A/N: Actually, these first two chapters are rather short ones, for they are just a sort of introduction. The next one will be longer, I promise. Thanks to all of you that reviewed the last chapter, good to know that you liked this story. Please, tell me what you think about this continuation! Special thanks to Lavendar for the vocabulary correction and to AngelCeleste85 for the help with the past of the verb hurt :) I'm often tormented by this kind of doubt and I really appreciate it when people help, so, thanks!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Phantom, Meg, Christine, etc., etc.. Nobody does, really... It would be slavery, don't you think?

Chapter II – The first steps

I stayed lost in thoughts for a long time, until Raoul entered the room. Catching me finally awake, he ran in my direction and took my hands.

"Oh, my darling, I was so worried about you," he said protectively.

I had already decided what to do. Dream or not, I had to discover Erik's whereabouts. Before I could do that, I had to communicate my decision to Raoul. The idea of hurting him hurt me as well, but it was for our sake. My marriage with him would be an enormous lie, lacking of many feelings. Even our engagement had been a big mistake, when we both had confounded a special friendship with something more. He deserved much more than confusions.

"Raoul, I have something to tell you," I sat up on the bed and made a gesture for him to sit by my side, "it's very important."

"What is it?" He asked, concern flashing in his eyes.

"I've been thinking a lot about our engagement," I took a deep breath and continued, twisting my hands in my dress fabric, "and concluded that it would be better to the both of us if we break it."

 "It's him, isn't it?" His question sounded more like an affirmation.

"I don't know," I answered with sincerity.

"If this is your decision," he said with grief and a kind, sad comprehension,  "I'm afraid I can do nothing."

"No, you can't," I squeezed his hand, trying to bring him some comfort. "But I will always love you as my childhood friend and the brother I've never had."

"I will always love you, Christine."

I took off the delicate golden ring that symbolized our engagement and gently deposited it on his open hand.

"But where are you going?" He asked, suddenly afflicted. "Your flat isn't secure, you know."

I sighed, knowing that Raoul wouldn't accept the idea of Erik not being a monster and not harming me. Erik hadn't a good concept about Raoul too and I couldn't blame the two for it, their only encounter had been far from agreeable.

"To Meg's house. I know she will receive me," I paused, standing up and making my way to the door. "Goodbye, my dear friend."

As I had told Raoul, Meg received me in her house and asked me a thousand questions. After some minutes, I told her the whole story.

"You broke up with Raoul because of a dream?" She asked at last, astounded. "Christine, the Opera Ghost can be dead now!"

"Oh, Meg, I know he is alive. I can feel it. Besides, you said the mob found nothing in his house," Meg had told me about the things that had happened after I was gone with Raoul and I answered her question aware of how illogical it all sounded to her.

"Yes, I said that, but just the same, he can travel to another country and never come back."

"I will find him even if he vanishes into haze," I said confidently, keeping my doubts to myself. "And it was better to Raoul. I can love him as my best friend, not as the wonderful husband that he certainly will be."

"If you say so..." She sighed. "It's nearly lunch time, we better eat something. My mother will be back only for dinner and later we can explain the whole affair to her."

"Thank you, Meg," I was grateful for didn't need to discuss anymore; I had had enough of it for one day, "tomorrow I'll return to my flat."

She nodded and leaded me to the dinning room, still with a questioningly expression.