Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Phantom of the Opera. There are days I wish I did. Angelina and some of the other characters that are in here I own. The Phantom in this story is based after the one in the movie. The portrayal in that movie was unbelievable and I know my story and my character will pale in comparison. However, I hope you all enjoy it and I would love to have reviews and comments. Enjoy! Be gentle! This is my first story on here.

A/N: I would like to thank the Aria Database for the lyrics to "Carmen". I know that the beginning is sort of slow but I promise it will pick up. You have to bear with me. I'm used to writing things in screenplay format. This is my first True story that I've written in novel form.

Chapter 3 – The Tale of Hidden Talents

"I…I…"

The tears fell as the words could not escape her mouth. Meg quickly rushed to Angelina's side and watched as she put her hands over her face.

"This isn't something to cry about, Anna. Your voice is beautiful."

Angelina quickly shook her head, sobs racking her body. Her breathing was still labored and heavy. The bodice seemed to restrict her and choke her. None of that seemed to matter at the moment.

"If my mother ever found out that I just…"

Meg now knew what she feared. Christine knew that singing had changed her life forever so many years ago. Fear shrouded Christine's life and the life of her daughter. She feared that her daughter would be condemned to the same fate as her. Christine feared the night that changed her life forever to happen to Angelina. Meg didn't blame her. She would fear the same thing for her daughter. But Meg could see Angelina's heart breaking before her. Knowing what Meg knew, Christine would do anything to see her daughter happy.

Meg slowly brought Angelina's face from her hands. The tears continued to show upon her pale cheeks.

"There is nothing to be ashamed of, Anna. Your mother would be proud of you."

"She does not know I can sing."

That one statement hit Meg in her heart. How can Christine not know she can sing? She must have known.

"Anna, how can she not know? She must have heard you sing."

"I've never sung in her presence. I know how it would upset her." Angelina quickly dried her cheeks and took a deep breath. Her breathing slowed and she quickly became herself again. "I do not know why, Madam Giry, but it upsets her every time she sings herself. I know it would devastate her to hear me sing. She would have never allowed me to come to Paris if she knew."

The reasons were unknown to Angelina, Meg knew. Christine and Raoul had never explained the incident and the reason as to why they had left Paris. Once Christine had found out she was pregnant, Raoul and Christine had married quickly and had left Paris for good. She had kept in constant contact with Meg and had let her know of everything that was going on. For years the letters would come to Meg until one day, just before Angelina's fifteenth birthday, they stopped.

It was Christine's last letter to Meg that had her worried for her friend:

Dearest Meg,

I am writing to you in the hopes that you could help. Angelina has started realizing her talents. She had become a well-trained ballet dancer. She is starting to want to go to Paris. You must find me a way to convince her otherwise. I cannot tell her of what happened there. I fear for her, Meg. I do not know what will happen if she goes to Paris. I cannot let her go. I cannot. Please, Meg, find a way.

Christine

She had received no others. Angelina continued to write and her hope of going to Paris was growing. Meg knew that Christine was fighting a lost battle. Angelina would not take no for an answer. She would go to Paris whether or not Christine permitted it.

And here she was, with talents Meg did not know she possessed. A fear burned within her stomach. The secret that she held from everyone filled her head. Dear God, have I condemned myself to this? Have I condemned Angelina?

"Please, Madam Giry, do not tell my mother. She will have me return from Paris. I do not want to go home. I want to stay here and dance. Please…"

Angelina's eyes pleaded and filled with tears once again. Her talents could not be wasted – Meg knew this. Angelina could not hide her angelic voice. He would not permit it.

"Anna, let me tell the managers of your voice. Let me…"

"No!" Her voice cracked with fear and her hands clung to Meg's. She shook her head. "You can tell no one of this."

"Anna, you cannot let this talent go to waste. Your mother would not want that."

"If my mother ever found out I was singing, I would be sent from here. I know how she is, Madam. She would be furious with me."

"You cannot hide it forever." Meg knew debating the issue would be fruitless. She could see the determination in Angelina's eyes. She would not be changing her mind. "You cannot be a dancer forever."

"My voice is far from perfect, Madam. It is nowhere near the caliber of my mothers."

"It doesn't have to be. It is your voice, Anna. You make it your own. If you had a teacher…"

Meg watched as Angelina's eyes lit up at the prospect of a teacher. Damn you, Meg. You are getting into more trouble then what its worth. The thoughts did not change once she saw Angelina smile.

"A teacher! Is there one in the opera house? Could they help me?"

Not wanting to diminish Angelina's hopes, Meg replied. "What I meant to say was that a teacher would be able to help you, Anna. I'm sure you can find one in Paris."

With that comment, Meg stood. She looked down upon Angelina as a mother and a friend. Without Christine's presence, Meg was all the young woman had. She did not want to destroy the dreams of this young woman, but she knew of Christine's past and did not want Angelina to suffer the same fate.

"Do not fear your talents. If you wish, at any time, I will tell the managers and they will place you appropriately. Until that time, I wish you to dance until your heart can take no more and your legs collapse. I know that this is how you want to be. That is your single talent, for now. Work on it. Mold it. Make it yours. I am here for you, Anna. Please, do not hesitate to talk to me."

Angelina could only nod her head and watched as her mother's friend left the room. The floor seemed to burn her and she quickly stood. Her hand covered her lips in instinct and fear.

Could I actually sing in an opera? Could I be a star like my mother? Why do I fear something that I know could bring me all of the happiness in the world?

She looked at the mirror and looked at the reflection in it.

A teacher. That is what I need. I need a teacher to help me.

She slowly approached the mirror, as if longing for something behind it. Slowly putting her hand to it, a single tear rolled down her cheek.

"I long to be free. Free of the fears and pain that I have felt since I was a child. I need an angel to save me. Please."