I knew I had to get her back. My only problem was how. I paced back and forth, on and off for about three hours. During that time I also drank three glasses of wine and half a bottle of brandy. Finally, I was struck with an idea so simple I was shocked that I hadn't thought of it before. Go to Versailles. I smiled somewhat deviously and went up a passageway that led to the Opera stables. I selected a horse and mounted it.
It was quite dark out already, so I didn't worry terribly about being seen. I reached the nearby city of Versailles in about a half an hour, putting the time roughly at midnight when I arrived in town. I rode to an inn and tied the horse to a post outside. I walked in and was surprised at the number of people still up at such a late hour. I approached the front desk, careful to keep my traveling cloak's hood over my mask.
"Good evening Monsieur!" the man at the desk said cheerfully. "How may I help you?"
"I need a room. One night only," I stated.
"Alright then. Let's see what I have available." He flipped through a large book and ran his finger down one of the pages. "Ah, yes. Room 25 is available. I'm afraid it's not our best-"
"That will be fine," I interrupted sharply. "How much?" I pulled a pouch out of one of my pockets and waited for his answer.
"Eighty five francs," he said. I gave him the money and went down the hall he had said would take me to my room. I went in and removed my cloak. Sitting down on the bed I soon realized I had no idea where I would start looking for her or how. I never went out during the day and surely that would be the easiest time to find her. I sighed and searched the drawers of the bedside table for paper and a pen. I soon found my needed supplies and spent the rest of the night composing a new song.
The next morning I put my traveling cloak back on and left my room. Checking every few moments that my mask was indeed covered, I made my way out of the hotel and onto the streets of Versailles. It was a busy town and I had to make every effort not to run into anyone. I stopped into a café and scanned it for Christine. Not seeing her I was about to leave when I decided that if I didn't want to look suspicious I should order something. I ordered a drink and something to eat and sat down. I kept my head down and did not speak to anyone until someone ran into my table.
"Oh, excuse moi, monsieur."
"It's alright…" I muttered and glanced up. I looked away quickly when I saw who had spoken, but I knew she had to have seen who I was. I was right.
"Erik?" she whispered.
"Yes Christine?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I-I um…"
"You what?"
"I came to find you."
"What?!"
"I came to find you Christine," I stated. I stood and moved towards her and took her hands in mine. I pulled her with me outside and into an alley. "Christine, I...I need you."
"Erik…" she said softly. I moved one of my hands up to caress her face.
"Please come back to me Christine. Come back to your Angel." I stepped closer to her and lowered my lips to hers. She stiffened slightly but then relaxed. I soon felt her wrap her arms around my neck. I pulled her closer to me so that she was pressed up against me. Despite the warmth of her body against mine, chills raced up and down my spine as the passion of the kiss spread through my body. I broke the kiss somewhat reluctantly and moved my head so that I could whisper in her ear.
"I love you," I murmured. "Do you love me Christine?"
"Yes," she replied breathlessly.
"Will you come back to me Christine?"
"Yes Erik." Those two simple words changed my life forever.