Christine

The morning of the final dress rehearsal for Faust, Erik rises early and leaves before breakfast claiming he has a lot of work to do before I return with him after the public performance. I'm sitting at my vanity combing out my hair when there's a knock at my door. Assuming it's Madame Giry coming to help me get ready, I go to open the door. Instead Raoul strolls in before I can protest.

He looks around then turns to me with a very determined air. "So, Christine, where is this husband of yours? Why are you sleeping in your dressing room? Will he come to see you perform?"

Oh, he'll be there alright, and sitting in box five, but of course I can't tell Raoul this. I swallow and try to think of an excuse for Erik not being seen at the performance. "He works very hard, Raoul, he doesn't have time to attend the opera." Half true, Erik does work very hard, but he never misses a performance.

"What is his trade?"

I hesitate again. "He's an architect."

"What's his surname? What buildings has he designed? I notice they are still billing you under your maiden name."

"Many women use their maiden name as a stage name, Raoul, especially if they rose to prominence before marriage."

"Hmm. Again, your husband's surname? His buildings?"

Thankfully Madame Giry rushes in to help me prepare for rehearsal. "Christine! You are quite late, child! Vicomte, I'm sorry, but you must leave and let me help her get ready. It's a dress rehearsal today, you know." I breathe a sigh of relief as Raoul leaves.

"What on earth was the Vicomte doing here at this time of the morning?" Madame Giry asks as she helps me into my first costume.

"I have no idea," I reply honestly. Raoul's behavior is becoming downright alarming. Why did he come here so early to make demanding queries regarding my husband? I don't have time to think about it now and I don't dare ask Erik what he thinks.

I stride onto the stage just as Monsieur Reyer calls everyone to attention. Louis approaches me with a grin, "A bit late today, aren't you?"

"You would be, too, if you had to wear this cursed thing," I pluck at my elaborate costume.

He laughs as we take our places. His performance has only improved with practice. He confides in me that he has started private lessons from a well known voice coach in the city. "I'm doing everything I can to secure the permanent position. Of course, I wish you would share the name of your tutor, he's clearly the best."

I squirm a bit. "I would, but unfortunately he's not taking on any new students."

"Pity."

"I don't think you need to worry. I feel certain you'll get the position."

Monsieur Reyer calls us all together as the rehearsal ends. "Absolutely marvelous! Perform like that tomorrow and it will be one our most glorious triumphs to date. Everyone go and get some rest. I want you all here, fresh and ready tomorrow afternoon."

All the costume changes have thoroughly worn me out. I trudge back to my dressing room to find Raoul waiting for me. I take a deep breath. "Raoul, please, I'm very tired." He follows me in any way and I fight to keep my temper under control.

"I've been hearing some funny rumors, Christine. Very strange indeed. So I decided to investigate. I knew Madame Giry was involved somehow. I heard her, you know. The day the new managers took possession. I was still looking around backstage. I heard her reading the letter from the...ah...Opera Ghost. I heard her tone and how she seemed to encourage the managers to submit to his demands. Actually it was the notes that first made me suspicious, specifically the one he wrote to me." My heart is in my throat. He begins to examine his perfectly manicured nails. "So I took Madame Giry aside for a little private chat during rehearsal today. I had to threaten her of course. She would have never given up your secrets otherwise. I told her I would go straight to the police and tell them it is she that has been threatening and extorting the theater managers. She told me everything in exchange for my promised silence regarding Erik. So, the Opera Ghost is a deformed madman, and your husband!"

"He's not mad!" I spit in fury. It takes all my self-control not to glance at the mirror. If Erik is back there, God help us all! I'm not angry with Madame Giry, she clearly meant to protect us. I know Erik cares for her in a way. If he has heard Raoul saying he threatened her!

Raoul is looking at me with disgust. "How could you, Christine? How could you choose a disfigured monster like that over me?"

"He is not a monster! But you, you are doing an excellent job of behaving like one." Erik can't be here. He'd surely be out of the mirror by now. Oh please, please don't let him have heard all this.

Raoul growls and advances on me. "I warn you, Christine, I am not to be trifled with. So, here is my offer, you leave your husband," he sneers, "and marry me. I believe I'm right in thinking that your marriage is not legitimate, that is to say recognized by the church or the law. If you do, I will not go to the police. It's a big decision I realize, so I shall be the gentleman and give you some time to think it over. I will be back for your answer after the performance tomorrow, and it had better be the correct one."

He turns on his heel and leaves. I lock the door behind him and rush to the mirror. Erik showed me the secret latch and how to work it from both sides. I slide it free and open the mirror, trembling. Erik is not there and I nearly collapse with relief. I'll have to be very careful to hide my agitation from him. It makes me sick to lie to him, but God only knows what he might do if I tell him about Raoul and his threats. He'll endanger himself, I just know it.

Erik

I'm late and I despise being late. I got caught up in a song I've been composing for Christine and lost track of time. When I finally enter her dressing room she beams at me. "I'm sorry, my dear, I was lost in my work."

"Don't worry about it, Erik. Come and sit with me." She's sitting on a new loveseat.

"Where did you get this?" I ask as I sit and put an arm around her.

"I asked the managers for it. We had nowhere to sit in here."

"How was rehearsal?"

"Wonderful! I think you will be very pleased tomorrow."

"I'm sure I will. I've brought a book for us to read." She loves it when I read to her, she says anything that allows her to listen to my voice is perfect. It's a mystery to me what it is about my voice that entrances others, but I'll use any advantage I can get.

"Lovely! Read it, please, Erik."

Some time later I look up from the book to find her wearing a very troubled expression. "What is it, my dear?"

"Oh, it's nothing, I'm just tired."

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?"

"A bit," she confesses.

"It's not your first performance as lead."

She hesitates before answering. "No, but it's the first time I've been billed as lead."

I press a kiss to her temple. "You'll be breathtaking as always. Perhaps we should go to bed early tonight. You need plenty of rest."

She nods and starts preparing for bed. We make love and then I tuck her against my side and stroke her hair until I fall asleep.