Author's Note: Another chapter for you lovely people. As always please read and review.

Inspiration: Mama's Broken Heart by Miranda Lambert

Mama's Broken Heart

The next morning Jennifer washed her face of the tear stains and used a bit of concealer to disguise the puffiness. She swept up the shards of broken glass and placed a sheet over the mirror so it wouldn't look as bad. After getting her clothes on she headed into the kitchen with her head held high. She wouldn't let anyone in the opera house know what had transpired most of them wouldn't understand and the rest would be disgusted that she could feel for the phantom. The day went by rather smoothly she joked around with her boys and got some work done in the kitchens. A new opera was to debut in a several days which meant rehearsals were going on so there weren't as busy as they normally were with everyone running back and forth getting the show ready.

"I just got done with the washing and decided to come see you. How are you?" Platina looked over at her friend.

"I'm fine. How are you?"

Platina tilted her head and sighed deeply as she looks at Jennifer. "What?"

"Come now that may work on Lucian and the others but I can see through your mask you're troubled by something. You know you can talk to me."

Jennifer felt her mask slip as she did need someone to talk to and was missing her friends terribly. "Yes I do need to talk but not here. Let's go get some lunch."

Erik cut up the last of his fruit for his angel's breakfast. They had talked a about her singing most of the afternoon and she read him some stories from his book while he lay at her feet gazing up at her beauty, before she retired to her bedroom. Now he wished to wake her so they could continue with her lessons. He wanted her to sing lead in the next opera. He only needed to find a way to discourage Carlotta from returning. He also thought to Jennifer and the need to set things right however his angel took importance and was his first priority.

Jennifer told Platina everything only leaving out names and saying it was her good friend instead of the phantom. It made it easier to talk about if she kept the phantom's anonymity. Platina was angered by the phantom's actions towards her and couldn't understand why someone wouldn't see how wonderful get friend was over a girl who seemed manipulative and spoiled. After enveloping her friend in a big hug they left the café.

Soon they were accosted by the same young woman they had run into before. Jennifer hoped to avoid confrontation attempted to lead her friend to cross the street before the woman could come near but with no luck. She was soon in their faces, well namely Jennifer's.

"I thought I was quite clear when I demanded that you keep away from my fiancé, yet you've still been seen with him."

Jennifer was trying hard not to lash out at this girl like she did at Carlotta even if Carlotta did deserve it. "Look sweetie you are severely mistaken. I would not be seen with your fiancé if he was the last man on earth. He's an arrogant spoiled brat who knows nothing of the real world only what he wants to see of it. I haven't seen him in weeks for which I'm grateful and all too happy. If I were you I wouldn't be as loyal to him as you with him enjoying a plethora of female companions, but perhaps you hope marrying him will settle him however as most women have found over the years it doesn't work. The man must be willing to change all on his own."

The woman looked as though a blood vessel would burst her face was red as a tomato and she stomped her foot down. "My Lucian is nothing how you describe he's a war hero and the most wonderful man ever. You don't deserve him."

Jennifer and Platina's mouths hung open for a second when they both spoke in unison. "Lucian?"

Jennifer continued, "So you're not talking about Tiernan then?"

"Who?"

"I think this just got complicated."

Platina soon found her voice even though it was a shaky one. "I'm the one being courted by Lucian, Jennifer is his manager. However I didn't know he had a fiancé."

"That's because he doesn't at least not really. He told me his family wished him to marry a childhood friend but he didn't love her as anything more than a sister. You're the one he loves Platina not her. Although I'm certain you're a sweet girl and defiantly loyal he doesn't love you."

"We'll just see about this. I shall go and ask him myself."

"And so shall I."

Jennifer was left with nothing other than to follow the two women back to the opera house and hope Lucian has his battle armor on.

To say that things were complicated and dramatic was an understatement. There were tears and stomping and some yelling in the kitchen. Needless to say the young girl whose name they now knew was Claire finally realized that Lucian would not be marrying her and she had to move on, so she left in tears hurrying outside. Jen had to stop Lucian from following Claire out knowing that it wouldn't look good to Platina if he was going to comfort a different girl. Especially since Platina was naturally upset that he hadn't told her about Victoria and the situation he was having with his family, but Jen hoped they would soon work it out. Platina soon stomped off as well to which Jennifer allowed Lucian to go after her. She instead decided to check on Claire because despite the girl being a bit standoffish she did have some good qualities. Unfortunately, when she was walking out she spotted Tiernan and Count Philippe talking in the corridor. Before they could spot her she quickly slipped by, heading outside, soon spotting the girl sitting on the steps hands covering her tear streamed face.

"Are you doing okay?"

"What do you care? Are you here to gloat?"

"Of course not, you may have been a pain to us before but no one deserves to be hurt. I know how it feels to be in love with someone who doesn't feel the same way for you. It may hurt now but eventually you'll find the right person that will love you in return."

Claire looked up at Jennifer humbly. "Do you really think so?"

"Of course you have a lot of great qualities and you're a beautiful girl."

"Thank you for saying that. I am sorry for how I treated you before."

"Don't worry about it, I understand. Do you think you'll be okay going home?"

"I'm not sure."

"Perhaps I could ensure the young lady gets home safely."

Jennifer turned to see her worst nightmare Tiernan standing next to her looking down at Claire.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why do you not think so?"

"Well first she doesn't know you, second she's vulnerable right now."

Tiernan held his hand out to Victoria. "Salutations I am Tiernan and it's a pleasure to meet such a lovely woman."

He turned back to Jennifer. "See now she knows me."

Jennifer rolled her eyes at him. "That's not what I meant."

Surprising both of them Claire spoke up. "I would be fine if he takes me home."

"Well if you are certain about this."

"I am certain."

Jennifer pulled Tiernan to the side. "If you're thinking about making her one of your conquest you better stop now cause she's already been hurt and if you hurt her or take advantage of her I will hurt you."

"I know you may be right about me being a bit of a Casanova but I would never take advantage of a woman."

"I hope not for your sake."

Against her better judgment she allowed Tiernan to take Claire home. She did need to be taken home and Jennifer wasn't able to do it herself since she still had kitchen duties.

When she returned there still was a bit of drama happening. Not only were the boys teasing Lucian about the earlier drama but now there was new gossip that Carlotta was not going to come back for the next opera. Many believed that the croak on stage had her afraid to try singing in the new opera but Jennifer wondered if it was because of her threats that made Carlotta not want to come back. So now Christine would be the one to sing in La Juive. The rehearsals would be the next day. Now thinking about the rehearsals she realized that not only had she not seen Christine all day she hadn't seen the managers either. Christine was most likely down with the phantom whom she was still mad with so instead she fixed up two plates and went to visit the managers.

When she knocked on the door and waited for the door to be opened. There were hushed whispers and rustling before the managers poked their head out looked her up and down grabbed the plates and slammed the door, leaving Jennifer dumbfounded.

"Okay that was weird." Jennifer had nothing to do but return to the kitchen.

Soon it was dinnertime and everyone had headed home leaving her alone in the kitchen. She fixed up a plate for the phantom but took her own dinner with her to her room not able to bear seeing him. She quickly at and went to sleep hoping that the next day would be drama free and not as weird as this day has been.

A/N: Erik finally sees Jennifer was right but is it too late to repair the damage done? And will he rush to repair it or spend his time placating Christine and keeping her from Raoul?