-Christine-
Time stood still. I swear to you at that moment, not even God's angels dared to breathe. My mind was a filled with thousands of things I wanted to say. Thousands of things I wanted to ask. But like the child I was, like the child I have always been, I could only stand there, stare, and wait for him to make the first move, whatever that move might be. Neither of us moved, and neither of us breathed. Finally he took a step toward me.
"Christine".
Oh Lord, how wonderful my name sounded as it rolled off his lips! I closed my eyes, and he continued to walk toward me. In 5 mere strides he crossed the room and was standing before me. I could reach out and touch him if only I was able to summon the strength to command my arm to move. My teacher. My angel. My love. He looked magnificent as always. Impeccably dressed in midnight black, he carried with him the air of pride and strength I had relied on for all those years. Now that he stood before me, I wondered how I had been able to live without that bubbling pool of strength for the past three years. I looked into his eyes. Those golden eyes which both threaten and adore. As I stared into them now, desperately trying to find some semblance of what he was thinking, I was met with sad longing and broken dreams. I recognized that look, for I'm sure his eyes were reflections of my own. Regardless of all that I wanted to say, all that I should say, I managed to say the most elementary thing that popped into my mind.
"Erik…What are you doing here?"
Erik smiled a wry smile. "You've always had a way of expressing your emotions haven't you?"
My face flushed crimson and I looked down at my feet. "Well isn't that the standard question an average person would ask?"
"Christine, you're not just an average person. If you were, I can promise you I wouldn't have come after you and I sure as hell wouldn't be standing before you now."
I looked up only to realize that he had taken a step closer. He was now a few mere inches away from me. The socialite and respectable woman I had worked so hard to become for Raoul's sake screamed at me to tell Erik I was a married woman and he shouldn't be here. However, that woman was almost immediately stifled by my overwhelming desire to be wrapped in his arms forever. I should be ashamed of my feelings…those feelings which no decent married women should ever feel towards another man. But Raoul knew I had never been entirely his. At least, I hope he did.
"Erik…" Who knew saying a name could convey all the unspoken emotions which raged within me now?
"Christine, I realize that you are a married woman now, and I know that you have always been a lady. I can't lie and say that I expect you to throw everything down at this moment and come with me. I respect your choice three years ago, regardless of how I wish your choice had been different. I don't come here today under false pretenses and hopes that you have changed your mind…"
"Erik please…"
"No let me finish. I do not dare to believe that if you could do it again, you would have chosen differently. I merely wish to let you know that my feelings for you have not changed. As much as I have tried to fill myself with absolute hatred and loathing for the woman who stands before me, I have only succeeded in making them…well…quite the opposite."
"And what are they exactly?"
I seemed to have thrown him off guard. I had struck a chord which he did not want to touch upon. It suddenly became evident to him how closely we were dancing around a subject which we weren't even willing to admit to ourselves. Erik looked at me with cold eyes. "Do not make me say it. Regardless of my feelings, I will not allow myself to say it. You know what I mean. There is no reason for me to spell it out again."
The room was filled with a few moments of silence, broken only by ragged breathing. Whether it was his or mine, I could not be certain. Finally he spoke.
"You are attending a ball with Raoul tonight. It's a masquerade. Wear this dress," he pointed to the red one, "and I will come find you. Perhaps you will not find it objectionable to dance with your former teacher when the mask and heinous face which lie beneath it appear to be part of a costume."
"Erik stop it. You know that your face and mask have stopped causing me fear years ago."
Erik held up a hand to silence me. His eyes were glinting dangerously. "Do not lie to me Christine. I would think that after all that has happened, lying would no longer be a viable option. I will be there tonight. If the Fates look upon this face with mercy, tonight's masque may end differently then the last."
With that he turned around and left. No, he turned around and vanished. Staring at the space which had once been filled by his body, I felt my eyes water with tears. It had begun again. The madness would never end. And yet, madness had never felt so welcoming. I crossed myself, and began to pray for the strength to endure what is yet to come.
A/N: Well, what do you think? I'm really not too sure how I feel about this chapter. It's so hard to grasp Erik's character. I know this chapter makes Erik seem rather…well…like a lovesick puppy, but believe me. He's not. The next chapter will be from his point of view, and we'll get to see a slightly darker side of him. Please Review HONESTLY! Nothing is more important than honesty people! (Even if honestly equals flames)
