Chapter XXV

Erik was amazed, and annoyed all at once. He had never experienced such a wide range of emotions intermingling so well with one another, but here it was.

Christine had sang her heart out for him, and yet there was more to be done. Nadir listened from his bedroom as Erik commanded Christine to sing in higher octaves, to raise her voice as if she wanted it to envelop him. She did as she was commanded and while he remained both impressed and irritated.

"You have no presence," he told her when she clutched her throat, massaging it. Her eyes met his intensely, "you sing like a ghost. Not like you are actually here."

"I thought that was a good thing," she murmured, "to lose oneself in the moment-

"I do not want you to lose yourself in the moment," he interrupted her sharply, "I want you to be very much in the moment. I want the music to be inescapable. Your focus should be on yourself, and I, not on forcing your mind to wander."

"Yes, Erik," Christine whispered, nodding and trusting his judgment. Erik, from where he sat nodded once, sharply and then sighed heavily.

"I am going to the opera house tonight and will be back in the morning. If I do not see you then I will see you tomorrow night after your schedule is finished. I will pick you up at the gate-

"You don't have to-

His sharp stare silenced Christine. There was just no arguing this with him, so without another word she accepted her fate to being walked home and remained silent.

Erik left a few minutes later after gathering a bag. When Christine dared to ask what contents it held he replied only that it held things of great importance. Christine rolled her eyes at him, ignoring the scowl he gave her in return and crawled into the bed, exhausted.

…

Erik arrived at the opera house in no time at all. His excitement had hurried his step up. He crawled through the space in the side of the opera house easily and dropped to the floor silently. Knowingly he made his way up to the manager's office and took the map out.

Erik followed the directions all the way to a large dressing room. When he forced the door open he was not surprised to find many different costumes, all very elaborate. He caught sight of a long black cloak with small blue beads on the shoulders. Upon further inspection he found that the cloak was made out of a thick cotton material. Without a second thought he set his lantern down and tossed it over his shoulder.

It was a heavy material, but he was certain that if he donned it enough it would become like his second skin. He turned and examined himself in the long mirror. He did strike an imposing figure. The white mask kept catching the light of his lantern and it made the beads on the cloak glimmer very slightly. He liked it quite a bit.

Would they noticed a cloak missing? He hoped not, it was his now.

Erik did not waste more time and went to the mirror. He knew by the details on the map that there was a sort of cave-like entrance to the lower levels of the opera house. They had built a mirror out of sheer laziness in covering up the entrance. It suited him perfectly.

If this is to become our home, he thought as he pulled at the mirror, then I am going to need quick access to Christine should the day come when she is backstage after her performances. He paused in thought as he pulled the mirror open. I will also need to make this mirror more secure. I will not tolerate wanderers stumbling upon my home.

Erik moved past the mirror carefully. He could already feel a cool breeze rushing towards him and blistering into the room behind him. The draft itself smelled a bit fresh and he could even hear it whistling through the tunnel. Lighting his way carefully Erik continued winding down the path and glanced behind every now and then. Perhaps this was not a good idea. But as he continued to second guess himself he knew that there was no reason as to why he should. This was perfect for he and Christine. Besides, when he was done with this dank place it would look much better. It would be a safe haven for he and Christine.

"Christine will like this," he spoke to himself, listening to how his voice traveled, "it is secretive. We will be close to the stage… I will have my own quarters and she will have her own. And that nuisance of a man, Nadir, will help us get whatever we need into this room." Erik smirked, "an organ, piano, a bookshelf, couches, beds, candles… food." The thought of what their home could possibly look like kept Erik occupied as he reached the edge of the tunnel and suddenly looked out into a long body of water.

"And a boat," he murmured, "we will need a boat."

…

The following morning Christine woke up to harsh sunlight in her eyes. She made her way downstairs, greeted Nadir and Erik who were sharing a cup of tea and then made her way out the door.

When she approached the de Chagny mansion she was not surprised to find Philippe talking to the dark skinned woman who was picking flowers. She was smiling to herself as Philippe spoke, and the closer Christine came the more obvious his flirtation became.

"Truly, as pretty as the rose in your hand." He smirked as the woman rolled her eyes.

"Vicomte de Chagny I believe you are out of line," she warned him half-heartedly. Christine resisted a giggle, noticing that neither had noticed her approaching presence.

"I would much rather you were out of those clothes-Gregor!" Philippe piped up, noticing the boy's presence and grinning from ear to ear, "how are you?"

"I am well, sir, and yourself?"

"Very good, very good, now hurry and get inside, there is much to do around the home today." Philippe grinned, "there is to be a celebration."

When Christine got inside it seemed to her that everyone was in a flurry of activity. Vases were being moved and replaced, flowers were being arranged, the floors were being swept and the spotless windows were being cleaned – again.

Ruella appeared quite literally out of nowhere and pulled Gregor towards the dining room with quick steps.

Christine asked her when the ball was set for and Ruella calmly explained that it was in two days. Christine wondered then why they were in such a rush to get everything ready, but Ruella explained that because the house was so large and so many guests were attending that it was in their best interest to get everything done as early as possible, and that she needed to start dusting off the paintings all around the house.

Christine did her work diligently and she actually enjoyed it. Compared to everyone else she had a job that was relatively easy. Plus, she was able to examine the paintings up close.

She gathered from what she could see that Raoul and Philippe resembled their beautiful mother more than their father. They were both stunning to look at, and yet they displayed very different airs. While Philippe exuded a cool confidence and a childish wit, Raoul seemed all intensity and a quiet sort of intelligence.

It was as Christine was dusting off the painting of a long landscape that she suddenly felt a presence behind her.

"It is a beautiful painting is it not?" Raoul de Chagny asked as Christine stiffened.

She stepped back from the painting and turned around to face him. She felt as if though her heart had tightened in her chest. Raoul's smirk was dazing, "good evening monsieur de Chagny—

"Nonsense, call me Raoul," he smiled. His blonde hair shined as he swung it out of his face.

"Monsieur I am uncomfortable with that." She admitted, swirling the rag in her hand and daring another glimpse up at him, regretting it when her heart sped up.

"I insist upon it," he admitted with a small smile, "at least when it is only you and I."

Christine nodded quietly and stood there awkwardly. What did he want?

"What a coincidence, is it not?" Raoul asked quietly, "that you should show up in my home only weeks after I encounter you in a bookshop?"

"Yes, quite a coincidence," she murmured.

Raoul hummed in agreement and looked at the painting again, "so, must I ask you again for your opinion on the piece?"

Christine sighed and turned to stare at it. It was a beautiful piece. Everything was perfectly painted onto the canvas, but that was the problem.

"There is nothing interesting in this painting," she shrugged, "it is not an expression of passion if not just… an imitation. There is no depth, it is exactly what it is supposed to be. A moment captured on canvas, but that is all. It is only the top layer of the scene, and it does not look beyond the outer most shell."

"Mhm," he nodded agreeing and then smiling, "I must go now. But thank you Gregor, I will make certain to remember to look beyond the 'outermost shell' the next time I paint a landscape."

Christine was so embarrassed after that that she could hardly keep the blush off her face – even after he left her presence.

She hoped that she would not have to face Raoul de Chagny again for the rest of the evening. The rest of the day passed by rather uneventfully until it was time for Christine to actually go home. She continued hoping that she would not encounter Raoul but as she was leaving the home she knew that that would not be possible. Raoul de Chagny was at the gate conversing with his brother who seemed to be rolling his eyes at something he said. As soon as Christine made a quiet attempt to pass by them he called.

"Gregor!" Raoul smirked, "are you walking home so late?"

"Yes," she responded quietly, turning to face him and his brother as they approached. Now that they stood side by side she could see the differences despite the darkness. Raoul's eyes were darker and more cunning, Philippe's were brighter and wider. They had the same jaw, the same hair and nose, but Raoul was leaner where Philippe was broader.

"It is dangerous for one as small as you to walk alone, don't you agree?" Raoul asked as Philippe hummed in agreement.

"I have a friend meeting me." Christine murmured.

"Well then let us walk you to where this friend will pick you up," Philippe shrugged.

"No, that is quite alright," Christine smiled as pleasantly as she could. There was something about Raoul that set her on edge. It was the way he stared at her – as if he could see right through her. She suspected that he was more intelligent than his family thought.

"Did you know that Gregor thinks my painting is boring?" Raoul asked Philippe with an amused smirk, "he seems to think that I cannot see past the outer most shell."

Philippe laughed then, making Christine blush and Raoul grin, "well he is correct. It is a dull painting." Suddenly Philippe looked at the time, "I must go now."

"Yes, to study," Raoul rolled his eyes, "one day you will be caught for your –

"PZZT!" Philippe hushed him angrily, "you speak too much. Now walk Gregor to the corner."

Raoul laughed and ignoring the look on Gregors face he led him out of the gate.

Christine began an awkwardly paced walk as Raoul followed her.

"You don't like me very much do you?"

Rather than say anything at all Christine kept her mouth closed. It wasn't that she did not like him, it was that he set her on edge. He looked at her too closely.

"That's fine, you don't have to." He smiled as they crossed the street.

Christine wondered if Erik was following them, but Raoul's next words distracted her.

"You are annoyed with me."

Christine burst into a fit of laughter, "excuse me?"

Raoul grinned, "you are annoyed with me."

"Monsieur I assure you that I am not annoyed with you," that wasn't completely true.

"That is not true," Raoul knew, "I am certain that there is a part of you that wishes for nothing more than to hurt me."

"You are wrong," she smiled despite herself, "you are wrong." When they reached the corner of the street Christine turned to the young vicomte, "I will wait for my friend here."

"Are you certain that he will come?"

"Yes," Christine nodded quietly, shivering under the blue of Raoul's stare.

He nodded then and suddenly lifted his hand. Christine flinched slightly but when he brushed away a stray hair from her face she became very still.

"I should also let you know," Raoul stated with a sly look, "that I see past the outer shell. You'd be surprised at how perceptive I can be."

Christine stiffened at his words and was about to ask him what he was insinuating but she knew all too well what he was saying. Raoul winked and walked away with a confident pep in his step.

Christine could not wait for Erik, she instantly rushed home.

Raoul knew!

…

Erik had seen the exchange though he had heard nothing. He had followed since the moment they stepped beyond the de Chagny gate. Never in his life had he been so disgusted. These people were wealthy beyond need. Their home was revoltingly beautiful.

And then there was this boy. This fop whose name he did not know. He seemed to be the more arrogant of the two. He was walking dangerously close to Christine, and as much as he wanted to pop out from the shadows and pull him away from her side he did not dare.

Erik watched, walking with clenched fist as the boy made Christine laugh. It was a sharp and shocked sound that escaped her but it was a laugh nonetheless. The handsome lad then grinned and smiled at her. Erik wondered if Christine found him handsome, and if his handsome features meant that she would fall under the spell he was so clearly trying to cast over her.

Could the boy see past her 'male' disguise?

Could Christine see past the boy's façade of kindness?

He could not be trusted.

When they both came to a stop Erik wondered why. Was the boy not going to walk her home? It did not appear to be the case, but suddenly the boy reached up and dared to brush a lock of her hair away.

The blush on Christine's face had Erik trembling with anger.

That foolish boy! How dare he? Erik thought, enraged as the handsome boy walked away from Christine with such an arrogance about him that Erik thought he might chase him down the street and beat it all out of him.

Christine walked home so quickly that Erik did not bother to try and catch up with her. She seemed in a hurry to get inside and he was in no mood to talk with her. He needed to sort out his thoughts. He was inexplicably angry, and yet he did not know who it was aimed at. Was it at the boy for touching her? Christine for allowing it? Or himself for caring at all?

…

Christine woke up the next morning bright and early. To her mild annoyance Erik was nowhere in sight. She had not seen him the previous night either but distinctly remembered hearing his voice sometime in the night as he spoke to Nadir. Now it seemed that she would finally get to ask him where he was the night before as he had promised to go and walk her home.

She heard what sounded like murmuring downstairs. She suspected that it was Erik talking to Nadir. Quietly Christine made her way out of the room, listening carefully as she went.

"A boat?" Nadir asked, he sounded skeptical, "do you understand how much a-

"I do not want one bought I want it built specifically for two people. It should not cost a fortune, it must simply be enough to carry us across a small body of water." Erik replied curtly.

"Oh?!" Nadir laughed, "and how do you expect to pay me back Erik? Do not take my kindness for foolishness. I am well aware of your lack of money and while I am more then willing to negotiate I will not go into this matter blindly."

"I will find a way. I simply need this boat built, very soon. It is the only way for me to travel across the lake. If you find a modestly sized boat that will do."

Christine leaned over the railing and looked out into the living room where Erik sat with his hands steepled in front of his face, and Nadir with his hands on his hips. Nadir was on his feet, and by his body language Christine imagined that he was flabbergasted at Erik's train of thought.

"You also want a piano and an organ-

"I can acquire those things from the Opera house myself."

"You intend to steal them then?"

"Certainly."

"You will not," Christine glared from where she stood. Erik did not turn his face up towards her but Nadir jumped at the suddenness of her voice, staring up in suprise, "if we have a home there is no reason for why we should continue being the thieves we are."

Erik moved his eyes up towards her. He had heard her footsteps before she stepped out of the room and was not surprised at her presence, or her reaction, "certain things must be done for us to continue living."

"We must rise above this all Erik," she replied softly, moving down the stairs then, "if we continue to steal then what good are we? Are we not trying to work towards a better future?"

"Yes," Erik agreed, "but until we find a way to have a steady income we must resort to other things. The Opera house managers will simply have to respect our authority."

"Our authority?" She laughed as she reached the bottom step. Christine couldn't believe what she was hearing. What authority did he believe they had? Had Erik truly lost his mind? Was his ego so inflated that he believed that he could just do whatever he wanted? That must have been it.

"I will make sure the managers understand that they are to respect me as owner of the opera house."

"Good lord man, are you insane?" Nadir asked, his eyes bulging at Erik's cool and collected resolve, "you cannot simply march into the office of the mangers and demand that they give you money simply because you will be inhabiting the depths of their building. You have no place there! You have—" Nadir choked on his disbelief. "What do you think you are doing Erik?"

"I know exactly what I am doing. I will not march into the Opera house office demanding money, I am well aware of the fact that they will simply kick me out. However, if they cannot see me, or fathom where I come from then they are certain to turn to superstition as an explanation for what they witness. They will simply be obeying the orders of a thin skinned opera ghost. Imagine their horror when they realize that their opera house is haunted."

Christine's eyes widened at what he was suggesting and she looked to Nadir who looked like he might scream from confusion. Christine opened her mouth, "are you saying that you will pretend to be a ghost in the presence of the managers? And that you will threaten them into giving you money?"

Erik nodded, looking at her blankly, "no harm will come to the managers. They will all be empty threats." That was a lie and he knew it. If the managers dared cross him he would make certain they never thought to do so again.

As Christine contemplated what Erik was suggesting she realized that he probably had no plan on telling her. He seemed to have his mind made up about the matter and whether or not she disapproved would matter very little. This annoyed her. They were planning to live with one another and yet he did not consider that if his plan backfired it would mean that the repercussions would be her own too.

"Extortion," Nadir confirmed in one simple word. When Erik nodded he shook his head, "I cannot be a part of this plot."

"You were not expected to be," Christine murmured, staring at Erik with narrowed eyes, "neither was I. Erik is going to extort money all on his own and did not plan on telling me, is that not right?"

To her surprise Erik looked away, almost sheepishly and uncomfortable.

"Is that how things are now? I am simply to follow along blindly as you put us in continuous danger?"

"There would be no danger-

"You do not know that," she snapped quietly, ignoring the look Nadir gave her. It was one that was pleading for her to not turn this into an argument, he was started to realize that Erik's temper was just as bad as her own, except Erik seemed more capable of inflicting actual injury. "Erik we are together in this, you cannot simply—

"I can do whatever I wish Christine," Erik reminded her sharply, "you do not have to know everything I do-

"I do!" She exclaimed, annoyed with his defensive behavior, "if we are one then we are to be completely honest—

She stopped short as Erik suddenly began to snicker. Her eyes narrowed and her hands flew to her hips, Nadir sighed heavily and shook his head.

"What is so humorous?"

"You," Erik said, sobering up and standing, "whatever made you think that we are one? Are you so blind? You humor yourself by thinking that you matter so much to me. "

"Oh, Erik," Nadir sighed and put his hand on his own forehead, shaking his head sadly. The cruel glint in Erik's eye faded into mild embarrassment as Christine's eyes lowered to the ground and her hands trembled.

The words hurt her. She knew that she did not have any logical reason to feel so hurt, but there it was, powerful and tingling through her chest. She could even feel it on the surface of her face. Her cheeks were flaring up and her ears were itching suddenly.

She felt so embarrassed.

"I will give the two of you privacy now," Nadir murmured awkwardly and shuffled out of the room. Christine listened for his footsteps and when they had faded she began to think of what to say as she stared at her feet, but her hurt was almost overwhelming… there was simply nothing to say.

Erik stared at Christine quietly. He knew that he had gone too far. But still he did not expect this reaction out of her. He expected her anger, her anger was better than her silence. Her anger humored him and made him feel … strangely fascinated with her. But this made him feel dead inside, like he had been before he met her. Summoning the courage to speak he opened his mouth, prepared to make amends "Christine-

Christine did not respond, instead she began a quick step away from him. Erik was on his feet almost instantly, following her up the stairs.

A tightness began at his chest as she ignored him. He wasn't speaking, and yet it felt like she could hear him apologizing to her over and over with every step he took after her. But she was moving away so quickly, and the weight of what he had said was weighing him down with shame.

"Christine—

"Stop it Erik, just stop," she quietly snapped as they walked passed a few bedroom doors, "I understand my place very clearly now. Do not think that I will impose myself on you ever again."

She had reached the bedroom door now and pushed it open, before she could shut it Erik placed his hand against it, staring down at her with confusion. Her blue eyes had hardened again. It made him angry at her. Angry for making him care, angry for making him want them to soften. He shouldn't have cared – but he did.

"Remove your hand," she stated with a slightly warning tone.

"What I said-

"Made it clear that I should not be around you. You seem to hate my very presence and I am not willing to impose myself on you, your highness," she stated with a mock bow, "with that being said, I wish you luck." She clarified after he narrowed his eyes, "with your new home. I wish you luck. I will be finding somewhere else to live with the pay of the de Chagny's. It was nice knowing you Erik," she smiled sarcastically and then angrily slammed the door in his face.

Christine stomped over to the bed and began preparing herself for another day of work. It would be a long day, today they were setting up the decorations for the extravagant party. With that thought Christine stormed out of the room. She could hear Nadir speaking to Erik downstairs. Quickly she made her way down and ignored Erik's look in her direction as she bid farewell to Nadir and promised to return safely that night.

Her annoyance knew no bounds, she only hoped that she did not encounter Raoul de Chagny today, she was in no mood for his little games.

:( Why Erik! Why do you always stick your foot in your mouth! And poor Christine :( But quite honestly I would be the same wy like "Psh! Boy bye!" Imagine if Christine started speaking in Ebonics?

"Christine," murmurred Erik, "forgive me."

"Boy bye! Who da fuk do you think you is? Comin' up in here wit' dat white mask on, actin' like you run this house, honey please, I got better things to do wit' my time den sit here arguin' with you. DISMISSED!" -Snaps her fingers in his face-

Something is wrong with me, o_o Review! :)