Chapter 14: Morning
Mme. Giry paced the stables angrily. Christine had never returned from the night before and now people were starting to wonder and speculate. It was amazing what the chorus girls and stagehands could come up with. The real trouble with all these rumors was that the managers were starting to get fed up with it. For a brief time they had enjoyed the publicity that scandal caused, but after the incident in Don Juan, people were starting to think that it wasn't so safe to see operas at the Phantom's theater. With Carlotta back, they did not need Christine anymore. She was just like any other ballerina, being out for so long with her injured arm she had probably forfeited all chance at being Prima next year, and they could easily get rid of her and save themselves the trouble.
The most frustrating thing for her was that she had told them that Christine had to be back by nightfall and Erik had given his word that she would. Yet, here she was at 8 o'clock the next morning and Christine was not here. Mme. Giry had already missed breakfast, and rehearsal started in two hours. If Christine missed rehearsal and the managers found out, she would be fired for sure. In fact, if Mme. Giry hadn't known that Christine had nowhere to go, she might have fired her herself.
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Christine opened her eyes slowly. She could feel the chill of the room on her face, but she was warm in Erik's embrace. It was dark, Christine smiled, she didn't have to get up yet. Right now, she could have stayed here forever. So warm, so comfortable, so safe in his arms. Carefully, trying not to wake him, she rolled over to look at him. A slight smile rested on his lips, for once he was at peace. Propping her head up on her hand, she admired his bare chest as it slowly rose and fell with his breathing.
He opened his eyes, a smile brimming almost to his ears when he found Christine beside him. Leaning forward, he placed a kiss gently on her forehead, then propped himself up as well.
Christine stared lovingly into his golden eyes. The silence of their love was almost as beautiful as their music. No words were needed, they could understand each other without them, and it was astounding.
The clock sounded startling them from their meditation. One, two three, four, five, Christine's eyes grew wider with each stroke. Six, seven, eight, what a fool she was of course it was dark, they were underground.
"Madame Giry is going to kill me!" she cried, launching herself out of the bed.
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A/N: Ok so theres a brand new chapter for you. It's actually been sitting on my computer for nearly a year, I guess I never got around to putting it up. I promise though, I'll finish this soon