Chapter 8- Only Friends
A week had passed since Erik left to have his piece published. Christine was lonely and sad. She missed him hugging her and kissing her. He wasn't there long enough for her to get a full taste of him, and with each passing day she craved more of him. It was the longest week she had experienced in along time.
"I can't tell you enough how glad I am you didn't go with him." Mdm Giry spoke to her as she prepared her for practice. "You would have been in the wrong hands to cure that terrible flu you had." She pulled hard on the corset laces.
Christine nodded slightly as she held onto the chair. She sighed. "I do wish I could have gone."
"I know Christine, but there's enough gossip floating around now, especially because of that viscous Emily. She has a tongue that speaks so many lies, and she's been talking about an Erik though she has no idea who he is." She sighed. When ever the ballet girls gossip it meant more stress on her to keep things quiet. "Maybe next time you can travel with him. However, I will have to talk to him about confirming it with me first."
She sighed. "There might not be a next time Mdm."
"Why do you say that child?" She looked at her through the mirror.
"He wants this published so that I could be in it." She thought for a moment and she remembered the women in the store, and she smiled in thought. "Can I have two tickets please?"
"Tickets? For what my dear?" She laughed. "You don't need tickets."
"Yes I do, really good tickets." She replied.
"What on earth would you need them for child?" She tied the corset and turned Christine around to look at her. She saw right through Christine and knew she was hiding something.
"Because…" she sat down in the chair and gazed at the floor, "the lady at this dress store said if I gave her two good tickets to an opera I sang in, she would give me this beautiful dress." She knew Mdm Giry didn't like her to make bargains with people.
Mdm Giry thought for a few moments. She hated Christine using the Opera House as a tool of bribery. She sighed thinking what's the use? It's only this once, and she will need a pretty dress to look good for him. "And how pretty is this dress?" She smiled.
Christine smiled. She couldn't believe Mdm Giry hadn't scolded her. "Oh it's beautiful! It has diamonds hanging off the waist and…oh Mdm please it's so beautiful, the most beautiful dress in the entire world."
"I will see. As long as the Vicomte doesn't request for the seats for his family, then they are yours. Oh and by the way he has been asking for you." She looked at her holding a gaze.
Christine looked up at her and a shiver went down her spine. Her face grew slightly pale. "Oh, h-he has?"
Mdm Giry grew a serious tone. "Yes my dear. You're going to have to talk to him soon, or at least tell him how you feel."
"But I can't! I don't want to hurt him." Christine did somewhere in her heart care for both men. She cared very much about Raoul, but she loved Erik. How could she betray her childhood friend? The realization that she would end up hurting him sooner or later was saddening.
"Christine you will have to choose sooner or later. Think of how hurt and angry Erik would be if he knew the Vicomte was still after you. We can't afford Erik loosing his senses and harming a man with a title." Mdm Giry spoke in a firm voice.
Christine nodded. "I realty do love Erik, and I don't want to hurt him."
"Then you have to tell the Vicomte." She looked down at her.
"But how will I explain Erik?" She began to panic realizing this would never work.
"You don't need to explain anything unless you feel you have to." Mdm Giry spoke.
It was hours later, and practice was over and evening began to fall. Christine made her way to the roof top where she had agreed to meet Raoul. He stood at the top waiting patiently for her. As soon as she came through the door he took off his hat and smiled at her.
"Christine Daae…" he kissed her hand, "fate has reunited us at last."
She smiled slightly. "Good evening Raoul." Guilt began to sweep over her. "I must talk to you about something very important to me."
He looked at her. "Anything Darling. What's wrong?" He searched her eyes for any clues or signs and then it hit him. What she had to say wasn't good but he was hoping her affections were no different.
"Something has changed." She sighed and looked out at the skyline of Paris.
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Christine I want to love you. I want to be your husband and protector." She turned around with sad eyes and he took her hand in his. "I want us to be everything we live for."
She looked down. "I-I cannot do that Raoul."
He looked at her shocked. "What are you saying Christine? Don't you love me?"
She trembled and shook her head. "No Raoul, I love Erik."
"Erik? Who is-" Christine quickly silenced him. "That doesn't matter. All that matters is that you know where my heart stands. We are only friends. Forgive me but I must go."
He watched her in shock and in pain as she left him on the rooftop alone. The rooftop where he planned to express his love for her and build plans for a future together. His hopes and dreams were shattered, and her voice echoed in his head. We are only friends.
