The second time Gustave saw Erik it was little more than a glimpse. He had retired early from rehearsals and was walking toward his room. Gustave was just a few steps from his door when from the corner of his eye he saw Erik's figure walk away. It appeared as if the boy had been following him. Gustave smiled to himself and vowed to one day catch the youth's eyes long enough to star a conversation.

As he had become accustomed now Christine was fast asleep when Gustave entered the room. She no longer needed his assistance to battle the ghosts and monsters that haunted her. Precisely on the fourth day of late rehearsals Gustave started to come back to a sound sleeping Christine. That morning when he congratulated her on her braveness she insisted that the angel from the story had sang her to sleep. At first Gustave thought she was serious about the singing angel, but then he recalled telling her the story about the guardian angel of music that protected young girls that waited patiently for their violinist fathers. I am glad my story about her guardian angel helped her feel safe, Gustave thought smiling to himself and praising his cleverness once more.

Gustave removed his jacket and lay down on his bed. He expected to rest for a few hours before he headed for the music room once again. The last few nights of late practice had taken a toll on his body, he felt tired and sleepy.

When Gustave woke up the room was just as dark as it had been when he had closed his eyes a few hours before. Unfortunately Gustave soon realized that he had slept more than he had wanted to. The loud chatter outside his room informed him that it was the morning of the next day. Gustave smiled with irony and decided to take it easy for the next few days. His body still ached and he feared that he could not risk falling ill at this time. Until his body improved in strength he would not practice harder than the required rehearsals with the conductor.

Gustave went about his regular daily routine. He took Christine to Madame Giry for her ballet classes. When to set up for rehearsal and endured the conductor's bad mood as best he could. Gustave then took a lunch break and when to see Christine. He first stopped at the small restaurant in town and bought her a meal. The food at the Opera house was not bad but once in a while Gustave liked to surprise Christine with a little lunch date.

After the meal Gustave headed back to rehearsals and counted the minutes until it was over. Many hours into the rehearsal, at exactly 8:20, Gustave noticed that he could not keep his eyes open. He motioned to the conductor that he needed to stop. Not very amused by Gustave's bold action, the conductor spoke loudly.

"Yes Monsieur Daae?"

"I am afraid I must excuse myself Maestro, I am feeling ill." Gustave said.

"If you must then you must." The conductor answered.

Gustave took this as close to an approval as he would ever get from the conductor. He carefully put away his violin and rubbed his neck. He really needed to rest.

Gustave walked the way to his room in a fast pace after he encountered a very passionate couple demonstrating their affection for each other in the middle of a hall. He was smiling until came to the door of his room. What he heard coming from inside his room left him paralyzed. Gustave's heart pounded insanely, his mouth went dry and his knees buckled beneath him. A voice, the most beautiful male voice he had ever heard was tuning a heavenly song.