A/N: I'm sorry if I've offended anyone by what I've written. It will not follow exactly with Phantom of the Opera. And I'm also sorry if it seems as though Erik hasn't aged in 17 years. We all know that Erik has ways of making people see what they want. It might just be that Erik has done that to Angelina. Anna is just a nickname. I'm not sure why they call her that. Maybe it will be revealed in later chapters.

I hope that you enjoy this one. Read and review as always.

Chapter 10 – Lesson One

Dear Father –

My first performance was magnificent! It could not have gone better. Carmen received several ovations and they wanted an encore. You and mother would have been so proud of me. Alexander says he will write you later on and tell you of the performance. I cannot do it justice.

I wish you and mother could have been there. It would have been nice to see my entire family in attendance. I know you promised me that you would be there next time. And I hope you hold true to your promise. The managers are still deciding the next opera and I'm sure it will be as great a success as Carmen was.

Alexander came just in time along with Jonathan. It was a shock to see him standing there. It was even worse when I had learned he was the new patron. Do not get me wrong, father, Jonathan is a wonderful young man. And I did love him once. I just do not know if I could love him now. Maybe I am caught up in things and have not had time to truly think.

I pray that everything is well with you and mother. Alexander says he will stay another week before returning home. I am keeping myself busy, continuing my studies of ballet and constantly reading different pieces of literature. My mind continues to expand with all of the knowledge I have acquired.

With all my love, as always,

Angelina

Angelina was up at the crack of dawn. She stood outside of the opera house and watched the sun rise just over the tops of some of the buildings in Paris. The sight was absolutely breathtaking and she had never really stopped to appreciate it before now.

Today was the first day of the rest of her life. She would begin her first lesson with Erik. The surprise of not even knowing what was in front of her, scared her and excited her. What will he teach me? After he truly listens to my voice, will he change his mind?

Quickly changing and taking a few moments to practice her dance for that night's encore performance of Carmen, she quickly waited in her room for Erik to come for her. Seconds turned into minutes and minutes into hours. Growing angry at herself and him, she quickly stood and began out toward the stage.

The moves were angry and forced. Her legs had wanted to collapse but Angelina would not allow it. How could I have been so blind? He never wanted to teach me!

She spun until she got dizzy and fell to the floor in a heap. Tears came to her eyes and fell to the wooden floor below her. All she wanted was to be taught. All she wanted was to be like her mother – the great opera star. She had failed in both respects.

"Lesson one!"

Angelina's head quickly shot up – her tears coming to a halt. She looked around her and found no one else there. Did no one else hear his voice?

"Patience is a virtue, my dear Angelina."

He had not forgotten her. She was blind to the most important lesson of all: patience. Her father had taught her that a long time ago but she had not been the best student of it. She was always anxious and wanting everything to come to her without waiting.

"Erik?"

"Stand up, my child."

Angelina rose to her feet, her legs feeling weak after working them till her anger diminished. Erik could see her but she could not see him. That bothered her. She wished to see him again. But as if he had read her thoughts, she heard him speak.

"Return to your room. You will begin your lesson as soon as you return."

She could not contain her excitement. Running from the stage, she willed her legs once more to return her to the room she had a new respect for.

The room had grown dark and cold. She shivered once she entered her room. The sound of music warmed her after entering the room. The mirror was slid open and the corridor lit by candlelight once again.

She slowly stepped through the mirror and down the corridor to the top of the staircase. Angelina remembered last time she stood here and hoped not to relive the event.

"Do you know it is not wise to wander these corridors alone?"

Angelina screamed and began to fall. Strong hands grabbed a hold of her waist and pulled her away from the edge of the staircase. She slowly looked up into the eyes of Erik. He continued to hold onto her, hoping to cease her shaking.

"Are you alright?"

"You didn't need to scare me like that."

"I am sorry."

She clung to him, afraid to let go. The warmth of her body sent shivers down Erik's spine. Both reveled in the touch of one another. Angelina had never felt the touch of a man before – except for her father and Alexander. A kiss was something different. Remembering Jonathan, she knew that the feelings she had with him differed from that with Erik. She did not feel the tingling in her stomach as she had right now.

Erik, noticing the look on her face, slowly stepped back from her. Ever sense came alive by just the mere touch of her. Would he be able to survive just being a teacher and nothing else? Would his heart?

"You have successfully completed lesson one."

"I do not know if it was successful."

"Most divas would pout and carry on. You did not. That is a feat in itself."

"I will perform again tonight."

"And you will be marvelous, just as you were last night. And tomorrow, I believe the managers will reveal the new opera."

Angelina noticed the hint of amusement in his eyes. "You already know what they will choose?"

"In a sense. And tomorrow, after you wake, you will come to the organ and I will begin to prepare you for it."

"I cannot just take the rightful spot of Madam Raineau."

"Brigitte is a twit and a fool in her own right. You will be the lead in the new opera."

"Erik…"

Taking a step toward her, he gently put a finger to her lips – silencing her. "You will be the lead. I will teach you and you will be as magnificent as you are now. There will be no stopping you."