A/N: Hello to all! I'm so glad to see new readers. I just wanted to address some of my comments (I do read them). Rene's last name is pure coincidence. DuBois is a last name I love. I'm not sure how close this really is to the original. I think Angelina is more in tune to Erik then Christine. Raoul is a great confidant in this. But I assure you, things will change. And I'm glad that you guys like that I update quickly. I'm trying to keep ahead so you don't have to wait for chapters. Please, keep reading and reviewing. I love to hear it all. In the meantime, enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter 28 – From Student to Equal

Erik sat at his organ. His usual music did not fill the air. It was not dark and sensual – but vibrant and full of life. Angelina did not love Jonathan as he once feared she had. Rene was a different story. If she truly did love Rene, he would be happy for her. At least Rene was someone he approved of. Rene was not snide and a complete snob. There was a bond there that Erik could not deny. They were well matched, as much as it disappointed him to say it.

But he felt free. There was light in his life for the first time since he had been set free from the carnival. Although he chose to live in darkness, it was lighter then the torture he had suffered. He was beaten almost every night and laughed at with no remorse. It was Madam Giry who had shone him the way. The debt would never be repaid. She had saved him and brought him from the darkness and into a new life.

"Erik?"

His head quickly turned and saw Angelina standing there. The smile on her face made his heart swell. He had not even heard her walk into the lair.

"Am I disturbing you?"

"Not at all. I was just finishing this piece that I have been working on for the past few hours. I cannot seem to get it done."

She giggled. "Then I am a distraction. I should go…"

Before she could turn and leave, Erik grasped her wrist. Their eyes met.

"Please do not go. You are inspiration, not a distraction."

"You compliment me when you should not."

"The lead of the newest opera should always be complimented."

Angelina had wanted it to be a surprise. Bridgette had to leave Paris on unexpected business. Angelina had been cast as the newest lead. It was a fluke, but Angelina took the role with pride.

"I had wanted to surprise you."

"All of the rumors and news of the opera house finds me in due course. Do not think I would not hear of my pupil receiving the lead."

She blushed. "Then you are happy?"

"I am pleased, yes."

His long legs helped him stand in front of her. Angelina could not tell what his emotions were. His previous statement was not what she was hoping to hear. He is pleased! That is all he is – pleased?

"I…"

"You have missed out on some lessons. I have been worried."

She cringed. Between the auditions and the rehearsals, she had been lax in her lessons. Her body and mind had grown tired. By the time she was through, she had no patience left for her lessons.

"I am sorry, Erik. I have been…"

"Tired?"

"Yes."

Erik finally noticed that she was holding her hands behind her back. "What are you hiding?"

"Nothing."

"Angelina…"

"It is nothing. If all you are is pleased that I am the new lead, then I have nothing."

Erik peered behind her back. In her hands was a small box tied with a ribbon. "What is that?"

"It is nothing."

Her arm rose, like she was about to throw it. His hand gently touched her arm.

"It must be something."

"It is a gift."

"For who?"

"Is there another man who lives down here?" Her eyes twinkled. There was laughter behind them. Erik's gaze stopped her from laughing aloud. "It is for you."

"You bought me something."

"A token of gratitude."

"No one has ever bought me anything."

She held the box in front of him. Erik's eyes looked like a child's. It pained Angelina to see him like that. He had never been treated to a gift or a show of appreciation by anyone. Angelina would be the first to show him that someone cared.

"Please, open it. I had it made special."

Shaky hands took the box. Erik sat on the bench once again, afraid his legs would collapse. Untying the ribbon, he slowly lifted the lid. His gasp came from utter shock of what was inside.

"Where did you get this?"

"I found a costume shop, in the middle of the city. I had the owner make one special."

His large hands brought out the contents of the box – a black opera mask. It was a perfect match to the one he wore on his face already. It was beautiful and was unlike anything he had ever seen.

"Angelina, I have no idea what to say."

"For once, the teacher is speechless."

There were no words for Erik to mutter. The kind act would not go unnoticed.

"What have I done to deserve this?"

"You are Erik, my great opera teacher. The man I respect and have utter admiration for."

Erik watched her kneel down in front of him.

"Do you like it?"

"I am truly amazed."

Her tiny hands covered his. The warmth from her body radiated through him, making the fire inside of him grow even greater then it already was.

"I hope that one day you will trust me enough to show me what is behind the mask." Her voice was barely above a whisper. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes. "I am not afraid to show my scars."

Erik slowly looked at her. A tear ran down her pale cheek. His ungloved hand wiped it gently away.

"You do not bare scars, my child."

Angelina laughed to herself. She had been hiding this secret from almost everyone that she knew. Maybe it was time to tell someone.

"I have a large scar, right above my heart." Pulling down the top of her dress, Erik faintly saw the beginning of a scar. "My mother told me that I had problems with my heart when I was born…"

He did not want to hear the suffering of another. It pained him to know that she bore a scar let alone went through the agony of surgery.

"She told me I was close to death and that the doctors did surgery." Angelina gently took his hand and placed it on her heart. "It is still intact and full of life and love. But the scar I bear is not a small scar. The incision they had to make went half way down my chest. I have to look every day in the mirror at it."

"I know the pain of looking in the mirror and seeing something you know was not supposed to be there." He began to take off his mask but Angelina's hand stopped him. "Why are you stopping me? I thought you told me you were unafraid?"

"You are showing me out of pity. I want you to show me when you are ready. I know you are not."

He quickly retracted his hand and stood. Angelina watched Erik turn his back to her. She had hurt him and had not meant to.

"Erik, I did not stop you to be mean. I stopped you because I knew you were not ready."

"You do not know what I think, Angelina. You are afraid to see what is behind the mask."

"On the contrary, I am not afraid of what is behind the mask. I am more afraid of what is in your heart."

The rage inside of him slowly died right after she finished her statement. His head slowly turned and Erik looked at the angel before him. Her eyes were so innocent and her soul so pure. He should have never let her know he existed. He was better off without her. She would leave too, just as Christine had.

"You need to go."

"I am not leaving."

"Why must you torture me?"

"Why must you torture yourself? You send me away as though I am going to hurt you in some way. I assure and promise you that I will not walk away from you."

"You say that to me now. But what happens when someone fills your heart. What happens when you finally marry Monsieur de Wynter?"

"That will not be happening. I will be breaking off the engagement."

Erik tried not to smile. He had already known the news. But to hear it said from her mouth to his ears, made him want to smile even more then he already had. "I am sorry to hear that."

"Another fills my heart." Angelina decided in that moment it was not time to tell him. She could not. "Maybe he will find out, some day."

"Possibly."

Angelina stood. "The hour is late and I must return to my room."

Erik watched as her small footsteps brought her petite frame to him. The height difference was great. He was at least a head taller then her. Standing on tiptoes, Angelina gently brushed her lips against his unmarred cheek. They lingered there for a moment, as if afraid to let go. Before his arms could capture her waist, she pulled away.

"Would you bring me home?"

A scream escaped her lips as Erik picked her up – no words said. Angelina snuggled against his large frame, reveling in the warmth and strength of his body.

I love you, Erik.

She wanted to tell him so badly. Angelina hoped that the mask would be the beginning of an insight into the depths of how far she would go to be with him and make him happy. There was fear in her heart. What if he does not love me back? It was a very distinct possibility that the teacher did not love the student and all she would ever have was a crush.

Erik gently placed her in the boat and pushed off from the shore. They rode in silence. His mind was full of thoughts he never thought he'd possess. The mask was a token of affection. Maybe she truly did like him in ways he did not understand. Erik still feared that Angelina did not love him the way he had hoped. There was true devotion and possibly love.

Only time would tell. The student feared that the teacher did not love her. And the teacher feared that the student did not love him. Heaven and earth would find a way to bring the two souls together. It was only a matter of time.