A/N: Hi everyone! Thanks for your patience while I was gone. Yet some more bad news-- I'm leaving on Tuesday for a few days to go to King's Island in Ohio. So please bear with me with all these trips! I'll have up Chapter Six on Monday before I leave. Don't forget to review!

Chapter 5- Ghosts of the Past

"Ray stop! Please you're hurting me!" Christine pleaded, her brown orbs wide in fright.

Tonight wasn't a good night. Christine finished a show for a charity function and it didn't go well as Ray had hoped. It was clearly evident that Angel wasn't in the mood for her performance. Fatigue shown through her features and it did help make matters worse when a reporter had to question about it.

Ray stood by her when it was asked and she knew she would pay for it. The happy front collapsed at that point and she quickly explained her lack of enthusiasm was due to the exhaustion and pressure towards her newest record coming out.

But it didn't matter to Ray.

"You bitch!" Ray growled. His nails dug into the skin of her arms as he glared at her, his cool eyes now hazed over in a storm of rage.

"You know better than that!" he spat.

"I know! I'm sorry! It wasn't my fault!" she squeaked. The pain was getting to be unbearable as tears began stinging her eyes. "Ray-"

"Shut up!" His hand flew out and smacked her across the face. The blow sent Christine flying backwards to the ground. She covered her redden face in misery and choked on her sobs. Stop crying! Stop crying! It's only going to make it worse!

Too late.

He grabbed her by the hair, roughly, a few strands ripped from her scalp as he pulled her towards him. "STOP CRYING!" he barked. "Are you trying to mess this up? Christ Christine!"

She trembled in his hold as Ray continued to throw obscenities at her, shaking his head furiously. She gulped down the batch of tears that were threatening to spill.

You need to be strong Christine. You got to be. Think of Daddy, think of Meg, think of the old Ray. This is not Ray. This is a nightmare. It'll be over. I'll wake up and none of this ever happened. It will be the old days. Daddy's alive and I'm excited about my music. And… I'll have him here again.

This put Christine slightly at ease despite the situation she was in. Her crying finally stopped and Ray had let her go sometime during her wishful thinking.

He was pacing back and forth, mumbling incoherently, and it seemed that it was over. Nothing was going to happen. Ray had calmed down and the interview never occurred. She took a deep breath and managed to put herself together. Everything was fine.

All too sudden he came at her, tugging her face closer to his, his ragged hot breath washing over her pale skin.

"I know what you're thinking," he hissed. Ray looked like a wild cat ready to kill its prey from his hungry stare. His fingers curled in her dark locks possessively and yanking hard, making her remember whom she belonged to.

"It's him isn't it? You wished he were here right now, holding, kissing you all over, making you crumble into pieces. You long for him to whisper sweet nothings into your ear and everything you do is for him and him alone."

Christine didn't make a sound. His accusation was close to home plate. She kept her eyes to the ground, knowing he would see the truth.

"Well, guess what? This is the reality of it- he's gone and so is your father! You have me and only me. Everything you do is for me understood? How many times must I tell you this Christine? I don't want to hurt you, honestly I don't but you give me no choice. You force me to hurt you Chrissie-Bear."

She hated that nickname. It made her feel like an insolent child. The only nickname she tolerated was her pseudonym- Angel and it only made her quiver with want from another's lips.

Ray forced her chin up to look at her dead in the eyes. "You're thinking about him again. I will not have it in our relationship Christine!"

"No matter what you do to me, it will never change the fact I had no choice in this!" she glowered.

"You belong to me Christine, like it or not." And with that said, he lifted her over his shoulder and headed towards the bedroom, with Christine trying to get away.

Christine blinked hard at the Vicomte. That memory of Ray surfaced as soon as she laid eyes on him. Fear numbed her as she realized a startling and horrifying truth- no matter where she is she cannot escape him.

"I take it you sent me this note?" the Vicomte said, taking a few strides over to the standing gentlemen and Antoinette.

"What's all this nonsense?" Firmin implored.

"Of course not!" Andre added.

"Well, isn't this the letter you sent?" Raoul questioned, handing the note to them. Andre took hold of it and quickly scanned it before reading aloud:

"Vicomte,

Your patronage to my theatre is most surely welcome, but I have one request of you that better be taken in earnest. Do not go near Christine Daae. She is not feeling well and I will not have her under any stress. Her Angel of Music watches over her and will know if someone causes her any distress. I wish in your best interests you would do as I say with no objections, otherwise the consequences could be fatal."

"What childish foolery!" Firmin exclaimed. "I assure you, le Vicomte, that no one from this opera house sent this!"

"I hope not but it doesn't ease my mind," Raoul answered. "If this is any idea of a joke then I fail to see the humor in it."

At that moment, he turned and saw Christine. His lips upturned into a charmed smile as he glided over to her stance.

"Ah, Christine Daae. I was wondering if you saw me the other night at the gala. Surely you haven't forgotten Little Lotte and the red scarf I so daringly rescued?"

Meg nudged her from behind causing Christine to get closer to him. His friendly aquamarine eyes never left hers as he awaited her response.

What was she to say? She had no clue what he was talking about, but if concealing her identity was important as Madame Giry emphasized than she had to play the part. No matter how much it killed her.

She timidly returned his smile and nodded. "I do. Excuse me for my behavior last night. I'm not sure what came over me." As if he doesn't know that.

"I do hope that the note isn't true about you being unwell. I was hoping you would accompany me to dinner one day?" His benevolent and eager tone wasn't ignored by Christine's part. It was obvious that he was thrilled about being in her… Daae's presence once more after so many years. It would be the right thing to do to accept his innocent offer, but the severity of the note sent warning signals through Christine's mind. Couldn't he see that someone knows he bothers me?

She made a meek gesture. "Perhaps." Though in her gut, she was really saying, not as long as I live.

"Splendid!" His eyes twinkled with delight. "And may I ask, do you know who could have sent this letter?"

Christine was taken aback by his question and had to bite her tongue before replying, "Well, wasn't it signed by the infamous Phantom or O.G. as he goes by?" But she held it in. There was the short reference to the Angel of Music and Meg did comment about that, but who exactly was this angel? It had to be of flesh and blood Christine knew that. No supernatural being could prompt such a threat for fun and it wasn't just her skeptic mind speaking. Thankfully she was interrupted before she could answer.

"Where is he?" boomed Carlotta.

The Spanish diva followed by her maids and Piangi made her way over to Christine and Raoul. She shook her finger at him, her plump face crimson and distorted in anger.

"You! How dare you make a fool out of me!"

"Signora, what are you implying?" he asked calmly. His reserve surprised Christine but then again Ray had the same trait when it came to any accusations.

"This!" She shoved a note into his face and stomped her foot impatiently. Glaring at him and to the managers, she continued. "I do not take kindly to threats!"

"Wha-?" Andre began but Raoul cut him off.

"It says:

As always, your performance has yet again ruined a perfectly good evening. As a disgrace to my opera house, I would hope by now by the lack of attendance you would see that your talent is no longer of use. I suggest now, Signora Giudicelli, you should back down or face another misfortune. Soon a new prima donna will emerge and La Carlotta will be forgotten and all of Paris will be at their feet for Christine Daae."

"See? See? That little rat is trying to replace me!" she snapped.

"I'm doing no such thing!" cried Christine in defense. "How can I if I'm not singing?"

"Yes, she does have a point," spoke Andre.

Carlotta rolled her eyes and waddled over to them. "I know the Vicomte- her lover- sent it!"

Lover? Christine thought, her jaw dropping in surprise. What on Earth would make her think that?

Raoul basically answered, "Indeed? Can you believe this?"

"I am unwanted!" the prima donna droned.

"Signora!" placated Andre and Firmin.

"I am unwelcome!" Carlotta continued ranting, falling into the arms of her lover.

It was at the moment of heighten antics Christine noticed Madame Giry disappeared. She went to her friend to ask where she went, when Madame Giry returned, announcing she had another note from whom else? The Opera Ghost.

Carlotta, Andre, and Raoul all drove to catch it, but alas, Firmin beat them to it.

"Ahem! Gentlemen and lady, you all need to pull yourselves together! Now, let's see what our dear friend has written!

Gentlemen,

I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature, detailing how my theatre is to be run. You have not followed my instructions. I shall give you once last chance.

In the new production of Il Muto you will cast Carlotta as the Pageboy. The role is silent and therefore fits in her range splendidly. Christine Daae will play the role of the Countess. The role, which Miss Daae sings, calls for charm and appeal. She has the ability to do so unlike the former.

I have great expectations that some coaxing will ensure her to play the part.

I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in Box 5, which will be kept empty for me. And also one minor detail- tell your beloved patron that if he wishes to see Miss Daae then he best be on his guard.

If these commands are ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur! I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

O.G."

Raoul glanced over to the bewildered Christine who was dumbfounded from the start of the note. Why? Why does he want me… err, Daae so much to play the leads? Sure Carlotta is bad but c'mon! At least she's somewhat tolerable and the attendants seem to like her, somewhat. No! I cannot… will not do this.

Firmin raised an eyebrow in her direction while everyone waited in hush anticipation to see what her response will be to the demand.

Straighten her shoulders, the brunette's chin stuck out defiantly. "My answer hasn't changed. I will not sing and that's final!"

TBC…