Chapter 22: Every Rose Has A Thorn

Christine gazed at the mirror for a moment after the shadow had disappeared. God she loved him.

She would do anything for that man.

That angel.

Anything.

Her wine red dress was soon taking over the reflection. It suited her well, the bodice doubling as a corset so she didn't have to wear so many terribly uncomfortable layers. The sleeves were long velvet that fell graciously from her wrists, past her hips. The bodice pointed into a soft silk skirt that was the perfect length. A neckline was absent as the dress clung to the sides of her shoulders, leaving her collar bone visible to the extreme. Golden embroidery of vines on the bodice finished of the extravagant article of clothing that Erik had insisted upon buying for her. It would have been an Opera costume had she not been there.

Christine looked at herself again and realized she seemed to be glowing from happiness. She had never been this relaxed in her life, never this happy.

Never this loved.

Life was beyond good, it was extraordinary.

Then why was there this awful feeling in the pit of her stomach?

There was knock at the door, her cue to come back down to earth.

"Christine, are you back?"

It was Christian.

"Yes, come in." She sat at her vanity, prepared to welcome her guest.

Christian gently opened the door, swiftly passing through he sat across from her on a wooden stool.

"I'm glad your back, we need to rehearse, with the new song and all, it will be a miracle if it is finished on time." Christian saw the look on Christine's confused features and instantly explained. "Erik wrote a new song, last night I think, he delivered it to Toulouse this morning. It is the theme for the title." Again, puzzlement inhabited Christine's face. "For a man that loves you more than life it's self, Erik is very mysterious towards you. It was decided to be titled Anywhere." He watched with slight amusement as Christine put all this information together. Then she smiled and stood.

"Well then we have much work to be done." She led him out of the dressing room.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Christine skimmed over the music in her hands; the song was perfect, beautiful. She was slightly stumped however, at why Erik had kept it secret from her? Well, she had been asleep for quite some time; he had probably done a lot in that time. She had done nothing to encourage him when she had asked to leave. She sighed and started the duet she was to sing with Christian. Many of the lyrics were mixed with songs she had sung with Erik in the past month. What a glorious month it had been. But she felt it was to come to a very tragic end, something was wrong, she could feel it, sense it, she could see it in Erik's eyes. He was looking down at her from the second floor, frustrated as he grasped the railing until his knuckles were white as his mask. Christine closed her eyes, trying to block out the pain of seeing him like this. It was no use; she absorbed it like a sponge would water.

Why wouldn't he just tell her? Why was he so dammed stubborn?

Erik smiled weakly down at her and disappeared, and as if his presence was all that made life worth living, Raoul de Changy waltzed in through the foyer, disrupting the entire cast with his order barking.

Christine's first reaction was to look around franticly for Erik.

He was gone.

"Oh don't stop because of me darling." Raoul said, seeing that Christine had frozen in the middle of the stage. After a moment of an awkward silence, Raoul exploded again. "ZIDLER! We need to talk. Christine! I want to see you rehearsing! Christian! Change then ending! This is atrocious! Why would the whore follow love instead of wealth?" He spat the word "whore" in Christine's direction.

"Well, you see…" Christian had started with poison in his voice but Christine cut him off.

"BECAUSE I DON'T LOVE YOU!"

Every one just stood, staring at this beautiful, bold, daring woman. Toulouse, Andre, Firmin, Gisele, the Argentinean, Harold, the can-can girls and the ballet brats. They all stared for an eternity.

Christine stared too, open-mouthed. She finally swallowed and inhaled deeply.

"Him, she doesn't love him." Her voice cracked terribly.

Every pair of eyes turned to the Victome.

Raoul was breathing heavily and his face was red from rage and embarrassment.

"Zidler, I need to see you." Harold didn't move. "NOW! Christine, I will like to see you in your dressing room afterwards." Without waiting for her obvious rejection, he stormed out of the hall, his entroge of bodyguards and servants following close behind.

Christine fainted.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A/N: I know it was short, but I have to do a computer transfer, so expect more tonight. I owe it to you guys since I was sick last week and barley gave you anything. KEEP UP THE REVIEWS IF YOU WANT ME TO CONTINUE THIS STORY! Hahahahaha, I relish on power. Just kidding.