Chapter Five

Masquerade

The three friends met outside of the opera house, it was a beautiful night for the Masquerade. Isabella was making her way through the crowd looking for Christine and Elizabeth. She was wearing a long, flowing turquoise dress with a bow on the back. Elizabeth was wearing a deep blood red dress that went to the floor and poofed out when she spun in a circle. Christine was wearing a pink dress that also went to the floor but it covered her shoulders and her arms. Isabella finally made her way through the crowd and found her friends. She smiled and ran to them. No one had seen her since the night she was taken by the Phantom. Christine ran up the her and hugged her.

"I am so happy to see you finally out of your room." Isabella smiled.

"I'm sorry girls I was just so frightened by that ordeal that I moved to my fathers room so that he could watch over me." They all smiled and hugged her then Raoul came over to her wearing a very handsome outfit. She smiled at him and ran to him and threw her arms around him. He hugged her and then asked to see her alone for a few minutes she smiled and nodded "Excuse me girls I will be back soon I promise." They all watched her go. Elizabeth and Christine looked at each other and smiled they were both very happy for their friend.

Isabella smiled at Raoul and he took her hand and led her away from her two friends. He had a smile upon his face that told Isabella he had something big planned. He led her away from the crowd into the garden next to the opera house. They sat down on a bench that was next to a patch of lilies. Isabella could smell their sweet fragrance wafting through the night. She smiled at him. He then turned around away from her for a second then faced her again and smiled excitedly.

"Raoul why have you brought me here?" He smiled and then took both of her hands and looked into her eyes. She smiled at him when she saw the huge smile upon his face.

"Isabella I brought you here to ask you something important." The smile faded a little. "Isabella from the moment I met you I knew you were a special woman. You are sweet, kind and loving." The smile then grew into a shy one. "Isabella I don't want to lose you and I want to be able to protect you forever. I would be deeply honored if you would marry me." She smiled at him it was the brightest smile that he had ever seen her smile. Taking him by surprise she jumped onto him. He instantly grabbed onto her tightly and looked at her surprisedly.

"Yes, yes Raoul I will marry you." She whispered into his ear gaining back the dignity that had just leaked out of her. He then twirled her around once in a wide circle. Isabella slowly pulled away to look into his deep blue eyes. She smiled he then bent down and kissed her she hugged him enthusiastically. They kissed one more time he then took out the ring that he had bought for her. It was a diamond in the shape of a lily. He placed it upon her left ring finger. She smiled softly as tears began to streak down her cheeks. He looked at her somewhat concerned

"What is it Isabella, what's the matter?"

"Oh nothing I am just so happy that I am going to marry you. Come lets go tell the others." He took her hand and led her back to here two friends.

Elizabeth and Christine could see the smile on Isabella's face a mile away. When Isabella got closer she let go of Raoul's hand and went to huddle with the other girls and showed them her ring. She looked up into Raoul's eyes.

"Raoul just asked me to marry him and I accepted." Christine looked a little worried about something and they noticed that she was staring at Jacques. They both were worried for a moment but they shrugged it off. Isabella hugged them both as they congratulated her. It was then time to go into the opera house. Raoul held his arm out to Isabella, she took it and then walked inside the opera house with the other two girls. Isabella was beaming and everyone around her could tell how happy she was. She wanted to tell her father but he was busy conducting the symphony. She looked at the empty chair that her father had always saved for her in case she ever wanted to join and play her violin. It was her second love and she hadn't played it in a very long time. The group of friends headed to the center of the dance floor. Isabella and Christine wanted to dance with Jacques and Raoul but they looked at their single friend and didn't want to leave her alone. Elizabeth knowing what they both were thinking smiled at them.

"Don't worry about me I will find someone. I highly doubt that our friend will show up. You guys go and dance."

"No we can't do that to you Liz." Christine said.
"Yeah we don't have to dance there will always be another Masquerade next year." Isabella said, Elizabeth smiled.

"No you are a newly engaged woman dance with your fiancé."

"But..."
"No buts you two go and dance have a good time. I have a feeling that Dominic will be here to pester me anyway." The two girls laughed and went of with their fiancées.

"I pester you huh?" Came Dominic's deep calming voice. Elizabeth smiled and turned around to him.

"Hello Dom. You know you don't pester me." She kissed him on the cheek.

"Would you like to dance?"

"Sure why not?" She said to the hand that he had offered to her taking it gently. As he swung her around the room she kept glancing at Isabella and Raoul seeing their happy faces and for a moment wishing that it was her. She shook the thought out of her head and looked back up at Dominic and smiled at him. She then looked at Christine and Jacques smiling at the way they were secretly whispering to each other. Elizabeth again began to have bad thoughts. Her poor me thoughts. Not anymore Elizabeth cut that out.

"You are really quiet."

"I have a lot on my mind." Just then a chill came over to the room and everything stopped. Elizabeth heard the steps of someone coming down the stairs. She turned and saw it was the Phantom.

"Why so silent good Monsieur's?" As soon as she heard his voice she shivered. It sent a warmth down her spine. She looked over to her right and left and saw that Christine was on the side of her with Jacques and Isabella was on the other side with Raoul. "I have written you an opera Don Juan Triumphant. Miss Christine Daae will be the star and Carlotta will be in the course." He tossed the play on the stairs in front of the two directors then he stood in front of the group of friends. Dominic slowly backed away from the group and disappeared. Elizabeth turned around and looked for him but he was long gone. She rolled her eyes and looked at the Phantom who was now staring at her.

"I see that your hero has left you all alone little one."

"He had to use the bathroom Phantom."

"I told you not to call me that." He growled. Elizabeth smiled a smug smile and shrugged her shoulders. "You sure did pick a hero."

"I have not picked anyone be gone with you." She said then looked at her friends who all had their mouths open staring at her. The Phantom bowed then was gone in a flash of smoke and fire leaving Elizabeth shaken. Immediately everyone began to talk and stare. Her friends moved in a circle around her and bombarded her with questions. She raised her hand and they all went quiet.

"If you will excuse me I am very tired all of a sudden I think that I should go to my room and rest." They all nodded.

"Would you like me to walk you back to your room?" Jacques asked.

"No I will be fine just do one thing for me if you see Dom please tell him that I don't want to see him if he asks."

"Ok." Isabella softly said. Elizabeth turned and left the room. As soon as she left the music began to play again and the couples began to dance.