Chapter 5: Love or lies
Christine walked out into the main lair. Erik was playing at the organ.
"May I sit here?" she asked indicating the stool.
Erik looked up in surprise and gave a curt nod, than continued played.
After a bit of listening Christine began to watch him play, her eyes straying to his mask. Why was he still wearing it? Reaching up she began to lift it off. A hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.
"I really don't think you want to do that," growled Erik. Remembering the last time she'd taken it from him.
"Erik," it was so quiet, it was barely audible.
Christine looked into his golden eyes, they blazed in…what was it? Anger? Fear? She lifted her other hand to his face and stroked the unmasked cheek. Then she slid it across and took away the mask. Erik's free hand flew to his face but this time she caught his wrist.
"Erik, I love you." She watched his reaction intently.
Erik heard her but he wasn't registering it in his mind. He laughed bitterly.
Christine felt her heart pound hard in despair. Not for her but for him. Poor Erik. Could he really not believe it?
"You must be lying," he stood and walked a little way away. Then turned to face her. "You love me. Ha. How can anyone love…this?"
Christine stood up. "What is 'this' Erik?"
"You mock me," his eyes burned, "I am a monster Christine and don't say that you can not see it for you shrank from me at the beginning."
Christine stepped forward till they were almost touching, "Erik, I love you. You have a beautiful soul that can make glorious music. You have a wonderful mind and," she placed one hand on his chest, "You have a heart, that I think I must have broken." She felt him shiver under her touch. "Why would I lie about it Erik? I love you. You said you loved me. What am I doing here if I do not love you? I fled Raoul to be with you." She brushed a hand down his marred check and gazed up at him pleadingly, "believe me Erik, please."
Erik's heart pound violently. She wasn't lying. She wasn't lying. She wasn't lying. The same thought swirling around in his head.
"Christine?"
She looked up at him, and he saw the love in her eyes. He hugged her to him fiercely.
"Oh Christine, you mean it?"
"Yes Erik."
"Then you'll marry me?"
"Yes," she whispered.
