A/N: Thank you to all my lovely reviewers!!! SO TERRIBLY sorry for my delay… I just had terrible writer's block! But it's all better now! ^-^

"First I hear those violins
And the world breaks out in silly grins
Then I fly to the stars up above
So I'm afraid this must be love…" –I'm Afraid This Must Be Love by Linda Eder

Chapter Eight

            My eyes are shut as my fingers gently press down on the keys. My hands gracefully glide across the piano, as if nothing could bring them to a halt; but one thing does. A small, merciless hand grasps at my mask – the only object covering my hideous deformity. My eyes swiftly snap wide open, fire slowly beginning to rise in them. Spinning around, Christine stands there, her eyes broadening. At first, she gapes, shock consuming her. Fear then wells up in her eyes, as her entire body begins to tremble. Her grip on the single mask tightens as she begins to withdraw from me. Christine's lips part, a piercing scream fleeing from them.

            "You want to see?!  You want to see the face of your 'Angel'?" I furiously yelled, snatching her hair. "Then, LOOK, Christine!!!! Gawk at the monster before you!!!!"

            I twist my fingers in her hair, quickly bringing her face close to mine. My warm breath passes over her pale face.

            "Erik… Please…" She speaks in a broken whisper. "Stop, please, Erik…"

            "Stop?" I repeat irately, "No, my dear, I will NOT stop! You wanted to see! Well, now, you can! Why so afraid, Christine? You do not think I am good-looking?"

            Sarcasm is dripping from my voice as my clutch on her stiffens.

            "Erik! Stop!" She sobs, her eyes firmly shut, desperate tears rolling down her cheeks.

            "NO!" I roar, holding her up against a wall. "Look at me, Christine! See the man before you!"

            Her eyes remain shut.

            My vision is red. As if a demon possesses me, I seize her throat.

            "Open them…" I hiss, barely a few inches from her face.

            Christine's eyes gradually flutter open, a gasp escaping her mouth. All the color has drained from her face and her lips are no longer the scarlet color they once were.

            "Erik… please…" She pleads in short, winded breaths.

            My eyes widened, as my murderous grip around her neck loosens. What had I done?

            Jerking from my sleep in a cold sweat, I panted. Running my hand over my face, I sighed with slight relief.

            "Only a nightmare…" I whispered, resting my face in my hands.

            Turning my head to some extent, my eyes rested on her beautiful form. Sleep had claimed her indefinitely. Her cheeks were rosy, and her breaths were even. I threw a weary glance at the clock… it was late! Christine would be late for rehearsal!

            I turned to wake her, but I couldn't bring myself to it. She appeared so delicate, so fragile: a white rose that had just begun to bloom. My hand shook her shoulder as gently as possible.

            "Christine…" I murmured, "You will be late for rehearsal, my love…"

            She yawned, stretching her arms about. Suddenly, she sat up rapidly upon hearing the words 'late for rehearsal'.

            "Oh!" Christine exclaimed, slipping out of bed. "I mustn't be late again! Monsieur Reyer is quite tired of my tardiness."

            Smiling lightly, I couldn't help but chuckle. I slid my arms around her waist, pressing a kiss to her cheek before she could leave. Turning around, she returned the kiss; and as if reluctant to release my lips, she scurried from the room to change.

            Sighing, a realization came to me. I was not wearing my mask! A full grin claimed my lips. I was not wearing my mask, and she kissed me! She kissed me without any revulsion! Slipping on the porcelain mask, I put on a shirt, slowly doing the buttons.

            Sauntering out of my room, I saw Christine had gotten dressed fairly quick. She was wearing a sapphire dress that matched very well with her sparkling, cerulean eyes.

            "I'll be back soon, Erik!" She stated, kissing me swiftly on the cheek.

            Draping on my cloak and donning my fedora, I quietly followed her. Although she was the only light in my life, I was still accustomed to the shadows. The familiar darkness embraced me as my footsteps mirrored hers with precision.

            Christine finally reached the doors to the theatre. Running her hands through her hair, she caught her breath as she glanced behind her… at me. Even though she was staring directly at me, she did not see me. Slowly turning back around, her little hand reached for the doorknob, but was stopped by another one.

            An inferno rose in my yellow eyes as my hand clenched my cloak. The Vicomte de Chagny. I grimaced as his boyish, charming features brightened.

            "Christine!" He exclaimed merrily, taking her into his arms.

            Pressing a kiss on her crimson lips, Raoul chuckled.

            Turning around, my ears blocked out all sound. Rage rose within me as my heart seemed to drop a million feet into a pit of despair. Stalking back to my house upon the lake, I furiously threw open the door.

            "Of course, she could not love me!" I snarled, furiously throwing a lamp across the room.

            My eyes watched the lamp shatter into numerous pieces and instantaneously fall to the floor. Melancholy soon accompanied the resentment, as I sank into the divan, watching the vacant fireplace.

            Gradually, my eyes shut as I drifted off into the haunting darkness that had been my only friend for so many years.

            I was awakened by a tiny hand on my shoulder.

            "Erik… Erik, I'm home… Wake up, my love." A melodic voice murmured.

            Snapping my head up, my gaze befell Christine, whom was staring at the shattered lamp.

            "What happened? Are you all right?" She inquired, worry rushing to her eyes.

            "Never mind that, my dear… How was rehearsal?" I replied, attempting to stay calm. Just how truthful would she be?

            "Oh… the same. It seemed very long. I'm so tired." She yawned, pushing a free curl away from her face. "I think I'll take a nap."

            Raising an eyebrow, I blocked her entrance to her room. "Oh? What happened?"

            Christine shrugged, "Nothing. It was just tiring." She stared up at me, with slight surprise.

            "Did you see the Vicomte?" I questioned, taking a step closer.

            My slowly rising anger was oblivious to her, as she did not even budge. "Yes, he is always at the rehearsals… and why do you ask?"

            Lifting her chin with my slender finger, I sighed. "Did he greet you with any special… action, I suppose?"

            Christine's eyes expanded as she gazed at me. "Yes, but, Erik…"

            My harsh voice cut her off in mid sentence. "My deepest apologies for interrupting, my dear, but I just happened to be there when he kissed you – and may I add, it was an exceedingly intimate kiss."

            "Erik…"

            "What? What are you going to say? Please, my dear, I would love an explanation."

            Her eyes reflected mine as she stood straight. "Oh, you were following me? Well, then you must have seen my hand slap his face?"

            I dropped my hands to my side, feeling shame and guilt wash over me.

Sighing, I took her protectively into my arms. What was wrong with me? Was I trying to ruin this completely? This was the third day, and I could not even trust her! 'Imbecile!' I silently scolded myself.

            "I'm so sorry, Christine…" I whispered into her hair.

            "It's fine, Erik…" She replied, burying her face into my chest as I savored the embrace. "Trust me."

            I couldn't help but smile at the last statement, for it was normally I who was telling her to trust me.

            "I love you, Christine… I always will." I breathed.

            "I love you as well, Erik."

            Then, an appalling thought struck me. Tomorrow was the fourth day… Tomorrow was the last day with my angel!

            She must have sensed my distress, for her embrace became tighter.

            "Are you all right, Erik?" Christine softly inquired.

            "…Yes… Yes, I'm fine, love." I lied quietly, unwillingly releasing her from the loving embrace. "You really should sleep, dear. You will need rest for tomorrow."

            Tilting her head, a small smile tugged at her lips. "Why? You have had too many surprises for me, Erik. You really shouldn't waste your energy and time on me…" She giggled, an inquisitive glow sparkling in her cobalt eyes.

            "I would give anything for you, my love." I answered, kissing her forehead gently. "For now, you must wait until tomorrow."

            Meeting my lips with her own tenderly, she wrapped her arms tightly around my neck before letting go.

            "Fine…" She whispered, turning towards my room.

            "Where are you going?" I questioned, slight humor in my voice.

            "To sleep." She stated, blissfully departing the room. "Goodnight."

            "Goodnight." I replied quietly, longingly watching her leave.

            The truth was I had no idea what we were going to do tomorrow… but I had to think of something. Something wonderful. Something ecstatic. Something romantic. Something that was just like her…

One precious day was left with my white rose.

A/N: hehe! R&R, please!!!