was powerful, but I was un hearing with rage. He passed a red rose. On it was a black satin ribbon. The girls eyes positively lit up, I nearly gasped. They were full of love as she looked upon this man, I could feel the heat of the love she had for him. I felt sick. It was just a rose, I nearly scoffed. Is that the best he could do? A rose. Id lavish her with the finest jewels, diamonds, gowns. Not a simple rose!

'Im glad you think so. Now, how about a celebratory supper for my Christine.' HIS Christine? Who did he think he was? She was MY Christine. Had he been her childhood sweetheart.

She beamed at him once more, slipping her hand into his. I thought I was going to be sick. I saw the mans body flinch as their hands gripped each others, what the hell was wrong with him. He was obviously a freak of some sort, to flinch away from a girl.

'Let us go Maestro!' she giggled, that sound made me want to run into he room stab the man and take Christine.

'Maestro?' what sort of name was that, I moved slightly trying to look at the mans face, I couldnt see it due to the hat he was wearing. The door creaked. I panicked and with drew from my hiding place.

I was shaking with rage. Who was this man?

I didnt know. I didnt care. But Christine obviously had feelings for him, these feelings she should be having for me. She was meant to be MINE. I would find out about this man I decided. I would find out and remove him from her side and make her mine. Yes, that's what I would do. Then I would have my perfect bride. Christine needed everything I had. She needed comfort, love, care. I could give her everything. I was rich. Beyond rich. I didnt know who this man was but I was sure I could out suit him.

What is it Phillipe had said?

'Girls are dazzled by beauty, they are drawn to it.'

But something told me, it wasnt going to be that easy.

Gosh again I apologise, another long chapter!

I hope you are enjoying it, please tell me if you think Im waffling on!

But thank you all! Im enjoying writing this so much!

:)

*Eriks rose to all everyone of you who have read, reviewed etc*

Ohh and sorry Erik gave the rose to Christine, I just always liked it that way :)