Chapter 15: Please
Christine left her dressing room with her head still in the clouds with thoughts of Erik. She shut the door, and was about to return to rehearsals, when a note taped to her door caught her eye. The spiky and formal writing was familiar to her, and she debated whether or not she should open it. What if it was important, no she should burn it. But what if…no. Christine couldn't take it anymore. She broke the seal with her finger and a small piece of paper fell into her hand. She read the message anxiously.
Dearest Christine,
I would like to apologize for the other night; I was under the influence of alcohol and the excitement of seeing you again. It has come to my attention that you are seeing that monster again. Please Christine, am I so much worse than him? Let us talk and discuss things; I will die of shame if we don't. Please darling? Meet me across the street in the little motel at nine o' clock tomorrow night, we can talk there. Come alone, you don't want me to have to speak in front of him.
Your loving husband,
Raoul
Christine sneered at the letter. But what if he was telling the truth? Maybe she should go see him, just to tell him that they will never be. Yes, she will go and tell him that they will get a divorce. Yes. She will not tell Erik, he will worry too much. But she would tell Toulouse, just in case.
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"Toulouse, please don't tell Erik, this is something that I must do alone." Christine pleaded with Toulouse as he headed towards Erik's lair.
"Christine, this is far too dangerous, no." A realization washed over his face and he muttered something under his breath, but he didn't know that Christine had heard the words. "It is repeating."
Please Toulouse, you can't tell him, Raoul will do something! He is very powerful, please! The last thing I want is to see him dead! That's why I'm going in the first place! Please!" Christine grabbed his arm.
Toulouse was shocked by her plea. "Christine I will not let you do this to yourself."
"But I love him!"
Toulouse was confused. "Erik or Raoul?"
"Erik! Don't you understand? Raoul will not be outsmarted by love again. And I love Erik; I can't let any harm, emotional or physical, come to him. Please." She lowered her arm as tears formed in her eyes.
Toulouse softened, she was right. "I will not tell Erik Christine, but if you are not back by ten o' clock, I will tell him."
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"What am I doing?" Christine asked herself as Erik slept peacefully embracing her body. He loved her so much, why? Erik stirred in his sleep and kissed the top of her head, pulling the sheets closer to their bodies.
"I love you, mon ange." He whispered in her ear and he pulled her closer, enjoying the warmth of her body against his.
Christine put a hand to his face, he rarely wore the mask now, it was a good thing too, Christine loved the way he instantly melted away as her skin made contact with his. He kissed her hand lightly and stroked her hair. Christine's thoughts drifted as Erik's eyes opened and he gazed down at her. He smiled down at her and she smiled back, laying her head down on his chest. She took his hand and their fingers entwined perfectly with each other. They fell asleep, dreaming of each other and their love. But one dream was nightmare.
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Christine searched each and every room calling his name. Where was he?
"Please God, help me find him in time."
In time? In time for what? Where was Erik? Why wasn't he home?
Christine traveled upwards, searching and finding nothing. She climbed out of the tunnels and searched the Moulin Rouge, which was mysteriously empty. She finally came to the stage. Suddenly, there were people everywhere, watching her. She looked down and screamed. Erik was lying there with blood staining his crisp white shirt and pooling around him. His beautiful eyes were lifeless and wide. She sobbed and screamed at the same time, no one did anything. Her scream echoed in her mind when she awoke, Erik looking very concerned and worried. She embraced him tightly.
"Oh my God, I thought you were dead! All that blood and those people! And your eyes, oh my God your eyes." She started sobbing again.
Erik gathered her in his arms, trying hard to comfort her. He pushed his lips to her forehead and his cheek to hers.
"Shh, I'm here, I will always be here, shh, please don't cry angel, please don't cry. It breaks my heart when you cry." He held her tighter and pulled her closer against him, he wanted to take the pain away.
Her sobs were now reduced to tears. She looked up at Erik, he was wearing his mask. She clung to his chest, feeling protected and loved. Her thin white nightgown was damp with tears and sweat. Erik didn't care, he held her to him like nothing else in the world mattered.
"I'm sorry if I scared you." She whispered into his chest.
Erik put a finger under her chin and lifted her face to his.
"You've never had a nightmare before, what is wrong, is something bothering you? You can tell me anything"
Christine shook her head, knowing full well what was wrong.
"Are you sure?" Erik's voice seemed slightly hurt.
Christine hated lying to him, but shook her head anyway.
Erik sighed and kissed her forehead. Christine felt cool porcelain brush her skin.
"It wasn't your face I was having nightmares about." She giggled at how naïve he could be. She removed the mask and placed it on the nightstand.
Erik was slightly taken aback by this, but smiled as she removed the mask from his face. He lowered his lips to hers gently. Their lips connected with soft passion and a velvety feel.
Erik leaned back against his pillow, pulling Christine up against him once again. They fell asleep in each others embrace.
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Christine awaited the time for her to visit Raoul. She dressed as conservatively as she could, in a gray and black dress. She looked up at the beautiful golden clock upon her vanity. Five minutes to nine, she had to leave.
Erik came up behind her and kissed her cheek. She brushed him away however, and walked out of the dressing room. Leaving Erik hurt and confused.
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Christine entered the building and made her way up the stairs. She came to a hallway with an open door at the end. She walked slowly and cautiously; ready to run at any moment. She entered the room slowly, taking in the surroundings. The first thing she noticed was the gaping hole in the ceiling, but other than that the room wasn't too hideous. Large windows led out to a ledge that faced the Moulin Rouge and a breathtaking view of Paris.
"Hello Christine. Glad you came, darling."
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A/N: Just so you know, I'm changing the title of the story to The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn. And huge dance seaquance and song coming up! Thank you to all of my reviwers, God I love you guys! And sorry about the e-mail, it's butterflygirl163 at hotmail. com, just take ot the spaces and put the sign in it. So hang tight for the big dance!
