Eyes that Threaten and Adore by GoldenLyre

Chapter 1: Tension

Previous disclaimer applies.

Christine

As I reached crossed the threshold from the kitchen to the grand front foyer, I saw two unexpected visitors – Madame Giry and Meg! Needless to say, as soon as I caught sight of Meg, I squealed and wrapped my friend in a tight, welcoming embrace. She laughed happily with me – we haven't seen each other in weeks! I missed her dearly each day even though I had made friends with the staff: Jacqueline - the maid, a pretty, shy, exquisite girl in her mid-teens, Rosette the cook, a portly woman in her forties who certainly knew her cuisine, George – the old gardener who often helps me with my roses and the lawns, and Alexander – the polite butler who was about Erik's age, but had started graying already.

After pulling back from Meg's tight embrace, I looked to Alexander and thanked him for letting them in. He smiled brightly and bowed before excusing himself. Shrugging, Meg and I started chatting excitedly. We were only momentarily interrupted as Madame Giry had asked me where Erik was. I told her that he was in the study working on some blueprints for his latest project.

After the incident of the Opera Populaire, Raoul had simply told everyone he knew that it was Erik who had restored the Opera House to its former glory. Through him, the knowledge of Erik's architectural genius had spread all through Paris' most prestigious social circles. Since then, Erik had been designing everything from summer villas to new office buildings in the busy streets of Paris.

On the side, he was also composing for the Opera House. He submits only his best works, hence his inconsistency in the matter of the number of compositions he sends to the Opera House for his pieces to go into actual production. However, whenever word of his works was being performed got out, tickets are almost always sold out - much to Monsieur Firmin and Andre's delight.

As a result, we were living quite a comfortable life. Erik and Raoul were now on rather civil terms, thankfully. Erik had come to accept Raoul's role in my life as my friend and nothing more, as Raoul had come to accept Erik's role as my husband and the man I love.

Unconsciously, Meg and I had made our way to the living room – possibly one of my favourite rooms in the house with its roof-to-floor glass window panes and cushioned window sills. It was a quaint room that always glowed with sunlight during the day. Jacqueline knocked softly on the white cherry wood door as she brought in tea for Meg and I. We both thanked her, and then she made her exit quietly, shutting the door behind her.

I shifted in my seat and regarded my friend with a grin. "So, my dear Meg, how have you been?"

Her fair face was alight with a rosy flush and a bright smile. "Mother has been preparing us for your husband's latest work! Apparently the show has already been sold out – or that was the word among the ballet girls…"

At the mention of Erik, a blush burned my cheeks as my thoughts shifted back to him…

Erik

I had been rubbing out unnecessary details on one of the blueprints I was working on before I heard someone knock on the door. I looked up to see Antoinette Giry at the door, a mild amused smile on her face.

"Come in, Antoinette."

She came in and sat herself comfortably on one of the black leather chairs in front of my dark mahogany desk. "How have you been, my friend?"

I smiled softly and replied, "I've never been better. Yourself? How is the production coming along?"

I saw her face light up at the sound of the production and explained to me in detail the latest goings-on for the Opera Populaire's latest production that I myself had composed. Apparently, there had been a shortage in timber supply hence the props department had been slightly behind schedule, but were catching up just fine.

"… And the Vicomte came the other day searching for Christine during rehearsal…"

My head snapped up at the mention of my wife's former fiancé's name. I quickly recomposed myself and willed a cool expression to my facial features.

"Oh, really? You don't say."

Antoinette nodded grimly and continued. "He seemed rather panicked. He had received a note that was to be forwarded to her and yourself. A rather disconcerting one, apparently." Saying this, she took out a small slip of paper from her pocket and set it on the tabletop above my blueprints.

Cautiously, I reopened the creased folds of the note and read it. It was brief, but its tone unmistakable.

Your time will come, Opera Ghost.

TBC

A/n: Ooohh… I bet we're all wandering who sent it, ey? Well cant tell ya'll just yet ;) Review please :)

Rikku Ree: Hahahaa! I can't tell you that now can I? That'd kill the suspense! ;) Thanks for reviewing!

tiny dancer: Your suspicions are just like Rikku's! Hahaha… But like I told her, I aint telling just yet ;) Thanks for reviewing again!

SilverRose12: Haha! Yeah I totally agree – Ahh, the newlywed life, eh? Lol! Here's the next one, hope you liked :)