4

Bonjour guys. Sorry, my computer was in a coma. But now it has miraculously regained consciousness whoops with joy. It has been revived! IT LIVES! ahem But anyway, this part is extra long to compensate for the fact that I didn't post any on Sunday. Here goes….

The party had not been a great success, and Christine knew it. She sighed in exasperation. So many parties! Endless nights of dancing the most boring set routines with absolutely no imagination behind them whatsoever…. it sounded dreadfully tiresome to Christine, who had lived a humble, yet vibrant life at the Opera Populaire. Much as she enjoyed the odd party, these ones were most frightfully dull. They were not celebrations-merely opportunities to show off your wealth to one another-and there was certainly a lot of that going on. All the women wore dresses of the finest materials, and the most exquisite jewellery, and the men wore tailored outfits worth hundreds of francs. Although she wore a dress of fine peach silk that complimented her complexion perfectly, and a new set of diamond jewellery that Raoul had bought her that very afternoon, Christine still felt awkward; like she didn't fit in.

Well. She didn't. The people here were all snooty, snobby, self-centred toff-noses. And they looked down their noses at her. They knew of her humble beginnings, and wasted no tome in reminding her of them. Christine sighed and yawned noisily as they informed her of her life and the scandal currently surrounding her name. Christine started to slouch and let another bored yawn escape her. The women tittered, seemingly surprised and outraged that she was not hanging on to their every word. One woman made a particularly snide comment.

"I should listen if I were you," said the woman sniffily, "there is a lot of media coverage surrounding your name. If I were you, I would try to clear up the mess you've landed yourself in. Just because the Vicomte is your fiancé," and as this point she brought her face very close to Christine's, and whispered, "it doesn't mean we'll forget. The Vicomte can't kiss you and make it all better. He can't clean up the mess," she leaned back, "And we never forget." She nodded approvingly.

Christine was shocked and appalled. Never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that anyone-anyone would ever be so downright rude to her! Outraged, she followed the woman, who was now walking away grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her around, her blood boiling.

"You evil, haughty cow!" yelled Christine.

Raoul heard the commotion and turned around. What he saw made his face drain of colour and his jaw drop.

Christine continued to scream at the woman who had offended her so unforgivably.

"I cannot believe what I've heard from you! And there is absolutely no way I am going to tolerate that kind of…. of…. "

But she never found to find the right word, for Raoul had grabbed her by the waist and was dragging her out of the ballroom, with her kicking and protesting loudly.

He threw her into the guests' room that he had finally managed to drag her to (receiving many bruises in the process). He took a deep breath before beginning to yell at her.

"I don't know what you were thinking of in there Christine, but there is no way I am going to accept that behaviour under my roof!"

Christine raged back, "How dare belittle me like some…. some infant! The woman was being a bitch and was trying to embarrass me under what is not now also my own roof! I will not stand for that!"

"You've done a pretty damn fine job of embarrassing yourself far more than she could have ever done! And may I remind you that this house has been in the de Changy family for generations; it therefore belongs to me. While this may be your home, it remains my house, and I make the rules."

Christine looked at him in horror. How could he talk to her in such a manner? She pouted,

"My angel would never talk to me like that,"

And he slapped her. He slapped her with such force that a thin spurt of blood issued from her lip.

It took Christine by surprise, and she staggered and fell awkwardly.

"….How can you raise your hand to me?" she whispered.

"Oh my God! What in on Earth have I done? Christine, I…." Raoul looked at his hand, as if he couldn't quite believe that it was he who had struck her. "….I'm so sorry."

Christine got up and glared at him. She stalked out of the room.

"I would have stayed with him, and gladly!" she yelled, and she slammed the door with a deafening crash.

So? What did you think? Please read! And any constructive criticism will be read and I will try to improve anything you feel need improving!