Chapter 10: The Phantom of the Opera is there
Erik stood there in the shadows, watching his Christine walk into the grand foyer where her husband stood waiting for her. With amazement he stayed there watching and hearing the way she presented herself so coldly to him.
"Please what? Please turn your pretty face away as I get another lover?" His eyes widened. What? The viscount had a lover? Rage trembled through out his limbs. He took another woman when he had Christine? HIS Christine! When she retreated upstairs and took Rumen with her, he decided to come out of the shadows slowly. He leaned against a column. The boy seemed almost disrupted. Erik shook his head.
"You are a fool, boy." Raoul turned around suddenly and rested his eyes on the man who once held a noose around his neck.
"Monster! What are you doing here?" He merely smirked at his answer. He walked slowly across to another column.
"You had a mistress when I gave you Christine. No, you're not a fool; you're an idiot, a moron, a cad, a jerk, a cur, an imbecile, and a villain. Should I add to the list?" Raoul reddened with anger.
"Where do you get off telling me what I am? Last time I looked, I wasn't a disfigured murderer." Erik waved that comment away with the kiss he shared with Christine in the music room. He stared at the viscount with somber eyes.
"I trusted you with her and this is how you treat her." He shook his head with a chuckle. "No, I think you're the worse one in this house hold." Once again the boy went to defend himself.
"That still doesn't explain what you are doing here? Shouldn't you be beneath an Opera theater killing off people one by one?" Rumen stood at the top of the stairs and walked down, keeping his eyes on the blond one.
"He is Miss Christine's guest. Now, please Monsieur, I believe she wished you to leave." He extended an arm towards the door. The viscount gave another shocked look at the past phantom, then stormed out of the house. Erik laughed at the look on his face. I shall succeed where you have failed boy, he thought. I will free her soul where you have chained it down. Rumen sighed as he turned to the other man in the room.
"Miss Christine loathes it when he tries to beg for forgiveness. It's absolutely foolish." Erik walked up to the stairs and looked up.
"Where is the writing room?" Rumen's eyes shot open as he leaped to the stairs to get in the man's way.
"That is not wise Monsieur. No one may disturb her while she's in there. She's trying to write another play before next month, so her reputation can grow." Erik smiled.
"Perhaps she needs a break."
Christine was busy writing down dialog, or at least, trying to write. The thought of Erik in her household was unbelievable and distracting. She sighed with a huff and growled with frustration. Damn! Why did he have to be here now? Finally, she was getting on with her life and making a good one for herself. She smirked at the thought of all the people who attended her plays. None of them realize who I used to be, she thought. She laughed softly then came to a realization. But he did. Her fingers went to her neck to touch a necklace. It was a gift from Erik on her wedding to the viscount. It had seven rings for good luck. Sadly, she realized the double meaning behind it. He was there for her for seven years. Seven years of singing, comforting, and being there with her. To her horror, the necklace was gone. She screamed and ran to the music room. The curtains were closed, leaving only the candles to light the way. She couldn't find Erik but she went to the place she was sleeping.
"Where is it? Where is it?" She heard footsteps behind her.
"You mean this?" Erik stood in the doorway holding up her necklace. She stood up and walked to him, extending out her hand. He looked at it, then went around behind her.
"You shouldn't lose such a gift, if it means so much to you." He clasped it behind her neck and lifted up her hair. She stayed there, while he walked away to the piano. He started to play and Christine's heart stopped as she knew the tune. It was the same song they sang together under the Opera Populaire. The melody filled the room like running water as she turned to look at his face. She stood there and watched as Erik played the familiar song. She couldn't help herself but sing with the powerful music.
In sleep he sang to me
In dreams he came…
She stepped slowly as if the dream would shatter.
That voice which calls to me
And speaks my name…
And do I dream again
For now I find
Erik looked at her as she came closer.
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside my mind…
She stopped next to the piano as his gaze stayed with her, never leaving.
Sing once again with me
Our strange Duet
My power over you
Grows stronger yet
She placed a hand on the black surface and turned to see if anyone was looking.
And though you turn from me
To glance behind
Her face whirled around to him again.
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside your mind…
Erik played more as Christine sat next to him on the bench and gazed at him
Those who have seen your face
Draw back in fear
I am that mask you wear
She touched the mask lightly, causing him to turn his head to her
It's me they hear…
Their faces were so close.
Your/My spirit and my/your voice
In one combined
The Phantom of the Opera is there
Inside my/your mind
She turned to the door again as she sang.
He's there
The Phantom of the Opera
That's when she sang that perfect pitch. It flowed from her soul like the last three years never happened. Erik writhed in it as he played
"Sing my Angel of Music!" She did, reaching the next pitch so easily.
"Sing my angel." She climbed another scale even more perfectly then the last.
"Sing for me!" Oh did she, once again she climbed as her soul reached the ceiling and beyond.
"Sing my Angel! Sing for me!" Her voice reached the climax in that last note. When she stopped, Christine could hear her voice still bouncing off the walls. She didn't have time to rest when she felt strong hands grab hold of her waist, pressing her against a warm chest. She stayed there when the realization of what she was doing dawned on her. She sat up, trying to get away.
"Erik, wait—." She was cut off by a deep kiss. Her mind went blank at the feel of lips massaging her own. His hand came up to caress her neck and cheek, before resting at the back of her head, his fingers intertwined with her hair. Christine couldn't stop herself. Her hands started at his abdomen and slowly went up his firm chest to come behind his neck. Her fingers played with his hair. It was so soft between his fingers. The kiss deepened as his tongue slowly slid into her mouth, playing with her own. He picked her up and put her on his lap, never leaving her lips. He drank in her scent. Vanilla with jasmine and…was that rose? It only made him desire her more at that instant. The kiss began to descend to something more gentle and loving. Finally, they withdrew from each other slowly, eyes still closed. She opened her eyes slowly and looked into the blue eyes she loved so much.
"Erik…" He placed a finger on her lips softly.
"Shhh… Don't worry, I shall not break from your soft lips. I shall not shatter upon your loving embrace. And I shall not be killed by your love." Tears silently fell from her beautiful eyes. He kissed the tears away from her flushed cheeks.
"It will only make me stronger." It was then she placed a hand on his mask, caressed it then removed it. His eyes grew wide and he began to move away, but Christine captured his lips before he could do anything. His lips weren't cold like that night in his lair. They were warm, inviting, ready to capture her soul any heartbreaking moment. She drew back to see tears coming down his own cheeks. She kissed at the tears on each side of this face then caressed the scars. His fingers hovered over her cheek, then went to encircle her waist as he lowered his head to her chest to rest upon. She held him, her Erik, her Angel of Music. She waited for this for what seemed like centuries. They stayed like that until knock sounded through the room.
"Miss Christine? It's Ion, I have a letter from Monsieur Devereux. It's about Monsieur Lemont." Christine let out a growl and cursed. Erik looked up at her with confusion, wiping away the tears on his cheeks.
"What is it?" She started to get up but he held on to her. "Christine?"
"Lemont was one of my suitors under the Louver House Arrangement." Once again he was puzzled. "It's an arrangement where the suitor may stay under the same roof as I. He has two weeks to try to capture my heart. He failed early." His eyebrows furrowed together.
"What did he do?" She gave a shuddering sigh and wouldn't look into his eyes. Tenderly, he lifted her eyes to his. Tears filled them again.
"He…he tried to rape me." Shock grew on Erik's face. Where had he been when this was taking place? He left his beautiful angel alone to fend for herself. He watched as she drew back the tears, bringing back the strength it took to survive. He was so proud of her at that moment.
"Oh, Christine…" She stood up and walked to the door and opened it. Ion gave her the letter then smiled slightly. Christine looked up and saw he was trying to not laugh. She touched her lips and realized they were swollen from all the kissing. She glared at her housekeeper.
"Chiuso esso! Ottenga di nuovo a lavoro." Ion left and she closed the door. Erik looked amazed for a second.
"I didn't know you could speak Italian." She smiled as she pulled out the letter.
"See, there are things you don't know, for being a genius." She read the letter carefully. Shock went across her face then anger and then rage. She threw down the letter.
"I can't believe that bastard would go this far!" Erik picked up his mask then went over to her side.
"What is it?" She slammed her foot down.
"He's going to close down the playhouse! Dear Lord, I'm going to murder him." She let out an angry cry. "I have to get down there and confront him." She opened the door and left poor Erik there surrounded by their memory.
