Chapter Seventeen

Masquerade

"You look beautiful," Maria said to Meg as she finished putting the last ribbon on the crown.

Meg smiled and looked in the mirror. Her white gown shown brightly in the soft candlelight. She had small wings attached to the back of the dress and hand a silver halo. She looked like a perfect angel. Maria stepped back to look at her work and smiled.

Meg turned to her with a look of sadness. "I wish you were coming tonight."

Maria smiled sweetly and gave her friend a small hug. "I wish I was too, but you go and have a good time for me."

Maria hurriedly walked out before Meg could protest. She had wanted to go so bad, but her work would not allow her. She slipped into her room and turned up the lamp by her bed. To her surprise she saw a light blue, off the shoulder, ball gown. There was a small not next to it. She touched the soft fabric and picked up the note. It was from Raoul.

Maria read the note. She smiled softly and started to change. She turned and on her dressing table was a gold box.

The box was larger than an average box, and it was longer. There was a black ribbon tied around it. She gently pulled the bow and noticed a rose on top. She pulled the ribbon away and opened it. She nearly gasped when she saw the contents. She pulled out the beautiful muted red dress.

The dress was red with a black lace cover over it. It was made off the shoulder with a little lace hanging off the straps. She couldn't believe how fantastic the dress was. Maria quickly went to change.

Maria felt her heart skip and sing when she saw herself in the mirror. The dress fit her body perfectly. She sat down at the mirror, feeling that something was missing. She rummages through her jewelry box and found nothing that matched the beauty of the gown. She sighed and then discovered a smaller box next to the rose. She opened it and found a ruby necklace and a pair or earrings. She coughed on her gasp as she stared at them. Finally she slipped the jewels on. However something was still missing. Her hair was pulled up in a bun with small strands hanging around her face. She looked at the full red rose then smiled. She gently broke the stem and placed the bud in her hair.

"There," she whispered and grabbed her black mask off the bed.

The front foyer of the Opera Populaire had been turned into a beautiful ballroom dressed in gold, silver, and other bright colors. The room was crowded with people. Their faces were all covered, and everyone seemed so happy.

Raoul pulled his mask off and looked around. He could see Meg, Madame Giry, and some other crew members, but Maria was no where in sight. He knew she found the dress. There was no way she couldn't have. He sighed and started toward Meg. In passing he noticed a beautiful young woman in a black mask. Her dress was a breathtaking red with a black over lay. She had on an expensive set of rubies as well.

"My lady," Raoul said with a small bow.

The woman only nodded. Her bright green eyes were dancing. Raoul could feel that knew her, but he didn't how. She quickly disappeared into the crowd.

Maria kept her laugh inside as she walked away from Raoul. She couldn't believe that he didn't know her. She walked over to the small bar and got a glass of wine. She watched as everyone danced, smiled, and laughed. She wanted to do all those things, yet she couldn't. She searched the faces fruitlessly, hoping to catch a glimpse of Erik. It was the perfect night for him to come. He could wear a mask, and no one would ever notice him. Deep down she knew he wasn't there though.

Suddenly the bright music stopped, and everyone seemed to go into a state of shock. Maria looked up and noticed someone standing at the stairway entrance.

The man was dressed in a blood red suit. His mask was that of a skull. He started forward, and everyone could see a sword hanging on his side.

Maria sat her glass down and rushed forward. She threw her mask to the side and ran our in the open. The attention quickly left the intruder and fell on her. Raoul stared in shock. Maria was the woman in the dress! She was there and wasn't wearing the dress that he gotten her. He shook his head. Maria paid him no attention; her eyes were on Erik.

Erik walked slowly down the stairs. He studied everyone and everything.

"Have you missed me?" he asked tauntingly. "Why is everyone so silent?"
He stopped and pulled out a black case. He threw it down with a violent thrust.

"I have written you an opera," he said. "Don Juan Triumphant"

He looked around, watching everyone in the crowd. They all seemed too afraid to do anything. Then his eyes fell on Maria. He saw how perfect she looked in that dress and felt a smile come to his lips. He let it go and turned back to his audience.

"I have a few instructions before rehearsals start."

Everyone stared at him. Maria felt her heart pumping in her throat as she watched him. She listened closely.

"Carlotta must be taught to act," he said harshly. "Not her normal trick of strutting around the stage."

Erik pulled his sword and shook it through Carlotta's headpiece. Piangi, Carlotta's lover, stepped forward. Erik sneered and shook his head. The man quickly retreated.

"Our Don Juan must lose some weight. It's not healthy in a man of Piangi age."

Erik turned away from the man and looked at the managers. Both tried to stand tall and fearlessly, but the fear was evident in their eyes.

"And my mangers must learn that their places in an office," he paused and thrust his sword at them, "not the arts."

Both men stared down the freshly sharpened blade. Andre gulped. Erik turned from them and looked at the crowd. His went straight to Maria. He smiled at seeing her how beautiful she was. Then he sighed.

"As for our star, Miss Maria Leroux," he informed everyone.

Shock filled the room. They all shot looks at him and at her. Firmin stepped forward.

"She is a costume mistress," he said.

Erik turned to him. "There's no doubt she'll do her best. It's true her voice is good and she knows that, but she should wish to excel, she has much still to learn."

Raoul now came out and stood at the edge of the crowd. Maria was standing in the center, and seemed shocked. Raoul turned back to the Phantom, who was still ranting.

"If pride will let her return to me," he paused and looked her. "Her teacher."

Maria looked around. She could feel everyone watching and waiting for her to choose. She could easily step forward and walk into Erik's arms. She glanced behind her and noticed Madame Giry. She sighed and walked up the stairs. Erik walked down and met her halfway. They stopped and just looked at each other. Maria gently took Erik's hand in hers.

"Thank you for my dress," she whispered so softly no one but Erik heard.

He pulled her closer and suddenly stopped. He bent toward her as if he might kiss her.

Firmin stepped forward, looking at the strange couple. He could not fathom the idea of letting the costume mistress on stage with trained singers.

"She is not stepping one foot on that stage," Firmin said sternly.

Erik turned to him with his eyes flashing. He reached for his sword when Maria grabbed his arm. He turned back to her, and she shook her head.

"She will be on stage, and if anyone tries to stop her, there will be more than an accident."

Firmin stepped back. Erik turned back to Maria. He knew he had already gotten too close. He went to touch her face and then shoved her.

"I'm sorry," he mouthed.

Maria clutched the banister to keep her balance and stared at him. His eyes were trying to explain his actions, but they couldn't.

"You're chains are still mine," he paused. "You belong to me."

Erik flipped his cloak and ran up the stairs. In a flash of fire Erik disappeared into a trap door. Meg ran up and put a hand on Maria's shoulder. Suddenly Raoul ran past them. He had his sword drawn and headed for the trap door.

"Raoul, no!" Maria yelled.

Her voice meant nothing. Raoul jumped down the trap door and disappeared into blackness.