Chapter 28
The following morning, Christine's uncle Gabriel, arrives at the Giry's home to visit. Once inside, Gabriel puts his hat and coat against the coat rack. As he does so, Madame Giry emerges from the living room and says, "Oh Monsieur Daae? What a surprise?"
"Hello Madaline," said Gabriel as he laughs and hugs her.
"What brings you here?"
"Well, I'm here because I'm here to see Christine."
"Why?"
"Here, read this." Gabriel then reaches the inside of his vest pocket and gives her the letter. As Madame Giry is reading the letter, Meg happens to hear them and decides to come downstairs.
"Is she serious?" Madame Giry curiously asks. She then gives the letter back to Gabriel.
"I'm most certain that she is," Gabriel replied as he puts the letter back in his vest pocket."But why?"
"Because she realized what I've asked her and now she knows what her heart wants now. As well as Erik. You see, at the wedding, both of them had advice from me and Charlotte and I guess our advice gave them confidence and they decided to tell each other how they feel for one another."
"Well about time that they did," Meg interrupted. Madame Giry and Gabriel turn their heads as they see her leaning against the door.
"Meg," said Madame Giry in a serious tone.
"Sorry I didn't mean to intrude but I was just going to say hello to Monsieur Daae before I go see Christine," she replied.
"Do you mind if I come with you?" asked Gabriel.
"Sure," replied Meg with a concerned tone of voice. Gabriel quickly stands up and walks towards the door to leave. As he and Meg head to the door and grab their coats, Madame Giry also stands up and heads to the door. "I'm coming with you," said Madame Giry as she quickly grabs a coat.
"Ok," said Gabriel.
A few minutes later, Gabriel, Madame Giry, and her daughter Meg approach the mansion and knock on the door. A few seconds later a servant opens the door and asks, "Yes? May I help you?"
"Yes, we're here to see my niece, Christine," replied Gabriel.
"I'm sorry Monsieur, but she's not here," said the servant.
"Not here?" Gabriel questioned./span/span/p
"Yes, sir. For she left last night and I guess she didn't come back."
"You guess? Well, do you know where she is or where she went?" Gabriel asks in a frustrating and serious tone of voice.
"No, but she informed us that she will return this afternoon," the servant replied.
"Well, can you tell her that we need to speak to her at my house, please?" Madame Giry required.
"Yes, madame," he replied.
"Thank you," said Gabriel. They then turn around and leave. As they leave the servant closes the door.
At the same time, Erik's music box goes off; waking up Christine. As she wakes up, she notices Erik sitting on his desk, writing. She decides to get out of the bed; once she's out of the bed, Christine puts on her clothes and walks out of his bedroom.
"Good morning," said Christine softly as she kisses the back of his head and touches his back.
"Good morning, Christine. How did you sleep?" he asks.
"Well, thank you."
"Good," Erik replies as he takes off his mask. As he does, Christine looks around the room as she notices that he does not have a clock.
"Erik, what time is it?" she asks.
Erik pulls out his pocket watch and replies, "It's ten o'clock."
"Oh God!"
Christine quickly turns around and walks to the door to grab her coat. As she does, Erik stands up and asks, "What is it?"
"I have to go. I'm supposed to meet Raoul's father and his wife for lunch," she replied.
"Ok," said Erik.
Before Christine leaves, she walks up to him and asks, "Erik. Can I come see you again tonight?"
"Erik smiles and replies, "Yes." Christine smiles back, passionately kisses him, then leaves. After she leaves, Erik sighs and continues what he was doing.
Sometime later, Christine arrives at the mansion. As she enters the front door, she gives the servant her coat and says, "Ohh, Miss Daae."
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was out late."
"It's fine Miss Daae. I came to tell you that your uncle, Madame Giry and her daughter came by to see you. But I told them that you were not here."
"They were here? Where are they now?" she asks.
"Madame Giry told me that they want to talk to you at her house," he replied.
"Oh alright. I'll leave right after lunch," she said. The servant tilts his head down and lightly bows to her. As uncomfortable as that is to her, Christine tilts her head back, then slowly heads to her room.
One hour, Christine heads to the dining room to join Emily and Ralph for lunch. "Good afternoon, Christine," said Emily.
"Ah, good afternoon, Christine. We were wondering if we were ever going to see you today," said Ralph.
Christine stands behind her chair and replied, "Well, I'm here now." She gestures to them to sit down. As they are about to sit, three servants pull their chairs and pushes them in as Christine, Emily, and Ralph sit down. After that, the servants give them their glasses of wine and prepares to give them their meal. "How are you?" asked Christine.
"I'm good thank you, and you?" replied Ralph in return with a question.
"I'm great thank you," she replied with a smile on her face.
"Not to sound rude or anything but…you look like you are tired. Did you get enough sleep last night?" asked Emily.
"I uh…had nightmares and was uncomfortable with my bed last night. But it's being taken care of," Christine replied but with a lie.
"Oh good."
"By the way, I forgot to tell you that your husband has told me so much about you," Christine implies.
"Oh, I hope nothing bad," said Emily as she blushes and turns to Ralph.
"Of courses not," replies Ralph as he smiles and takes her hand.
"They all chuckle and smile at each other. Then the servants put the main course on the table which makes Christine, Emily, and Ralph very impressed.
"Now let's eat," said Christine.
