A/N Hey everyone, this will probably be the last update until after June 8th since I'm going away on vacation, so lets not expect an update till then at least. I'm glad that this story is finally getting on a roll. Please review and enjoy!
Chapter 6- Music to My Ears
She smiled in Erik's arms. She nuzzled close to him. Oh how she yearned for this moment and to be in this complete bliss. Never in her life had she felt a need for someone like this. She wrapped her arms around his big strong arm that was tightly wrapped around her. She never wanted him to let go. She smiled and looked up at him. "Call what?"
Erik sat still in thought. The music continued to sing in a glorious symphony through his ears. He could hear everything perfectly. He saw the stage and where everyone would stand. He saw exactly how it would look. He had been planning this performance his whole life, but never did it come as clear as this. Was it Christine's acceptance to him that finally brought this image forth? He stared past her lost in his world of music. "I'm sorry, I must go. I won't be gone long. Something has just come up." He loosened his grip around her as he slowly let his hands fall away from her small frame. She pouted growing sad as she felt him tear away. The music pounded in his head, beating more and more every minute he sat there thinking about it.
She sighed and nodded finally giving in. "Alright." She knew it had something to do with his music. She stood up and walked out of her dressing room. Maybe he didn't want to be with her as much as he said. She began to feel like maybe he really didn't care. Music would always mean more than her to him. She sighed as she made her way outside the Opera Populaire.
Erik quickly dashed down through the dark hallways and climbed into his boar. He felt bad for having to leave her at that moment. He knew he belonged in her arms at that moment, but another strong force was pulling him down to his lair. His music called to him, needing him to fulfill the incomplete composition. Erik found himself having trouble to think straight or focus on anything else, not even Christine. He couldn't manage to purge thoughts of the music till it was flowing from his organ.
Christine walked into the town looking at the shops. They were lined up against each other. Outside each shop, a wooden sign hung baring the stores name and specialty. She saw a beautiful dress in one of the windows. She smiled brightly and walked inside. There were so many beautiful dresses or many shapes and colors. Some were dripping with lace and some were made of the finest silks. She walked up to the dress she had seen through the window and she glanced at the price tag. Her mouth dropped open slightly and she frowned seeing how expensive this place really was. She was a poor chorus girl. She could never afford such nice things, even if she wanted to
A man who helped out in the shop walked up to her. "Can I help you mademoiselle?"
She quickly looked up at him. "Oh no monsieur," she sighed, "I was just looking." She looked at the dress again and she pouted as she started to walk away from it.
And old women who owned the store looked up and noticed her. She remembered seeing her perform in the Opera Populaire and she quickly hustled after her. "Excuse me mademoiselle?"
Christine turned around and looked at her. "Yes?"
"I saw your performance this evening, and you were just lovely." She smiled. "I couldn't help but notice your admiration for that dress in the window."
"Thank you Mdm. That dress though, it wasn't all that great." She looked down at the floor.
The old women looked at her synthetically. "It's a shame. I could have given you a discount. After all I do own the shop and I do admire your singing so much." She smiled.
Christine looked at her sighing. "Mdm I can't even pay for that dress, or any of them. I have no money to spare."
The old women felt bad. She wasn't interested in Christine's money unlike most store managers. She really did admire Christine's work and she did want to reward her for her efforts. She knew Christine could never be wealthy enough to afford such beautiful things. She stood still thinking for a few moments and she constructed a plan. She looked up and smiled. "I will make you a deal then."
Christine looked at her for a few moments and then she nodded in agreement. "Alright."
"If you can arrange for me and my grand son to have good seats for the next opera, I will give you that dress free of charge. Only if you're singing do I want those seats." She smiled and winked slightly.
"I'm not singing anymore Mdm, but thank you for the offer. Carlotta's going to be going back to the lead." She sighed and continued to walk away.
"Oh no that's terrible!" The old women exclaimed.
Christine turned around and looked at her. "I am sorry Mdm."
"Well if you should ever sing again, please don't forget this chat we had." Thunder began to rumble in the clouds above. The old women looked out the window seeing a quick flicker of lightening. "You should head home child. I think it will rain."
Christine let out a small laugh ignoring her comment about the rain. She didn't care too much about the rain. She liked the rain. It was peaceful and could ease her mind of thoughts. She slowly became thankful it was about to rain.
"That dress is much too beautiful to stay here until the next time I sing. That's if I do of course." Christine replied.
"I will hold it then." The old women smiled. "Oh, and one more question."
Christine was silent and she looked at her waiting for her question to be proposed.
"Where did you get the lessons to sing like that? I looked for a tutor for years when I was about your age. I searched for the longest time for someone who could bring me to sing like that." She said smiling.
"Well," Christine looked at her trying to think up and excuse to replace Erik, "it just comes naturally I guess." She stood there as it started to pour outside.
The old women looked out the window as she heard the rain quickly falling. "Oh dear, hurry home. A pretty girl like you shouldn't be in the rain, especially alone."
Christine let out a heavy sigh. She ran a hand through her curly hair and she walked outside the store. The rain started to pour on her causing her to become soaked and cold. The rain felt like ice stabbing at her pale flesh. She quickly ran back to the Opera Populaire and into her dressing room. Water dripped from her dress and onto the floor.
Erik continued plating the music as it came from nowhere but his own thoughts. He quickly scribbled notes with his quill down on the parchment now and then as he played. It was hours before he had finally finished the piece. His fingers were burning and his head pounded with the new rhythm of the song. He was exhausted and he looked at the music he had just composed. He smiled thinking of the meaning it held.
Mdm Giry busted into her room. She had seen her return in the rain. "What on earth were you doing out there!"
"Just thinking Mdm. I like the rain." She looked down at the floor.
"You will catch cold if you stay out in weather like that." She looked at her scornfully. "Not to mention you will upset Erik. He doesn't understand illness and how to treat it the way you and I know how.
"I don't really care." She whispered thinking about Erik had left her so quickly. She began to feel her insignificance to him once again.
"I will get your dress just wait there. Don't sit on anything, I don't want it wet." She said motioning Christine to stay. Christine nodded as she stood still.
Mdm Giry ran her fingers over the colorful fabrics. She fumbled through them searching for a nightgown. She stopped as she came across and unfamiliar white dress. She touched it and examined the stitching. She quickly realized that the craftsmanship was that of a man. She instantly knew Erik had made it for her. She said nothing and she walked over to her with her nightgown. She glanced over at the side table and saw the music box sitting atop it. She looked back at Christine with a stern look. "So did you talk to Erik tonight?"
She nodded "Yes, but he left me for some particular reason."
"What did he say to you?" Mdm Giry asked.
"Nothing. He just came and left." She took off her soaked dress and she slipped on the dry nightgown. She started to tie up the front. She began to grown more angered and saddened by the thought of Erik.
"It's best that you tell me everything my dear. I can protect you easier when I know what is going on." Mdm Giry said as she leaned on her cane slightly.
"I don't need your protection! Just leave please!" Christine snapped. She had lost her cool and wanted to hear no more of Erik, or think of his empty promise.
Mdm Giry looked down slightly. She was somewhat pained by Christine's demands. "I warned you Christine. You know he's very passionate about his music, and he's very moody. Not to mention emotional. You must remember that Christine. Whether you will accept that is your choice. I will leave you as you request."
Christine sneezed and nodded. "Good night Mdm."
Mdm Girly left the room closing the door behind her without saying anything. Christine lay in her bed and sneezed again. She grabbed her handkerchief and she blew her nose. She sniffed as she thought of Erik. She wished he was there to hold her, but she knew there were things more important to him than her.
A sudden gasp came from behind the velvet curtains at her window as something dropped to the floor.
