Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own the Phantom of the Opera. It belongs to Gaston Leroux (original novel) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (musical rendition). Please buy the book or tickets to see the live performance (I know I will one day when I have enough money).

*Dear readers, please stay safe and keep your loved ones safe from this pandemic. My country is recommending everyone to stay at home until further updates. I hope this new chapter is able to bring some happiness to your lives. :)

Ch. 4: The Phantom of the Opera

The night was a blur to Christine. Like a dream. But when she woke up on the swan-shaped bed, she realized that it was not a dream.

That everything that happened did indeed happen. She remembered there was mist, a lake, and a boat. And in that boat, there was a man…

Then she turned her head around and saw the exact same man who took her down to this...unusual hideaway under the opera house. Now that she is wide awake, Christine can see the man with clearer eyes.

He was sitting at a grand organ, busy writing what seemed to be an original composition. Taking a couple of steps towards him, Christine sees the white porcelain mask that covered half his face.

Suddenly, she felt a need to see what lied under it.

He claimed to be the Angel of Music...my Angel of Music. But do angels really look like this…? Christine thought as she reached out to remove the mask from her supposed Angel's face.

Behind a large curtain that separated the Phantom's lair from the remainder of the underground, lied a barely conscious Olivier.

His head was throbbing in pain from the fall. For a split second, he panicked, wondering why he was down in this cavern-like place. And then he remembered following the sound of Christine's and a mysterious man's angelic singing.

Olivier was violently snapped awake when a loud scream pierced through the lair.

"Nooooooooooo!"

An anguished man's cry filled the room. It seemed to be coming from the other side of the large curtain.

Heart pounding and palms sweating, Olivier carefully peeked around the large red velvet cloth to see a tall man dressed in a formal suit. The man was covering half of his face and shouting curses at a young woman.

"Christine!" Olivier cried in recognition but then quickly covered his mouth to prevent him from being heard.

Christine attempted to run away but the man always stopped her. Eventually, his shouts and curses became cries of pain. His intimidation became broken.

Now kneeling on the ground with half his face still covered by his hand, he looks at Christine with pleading eyes.

"In time, I hope you will learn to look past the mask, the face, and see the man behind it…" He sputtered. "Learn to love the one who gave you his music. But for now, please give it back. Please, please, please…"

Christine's fear and shock from the man's earlier tantrum slowly melted away into pity. She picked the white porcelain mask on the floor and handed it back to him.

The man quickly accepted it and turned away, putting it back on his face.

From behind the curtain, Olivier held back a scream. Right before the man put his mask back on, he saw his face. It was something that only existed in nightmares.

Skin tightly pulled over the cheekbones, large scars that dug deep into his temple, a sunken nose and swollen eye, and misshaped lip.

It greatly contrasted the uncovered portion of his face, which was quite attractive to the common eye.

No wonder he was so angry when his mask was off. Olivier thought. The man took Christine by the arm and led her out of his lair.

"Come, we must go. Those two fools who are running my theatre will be looking for you."

With that, the pair left, but not before closing the gate to this underground lair shut behind them.

Olivier quickly ran out of his hiding spot and started looking around for a way out. The slope that he tumbled down was too steep to climb back up so he needs to look for another exit.

Running through the shallow lake water and up to the gate, he desperately tried to force it open, but it wouldn't budge.

He ran around the large lair, looking for a key or tools that may help him pry the gate open. But all he found were odd trinkets, litters of sheet music, and instruments strewn all around.

That mysterious masked man seemed to be a musician or composer of some sort.

Finally, after searching the cavern for what felt like an eternity, Olivier found a room with a single large door. He cautiously pushed it, giving way to a dark chamber full of mirrors.

Before he could step inside, he felt a presence behind him.

Turning around, he saw the same masked man from earlier standing in front of him. A large rope tied in a lasso in his hand. A dangerous and murderous aura was oozing from him.

"You're not supposed to be here." The masked man growled in a deep voice.

Before Olivier could scream, the masked man threw his lasso, aiming for Olivier's head. But he quickly dodged out of the way. Olivier picked up a nearby rock and threw it at the masked man, distracting him for a second, allowing for escape.

The chase was on.

Olivier never felt so scared her entire life. She had no idea where she was, no way to escape, and was about to be murdered by a man whom she did not know.

Banging every wall, door, and shouting through every crevice for help, Olivier soon realized that no one could hear her.

"Someone please!" She cried as she pressed herself against the locked gate, still trying to force it open.

The masked man came up behind her and threw his lasso once again. This time, Olivier was not fast enough.

The rope found its way around her head and if it wasn't for her right hand, she'd be suffocating for air by now. She fought hard to keep the rope from tightening but the man was strong.

"Please...please, monsieur!" She begged. "Have mercy!"

But the masked man only laughed and kept tightening.

"Foolish boy. You sealed your fate the moment you stepped into the lair of the Phantom of the Opera! So save your breath, Monsieur!" He cackled.

So this is the rumoured Phantom of the Opera!? Not a ghost, but a real living man?

As shocked as Olivier was, she didn't have time to ponder on the fact this mysterious masked man was the Phantom of the Opera. She needed to appeal to him to save her life. But she was running out of ideas, and time.

The rope tightened even more. Olivier's right hand was pressing against her neck so hard, she could feel her pulse. Curling her fingers around the rope, Olivier used all her strength to force the lasso over her head.

The sheer force of that move made her toupee fly off and land in the water. The Phantom suddenly loosened his grip on the rope. For a split second, his murderous aura disappeared.

Replaced by genuine surprise.

"Miss…?"

Taking advantage of that split second of weakness, Olivier dashed past the Phantom and towards the same room where the chamber of mirrors lied.

But the Phantom was faster and stronger than she anticipated. Before she knew it, he grabbed her by the hair and then completely restrained her by holding onto her arms.

"Let me go! Help! Someone, help me!" She shouted as tears streamed down her cheeks.

The Phantom held both of her arms behind her back with one hand and covered her mouth with the other. He began to force her down towards the chamber of mirrors.

"You little liar. You thought that revealing yourself as a woman would gain sympathy from me?" The Phantom seethed. "It was a nice trick. But now you're out of tricks. So let me show you a trick of my own!"

They were in front of the dark chamber of mirrors now. The room which Olivier thought was a potential exit now seemed like an execution room. She struggled and kicked but to no avail.

The Phantom was trying to force her into the dark chamber. Olivier screamed. "No! Please, please! I…"

Suddenly, an idea formed in her head.

"I'm friends with Christine Daae!"

The Phantom uncovered her mouth to hear her better. Olivier gasps for air before repeating herself. "I'm friends with Christine Daae."

"Lies," the Phantom said.

"No! My—my name is Olivier Koenig. I've known Christine since we were children. We always played together by the sea. Me, her, and our friend Raoul. Her father was a famous violinist. She always loved to sing. We lost contact when I moved away. Just ask Christine, she'll tell you!" Olivier was talking a mile a minute.

Memories from the day before crossed the Phantom's mind. The boy he saw Christine throw herself into was Olivier Koenig. And this girl here before him is claiming to be the same Olivier Christine told him about.

The story of being childhood friends by the sea and also knowing Raoul matched what Christine told him. The only discrepancy to the claim was the gender.

Christine never once told him that Olivier was a woman dressed as a man.

The Phantom leaned down close and asked Olivier in a low voice. "Girl, were you here last night?"

Olivier nodded quickly in response.

"Did you see my face?" The Phantom added.

The sudden breath hitch was all he needed to know. He continued to push Olivier into the dark mirrored chamber. But then Olivier said something that Phantom didn't think she would say.

"I can help you win Christine's heart!"

So she was present when Christine removed my mask. And heard everything that transpired. The Phantom thought.

But as stupid as the Phantom knew to believe this girl, a part of him wanted to hear her out. Because any help he could get for making Christine love him is accepted.

"And how would you do that?" He challenged.

"I'm her childhood friend. I know what she's like, so I know how to make you appealing to her. Please, don't kill me and let me help you."

The Phantom violently jerks Olivier up to his face. "And why should I believe you?"

"Because I'm her friend. If you truly care for her, then you wouldn't dare kill me!"

Olivier was hoping that Christine meant enough to the Phantom to make him spare her.

The Phantom loosened his grip on Olivier. She was right if Olivier was Christine's friend. Then killing her wouldn't make Christine very happy.

He led them away from the chamber of mirrors and towards the locked gate. Throwing her in front of the gate, the Phantom went to lift the grated metal door up using a nearby contraption.

Then he ran back to Olivier and picked her up by her collar.

"You will help me, boy. Girl. Whatever you go by. You will help me get Christine and make her love me. Or else, you will wish I killed you today. After all, there are worse things than death. You hear me?"

Olivier nodded shakily. The Phantom let her go and threw her wet toupee from where it fell during their fight. The sound of frantic running gradually died as Olivier left the lair.

The Phantom sighed and sat down on his armchair. He could hardly believe what just happened.

What a stupid girl. Is her life really worth so little that she'd willingly give it up for this near-impossible task? She must be desperate.

Looking behind his shoulder, the Phantom saw his mannequin of Christine in a wedding dress.

Then again, so am I.

Out in the maze-like tunnels, Olivier stopped to catch her breath. She was finally far enough from the Phantom's lair to feel safe. Her body was still shaking from what just transpired down there.

"You will help me get Christine and make her love me. Or else, you will wish I killed you today…"

Holding her head with her hands, Olivier shrivelled into a ball against the wall. She felt so weak, helpless.

Why did she make such a deal? Did she really go mad when she was so close to death? Was she really so desperate?

"God...what have I done?" She whimpered.

The next day, another huge dramatic event occurred at the Opera Populaire. It started with a single note received by Andre and Firmin.

The note was filled with demands related to changes to the performers, orchestra, and crew. Then more notes came.

Raoul entered first.

An upset expression on his face as he held a note in his hand. He asked where Christine was. Because his note was telling him that Christine is under the wing of her so-called 'Angel of Music'.

And Raoul knew there was no such thing as Angel of Music, so he assumed this to be a cruel prank of some kind.

Then Carlotta entered with her escort, Piangi.

She was even more upset than Raoul. For she received a note that threatened her role as Prima Donna of the Opera Populaire. That Christine Daae will be taking over as the new leading lady from now on.

All of the notes were signed in 'O.G'. As in 'Opera Ghost'. Raoul was having enough of this nonsense. So when Olivier entered through the front doors, he quickly sighed in relief. He rushed up to him.

"Where have you been since the last night?" Raoul asked. "I've been worried."

"You have?" Olivier asked, almost too excitedly.

"Yes. Christine disappeared the night after Hannibal so I tried to look for you, thinking you'd seen her. But you were gone too. I was close to calling the police but then I received this strange note," Raoul explained.

"Oh…" Olivier turned away.

So Raoul was looking for Christine first. She was only on his mind because he thought she'd lead him to Christine. Raoul noticed how messy Olivier's toupee was put on and that his eyes were redder and puffier than usual.

"Are you ok? You don't seem well." He asked in a concerned voice.

But before Olivier could answer, Madame Giry and Meg appeared. The resident ballet instructor explained to everyone that Christine has indeed returned.

Raoul quickly ran up to Madame Giry, asking, "may I see her?"

"No, she will see no one," Madame Giry flatly told.

Not good. Thought Olivier. She needed to talk to Christine, tell her about the Phantom. And her current predicament with him…

Just then, Madame Giry presents another note. Said to be from the Opera Ghost. Everyone crowded around her to try and get the letter. But she kept it out of reach and called for Olivier to come up.

"Why me, Madame?" Olivier asked as he crossed the stage.

"The Opera Ghost specifically wanted you to read the contents of this letter," Madame Giry explained as she handed Olivier the note sealed with a blood-red skull.

"And we aren't allowed to look at it. So please, everyone. Turn. Around." She instructed.

Reluctantly, everyone faced away from Olivier as he opened the letter and began reading aloud the contents.

"Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my theatre is to be run. You have not followed my instructions. I shall give you one last chance . . ."

From the back of her head, Olivier could hear the Phantom read aloud the letter as he was writing it.

The letter, to summarize, was basically another demand from the Phantom. He wants Christine to be cast as the Countess in the new production of Il Muto and Carlotta as the pageboy, a silent role. And as usual, he wants Box Five to be kept empty for him since that is his usual viewing area.

"...Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur."

Olivier looked at the bottom of the letter. It was written in slightly different coloured ink. Above the text was a scribble saying, 'do not read this out loud.'

And that's when Olivier knew why the Phantom chose him to read the contents of this letter.

Don't forget, Monsieur Koenig. If Christine's heart doesn't find its way to me, my knife will find a way to yours.

A threatening reminder.

Olivier quickly put the letter away. The entire crew of people broke into a fit. Carlotta is the loudest of all. She's absolutely livid that her position as Prima Donna is about to be snatched away by some 'mindless little girl'.

While the managers try to appease her, Olivier slowly attempts to leave the opera house.

But she felt like she was being watched by someone from above. In the balcony boxes specifically speaking. Looking up, she swears she could see a white porcelain mask sticking out from the darkness in Box Five.

"Olivier!" Raoul ran up behind her. "May I see the letter?"

"No. You heard Madame Giry, the Opera Ghost doesn't want anyone else to read the contents."

"So why did he choose you? What do you have to do with all...this?" Raoul waved his arms around.

Olivier bit her lip nervously. "I don't know, Raoul. Maybe it's specifically because I don't have anything to do with all...this." She mimicked him. "I can read the letter from an outsider's perspective. And as an outsider, I think the Phantom is dangerous. And it's in your best interest to never come back here again."

"What about Christine? She works here, lives here. Where is she to go?"

"Enough about Christine!" Olivier raised her voice higher than she intended. She drew back quickly. "I'm sorry. I haven't been sleeping well lately. Really, I must go."

"Olivier!" Raoul shouted after her.

But she was already out the door. Raoul shook his head in confusion. What's going on? What is it that he's missing?

And why does he get the feeling the Phantom's the one behind this?

Managers Andre and Firmin successfully persuade Carlotta into playing the role of the Countess by flattering her and adding to her ever-growing pride.

The Phantom was not happy with this. Not one bit.

"So, it is to be war between us!"

Despite Madame Giry's warning, Raoul went to the ballet girls when Meg was not around. He asked them if they knew where Christine stayed away from the opera house.

None of them did. So Raoul didn't know who else to ask.

Feeling lost and confused, he somehow ended up in front of Olivier's apartment building. He sent his carriage driver back to the de Chagny manor without him as he'll find his own way back.

The building Olivier was staying in was a good balance between simple and elegant. There were quite a lot of people coming in and out of the apartments but the noise was very minimal due to the way the walls were constructed.

Raoul made his way to Olivier's apartment. He knocked on the door, waiting for his friend to open.

"Raoul!" Olivier gasped as she opened the door for him. She was loosely dressed in her blouse and trousers, and her toupee was off. "Come in, come in."

The young Viscount stepped inside. The place was cozy but clean. Olivier didn't seem to have time to start personalizing everywhere to be her own.

Raoul took a seat at the dining table and Olivier quickly went to get some food but he stopped her.

"I just wanted to say sorry. I may have come off as a bit insensitive back at the opera house," he apologized.

But Olivier shook her head. "Please don't apologize! I really did have a lack of sleep lately, so maybe I'm the one being insensitive. You're right. We need to think about Christine."

"Speaking of Christine," Raoul straightened himself. "Why do you think the Phantom keeps demanding her to play the leading roles? Could he secretly be a fan who only wants her to make it big onstage? Or someone who has something against Carlotta?"

Olivier took a deep breath. "Raoul, listen to me. I know I'm not a believer in fairy tales, and witches, and demons, and ghosts, but I think the Phantom is real. Not a real ghost, but a real human. And a very cunning one at that."

That made Raoul suspect even more that the Phantom has a grip on not one, but both, of his childhood friends. He needed to do something about it. But what? He's not sure.

Actually, never mind. Why was he thinking like this? The Phantom is not real. This is someone who's scaring them, thinking it's funny. It has to be it.

After talking for more than an hour about the notes, the Phantom, and whether or not the threat of something disastrous happening is true. Raoul decides to go home.

"Thanks for the talk, you're such a true friend, Olivier. What'll I do without you?"

Forcing a smile on her face, Olivier waved goodbye to her friend. A man that will never see her as a woman. It doesn't matter. She probably doesn't have much time to live anyways.

To make Christine fall for the Phantom is something Olivier does not know how to do. But still, she is frightened at the thought of what the Phantom has in store for her if she fails.

Like it or not, she needs to get Christine to open her heart and love the Phantom.

The night of the performance of Il Muto came and guests all filed in, just like last time, with Hannibal.

Olivier came as well, dressed in her mother's old walking suit and hat, hoping that Raoul, Christine, and the Phantom would not recognize her. She plans on exacting her promise tonight.

"As soon as the opera is over. I will go visit Christine before Raoul is able to. And I will bring up the Phantom. Letting her know that I also saw him, so she would open up to me. We'll talk about the Phantom, and that's when I start talking all about his good qualities, like…" Olivier whispered to herself then trailed off.

My God, what good qualities?

This time, Olivier was sitting in the ground floor seats, close to the exits in case something were to happen.

After all, the managers decided to ignore the Phantom's demands and cast Carlotta as the Countess while Christine played the page boy.

And from her personal encounter with the Phantom, Olivier knows that he will not hesitate to deliver his end of the bargain.

Raoul, on the other hand, sat bravely in Box Five. Olivier did not see that before the lights dimmed and the curtains were drawn.

If she did, she would've run up to where he was sitting and force him to get out.

The performance began. This opera was a stark contrast to Hannibal. Everything was English-style and light-hearted. Comedic even.

Christine was dressed as a maid, but it was all a disguise. Underneath her dress, was her page boy outfit.

Olivier couldn't help but think it looks ridiculous. And not in a bad way, but a funny way. The outfit did not make Christine look like a boy. It still accentuated her womanly curves and the stylists did nothing to change her hair.

Maybe that's the whole point. To add to the comedic nature of this opera.

Carlotta's role was the cheating Countess. Having a secret affair with the page boy behind her husband's back. It's hilarious, watching the Countess and page boy 'kissing' while knowing the animosity Carlotta held for Christine.

But then, a dark presence filled the room. And a booming voice echoed from the ceiling above.

"Did I not instruct that Box Five was to be kept empty?"

While everyone looked for the source of the voice, Olivier looked at Box Five. And nearly cried out upon seeing Raoul sitting there confidently.

She quickly disappeared out of the nearby door that took her to the main halls of the opera house. The only thing she had in mind, was to get to Raoul and get him out of his seat.

On stage, the cast were all shivering in fear and confusion by the Phantom's sudden revealing of himself.

Christine couldn't stop herself from saying, "he's here. I know he is."

"Your part is silent, little toad!" Carlotta quickly demeaned her rival.

"A toad, madame?" The Phantom said ominously. "Perhaps it is you, who are the toad."

Raoul stood up to get a better glimpse of the figure in black, standing in the shadows at the top of the opera house. But he couldn't quite make out who he was looking at. The opera continued after that as if nothing had happened.

But then suddenly, Carlotta's singing turned into a deep croak.

The Phantom's laughter was heard echoing over the audience. The chandelier begins to shake and the audience's laughter quickly turned to cries of terror.

They begin to get off of their seats, out of fear that the grand chandelier will fall onto them.

Tearfully, Carlotta rushes offstage with Piangi trying to comfort her. Andre and Firmin quickly took control of the situation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the performance will continue in ten minutes' time…" Firmin quickly dragged Christine the front of the stage with him.

"And the role of the Countess will be played by Miss Christine Daae."

"In the meantime, ladies and gentlemen, we shall be giving you the ballet from Act Three of tonight's opera," Andre added.

The ballet girls were just as shocked as the maestro, who was fumbling for the right sheet music. They all quickly got into their positions onstage, though a little disorganized and clumsy.

The music begins playing and the ballet starts.

Out in the halls, Olivier runs up the stairs to the top floor where the balcony seats were located. One...two...three...four...five! She pushes the door to Box Five open and Raoul turns around in shock to see his friend.

"What are you doing here?" He whispered. "And dressed like a woman?"

"I came to get you out of this seat!" Olivier whispered back. "The Phantom is very angry, did you not see what just happened with Carlotta? You need to go, now!"

"I will not be intimidated by a man who hides in the shadows," Raoul said stubbornly.

Olivier groaned in frustration. "This is no time to be brave! Just listen to me. Please."

In the top backstage areas, fly-man, Joseph Buquet, was running around looking for someone. He was looking for the man who just appeared over the main hall. The man who could very be the Phantom of the Opera.

And find him, he did.

The Phantom appeared behind Buquet, looping a rope around his throat before he could scream for help.

For too long, this idiotic fly-man tried to expose him. Too long, he spread false rumours about the Phantom's appearance and acts.

Now, he's going to demonstrate what exactly the Phantom does.

Up in Box Five, Raoul and Olivier continued to argue but sudden screaming from the stage and the audience below caused them to stop and look.

Hanging from the top of the backdrop by a rope was Joseph Buquet. Dead.

His head was crooked due to the force of gravity and only having a rope supporting his neck. The entire opera house flew into a panic. Raoul grabbed Olivier by the arm and pulled her out to the halls.

"Go now! There's a murderer on the loose and I won't have you in danger!" He commanded her. "Get home. I'll find you after."

Olivier could only nod slowly in response. This satisfied Raoul and he left her in the halls while the audience started to come out in a panic.

She was about to follow them when she realized something. Raoul is by himself. The Phantom is angry with him. Raoul is by himself…

Berating herself for being so stupid, Olivier removed the skirt of her dress to run more efficiently, revealing the dark breeches she was wearing under. She wasn't quite used to wearing dresses by themselves yet.

Raoul was running towards the stage but it was difficult through the sea of panicking people. Managers Andre and Firmin desperately tried to calm everyone down. From what he can see, Buquet's body was already removed.

Several policemen and stagehands were surrounding the stage, trying to control the situation. It was working, the guests began to stop running towards the exit and started to sit back down in their seats.

Through the crowd, Raoul spots Christine, dressed in her Countess costume. She waves him over. He squeezes through the people and gets towards her.

Christine didn't even wait for him to reach her completely, she turned around as soon as he's close enough and walked off the stage, signalling for him to follow.

They ran up the stairs behind the stage. Raoul shouted after Christine, demanding to know why they're going up the stairs. But she wouldn't answer him. Finally, they reached the roof of the opera house.

Outside, the air was cold and snow began to fall. Christine had on a cloak so she wasn't freezing as much as she would've otherwise.

Here, on the rooftop, she finally confessed to Raoul. Her fear of the Phantom of the Opera.

"Raoul, I've been there! To his lair, his—his world of unending night. And I've seen him! Oh, I've seen him…"

At a safe distance behind, Olivier followed Raoul. She was surprised to have ended up on the rooftop.

Hiding behind a large statue, she watched Raoul talking to Christine and felt her heart shrivelling up inside her. Like a wilting flower. She hears Christine talk about the Phantom. About her encounter with him.

"...his face. Oh God, it was so deformed, so distorted, it could hardly be called a face." Christine stuttered.

That made Olivier scared. If Christine was already so terrified of the Phantom, how could she make her learn to love him?

But that's when Christine had a sudden change of mood. She stopped trembling and stood up looking at the night sky.

"And yet...his voice was so angelic. It filled my spirit in a way I didn't know was possible. Before that night, I always referred to him as my Angel of Music. I fell in love...with his singing. Why should this change? Just because I realized he is no angel…" Christine wrapped her arms around herself, lost in thought.

Yes, good. Thought Olivier. So that's what appealed to Christine. The Phantom's voice.

This is a good starting point. If she keeps digging for more, then maybe she'll find a way to make Christine fall for the Phantom, not just his voice.

In the shadows of the rooftop, the Phantom also hid from Christine and Raoul. He slowly sang her name in an attempt to lead her to him.

"Christine…"

Response to guest review

Guest: Well...the summary did say this story will be EC. And the tagged pairings are [Erik, Christine] and [Raoul, OC]. Does that answer your question? :)

A/N. Thanks everyone for reading this chapter! I had a lot of fun writing it since Erik is my favourite character (not surprisingly). It's just so much fun writing his first meeting with my OC.

Again, I hope you lovely readers enjoyed this chapter. And if you did, please read it as much as you want! And the overall story too (once it's finished).

I write because I love to write.

But favourites, follows, and reviews are always motivating! :)

Until the next time we meet,

MiraLake

(PS. New chapters every week unless I announce a hiatus)