A/N: Just so you guys know, I have planned chapters 41, 42, and 43. I hope to write them soon. I might need to slow down my posting. I'm also trying to finish this other story I'm writing. I'll be posting it on FictionPress soon. I hope you guys will look for it. The Masked Ball comes out in full force in this one. I hope you guys enjoy. Please tell all your friends to read my story. Ok, sorry, cheap plug. Enjoy this chapter and please read and review as always.

Chapter 32 – The Irony of the Mask

Candlelight filled the hall. It flickered and danced along with the music that played. Gold seemed to be the theme of the night as almost everyone seemed to be either dressed in it or decorated in it. Women bore elaborate jewels while the men stood back as other men looked at them – envious of what they had.

Rene stood in the doorway and looked at the sight before him. A smile slowly crept upon his face.

"Angelina, it is beautiful."

Glancing behind him, he held out a hand. A petite hand grasped it. Angelina stood beside him, looking out at the grand hall. Angelina took it all in – the music, the people, and the atmosphere.

"I do not want to be here, Rene."

Angelina had been melancholy ever since Rene had told her he would take her to the mask. He knew the reason but did not hint at it to Angelina. Erik refused to come and Angelina was suffering because of it.

"We will not stay long. You need to make a presence. You are the newest star of the new opera. Not making your presence known would be a mark on your reputation."

She knew that he was right. The gold mask she wore would hide her expressions and keep her emotions at bay. She would enjoy the night on Rene's arm and not think about what could have been with Erik.

"Shall we dance?"

Angelina smiled at Rene as he bowed in front of her. Dressed as a matador, Rene looked distinguished in a black mask and cape. Angelina grasped his hand as he led her to the floor and joined in with the other couples dancing.

She could not believe the sight before her. Everyone was in attendance. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Meg and her mother along with Arnaud. They were deep in discussion about something and were hardly paying attention to anything going on around them.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"

Angelina blushed. "No. And I am not beautiful. I just found this in the costume closet."

Rene laughed as he twirled her around the dance floor. He could see what Erik saw in her. Not only was she beautiful, she had humor and intelligence. They were rare qualities he found in women.

"You are rare, Angelina."

"How so?"

"You possess intelligence that I find very rare in women."

"Thank you."

"Whoever the man is that holds your heart is a very lucky man."

Angelina's heart stopped beating for a moment as the statement Rene said sunk in. The only reason Erik did not know he was lucky was, was that she never told him how she felt. Her heart would be broken even more so then the letdown of not coming to the mask. She would never tell Erik how she felt – never.

"He does not know he is a lucky man, Rene. I have never told him my feelings."

"May I ask why?"

"He would not reciprocate."

"You are certain of this?"

"I am."

He could feel her heart breaking. More then anything in the world, Rene wanted to shout from the rooftops of Erik's love. If it would ease the pain, he would tell her in a heartbeat.

"Angelina…"

"Please, Rene…I do not want to discuss this any longer. It is over. I am done trying."

"You cannot just give up."

"It is my choice. He does not need to know."

The tempo of the music changed to something darker, more sensual. Rene stepped back from Angelina and watched as the lights seemed to somehow dim.

Erik…

The crowd seemed to part without even knowing it was doing it. Down the stairs came a large figure. Rene watched as Angelina looked at him.

"Rene?"

"Let us keep dancing, shall we?"

Rene took Angelina once again in his arms, keeping her focus on him and bringing the crowd back into the mood they were once in. Rene knew that the focus needed to be off of Erik.

"I did mention that you looked beautiful tonight, correct?"

"Yes, you did."

"Then you did not say it in the correct manor."

Angelina's heart stopped. Afraid to turn her head, she watched Rene's look turn from happy to bewildered.

"And you are, sir?"

"The man who was to escort her tonight. I was…detained." A black leather gloved hand stretched in front of Angelina. "If I may reclaim the honor…"

Turning her head, Angelina looked into the eyes of Erik. Iridescent and illuminating, they drew her in – capturing her. Her gaze looked at him and noticed the black mask she had given him days prior.

"You…"

"Yes, I did."

"Angelina, are you alright with him?"

"She is perfectly fine, Monsieur. I assure you that."

Rene glanced at Angelina for one more brief moment before slowly walking away. Erik moved in front of her and looked at how beautiful she looked. The pale pink dress went well with the gold mask she wore upon her face. Her pale skin seemed to glow in the candlelight.

"That was Rene?"

"Yes, it was."

"Handsome young man."

"Yes, he is."

Her expressions showed nothing to Erik. He could not tell if she was angry, sad, or happy.

"I should have told you I was coming."

"The surprise was nice."

Her short statements were making Erik nervous. The hand was still outstretched and still empty.

"Will you not take my hand?"

"You have chased away my escort…"

Grasping her waist and taking no more time, Erik brought her to him. He leaned in close to her ear. He could hear her gasp for air.

"If you will not take my hand, then I will escort you the way I have to." Taking one hand, he grasped her waist but took a step back from her. He began guiding her around the dance floor – their gazes never leaving each other's. "This will be another lesson I must teach you."

"And what lesson would that be?"

"Obedience."

Madam Giry turned her attention from her daughter and her loving husband to gaze around the room. Everyone seemed to be having a grand time. But the sight of all black in a room full of gold and light colors caught her attention.

Erik…

He was here, in the middle of everything. It had been years since he had been at a mask and it had not turned out well. But this was different. In his arms was…

Oh my God. Angelina…

Tilting her head to the side, she watched as the couple glided across the ballroom floor. Angelina seemed to fit well in his arms. For the first time in her life, she could have sworn she saw…

"He smiled…" Madam Giry nearly laughed out loud.

"Mother, did you say something?"

"No, my dear. Please, continue talking."

Before turning back to the conversation, she watched Erik and Angelina for another moment. She was starting to truly believe Erik was in love. It was just the hope that Angelina felt the same way about him.

Angelina did not know if it was just from her spinning or if something was wrong but she was growing dizzy.

"Angelina?"

"I feel lightheaded…"

Angelina went limp in Erik's arms. She supported herself against his chest.

"Are you alright? Shall I take you to your room?"

"No! Erik, please I do not want this night to end."

Their eyes met once again. Standing up straight, Angelina rose on her toes and touched Erik's lips with hers. The touch was light like a feather and Erik hardly knew she had touched them. Before she could pull away, Erik drew her closer and made the kiss deeper. Adjusting for her height, he bent his head down, making it much more passionate.

The music reached a crescendo as Erik's arms wrapped around her tiny frame. He could not believe what he was doing. Neither knew who pulled away first but the feeling was there and so was the meaning behind it.

"Angelina…"

"I am so sorry."

"It was my fault." His eyes lowered, not wanting to meet her gaze.

The music did not help the situation as it usually had. It seemed to make matters worse. Both wanted to kiss the other again. Erik wanted to put his hands on Angelina's soft skin while Angelina wanted to feel the touch of his lips.

"Let me take you back to your room."

"Alright."

Erik grasped her hand and began to lead her from the dance floor and to her room. The kiss he would play off as nothing more then an accident. There was no meaning behind it.

Deny yourself the pleasure of a kiss and you will deny yourself love as well.

Then it would be denied for the time being. There would be no discussion of what happened tonight. Tonight, he would watch her sleep as dreams took her. He would protect her and sing to her until the sun rose. And then, they would discuss what happened.

In the shadows, a figure peered out from behind a marble column. He watched as the masked figure escorted Angelina from the dance floor.

Stepping into the light, Jonathan watched his fiancé being swept away by the man who challenged his affections to Angelina. He had watched the kiss and how Angelina seemed to be "touched" by his hands on her body and his lips on hers.

Anger and fury grew within him. It would only be a matter of time before he found out the identity of the man who had captured Angelina's heart. And it would only be a matter of time before the problem would be solved.