Chapter XXVI

Christine did as she was told with curt nods and a stiff jaw. Erik's words still plagued her thoughts and try as she might she simply could not bring herself to calm down. He was a nuisance, and she would be better off without him, or at least she was trying to convince herself of this.

The de Chagny household was filled with activity in preparation for the festivities. Christine had been helping Ruella count the many wine glasses that the family owned as well as helping monsieur de Chagny write letters.

She found each one of her thoughts wandering back to Erik. Christine wondered if he truly grasped the idea that there would be no reason to steal money once they were in the depths of the opera house. She did not wish to resort to such things when they could rise above that. It seemed to Christine that Erik did not care for morality. He found nothing wrong with stealing and he had proved it yet again. The first time was when he chastised her for paying for bread instead of just stealing it, and now he wished to extort money from the managers. He shall turn my hair gray.

Christine was walking down the hallway and scowling at her feet as she made her way to the kitchens. She was hungry and was commanded by Monsieur de Chagny to gather something from the cook there.

The dark skinned woman was directing maids and others to attend to different things. It seemed to Christine that she had an easy grace about her and yet a demanding tone in her voice. People remained attentive as she instructed them to peel garlic, or to squeeze out lemons and make juice for tomorrow.

Christine took a seat silently and watched as people ran off to do what they were told until it was just her and the woman whose eyes landed on her. The brown eyed woman stepped forward and eyeballed 'Gregor' carefully. Leaning forward onto the table she narrowed her gaze and Christine shifted uncomfortably.

"You should not frown so hard boy," the softest smile graced her face, "your face will get permanently stuck that way."

"That is not true," Christine's voice was hard though she did not mean for it to be.

"You are quite right," the woman grinned and turned her back on Christine, walking to where she had a basket of sliced apples. Taking the entire thing in her hands she brought it over to the counter top and set it down. Christine did her best to keep her eyes level with the woman whose kind smile was making her feel too comfortable for her own good. "Have one lad; the master of the home has given me permission to use the leftovers however I wish."

"Thank you," Christine smiled and reached forward, taking one slice and eyeballing the woman cautiously.

"My name is Aleyenne, and you are Gregor, correct? I recall the vicomte Philippe de Chagny introducing you as such."

"Yes, I am Gregor, it is a pleasure to meet you Aleyenne," Gregor nodded and smiled.

Aleyenne had wonderfully large dark eyes. Her face was long and narrow with prominent cheekbones and a sharp nose. Her skin was the color of dark caramel while her hair was something more like the darkest silk. She was a slender and tall woman.

"What is troubling you?" Aleyenne asked, noticing that the small frown was still in place, "has someone been bothering you in the home?"

"Not in the home," Gregor smirked, "it is an unimportant matter."

"Nothing that troubles us is unimportant," she corrected, "if it were unimportant then it would not upset you so. While you do not have to talk about it – know that I will always have an open ear should you wish to discuss the matter."

"Aleyenne!" Philippe de Chagny's voice cut the peaceful air in two. Aleyenne stiffened in her seat and straightened up, for a long moment Christine could not read her expression, but the longer she stared the more it appeared to be something akin to nervousness.

Philippe strode into the room with a hard step and as soon as his eyes found Aleyenne a smile graced his lips.

"Yes, monsieur de Chagny?"

Philippe looked to 'Gregor' and grinned as he came forward and stood beside the slender woman. "How are you Gregor?"

"I am well sir, and I trust you are doing well?"

"I am, I am…" his eyes moved over to Aleyenne. Christine's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she noted a smirk playing at Aleyenne's face.

"Are you excited for the ball vicomte de Chagny?" Aleyenne asked.

"Certainly, we will have many guests."

"Yes, yes," she agreed demurely and then popped an apple slice into her mouth delicately, when she finished chewing she continued, "the Johnsons will be here, the Lerouxs… the Yarboughs… Jonathan Riley—

"Ah yes," Philippe's eyes narrowed and Aleyenne smirked, "Jonathan…"

Christine spoke up, "may I ask… is there something special about this Jonathan Riley."

"He is disgusting," Philippe muttered angrily. Casting a dark stare at Aleyenne who was smiling rather coyly. "Are you excited to see him and his family, Aleyenne?"

"Certainly," the cook smiled, "I find it entertaining whenever they pay a visit. He does so love my cooking. He has often requested that your father allow me leave so that I may go over his home and teach his cook how to make some of your own favorite dishes. He seems to enjoy the process of learning and has asked for private lessons—

"Hmph!" Philippe did not say anything else. He simply stormed out of the room without another glance back. Aleyenne smirked and put another apple slice into her mouth as Christine sat there with her mouth gaping. What had just occurred? She had never seen such an awkward exchange in her life.

"Aleyenne, may I ask you something?'

Aleyenne looked up at Christine and shrugged, nodding.

"Is there any particular reason why you purposely angered the vicomte?" Christine cocked her head to side, further illustrating her utter confusion, "are you trying to anger him?"

Aleyenne grinned and shrugged, "I was simply answering his question Gregor," then she held out the bowl, "more apples?"

…

Christine sighed heavily as she roamed the third floor of the home. She had finished the last of her work and her shift was over. Now she would return home, and sleep until tomorrow. The ball was only one day away.

It was as Christine was passing Philippe's study that she suddenly froze. Inside she could hear movement, and try as she might her curiosity got the better of her and she soon found herself pressing her ear to the wooden door.

At first she had to concentrate to hear and make out the voices inside, but soon it became apparent that it was Aleyenne and Philippe.

"Do you think that it is funny?!" Philippe was harshly whispering.

"Absolutely," Aleyenne responded quietly, "you are humorous when you get like this."

"This is not funny!"

"It is very funny that you think that I would sincerely want the company of that mongrel, darling," her voice became lower and Christine couldn't make out the next words but she heard what sounded like Philippe warning her to not do it again. Aleyenne spoke up then, "what do you plan to do if I do?"

Christine heard nothing for a long time. Then came the sound of soft moaning. Christine backed up quickly from the door and continued in a hurried manner down the hall.

Aleyenne and Philippe were… together!

Christine's eyes bulged at the realization. Surely his father had absolutely no idea about this.. or perhaps he did. He had made comments about Philippe chasing skirts. But that meant that Philippe flirted with multiple women. Was Aleyenne alright with this? Was she even aware?

Did Christine dare make a comment?

No, no… certainly not. These matters were not her business. But the consequences would be dire. She imagined if Monseiur de Chagny were to get wind of it Philippe would be in for a severe scolding, but the consequences would be worse for Aleyenne.

Was this why that study was so private? So that if Philippe was in there with Aleyenne, or anyone else, they would not get caught?

Christine's head spun with all the questions as she began making her way down the stairs at a rapid pace.

It was as Christine began to make her way to the landing step that she suddenly heard rapid footsteps behind her, at first she thought that perhaps it was Philippe. Had he heard her?

But as a female form rapidly passed her she realized that it was Ruella, sobbing.

"Ruella?!" Christine reached forward and took the woman's arm in her hand but Ruella quickly pulled away and whirled around to face her.

Ruella's eyes were red and swollen, her lips were puffy and for a moment all she did was stare. When she spoke her voice was cracking and hoarse, "what are you still doing here Gregor?"

"I… I was simply about to make my way out of the home. Are you alright?"

"Absolutely," Ruella lied. Christine could see through it easily. She also noticed that Ruella's normally neat hair was tangled and disheveled. As Ruella began making her way down the stairs Christine followed.

"I am also leaving."

Christine played clueless, "you seem rather unsettled. Are you certain that everything is alright?"

"Goodnight Gregor." And just like that Ruella was gone, ignoring Christine who went after her. Ruella left the home and shut the door in Christine's face, slowing down any progress she made in attempts to stop her.

When Christine opened the door Ruella was already at the first courtyard and was making her way through the gate. Without bothering to go after the woman Christine shut the door behind her and calmly strode towards the exiting gate. She breathed a soft sigh of relief to know that Raoul de Chagny was not there.

How strange, Christine thought as she walked down the street. She was aware that there were a number of weird things in that home. Secrets of some sort but she was completely caught off guard by the strange activities that she was privy to today. First there was the strange interaction between Aleyenne and Philippe. Then there was the sounds she heard coming out of the study.

Finally, there was the obvious mystery behind Ruella's sudden disheveled appearance. The woman always seemed to be immaculate, and orderly, and then she appeared to be almost on the brink of self control.

What had caused such a reaction in her?

Christine pondered on this and continued on.

…

Erik paced around the bedroom with a hard and quick step.

Christine had left without many words. He was unsure of whether or not he should go pick her up or let her walk home on her own. Try as he might he had been unable to think of anything but her proclamation about no longer wanting to live with him.

Was she trying to drive him mad? Certainly that was it.

"Why should it matter?" he muttered out loud, "if she does not wish to live with me then so be it. It is not my problem that the girl has no regard for how things are done. She would only hinder whatever progress I seek to make. Her and her damn morality… she stole from Javert the day she released me."

But that was just it, wasn't it? Her damn morality was what let him out of that cage and into the real world.

Suddenly without energy Erik dropped onto the bed and glared at his hands. He did not wish to leave her out. It would only torment him to not know how she was doing. I will have to apologize, he realized with some anger.

Well… if it meant some peace of mind then he supposed it wouldn't be too horrible. With that optimistic thought he lay back on the bed and locked his fingers under his head. He would wait for her, and she would agree to live with him.

Erik simply did not think he had it in him to simply let her go.

Hello those of you who are still reading! I have to apologize from the bottom of my heart for my lack of updates - I think I owe you all an explanation otherwise it's going to look like I'm just being lazy.

A few days ago my parents basically decided that they were separating (divorcing if you will). My father (step father) and I are very close so it's been rather depressing to know that things are going to be very different very soon. My mother and I are moving out, it's kind of been defeating and it's taking a toll on my writing I want you all to know that I actually do have my chapters written (I am almost up to chapter thirty) it's just that I can't really even bring myself to edit. I don't know why.

Anyway, I will be giving you guys two more chapters today because I feel really bad about how bad I've been with my updates so it's like my sorry to you all. I hope you're all still here with me following along the crazy adventures of Erik and Christine.

-With Love, B.B. :)