A/N: Hello my devoted fans! Sorry I haven't kept you updated like I should. I hope to have the story finished soon and I might have two chapters for you in one night. Enjoy.
Chapter Sixteen
The Proposal
Maria paced the rooftop for what seemed like hours. Since she had returned to the opera house she had wanted to go back to Erik. Now she stood looking at the Paris skyline, waiting for Raoul. Deep down she knew what he wanted, but she had to hear him out.
Maria sighed and turned to go inside. It was starting to snow. She started for the door when she saw something flapping in the breeze. It was next to a statue and looked almost like wings. Maria smiled, knowing it was her unspoken protector. She moved silently across the rooftop and over to him. She stopped, giving his cloak a gentle tug. Erik swung around caught off guard by the trick.
"You should be more careful about watching me," she said. "I saw your cloak."
Erik smiled and jumped down from the statue. "You looked lonely."
Maria blushed a little. Erik saw her countenance turn pink and had to stop his laugh. He took Maria's hand and gently kissed it. Maria smiled bigger.
"They are having a masquerade for New Years," she said, huddling against him for warmth.
Erik pulled her close. "Do you plan to go?"
Maria sighed. "I can't."
Erik looked down at her, astounded. Maria had to go. That was when he wanted to tell the world of her talent. The news was shocking and heartbreaking.
"Why can't you come?"
"First, I don't have anything to wear, second, I have to make everyone else's costumes, and third, I won't have time to make my own."
Erik caressed her cheek. His touch was warm and soothing despite the coolness of the leather gloves. Maria closed her eyes, getting lost in the sensation.
"I'll get you a dress," he said.
Maria's eyes snapped open in surprise. "You'll what?"
"I'll get you the dress," he paused. "I want you to come."
Maria went to protest, but she couldn't. This is what Erik wanted. It was also the only way she was going to get to go.
"Thank you," she said.
"No one of your beauty deserves to not be there," Erik said and then kissed her.
Suddenly the door to the roof opened. Maria quickly shoved Erik back into his hiding place. She adjusted her clothing and stepped out to see Raoul.
"There you are," he said, grabbing her hands.
Maria smiled a little but seemed shocked by the gesture. She followed Raoul as he walked toward the edge of the roof. She could see that he had something on his mind.
"Raoul, why did you want to see me so bad?" she asked.
Raoul spun around with his eyes dancing happily. He reached into coat and pulled out a small box. Maria felt her smile fade. She knew what was in that box. She quickly pulled away. Raoul took her by the shoulders.
"Please, hear me out, Maria," he started. "I love you. I didn't realize how much until you were gone."
Maria looked over at him with an astonished stare. He didn't even know her. She looked down at the snow covered roof and over at the statue that hid her true love.
"I know I could make you happy," Raoul continued.
Maria suppressed her laugh. She knew that statement was a lie. There had been a time when she thought that maybe he could, but now she knew that he couldn't. Only Erik could make her happy.
Raoul opened the box slowly and took out the diamond. It was huge cut stone, and it was shaped like a flower. She gulped at seeing it. He took her hand and slipped it on.
"Just say yes," he said.
Maria bit her lip. She knew what she should say, but she wasn't sure that the words would come. Raoul took advantage of her silence and pulled her to him. He rested his head on top of hers.
"I'll make you happy, and you will never want," he said.
Maria glanced over at the statue. Erik had stepped from his hiding place. Maria could see the hurt and hatred in his eyes. She felt sick inside. Slowly she turned to Raoul and took the ring off.
Raoul looked down at her sentiment. It was then that he noticed the sapphire ring. He could taste the bile rising in his throat. There was no way that someone could have gotten Maria before him. He seized her hand with a strong jerk. Maria looked at him with horror and shock showing in her eyes.
"Who is he?" Raoul demanded gruffly.
"What?" Maria asked incredulously.
Raoul snatched the ring from Maria's finger and held it up to her. Maria tried to grab it back. With the effort Raoul took her by the wrist.
"Who is he?" Raoul yelled.
Maria pulled herself free. She looked over at the statue again. Raoul followed her glance.
"He's out here isn't he?" Raoul asked, shoving Maria aside.
Maria felt everything in her panic. If Raoul found Erik it was all over. She rushed over to Raoul. He only pushed her off. He walked toward the statue. Maria tried to see around him, but he made it impossible. She silently prayed that Erik had gone. Suddenly Raoul moved and then let out a loud growl. No one was there.
"He was here wasn't he?" he asked.
"No," Maria lied firmly.
"Who is he?"
Maria wanted so badly to shout who her lover was, but she couldn't. She started to chew on the inside of her lip, hoping an answer would hit her. She finally shook her head.
Raoul took her by the shoulders again. Maria could feel the heat of his anger pouring off his body. She tried to pull away, but he held her firmly in place.
"Let go," she yelled.
"Not until you tell me who he is!"
Maria could feel Raoul's fingers pressing into her flesh. The feeling that she had had with Buquet suddenly hit her. She started to panic.
"Raoul, let go!" she almost shrieked.
"Who is he?" Raoul matched her tone.
"He's no one! The ring is an heirloom. No one has me, and I love no one."
Raoul suddenly let go. Maria shrank against the statue. She could feel tears falling down her cheeks. She hadn't wanted to lie; she had only wanted to him to let go of her. Raoul looked over at her.
"Then marry me," he said. "You have no one."
Maria looked up at him and wiped the tears away. "I don't love you."
"You could learn to."
"No, Raoul, I couldn't. There is nothing about you that I love."
Raoul sighed. He ran his hands through his hair angrily. He started toward the door and then turned back.
"You need some time to calm down. Forgive me for my rude behavior."
He walked back inside, and Maria finally broke down. She felt the tears falling down her face and onto the snow. She sniffed deeply and then stood. She could feel and hear Erik's cloak fanning her. She looked around and found him standing next to another statue.
"I gave you my music," he growled. "Made your song take wing, and now how you repay me?"
"Erik, please, I didn't," Maria tried to explain, but Erik cut her off.
"You denied me and betrayed me."
Maria looked away, feeling more ashamed than ever before. She felt sick and more alone.
"I knew he was bound to love you, but you and I… You said that would stay with me!"
Maria's mind flashed back to when they sang together in the cave. She could hear the words replaying and felt more broken.
"Erik, please forgive me," she whispered.
Erik walked up and gave her a cold stare. His eyes were full of hurt and hate. She tried to look away, but his eyes made her stay.
"You will curse the day that you didn't do all that I ask of you."
With those words and a flip of his cloak Erik was gone. Maria slowly slid to the ground. She noticed her sapphire ring lying in the snow and picked it up. She went to push it on and stopped. She couldn't bring herself to wear it at the time. She finally stood and walked inside. Everything seemed too far out of reach. Erik was gone, Raoul hated her, and the masquerade was in two weeks. Maria suddenly wished she had never come back to the real world.
