Chapter 5: Let the Game Begin
"Christine!" No! She wouldn't run back to him, not after what she did. Tears came down freely as Rumen signaled the carriage to come. She heard the door open and heard his steps.
"Look at me Christine!" She lowered her head and took a breath before she spoke.
"Why do you pursue me Erik?" He took a step.
"You know why Christine." Another
"How can you pursue me Erik?" Another.
"You know why Christine." Another.
"No I don't! I don't understand how you can after I-" She stopped herself by clasping a hand over her mouth. Rumen looked at her with sad eyes. He knew nothing of what was taking place, but he knew it was causing her much pain. He extended his hand to help her into the carriage. Erik took another step.
"After you what, Christine?" She didn't answer, only took hold of Rumen's hand. "After you what!" She turned back to him fiercely.
"After I abandoned you, my love!" With that said, she entered the carriage and wept. Did he hear her right? Her love? Erik advanced on the carriage, determined to see her.
"Christine!" Rumen held his hand out to stop him.
"I'm sorry sir, but I can not let you see her at this time." Christine looked up to meet his blue eyes. Oh, those wonderful blue eyes that have haunted her till this day. She extended a hand as if to reach for him, when her own words rang in her mind.
"No, I won't use him for myself… I will never run back into his arms… No matter how much I want to…" She closed her eyes and turned her hand into a fist. Trying as hard as she could no not break her voice, she spoke.
"Leave Erik. Please." Erik looked at her. His heart reached for her. It never left her, no matter how much he wanted to hate her, he couldn't. Her voice still echoed in his heart.
"Christine…" Her soul wretched at the soft tone he took to her name. But she couldn't break his heart again.
"Leave! Go! Forget me! Never see me again! Please!" Rumen went back inside the carriage and closed the door. He knocked on the ceiling and they were off. Erik stood there, staring after them. She wouldn't return to him. Why? Why wouldn't she embrace him! He set his eyes after them with a quiet storm raging inside. He would find out why she rejected him. He reached in his pocket and took out the ring she returned to him that fateful night. He recalled her question.
"Why do you pursue me Erik?" He turned the ring
"I love you with all my heart." Once again the question came.
"How can you pursue me Erik?" His heart beat so strong.
"I crave you more than life itself." He clutched the ring. "I will have you once again, my angel. You will be mine, now and forever." He turned on his heal and headed for the Paris Opera House.
