"L'Ange de la Musique"
Chapter 5
"Second Chances..."
"YOU!" The managers bellowed together. T-that man! The Phantom! The Phantom of the Opera was back? It can't be! He was gone! Wait a second…
"Weren't you dead?" Firmin yelled.
"I…I…" Erik attempted to say something, resisting the urge to go running out the door, but Christine's hand on his arm kept him in there.
"My God! This is outrageous!" André blurted out, shocked by the sudden appearance of the supposedly dead Phantom.
Erik tried again to say something, but the nervousness got the best of him. A lump formed in his throat and he lost his voice.
Christine felt him tremble slightly and she squeezed his arm gently in an attempt to calm him up.
Erik's head was buzzing; he couldn't think clearly now, he thought of the many things that could happen in this fateful moments.
Erik had become much more emotional and carefree ever since Christine left; He had felt emotions he had never felt before he had met Christine. He could no longer keep that serious façade that adorned his visage. He was much more expressive and his soul had become void of all the awful things he had been before: A maniac, a murderer, and an obsessive person, just to name a few. And due to that new personality, Erik frequently looked at the bad side of things; he never saw that 'silver lining' on dark clouds. His mind succumbed to negative prospects; He was done for. He had reached the Point of No Return.
"If you weren't dead already, I'll make sure you are now!" Firmin yelled, furious. " Step aside Miss Daaé! We won't let him hurt you again!"
Firmin then took out a gun from his inner coat pocket. He kept this gun for safety and self defense, but the hatred he felt at that moment against that "Ghost" made him break that silent vow he had made to himself of never using it to threat a man's life.
He pointed directly at Erik's heart; André gasped, taken aback.
Erik froze in the spot; his face became drained of the color he had left. His eyes widened in fear. Fear? He had never felt fear before, but now he did, and it felt awful. He was going to get killed, he could feel it. Any moment now. He closed his eyes as sweat slipped down his forehead and down his mask. He couldn't move, his body wouldn't respond. His heart pumped madly against his chest, and his pulse was racing. He could feel a lump of dread forming in his insides with the passing of every second.
Why? Why?
Why had he agreed on this? Now he would never see Christine again. Now that he had her back, he would lose her again. He shook at that thought and waited for the worst.
"NO!" Christine screamed. She stepped in front of him, her arms flying up protectively. "No!"
"Miss Daaé! What are you doing!" Firmin asked alarmed; André was frozen in the spot too and couldn't utter a single word. "Move over!"
"No!" she screamed again, her features filled with fear; She was trembling, she didn't expect monsieur Firmin to react this way, let alone, wield a weapon against another man like this.
"Please! L-let me explain!" Christine said, alarmingly.
"There's nothing to explain! This bloody murderer has to be put down once and for all!" Firmin yelled, still pointing the weapon at Erik and Christine. "He has done too much damage as for now! We will put everyone out of their misery by finishing off this bastard!"
Erik felt his legs weaken, but he stood there, unable to move yet. He tightened his eyes and his heart was beating so strong and fast that he thought it would stop any moment. His breathing became heavy and he felt the coldness shroud him.
Christine's eyes widened at Firmin's exclaim; He was being serious about this.
"Move aside!" Firmin screamed again, his hand shaking from the rage.
"No! Please!" Christine said helplessly, as tears began pouring from her eyes, "Please don't do this!"
Firmin just looked heatedly at her. He clicked his gun menacingly, ready to shoot.
André's mind was buzzing, and was unable to react.
Christine cried hopelessly as she hugged Erik desperately, still standing in front of him in a protective way. She buried her face in his chest inconsolably. Erik could feel her fear and sadness, but his arms wouldn't budge from their position as he tried to hug her to comfort her. He could feel her trembling against his body, and could also feel her tears moistening his vest.
Finally, André found his voice and screamed out.
"FIRMIN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" he yelled outraged, "Put that gun down man!"
He snatched the gun out of Firmin's hand and threw it to a far corner of the room.
"What were you thinking!" André asked alarmed.
"André! Do you realize we could get over with this?" Firmin retorted. "We would have nothing to fear now!"
"Firmin! You git!" André said, "When we thought he was dead we were doing perfectly fine! He's been alive all along and he didn't do anything to us!"
Firmin remained silent; unable to find the words he was looking for.
"He was alive, and yet, he left us alone! He did no damage!" Andre continued, "And Miss Daaé says she has an explanation! Why don't we listen to her?"
Firmin mumbled incoherently, hatred still prominent in his voice.
Christine lifted her tear-stained face from Erik's chest as she heard André reprimand Firmin.
Still hugging Erik, Christine felt her fear subside slightly; she felt Erik tense up in her embrace.
André scoffed at Firmin who rolled his eyes and turned around, crossing his arms, his back to André and the rest.
André approached Christine cautiously; Christine hastily dried her tears and faced him.
Erik opened his eyes tentatively and relaxed when he saw that Firmin was no longer holding the gun.
Christine and Erik watched as André approached them with an embarrassed look in his face.
"Please forgive us, Miss Daaé." He said politely. "Excuse Firmin for scaring you like that." He shot an angry look to Firmin, who only scoffed, his back still to them.
Christine just nodded, and Erik looked away. He began to regain his composure, but a bit of nervousness remained. His heart started to slow down to its normal pumping rate and the lump on his throat and stomach diminished.
André took Christine's hand and kissed it. "Pardon us for our behavior."
"It-it's all right…" Christine stuttered, regaining her composure as well. "He just frightened us. That's all."
"Worry not, Mademoiselle," André said. "He will NEVER brandish a weapon like that again." He shot another glance of hatred towards Firmin, who was totally being oblivious on purpose.
Silence reigned in the room, until André broke it.
"What was it that you were going to tell us, Miss?"
"Oh, about that." Christine said. She had forgotten what she had come for in the first place.
"Something about giving a job to this man?" André said.
"Yes. He would like to work for you." Christine said.
Erik heaved a great sigh and, without looking at anyone, he walked silently to one of the corners of the room and crossed his arms, his back to them, just like Firmin.
"Indeed?" André asked curiously, looking at Erik's back.
"He's a great musician and composer; He's also a great voice…teacher." She said, smiling at him, even though he still had his back turned to them.
"Is he now?" André said, "My, my, sounds really promising. But…"
At that 'but', Christine turned to him with questioning eyes.
"But… I'm afraid he has won himself a despicable reputation, Mademoiselle. He has done so many things in his past that puts our trust to the test."
Christine looked down in disappointment. Erik followed this motion too and dropped his head; He knew they would never accept him.
"I know," she said sadly, "But… he has changed! I swear he has!"
"Changed has he?" Firmin blurted out, facing them, "I'm sure he's just the same! He looks as suspicious, dark, and untrustworthy as he did before!"
Christine got angry at this remark, and before André could respond first, she said:
"Don't judge a book by its cover, monsieur!" she said angrily, frowning, "There's more inside than what the outer appearance has to show!"
Erik turned his head slightly from the shadows as he heard Christine defend him with such energy.
"You really don't expect me to accept that…that…deformed monster into our Opera?" Firmin said.
"Deformed monster!" Christine shrieked indignantly. "How dare you?" She strolled to Firmin and slapped him hard across the face.
Erik turned around, shocked; André placed his fist on his mouth, trying to stifle the laughs.
Christine knew Erik was touchy with the topic of his face's state, and now, she had become so close to him, that she was touchy about it as well; She wouldn't let anyone insult or judge Erik for how he looked like without receiving a punishment for their lack of subtleness.
"Don't you ever say that again, Monsieur!" Christine said, fuming. "You should learn to have some respect toward others less lucky than you!"
Firmin placed a hand on his red cheek and looked down at her, stunned.
"How can you say that when he was about to apologize to you?" she said.
"Apologize?" André asked.
"Christine, please…" Erik started.
"No, Erik! If you will respect them, they have to respect you too!"
"But, Christine. I-I don't mind them saying those things about m-me." He said idly, "Really."
"Please, Erik, I know more than anybody that that's not true." She said.
"But…" he muttered.
"I know you do mind, and I know it upsets you." She said, smiling slightly, "And I don't want anyone hurting you. You've received way too much pain; you don't need more."
Erik looked sadly at her; why did she have to be always right?
"And now," Christine said, turning away from Erik and staring at the two managers, "He would like to say something to you."
She took Erik's hand and pulled him forward so he could talk to the managers.
Erik looked nervously at them; He glanced at Christine, who nodded encouragingly.
"I…" He began, looking at the managers, "I would like to apologize, f-for all the problems I caused you in the past."
André was about to forgive Erik when Firmin interrupted.
"You can't seriously expect us to forgive you that easily, do you?" Firmin cried.
"Firmin, shut up!" André said.
"Shut up? André, he murdered 2 people! He dropped an expensivechandelier, and set the Opera House on fire!" Firmin retorted.
Erik's stomach gave an uncomfortable lurch as Firmin mentioned the nuisances he had caused.
"I'm perfectly aware of what he did, Firmin!" André shouted. "But that was in the past! Haven't you heard everything Miss. Daaé has been saying?"
"Yes, I did! So what?"
"She said he was a changed man!"
"And you believe her!"
"Yes I do! If she were to be lying, I'm sure this man wouldn't be here! I daresay he could've killed you in a second, the moment you brandished that stupid gun out!"
Firmin looked alarmingly at André.
"He could've outwitted you easily! But did he attack you? NO!"
"What's your point?"
"I do believe he's a changed man with a wonderful potential, Firmin!" André said defiantly. "I also happen to believe in second chances! And I'm willing to give this man a second opportunity to repent on his mistakes!"
Erik and Christine were stunned; Was André really defending Erik? The world is surely coming to an end, Erik thought.
"Unfortunately, I do not believe in those second chances!" Firmin said.
Finally, Erik got tired of waiting in the gloom; He stepped forward and talked to both managers.
"I accept your anger at me, it's completely understandable," Erik said. "Please forgive me for the troubles I caused you, I'm deeply ashamed of my behavior. But as Christine and Monsieur André have stated, I'm a changed man. I will no longer cause you any nuisance, and I will follow every order you give me if you provide me with work."
André and Christine smiled; Firmin just stared angrily at Erik, who stared back unemotionally.
"As wounds take time to heal," Erik said, "I know it'll take time for me to gain your trust."
"My, my! That is what I call a gentleman! Not like someone I know." André said, glancing at Firmin. Firmin just rolled his eyes irritably.
"You seem to be a very respectable man! Monsieur…er… what's your name again?"
"Erik." Erik said simply.
"Oh, yes! Erik, do you have a second name?" André asked.
"I… I'm afraid I don't." Erik said.
"Oh, no problem, though!" André said happily.
André then clapped his hands together and motioned Erik and Christine out the door.
"Let's see what you can do and maybe we'll give you a job!"
"Oh, thank you so much, Monsieur André!" Christine exclaimed. She then hugged him and gave him a friendly kiss on his cheek. "You're so kind!"
André blushed and stuttered, "Well, I, well thank you, mademoiselle! If you would follow me!"
André exited the room. Erik and Christine exchanged a glance and followed; Firmin followed shortly after, still fuming, but not daring to say anything.
They descended a staircase and André led them to the stage. They passed through the seats and boxes, Erik and Christine wondered what André would ask of Erik.
André took them backstage and led them to step in front of a grand mahogany, upright piano with shining ivory keys.
André beckoned Erik forward; He stepped ahead and stood next to André, waiting for instructions.
"Miss Daaé tells us you're a great musician! It's time for you to demonstrate it!" André said, "Why don't you play something? One of your own compositions would be a good idea."
Erik turned his head back to Christine; She nodded happily and motioned him to go on.
Erik nodded back and sat on the piano's bench, smiling.
He felt the ivory keys, running his hands delicately over them, feeling their coldness.
"No one would listen," he sang quietly, "No one but her, heard as the outcast hears".
Everyone watched him as he sang those words; there was a tone of sadness in them. He then began playing a beautiful tune.
(1) As he passed the Musical Introduction, he began to sing softly while playing:
Shamed into solitude
Shunned by the multitude
I learned to listen
In my dark, my heart heard music.
Everyone listened intently, especially Christine, who had watched the progression of the song throughout the days but had never heard it completely.
I longed to teach the world,
Rise up and reach the world.
No one would listen
I alone could hear the Music.
Then at last, a voice in the gloom
Seemed to cry, "I hear you!;
I hear your fears
Your torments and your tears."
Christine smiled; she approached him and stood behind him, looking down at him lovingly; She knew he was talking about her.
She saw my loneliness
Shared in my emptiness
No one would listen
No one but her
Heard as the outcast hears…
Christine placed her hand on his shoulder comfortingly as he ended the song with a set of notes and the last lyrics.
No one would listen
No one but her
Heard as the outcast hears…
Erik raised his hand and placed it above Christine's, on his shoulder. He smiled and dragged Christine's hand to his chest, hugging it there. Christine kissed the top of his head swiftly so the managers wouldn't see.
Suddenly, they heard clapping behind them; André was clapping enthusiastically while Firmin just gaped at him.
"Bravo! Bravo!" André exclaimed.
Erik stood and turned to the Managers, bowing his head, giving a small smile.
André approached him and shook his hand fervently.
"Congratulations Monsieur! That was fabulous!" André said, "You possess a wonderful potential! It looks like you got the job!"
Erik couldn't help but smile broadly, not only had André forgiven him and had acted nicely toward him, but he had gotten the job as well!
"Congratulations Erik!" Christine said, hugging him, "I knew you would make it!"
Erik hugged her back and muttered, "Thank you, Monsieur."
"Now we only have left to sign the papers for your job application and you can start working right away!"
Just as he said this, André made his way to his office again. Christine and Erik followed, but Erik stopped just as he passed in front of Firmin.
They looked at each other unemotionally for what seemed like an eternity.
"Thank you for giving me the job." Erik said softly without smiling or anything. He stretched out his hand for Firmin to shake, but Firmin did not respond to the gesture.
"Come on, you old crab! Show some courtesy!" Andre shouted ahead. He had watched everything.
Firmin mumbled something angrily and hesitantly lifted his arm. He took Erik's hand and shook it a single time before withdrawing his hand rapidly.
Firmin then strolled away to meet André.
"Come along, now!" André said.
Christine and Erik followed both managers up to the office again. Christine took his hand and their fingers entwined. She leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked, both of the grinning gladly.
They ascended the stairs and reached the office. As they entered, André quickly strode to his desk and withdrew some papers from a drawer, while Firmin just slumped on the coach, his arms crossed, not looking at anybody.
"Ah! Found them!" André said, waving some papers in the air. "Come here now, if you please Monsieur?"
Erik approached André and read through the papers he handed him. He read the terms, conditions, payments, vacations, holidays, etc… It looked like it was going to be good after all, just as Christine had said.
"If you agree to the terms, please sign on the line below with your name."
André handed Erik a quill and ink. Erik took the quill and dipped it in the ink. He shook the additional ink off the quill, leaned overand signed on the line: Erik.
"You must have a second name. Are you sure you lack one, Monsieur?" André said.
"Yes."
"Why don't you use mine?" Christine suggested.
"Er…what?" Erik inquired.
"Use my second name! I don't mind." She said.
"Wonderful idea, Miss!" André said.
"Wait…Hang on!" Erik said, confused, " It-it doesn't sound right!"
"And why not?" she said, frowning playfully.
"It...It just isn't right." Erik said, failing to find an excuse.
"Don't be exaggerating! You need a second name or you won't get the job! You want to lose all you got?" she asked, "Come on! Use mine!"
Erik sighed. "Fine… I'll use your second name. But what will happen if someone finds out I used your second name?"
"Don't worry, monsieur Erik, these documents are strictly confidential and no one can't see them except us, the managers."
"Then I suppose it's fine." Erik stated.
He then dipped the quill again in the ink and wrote down: Erik Daaé
Erik Daaé. Christine felt a tingly sensation in the pit of her stomach, so did Erik.
"Well, it seems everything is settled. You start your work on Monday; we'll introduce you to the rest of the crew in said day. Welcome aboard Monsieur Erik!" André stretched out his hand and Erik shook it.
"You forgot something, my dear partner." Firmin said from the couch. "How will we explain this to the Vicomte?"
Uh oh…
Erik and Christine were drained from all their color and turned ghostly pale as they realized that.
"Nothing to worry about! We could ask miss Daaé to talk to him for us. She could convince him, I mean, she's his wi-"
CRASH!
Just then, Christine had stumbled backwards, hitting a bureau accidentally and knocking off a flower vase in the process, which fell to the ground with a large crash. Broken flowers and water scattered on the floor.
"I- I'm so sorry…" she stammered. She bent down to pick up the flowers and clean the mess.
"Don't worry, miss, we'll have someone pick that up, don't mind that." André said, beckoning her to stand up.
She shakily stood up and glanced sideways nervously. Raoul. She had forgotten about him. If Raoul found out, he would get to her, and he would kill Erik in the process for sure.
The carriage's horses skidded into a halt outside the Opera House's magnificent entrance. Raoul opened the door and came out.
He watched the entrance for a few moments. Could Christine be here? Most likely; it was her favorite place in the city. She had grown here after all. Raoul hoped he could find her today. He had done several searches on the Opera for the past few days, but to no avail.
He entered the edifice through the huge doors into the entrance. He stopped in the great Hall, surveying the staircase before him.
He made his way up the staircase to pay a visit to the managers, since he hadn't seen them due to the fact that they had been on a business trip earlier in the week. He would ask them if they had seen Christine.
Madame Giry walked through the Opera, making her daily checkout through the hallways and the entrances, until she heard the door opening. She peeked down the balcony she was strolling through and saw Raoul climbing up the stairs rapidly.
"Oh no." she muttered. She knew Erik and Christine had left their hideout to get Erik a job, but she didn't know the Vicomte would come today. If Raoul found them… she didn't want to imagine what would happen. She had to stop him at all costs!
"Miss? Are you ok?" André asked her.
"I… I also need to talk to you about something else." She said nervously.
Erik watched her intently; just as Christine was touchy about his matters, he was touchy about her matters, and he knew she didn't like to talk about Raoul.
"It's about the Vicomte…" she said, "I would rather want him to know nothing about this."
"Why, if I may ask?" Firmin asked.
"Well… I…-" she started.
"She doesn't want to talk about it, ok?" Erik said impatiently, she didn't like to see Christine like this.
"I didn't ask you, I asked her." Firmin said irritably.
Erik stared angrily at him; with his fists clenched, he tried to control his anger. Christine knew a fight was coming and she grabbed his arm to stop him.
"Erik, wai-" Christine's voice trailed off as her eyes widened in surprise.
"Monsieur le Vicomte, wait!" Madame Giry's voice came from beyond the door.
The four occupants of the room turned to the door. Christine's eyes widened even more in terror; Erik just watched the door with dread; Firmin and André had a confused expression on their faces.
"Oh no… It's... Raoul…" Christine muttered, her voice breaking. "No…no...NO!"
"Shhh, Christine, calm down!" Erik shushed her.
They heard Raoul's footsteps stop beyond the door, and a hurried pace behind him.
"Monsieur! What are you doing here?" They heard Madame's Giry's voice again.
"You know perfectly why I've come here, Madame, I don't know why you're asking." Raoul's voice came, "You know I'm here to look for Christine."
"No... No…" Christine muttered fearfully.
"Shhhhhh Christine! It's all right!" Erik tried to calm her, but he couldn't help but feel nervous too.
"No Erik…I am not ready to face him! I'm not ready!" she said, sobbing, "I don't want him to find me! I don't want to!"
André and Firmin watched as Christine suddenly broke crying hysterically. Erik approached her and hugged her to him, shushing her.
She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his chest, sobbing uncontrollably. She trembled non-stop and her tears fell like rivers down her cheeks; She was terribly afraid.
"Christine! You must calm down! He'll hear you!" Erik said. He turned to the managers and motioned them to be quiet by placing his index finger upon his lips; He looked at them with pleading eyes as he hugged Christine.
André and Firmin nodded silently in understanding and waited.
"But monsieur, we have not seen her! I told you we would call you when we saw her!" Madame Giry's voice said behind the door.
"I'm not a very patient person!" Raoul said. "I'll check on my own!"
"Monsieur, no! Wait!"
Suddenly, the doorknob turned slowly.
"MONSIEUR LE VICOMTE!" another voice came from down the stairs, this time, of a man's.
"What now?" Raoul asked with irritation.
The door was ajar, barely open, Raoul stood there, his back to them, and Christine and Erik held their breaths; Christine shuddered violently and covered her eyes by burying her face in Erik's chest, as he held her to him.
"Someone says they had seen her sir!"
"What? Where?" Raoul shouted.
"On the edges of Paris, sir!"
"Take me there immediately!" Raoul yelled.
The door closed with a bang and they heard footsteps heading down the stairs hurriedly.
Erik sighed in relief. Christine lifted her head a bit. He was gone, they were safe again.
Erik looked down at Christine, who was still clinging to him, but she didn't look well; She was pale and her eyes were immensely wide, sweat dripped from her forehead and she shivered uncontrollably.
"Christine?" Erik muttered, preoccupied.
Suddenly, Christine eyes rolled up her head and she passed out; Erik couldn't catch her properly on time and she fell backwardsto the floor, which, luckily, was covered by rug.
"CHRISTINE!" Erik said alarmed. He kneeled besides her, holding her head in his lap.
He fanned her with his hand desperately in an attempt to wake her up. Just then, Mme. Giry entered the room, looking really shocked.
"He's gone…" she said, she then noticed Christine's limp form on the floor and gasped, "What happened?"
"She passed out!" Erik screamed, still fanning her. Madame Giry took out her fan and helped Erik out.
"Get some water! Quick!" Madame Giry yelled at the managers.
André and Firmin, who stood shocked at the spectacle in front of them, just looked at her curiously.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get the water! Don't stare at me like some pair of zombies!" she yelled angrily.
André was the first one to react and he hurriedly filled a glass with water from a jug that lay in the desk.
He brought the glass to Madame Giry. She took it and motioned to Erik to lift Christine's head; He lifted her face and lowered her lip a bit with his thumb, opening her mouth slightly.
Mme. Giry poured a bit of water into her mouth carefully. Erik rubbed her throat gingerly to stimulate it to swallow the water.
Erik felt her muscles move under his touch, meaning she swallowed the liquid.
Her eyes snapped open and she suddenly started coughing; a lot; she began suffocating and gasped for air desperately but to no avail. She closed her eyes in pain as she wheezed and panted for air.
Erik lifted her head in alarm to diminish the coughing.
But she didn't cease.
Erik saw her face turn paler, and her chest heaved rapidly up and down. She was still afraid; she had received a terrible shock from hearing Raoul's voice and him almost entering the room where she was. It had been too much for her.
"Christine! Calm down!" Mme. Giry screamed, terrified, for Christine took big, long gasps of air.
This was not normal suffocating! She was hyperventilating! This was not good!
(2) Erik rapidly sat on the floor and dragged Christine to him. He placed her in between his legs and reclined her upper body over his chest, his legs at either side of her. He tried to calm her down by shushing her but it didn't work.
Christine's hands flew up and she clutched the cloth of his cloak strongly, the pain she was feeling was becoming utterly unbearable and she could hardly breathe, giving searing gasps as she tried to regain back air. She took hold of his right knee with her right hand and squeezed it harshly, sending stinging pain through Erik's body as she sank her nails on his skin involuntarily, but he resisted the pain; she wriggled and turned in there, trying to ease the pain, but it was useless.
He pressed her against his chest and placed his hands on her abdomen, at the level of the diaphragm, just beneath her breasts. He felt her chest heaving rapidly.
He leaned over and began whispering soothing words in her ear.
"Shhh.. It's all right Christine… Calm down… He's gone…" he whispered softly. She seemed to hear him, because she gave a confirming, soft tug on his cape with her left hand.
Mme. Giry, André, and Firmin watched how Erik tried to calm Christine, and they hoped he would accomplish it.
Mme. Giry could've sworn she had seen tears forming in Erik's eyes, but he blinked and they were gone.
"Now, breathe with me." He whispered to her, "Follow me, and follow my chest. Feel it. Sense it, follow it, slowly."
He took deep breaths to demonstrate Christine how to breathe properly. They could tell she was trying, because she frowned, her eyes still closed, as she tried to ease the heaving of her chest. Her hands still clutched Erik's cloak and knee in despair.
Erik spoke words of soothing nature in her ear as she worked hard to breathe correctly.
Then, finally, her chest's heaving began to alleviate, returning to its normal rate, until she at last managed to take in air in a normal way.
She took one big gulp of air and gave a strong sigh.
Her body relaxed and her grasp on Erik's cloak and kneeweakened.
She opened her tear-filled, tired eyes and looked up to stare at Erik. She looked at him for a moment.
Erik, not caring that the managers and Mme. Giry where watching, kissed her forehead comfortingly. She managed a weak, small smile, which faded almost immediately. She closed her eyes again and her arms fell limply to the floor. She fell asleep out of exhaustion.
Erik sighed in relief and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her. She breathed normally now and she slept peacefully in Erik's arms.
Erik then was aware of the trio watching him and turned his head to Firmin angrily.
"Now you know why she doesn't want him to know."
Firmin lowered his face in shame, while André looked shockingly at Christine's sleeping figure. Madame Giry sighed tiredly.
"You should take her to rest, Erik."
Erik nodded. He stood up and carefully picked Christine up in his arms; she didn't wake up.
"We'll talk about this later, when she feels better…" Erik said to the managers, "… and when she feels like talking about it." He directed this to Firmin, who turned his gaze away.
"I must continue my daily check then. Good evening, gentlemen." Mme. Giry said as she left the room in a hurry.
"I must go too, to check on Christine." Erik said, holding Christine's body like a crystal, delicate object, gently and tenderly. "I'll return later to clear this out."
Andre nodded, Firmin didn't even budge. Erik made his way to the door, when he stopped.
"By the way…" he said, "Thank you again for the job. I won't disappoint you; I assure you." And he left the room.
Both managers stared at Erik's retreating figure, and André sighed.
"He is a good man after all." André said. "You see, Firmin? You jumped to conclusions too fast."
"Yes…I see now." Firmin said, his gaze on the floor, "I mustn't judge a book by its cover."
Itbecame nighttime in a matter of minutes; Erik carried Christine back to his lair. He went to the dressing room, and walked through the mirror.
He walked down the hallway and down the staircase that led to Caesar.
As he climbed Caesar, Erik ordered him to go in a slow, quiet pace in order to let Christine sleep.
Caesar did as told and walked silently down another hallway to the gondola.
Erik got off and laid Christine on the gondola delicately, smoothing some curls off her peaceful face. He climbed up and began rowing.
He reached the shore, past the portcullis, and took Christine in his arms again.
He carried her off to the swan bed and laid her down, bringing the crimson blankets over her and tucking her safely.
He kneeled beside the bed, watching her.
He caressed her cheek lovingly.
"Don't you ever do that again." he whispered to her, even though he knew she couldn't hear him. "You scared me to death back there."
He brushed some curls off her face.
"I kills me to see you in pain." He whispered, "Please don't scare me like that again."
He stood up and looked down at her affectionately.
"Sleep, mon ange." He then leaned over and kissed her cheek, "Thank you for everything you've done for me; you've done so much. Thank you for renewing my hopes and showing me a brand new world."
"But most importantly…" he whispered again, "Thanks for being by my side. I don't know what I would've done without you."
He surveyed her and he kneeled down again.
He couldn't resist.
He leaned over, closed his eyes, and kissed her on the lips tenderly.
(3)"You're welcome." He heard a sleepy voice said.
He opened his eyes and found Christine gazing at him with her eyes half closed, smiling, looking tired.
Erik smiled at her and stroked her hair.
"I'll let you rest." He said. He stood up but Christine caught his hand and pulled him back.
"Stay with me…Don't leave me." She said drowsily.
"I..I won't leave you."
Erik sat down at her side on the bed and reclined over the pillows. She lifted herself up slightly and rested her head on his torso. She placed a hand on his chest and closed her eyes, giving a soft sigh.
Erik stroked her hair, and she gradually drifted into sleep.
Erik stayed with her all the night, watching out for her, like a guardian Angel; Her Angel of Music.
He couldn't help but fall asleep too. Christine's warmth against his body relaxed him so much. The soft rhythm of her heart was a lullaby for his ears, and her breathing was soothing words carrying him off to sleep.
He finally gave up to slumber, hugging Christine to him.
(1) That's the song "No One Would Listen" from the deleted scene in the "Phantom of the Opera" DVD.
Feri- Such an enchanting song! And you sing so beautifully, Erik!
Erik- Bleh- I know. n/n
Feri- I love your modesty ¬¬
Erik- I'm so lovely. n/n
Feri- Erm..Yes you are, but…. Why are you being so show-offy? ¬¬
Erik- Er.. I don't know… ha ha! Dum de dum! -singing- Somewhere over the rainbow! Heh heh… somewhere over the rainbow..theres…there's… there's a goblin with pot full of goooold! Shiney! Heh, heh! Oooooh, shiny, colorful, rainbow-y colors!
Feri- WTH is the matter with you? O.o
Erik- I'VE GOT A LOVELY BUNCH OF COCONUTS! TIRIRIRI!
Feri- o.o -spots Snickers wrappings all over Erik- Oh… now that's why he's acting all…weird… Well, not that he's not weird, but, he's acting weirder now o.o
(2) If you saw the movie "Signs" by M. Night Shyamalan, with Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix, you may recall the scene where Graham's (Mel Gibson) son, Morgan (Rory Culkin), hyperventilates due to a traumatic event; You may recall the scene where Graham tries to calm Morgan down so he can breathe normally (Because he doesn't have his medicine)., and he hugs him to his chest so Morgan feels his heaving chest and follows him to breathe properly. Imagine that same scene but with Erik and Christine.
Erik- You evil girl! You torture my poooooor Christine! -hic-
Feri- Erik…. please lie down before you HURT YOURSELF! ¬¬
Erik- I don't wanna tooooo! x.x -falls to the ground, sleeping-
Feri- ….
(3) If you thought that she was faking to be asleep, you guessed right. Christine had woken up when the gondola reached the shore, but she pretended to be asleep in order to not worry Erik.
So, yeah, she heard everything he said when he laid her on the bed. Ooo, cute!
So, anyways… Thanks for reading! And to reviewer Morgan: Hope you got your questions answered! Thank you for reviewing everybody! Your feedback is the reason why I'm updating this fast!
The more feedback I receive, the faster I'll update n.n
Please leave feedback!
Erik- -sleepily- No one…likes a…debtor…so it's better…if my orders…are….obe…. -trails off- ,
Feri- n.n;
Feri-san