Her Story by GoldenLyre
Previous disclaimer applies.
Chapter 6
Three months. Three long months without Erik's music. I sat on my bed in the luxurious guestroom in the de Chagny estate, pondering the last three lonely months. Well, from a random person's point of view, it would not have seemed lonely – Raoul was constantly at my side since that night on the roof. I barely had three minutes to myself at a time! Even when I was talking to Meg about something like rehearsals, he will be there with his blasted arm around my waist!
I cared for him, I truly did. Just not the way he thinks I do. I suppose I couldn't blame him… it did seem like I was returning his affections on the roof… God, what a fool I have been! Inwardly I was kicking myself and cursing my weak will. I wanted to see Erik so badly! I wanted to sing again… Just so I could hear his voice either instructing me or joining mine in a sweet duet…
Carlotta had returned and regained her role as the resident prima donna. So, I suspected my voice was very out of practice now that I no longer had the starring roles. But then again, I doubt that I'd have the motivation to sing without Erik around. I lacked the motivation to do anything nowadays… I only hoped to God that my Angel would reappear to me again…
There was a masquerade to be held at the Opera House to celebrate the coming New Year. Naturally, I was to be Raoul's escort. I thought it was going to be yet another of our uneventful dates. I was wrong. So, so, desperately wrong!
Not only did he insist that my dress was to be made by his family tailor, but he had also proposed to me! The ring was boisterously large, lined with tiny diamonds. I was stunned and did not reply. When I did though, I only told him that I'd think about it. He gave me a boyish grin in return and kissed my forehead saying, "Take your time, little Lottie…" before leaving the guest room in which I was staying in at his estate. (He insisted that I stayed at his enormous mansion earlier as well.)
I was torn… all I wanted at this point was to tell someone how I felt, how I could not make this decision in my current emotional state! But I could not. Meg thinks Raoul and I make a wonderful couple and has already said that she is to be my maid of honour at our wedding! At the time I thought of the very idea as absurd, that Raoul would not do something so surreal, so outside of people in his society. But he did and I now do not know what to make of it!
I did not have enough time to ponder, as before I knew it – the night of the anticipated masquerade came upon the Opera House residents. Even with my emotional turmoil, I was looking forward to it as much as the others were.
Raoul and I sat in the de Chagny velvet-lined carriage. He kept sending small smiles my way. Eventually, he took my silk-covered hand and said, "Christine, have you given enough thought to my proposal? I believe that I will make you a very happy woman…" I cut him off with a raise of my hand. In reply I said monotonously, "Raoul, I understand of how you must be currently feeling about me but I only fear that you may…" He shook his head, interrupting me.
"Dear, dear Christine… What godforsaken reason would I have for leaving you?" He smiled with what seemed like charm. A lot of it. I didn't like it.
The carriage pulled to a stop in front of the fireworks-lit Opera House. Raoul stepped out gracefully and held out a hand to me. Immediately, an image of Erik appeared in my mind's eye. His blue eyes gazed warmly at me, a small smile gracing his lips. Regardless of his mask, he seemed every bit an Angel as I had called him.
Unconsciously I smiled at the thoughtand took the hand offered, allowingRaoul to lead me into the Opera House.
As the doors open, my eyes were assaulted by the sights and sounds of celebration. Masks of every kind swirled and mixed, creating a dizzying vortex before me. Feeling slightly nauseous, I retreated to the sidelines with a hand to my temple. Raoul trailed after me, as usual, a hand rested slightly too low on my back.
When I was resting my head against the wall with a sigh, Raoul just had to choose that moment to press me about my acceptance to his proposal. He was getting on my nerves. He had said, "Christine, I truly think that you'd need not more time to consider my proposal…" I cut him off at that point, and accepted his proposal out of frustration more than anything else. Realizing what I had done, a gasp escaped me. Raoul was oblivious.
With a grin he took out the enormous ring and was about to put it on my finger when I said, "Raoul… may we keep this engagement a secret for a while?" He looked at me, incredulous and replied in a tone that matched his expression, "But why? It's an engagement, not a crime…" I looked away. If it was not a crime why did it feel like one?
The ring felt heavy in the palm of my hand… So I put it on the silver chain I wore around my neck, hoping to conceal the engagement I had carelessly thrown myself into. I turned to him and said in a desperate attempt to keep him silent, "Let's not argue…" Then I walked back out to the lobby, saying more to myself than to Raoul, "You will understand in time…"
I made it just in time to see the performance's finale, as the masked dancers walked down the stairs in complete synchronisation, complete with gold and silver fans. A smile grew on my face. It was most definitely a spectacle to behold… Suddenly, the candles went out one by one.
My heart raced in anticipation. I remembered that Erik always had a flair for the dramatic…
My suspicions proved correct. There he was at the top of the stairs, dressed in vibrant scarlet, a mask of Death upon his face, concealing its true features from the astounded people's gazes. He slowly, leisurely, made his way down the stairs, mocking the people around him with dripping sarcasm. His long cape trailed behind him like a trail of blood… Even a figure so menacing I managed to find myself attracted to. The very idea was ridiculous! Even so…
My thoughts were cut off as I felt his blue eyes fall on me. He told everyone in the room of our relationship, how he was the one teaching me… From the top of the stairs his gaze softened as his wondrous eyes met mine. That gaze contradicted his earlier words that were tainted with bitter anger which I was sure was aimed at Raoul and I. Even then, I still felt that electric bond between us again – even after three months of separation it did not seem to have disappeared! Desperate loneliness was reflected in his blue depths and more than anything, I wanted to save him from it.
I made my way up the stairs to him, oblivious to the onlookers. I was caught between wanting to apologise profusely for being a fool, for carelessly choosing Raoul. We were now only half an arm's length away from each other. His warm gaze raked over my face and I felt a blush rising to my cheeks. His glove-covered hand reached out, almost touching me but not quite. Even such a small indication of affection made my stomach act funny and my breath caught in my throat. I felt his fingers tentatively trail my silver chain. My eyes flew open with realization.
The ring!
"Your chains are still mine!" His voice suddenly boomed, his hand wrenching the thin chain from my neck.
He closed the proximity between us until we were barely two inches apart. Then he whispered harshly, his bitter tone returning, "You belong to me!" I wanted to scream "You think I don't know that!" to him. Before I could, he ran back up the stairs and seemed to disappear in a sudden puff of red smoke. Just as that happened, a loud gunshot rang out about the room, echoing from the marble walls.
Instinctively, everyone turned to the source of the sound in shock and fear. That source was my fiancé with a steaming revolver in hand. His expression was vacant. I could see jealousy and even anger in the mellow man's eyes. He ran up the stairs, past me and ran right into the hole which Erik disappeared in. As soon as he was in, it closed shut automatically.
Without much of a choice, I ran to my dressing room. The need to talk to Erik was now overwhelming me. I went to the full-length mirror and searched the sides for a latch that will cause the mirror to slide aside, giving me access to his world. Before I could finish my search, though, something caught my eye on the vanity.
I went over to pick it up. It was a dead red rose with a black ribbon tied around its middle. As soon as my worst-case scenario conjured up in my head, I cried. I sat at my vanity and sobbed. The rose probably meant that he was never going to teach me again. Why else would he send me a dead rose? It probably symbolizes the end of our relationship altogether! I then remembered the utter loneliness I felt when I spent three months without him – I could barely imagine it lasting for more than that period of time!
I buried my face in my hands, rose in my grasp, tears of regret smudging my kohl and rouge.
I probably lost my Angel of Music for good.
TBC
A/n: 15 reviews! Woohoo! That totally made my day when I saw that… I'm so flattered! blush blush anyway.. here's who I'd like to thank:
LostSchitzophrenic: my first loyal R&R-er… thanks soo much for the support! It's highly appreciated, and I hope this chappie was to your liking ;)
Bloodie: you know I luve ya. Lol!
Anthestria: "wonderful story"? I'm so chuffed! My ego's not gonna fit thru a door now! Hahaha! But thanks for the compliment though D
Phantom-lover72: I had them EC moments quite a lot considering it's quite early in the story. Im not gonna tell u guys when they really start showing though ;)
Mesphia: with all the unexpected support I'm getting, I doubt that im gonna be able to stop! Hahaha! Thanks for even bothering 2 review )
Lilymunster – wow! It's that great? Thank you so much! blush hope this chappie was to your liking ;) oh yeah im all about EC too. Raoul annoys me. grin
Strawberry Pixie – Here's the more! Hahaha! Thanx 4 reviewing ;)
EileenSheaMackenzie – sorri.. I already readjusted my settings to accepting anonymous reviews okay? Hahaha.. anyway.. Le Fop is what I now call Raoul. I even have a picture of it! Hahaa! I was bored.. This ficcie's ur precious? Wowie so flattered now! And I agree that cliffies are evil. But it's not such a bad one though! Not yet anyway.. heh heh heh ;)
Monroe-mary – i hope the chap was to your liking, my dear ;) but I cant have that confrontation too soon. I had the whole thing planned out already anywho. I strayed from the original storyline in this one. Listening to the OST helps cuz it basically narrates the scenes for me so I know what to write. ) thnx 4 reviewing!
Elle-'Nolan – dude, I have reviewed so many fics I cant count em on my fingers and toes. P but you didn't need 2 noe that.. and yes I agree that Le Fop should die a long painful death for stealing away Christine from Erik. I'm loving ur passion for the story – thank youu! Hahaa! I like passionate shippers. I'm one too! Haha!
To all: In general, I love my reviewers and thank you for taking the time to even bother reviewing. Hope the support keeps up! And oh yeah – hope the chappie was to your liking. ;) Cheers again!
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