Forget Me Not: Chapter 7
Okay, I hate to say this, but after this chapter there may be a short break (I just got a puppy that I have to take care of. So it's kind of worth it) but I'll try to be nice and probably won't make this a cliffhanger. Probably. Thank you to all my reviewers, I love you all!
I don't own Phantom of the Opera.
PS: This chapter: The Return of Raoul! Dun dun dun dun! All thoughts will be in italics.
Coughing violently, Erik reached stumbled to one of his cabinets. He was such a fool! He had multiple tonics for this, why did he not take one to begin with?
Because you enjoyed the woman's touch, you perverted lunatic?
He grimaced as he downed the liquid. It tasted awful and burned his tongue.
As if you don't deserve pain.
He coughed a few times, trying to keep in his mind that it would be over soon.
He'd forced her to go. When he'd been remembering!
But he did not remember his loves name.
She had to make her way home. The maids would wonder where she was! She had been gone nearly three days. She hadn't told them she'd be gone three hours! She hadn't expected to find Erik. How had he survived the mob? And even if the mob had gone, how had he survived the fire? And what's more, his home didn't seem at all damaged. Even if he'd survived, the mob would not spare his belongings. How was it the mirror was still in her room? It was so odd!
She quickly got in a carriage, handing the driver a random assortment of coins. His eyes lit up greedily, but she made no notice. How was it that he remembered his love leaving him, but no details about her? Did he remember the details? The Angel of Music? The rooftop? Don Juan Triumphant?
And furthermore, why did she leave when he asked her to? Was she afraid of him? Did she respect him too much to disobey him?
And did she still love him? She'd seen his fury before, but this time had absolutely terrified her. Was it because she loved him that she was so frightened?
Raoul. Oh God, Raoul! She was a monster! A horrible, vile temptress! Here she was, once again hurting the two men she cared so deeply about! Her husband! That poor man! She had no idea where he was, what he was doing! Oh, if he knew what she'd done! And, oh! To say that she didn't love her own husband! How perfectly scandalous! She shook her head, in disbelief of her horrible thoughts from only hours ago. Of course she loved Raoul! Raoul was her husband, her safety, her guidance.
Where is Raoul now?
Damn him! Damn Erik for once again putting her under his spell! And this time, without even meaning to! Oh, but she was much better than that! She loved Raoul, not Erik! The Phantom of the Opera ruled her mind no longer!
As she walked through the door, her maid nearly dropped the plate she was holding.
"Vicomtess!" she cried. Christine cocked her head in question. "Oh, the Vicomte will be so relieved!" the girls curls bobbed up and down as she ran up the stairs.
"Raoul?" Christine asked quietly. She heard the maid's voice from upstairs, speaking quickly and excitedly. Then she heard Raoul's voice.
Raoul!
She quite visibly panicked. Raoul. Home. Now. Here. Of course! She'd been gone for over three days now! They would have contacted Raoul…he would have come home…She held her head in her hands and looked around frantically. She had to leave…he'd know…she smelled like candles and the murky lake, the bottom of her dress was wet and torn…her hair hadn't been brushed for days…
Her eyes widened in fear as she heard the familiar thumping on the staircase.
"Christine, my love," Raoul cried out, a smile on his face. But his nose soon wrinkled. "Why, my dear! Where have you been? You smell…" He stopped and tried to redeem himself. "Lovely, but your dress is all wet! Come, dear, you can tell me once we've got you warmed up."
Erik…
Without another thought, she bolted out the door.
Erik sighed in relief. Another hour without vomiting. His tonics were effective, but he often found that the tasted so horrible that they made him feel worse than he did before.
I really must change that somehow…
Getting up from his chair, he looked around him. Alone, again. The woman had been annoying, but at least she was company. Now he had no one but the shadows on the walls.
And, of course, my dear friend…
He stroked the organ, fingering the keys. His music, his companion…how long since he'd played for himself? Days, it felt. Too long. He sat down, playing a familiar tune.
Poor young maiden!
For the thrill on your tongue of stolen sweets!
You'll have to pay the bill
Tangled in the winding sheets!
"Christine, what's gotten into you?" Raoul took his wife's hand, leading her back to the house. "Come now, aren't you happy to see me?"
You love RAOUL.
"Of course, my dear! Please excuse my behavior, I couldn't believe it was really you!" she gushed.
It sounds fake. It LOOKS fake.
Raoul grinned back. She sighed, relieved. The drama classes Erik had given her on the side had truly paid off.
"Come my dear, I'll get Marie to fix you some tea…why are you all wet?" he asked her, wrinkling his nose.
"Oh, it was merely raining, my dear," She replied, thinking quickly. "If you wouldn't mind horribly, I would rather get some sleep than tea... I will join you later?" she grinned, making her lie seem a bit more real. She kissed his cheek, and he nodded.
"Although, perhaps I will join you later?" he asked with a grin.
"Yes…perhaps…" she said, suddenly feeling quite sick.
There had been no love, no passion, no excitement. Raoul had long since fallen asleep, but Christine lay awake, replaying the moments in her mind. She'd been…bored…she felt nothing!
This wasn't meant to be. She climbed out of bed, careful not to disturb the slumbering Victome. She slid on her robe and walked out to the balcony. The stars were bright that night, a full moon…usually this type of night was her favourite, almost magical…but that night she felt nothing but unhappy.
Erik…poor Erik…She'd driven him to forgetting! If it weren't for her damn childhood memories, she would have been able to think clearly, to know who she wanted to spend forever with…him. She sighed, imagining Erik standing before her, the old Erik…saying he loved her…she stopped, remembering that her husband lay in a bed not ten feet away.
Her mind was made up. She had to get out. She was suffocating. She could not breath! She needed to love someone who loved her, she needed to fall asleep feeling happy, she needed to sing without feeling guilty. She needed to get Erik to remember. That was her only option. Otherwise, she would surely die of loneliness! Raoul was a great confidante, a great friend and past playmate. But she felt no love for him! Nothing beyond the bond you would share with your brother. She suddenly felt like vomiting. She was married to her brother! Oh, no. She needed to get out.. Quick. She quickly and soundlessly changed into a dress and through some things into a traveling bag. A few plain dresses, her hairbrush and other necessities. And of course, the picture of her father. She smiled and traced the frame with her finger.
Papa, please be proud of me…I pray I am making the right choice!
She was about leave, when she remembered Raoul. What was she to do about him? Her wedding vows still bound her to him…
She sat down at the small desk and pulled out a piece of paper. She had to tell him. He had the right to know that she didn't hate him.
Dear Raoul,
I'm sorry. But I can't do this any longer. Please know, even though I don't love you enough to be your wife, I love you very much as a friend. I will always think of you as my brother, my old playmate. Forgive me.
Love always,
Christine
She smiled, then dipped the pen in ink once again.
Your Little Lotte