Chapter XXVI: Tension

Raoul was waiting at the front door of Christine and Meg's apartment building. He had rung the buzzer and Meg had answered the intercom. She had told him that Christine wasn't home but Raoul insisted to go up and wait for her there. Meg hesitated and was making up excuses to not let him up.

"Please Meg," he said. "Christine will be home soon and I need to talk to her."

"I don't know…" Meg mumbled over the intercom.

"If she doesn't arrive in twenty minutes, then I'll leave." Raoul insisted once more. He felt relief once he heard Meg give out a sigh that seemed like she was ready to give in. Once he heard the buzzer, Raoul immediately opened the door and rushed inside. He ran up to the third floor and to Meg and Christine's apartment. Raoul wasted no time in knocking on the door before hearing a surprised gasp from the other side. He heard shuffles and then locks on the door unlatching before a petite blonde stood before him.

"How did you get up here so quick?" she asked. Raoul walked past her and took off his jacket, already making himself comfortable. "...yes please, come inside." Meg grumbled under her breath.

"Do you know when she'll be back?"

"For the last time, no I don't know." Meg groaned as she walked towards the kitchen with Raoul slowly trailing behind. Meg turned and saw his mouth open and quickly interrupted him. "And no, I don't know where she is." Raoul's mouth closed and he sighed. Meg rubbed her temples in annoyance and walked to the refrigerator. "Look, go sit on the couch and you can watch some TV in the meantime. I'm gonna make us something to eat."

Raoul nodded and walked off to the living room. Once he was out of sight, Meg quickly took out her phone from her jean pocket and began to text. She better answer me or I swear to God! Meg thought and she clicked the send button and put her phone back into her pocket.

Christine was sitting on the counter top in Erik's kitchen, watching him make lunch. She had a big smile on her face as she watched the man she loved cooking for her. This was exactly what she always wanted… a true love story come to life. She felt like she was living a fantasy. Especially now, they had no more secrets… well, maybe one. It was one that she was dying to ask Erik about, but she was afraid of his reaction.

Christine bit her lip, hoping that she wouldn't regret asking him anything. But she wanted nothing between them any longer. "Erik?" she called. Erik turned from to look at her and stopped what he was doing. His face had a questioning expression and Christine decided to continue. "I want you to be fully honest with me, okay?"

"All right," Erik said, simply.

"Is it true?" Christine asked. "The story with about your opera Don Juan Triumphant?" Erik's eyes widened and he looked at Christine in shock. Christine observed him and noticed his posture beginning to change. He turned away from her and walked to the counter across from where she was sitting before gripping it will all his might.

"And where did you hear this from exactly?" he asked almost in a growl.

"Does it really matter?" Christine asked. "Did you do it? What happened to that man–oh rats! What was his name again? Armando? Armali?"

"Armand Moncharmin." Erik corrected. Christine stared at his back, waiting for him to turn around but Erik wouldn't.

"Tell me the truth, Erik."

"Yes, I locked him inside his office." Erik stated. "However, I did not set the opera house on fire." He said, finally turning around to look at Christine. Her face had gone pale and she was frowning at him in an unbelievable way.

"Why?"

"He took credit for my work!" Erik snapped. "A man as stupid as him cannot tell the difference between a rock and turtle. And he was taking money for my work; something I worked so hard for."

"But to kill him?" Christine asked in disbelief.

"I did not kill him," Erik retorted. "The fire did. I simply made it so that he cannot cheat death."

"How can you possibly not care?!" Christine was so surprised at Erik for his apathetic view towards the man's death.

"I do not regret what I did," Erik's eyes gloomed and it was as if a phantom had taken over his body. "He found out what happens when anyone dares to cross me and perhaps those pathetic gossips who keep the story alive follow through with the moral of that story."

Christine was staring at the man that she loved and it was frightening her. "Then if I ever cross you, would you be the cause of my death too?"

Erik took a step back and looked at Christine as if she had struck him in the face. No, he would never even think to hurt Christine. He loved her with everything that he was; body, soul, mind. The fact that she would even ask a question like that baffled him.

"No, I would never."

"And how can I believe that?" Christine asked. "You talk about that man as if what you did to him didn't matter."

"He didn't matter," Erik stated. "But you do. You mean everything to me."

"What if Raoul got in the way? Would you kill him?"

Erik growled and moved away from Christine, harshly pacing with clenched fists. Christine walked towards him in anger and fear. She wasn't afraid of what he would do to her rather what he would do to Raoul. Her sea-blue eyes were trying so hard to look into his amber ones, but Erik refused to make contact with her.

"That boy does not matter," Erik sneered. "He's nothing."

"He's a person!" Christine argued. "Enough of this, Erik! You're speaking like a madman!"

"Perhaps I am!" Erik finally looked at Christine and rushed to stand before her, towering her too easily. "You are mine. He will not take you away from me!"

"Not he won't, Erik." Christine assured. "That I can promise you." She cupped his face in her hands and made him look into her eyes. His face immediately softened and Christine placed a light kiss on his lips. "But no matter what happens, you cannot hurt Raoul. He is innocent in all this." Erik gave Christine a hard glare before pulling away.

"Innocent?"

"Yes!" Christine exclaimed. "I gave him hope and that wasn't fair to him. I was so desperately trying to move on from you that I went on dates with him and I tried hard to feel for him, but I couldn't." Erik's lips formed a grim line and his arms were crossed over his chest. Christine sighed and her face hardened. "I love you, Erik but if you want to be with me, then you must promise me you won't hurt anyone else especially Raoul."

"Christine––"

Ding.

Christine turned to look at her phone and saw a text message from Meg. She quickly opened it, feeling guilty that she never told her best friend where she was. Meg must have been worried sick.

Raoul is in our living room and he is worried sick for you. He will not leave until he sees you. He was going crazy! He kept calling me and asking about you. Where are you, Christine? Text me back, ok? Over & out.

Christine bit her lip in nervousness. Raoul was in the apartment waiting for her? Of course he would be! He thinks they are together in some sorts… she never even remembered that Raoul would be worried for her too.

She almost screamed when she turned and found Erik stand right behind her, looming over her shoulder. She knew that he read the message and Christine saw the anger and jealousy written across his face. She clutched her phone close to her chest and shook her head.

"I–"

"No, my dear." Erik interrupted. "Please, your knight in shining armor is awaiting you at home." Christine frowned. No, he was not about to play this game, not now. She was tired of games and she loved Erik. Raoul would simply have to understand once she spoke to him. It was something that she would have to do alone. Christine opened her mouth and was about to interrupt when Erik spoke again. "Unfortunately for him, the Devil has already claimed you."

A/N: So sorry for the wait! I've been meaning to update but this school year is going crazy for me! So much work! Thank you all for your lovely reviews (: I always enjoy reading each and every one.

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