A/N: I am out of my rut! Yay! I'm not stuck on chapter 29 any more so you will be getting plenty more out of this story. I'm really hoping that you are enjoying this story. All comments are welcome. Enjoy!

Chapter 22 – One Night Only

The opera house would be filled to capacity. There had never been a night where the audience was waiting in anticipation. The rumors flew throughout all of Paris of the solo dancing of Angelina de Chagny. Tickets sold faster then they had for Faust. Brigitte's temper rose but Arnaud's softened.

He had hoped against hope that Paris would receive Angelina well. After the incident backstage after Don Juan, Arnaud was unsure Angelina would ever perform again. The rumors, several in fact, had spread not only all over the opera house but through Paris as well. He knew that Angelina was suffering under her mother's shadow. She longed to be out on her own.

Arnaud granted Meg's request for a special production by her dance company. He had also received a letter, early in the week, for Box Five to be left empty. Many noblemen and other important people had specifically asked for Box Five but could not give it to them. The "special financier" had requested the box and could not deny him. He hoped to finally meet the gentleman who had given him Don Juan Triumphant. But somewhere in the pit of his stomach, he doubted very much that he would ever meet the man.

The production contained various songs from different operas. Angelina's solo was handpicked by Meg and was choreographed by the both of them. Arnaud had not seen it but was told by various members of the crew that it was beyond words. He certainly hoped so. All of Paris was in wait to see her perform.

Meg had told him that she was proud of Angelina, coming out of the melancholy that she had been in. She had taken herself and totally changed over night. Neither Meg nor Arnaud was sure what changed her but thanked the angel, silently, for the change.

He stood center stage and looked out at the empty chairs before him. All of Paris would be there tonight – in his opera house. The spotlight would be on the one girl who could change everything for him. Angelina held the key to his success. It was not Brigitte or anyone else. Tonight, everything rested on Angelina's shoulders. He just hoped she was up for the task.

The dressing room was filled with flowers of every color. The smell consumed her and made her smile. She remembered the gardens in the back of the de Chagny estate. Gardeners constantly kept the back of the house in full bloom and as beautiful as a summer day. There wasn't a day that went by that the scent of flowers didn't fill her.

Angelina sat in front of the large mirror in front of her. The image of her seemed to grow smaller and smaller. The costume she wore was a beautiful white gown, trimmed in black lace. Her hands were shaking – nervous and scared at the same time. Her feelings were all jumbled and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

Her feet had finally healed with much help from Meg over the previous days. The bruises were gone and the cuts had finally begun to disappear. Although there were bandages upon her feet, Angelina had seen to it that they were not seen and were covered by her ballet slippers.

The slippers had fit her perfectly and felt gentle upon her feet. She watched herself in the mirror as she began to lace them up her legs. The ribbons on them were longer then most slippers and tied just below her knee. Her hand lingered on the ribbon, remembering just who gave them to her. Erik.

She smiled just thinking his name. Every night since had danced with her he had consumed her mind. There were dreams of them just dancing to them singing on stage. Whatever they were doing, it was passionate and intense. She had never felt the way she did when she thought of him.

Her heart betrayed her. She had prayed every night for God to guide her down the right path. Every time she thought she was being led to Jonathan, her heart screamed at her not to be. She wanted a life with Jonathan. He would be good to her and support her while she danced and fulfilled her dreams.

But her dreams were not filled with Jonathan. They were filled with Erik. She continued to tell herself that Erik was merely her teacher and that it was nothing more then an infatuation. But her heart would not take that for an answer.

He had practiced with her every night – as promised. His touch was gentle and he was careful not to hurt her feet any more then they already were. Angelina could tell he was holding back and something was bothering him. He continued to deny anything was every time she asked him.

Angelina stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself one last time. The other dancers would just be finishing up their parts. It was her turn. Taking one last deep breath, she turned and prayed that Erik was watching her.

The lights dimmed and she could hear the voices echoing around her. The audience was talking amongst themselves as the candlelight around her slowly began to grow brighter. The spotlight upon her seemed to be in a different glow then usual. It was deep red and seemed to bath her in a glow she was not accustomed to.

The music began and Angelina began to dance across the stage. Her feet guided her. It was as though she was in heaven. How she could have denied herself the simple pleasure of dancing because of Brigitte hurt her more then she cared to know? Her soul longed to be on stage. It longed to dance and be free.

She smiled as she continued about, hitting every cue. Monsieur Laurent watched her intensity grow with every note that his orchestra played. He did not know a smile had crossed his lips until he felt it tug his cheeks. The girl was amazing and unlike anyone he had ever seen on stage before. The managers were happy. The dancers were happy. And frankly, so was he. He would revel in it until the wonder of this young woman was gone from the opera house.

Box Five was kept in the dark, just like he liked it. No one in management knew he was there, only that it was reserved for the "special financier". Erik took special note of how they took his letters. Unlike the other two, Paul and Arnaud were smarter with both money and how his opera house was run.

But it what was on stage that he was most proud of. Angelina danced the night away with style and grace. She took the stage. The spotlight did not do her justice. She needed to be bathed in a light from the heavens. Angelina was an angel.

My angel.

He smiled as he continued to watch her. The practices every night helped her to regain her confidence. Erik had seen to it that she would be no less then perfect the night of the performance. Angelina had taken every command he gave and performed it better then he had expectations for.

Angelina pirouetted one last time before she completed her solo. Erik watched as the entire opera house stood and applauded her. Flowers of every kind were thrown on stage and the applause did not stop as Angelina continued to bow.

Smiling, Erik turned and left Box Five and the memory of his angel finally getting through to the high society of Paris.

The recital was a complete success. All of Paris had come to be entertained and entertained they were. Noblemen from nearby towns and from Paris had nothing but grand words to say about Meg's dancers. The name of one rode upon the mouths of everyone: Angelina de Chagny.

Meg watched Angelina blush at every compliment she received. The young woman was not used to such admiration and praise. Meg had grown up accustomed to receiving and giving praise. Her mother taught her the meaning of simplicity. A compliment received was a compliment well earned. And Angelina had done plenty to receive the ones she was tonight.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a figure moving through the crowd. Angelina was busy talking with Gabriella and Rene to bother noticing the figure. Meg's eyes narrowed and watched as the figure continued to push their way through.

"Please, let me through!"

Meg shook her head and laughed. Jonathan. She never imagined him making it in time. He had written her several times over the week, unsure if he would make it to the performance but to reserve him a seat just in case. The word had reached him and Alexander and he had asked Meg to keep it a surprise. She had kept up her end of the bargain and the seat was reserved. Her focus was mainly on the performance and she had not bothered to look to see if he was in attendance.

But there he was, forcing his way through the crowd to get to Angelina. Meg noticed a small box in his hand and a smile on his face. He finally reached Meg, out of breath.

"I see that you made it."

"I came in during half of the performance but in time for Angelina."

"I am glad."

She noticed his gaze shifted from her to Angelina. Angelina was laughing and smiling as if she didn't have a care in the world. All of the weight that she had upon her shoulders seemed to have lifted from them. Meg had never seen her so happy.

"Angelina…"

Angelina slowly turned and the smile from her face gone. Meg watched her swallow hard as she looked at Jonathan.

"Jonathan…"

"I made it just in time to see your performance."

He rushed to her and took her in his arms. The look of shock was still on her face as Jonathan held her. He quickly brought himself back and looked at her.

"You were magnificent."

"Thank you."

"I brought you something."

Angelina looked at the small box in his hand. Rene and Gabriella slowly moved off as Meg watched from a distance. She could see that Angelina was no happy to see Jonathan. The boy seemed to love her very much yet the feelings were not mutual. It seemed as though her mind and heart had belonged to someone else. Who could it be? It could not be Rene. They were good friends but nothing else. Who could possess her heart and mind like they have?

"You did not have to bring me anything, Jonathan."

"Open it."

Angelina took the small box and carefully untied the ribbon around it. Opening the box, Angelina's eyes went wide when she saw what was inside. As she pulled it out, Jonathan's smile grew wide.

"Where did you get this!"

The box dropped from Angelina's hand and in the other hand, a silver bracelet. It was not the bracelet that excited her. It was what was attached to it – a silver ballet slipper. She looked up at him, tears in her eyes.

"I had a jeweler make it special. I knew that ballet consumed your heart. I hope one day I will as well."

Both of their eyes met and no words were needed.

In the darkness of the rafters, high above all of the commotion, Erik stood and watched what was going on below him. It did not take him long to pick out Angelina amongst the crowd. He smiled as he watched her laugh and talk with his assistant and her friend. The smile soon receded as he watched Jonathan make his way through the crowd.

He recalled Meg reading a letter several nights ago from him. The boy did not think he would make it. I guess Angelina would make any man clear his schedule.

Disappointment crossed his face as he watched the two interact. Angelina did not seem happy that he was there but that look soon changed once she pulled the bracelet out of the box. He could not see what was on it but knew that it made her happy.

"I had a jeweler make it special. I knew that ballet consumed your heart. I hope one day I will as well."

His hand slammed the banister that was in front of him. The hand stung from the blow but he ignored it as he watched both Angelina and Jonathan gaze at each other. Just like Christine and Raoul. The boy is getting to her. He was fighting a losing battle. Just as her mother did, Angelina would fall into the arms of her childhood sweetheart and there would be nothing he could do about it.

Erik watched as Jonathan took her hand and slipped the bracelet on her wrist. The boy didn't let go and entwined his fingers with hers. A tear slipped down his cheek as Jonathan kissed her, sweet and gentle.

Jonathan took her hand and slipped the bracelet on her wrist. He looked at her pale skin and her small and delicate hand. Taking a chance, he entwined his fingers with hers and pulled her close. Her eyes never left his and taking one last deep breath, he leaned in and kissed her.

Her lips were soft and like velvet. He had waited for this moment his entire life and here he was kissing the girl of his dreams. His other hand wrapped around her waist and drew her closer. There is nothing that can destroy this moment.

The sound of a door slamming shut caused Angelina to break the kiss and step back from Jonathan. They both stared at each other, unsure of what to say. Angelina quickly straightened her dress and looked away from his gaze.

"I…"

"Do not, Angelina. Please do not ruin this moment."

Her breathing became heavy as did her heart. I am supposed to be happy. Jonathan has just kissed me and here I am, ready to run. Her mind raced with many thoughts and questions and her heart held one answer: I do not love him.

Revelation hit her like a tidal wave. It rushed over her and wished to knock her off of her feet. There was no love in her heart for Jonathan any longer. He was a childhood sweetheart. But there was only friendship for him and nothing else. She could not break his heart. Not now.

"Angelina, I must return home. I came here to see you perform and I must return tonight. I will send your parents your love."

He stepped up to her and looked deep in her eyes. There was something there that he could not figure out. Was it hatred? Fear? Love? He had hoped the latter but would not press the subject any further.

"Know that I will think of you while I am away and that I love you with all of my heart."

He gently kissed her on the forehead and began to walk away. Angelina stood there, the weight of the world on her shoulders once again. Jonathan loved her but she could not return the feelings he longed for. She did not know who her heart belonged to but it was not him. A single tear rolled down her cheek.

"Angelina…"

Wiping away her tear, she turned to see Rene standing there holding an envelope.

"Someone just dropped this off. It is a letter for you."

With trembling hands, Angelina took the note from Rene's hand.

"Are you alright?"

"No." She laughed as the tears formed in her eyes. "No, I am not."

"Do you need to talk to someone?"

"I will be fine. Thank you."

Rene lingered for another moment before silently moving away. Fumbling with the seal, Angelina opened it, knowing who it was from.

Dearest Angelina,

Your performance was superb. I watched and smiled the entire time. I saw Monsieur de Wynter made it also. I am glad your fiancé made it to your performance…

More tears ran down her face. He knew. Erik knew of Jonathan's proposal. God, everything is going so wrong…

The light upon your face gave me joy. I am glad to see you happy and out of your state of melancholy. Faust will soon be performing and you will be on the outside looking in…

Angelina could hear the sadness in his voice. She also heard his past as well. 'The outside looking in.' That's how Erik must feel every day of his life.

During this time you will rehearse and train in order to obtain the lead in the next opera. You will be a star again, Angelina. I will see to it. And your fiancé will once again look upon perfection.

Yours,

Erik

Tears hit the note in her hand. 'Yours, Erik." Never had words hit her so hard. Her heart felt as though it would burst into a million pieces. She needed to find him and explain everything. She needed to tell him how she felt. It must be done tonight! I cannot bare the pain any longer.

The sound of her ballet slippers moving quickly across the floor were drowned out by the voices of the men and women backstage discussing the night's events.