Chapter 13

"I can't take another day without you

Cause I could never make it on my own

I've been waiting so long just to hold you

And to be back in your arms where I belong

I'm sorry I can't always find the words to say

When anything I've ever known gets swept away"

-3 Doors Down, "Here By Me"

Meanwhile… Á La Maison de Chagny (Raoul's house)

Christine, halfheartedly, stared out the grand window in her beautiful room. She'd had so much on her mind the past couple of days, ever since the beginning of the great conspiracy of stealing her Erik away from that horrible prison.

Erik was on her mind constantly. She couldn't seem to think of anything else. She remembered feeling so relieved after reading in the newspaper that he had mysteriously escaped from the prison, killing seven prison guards in the process. Christine knew, of course, that the murder of the guards was Julianna's doing, not Erik's. She didn't think much of it though. She was just overjoyed that her Angel was alive out there somewhere.

Christine anxiously awaited Julianna's return, when she would finally be reunited with her love, her Angel of Music. She acknowledged, though, the fact that it would be at least a week, maybe more, before that could possibly happen. The guards were still frantically searching for the escaped Phantom, causing destruction everywhere they went. They carefully examined every corner of Paris, knocking down doors and causing a great amount of distress.

This greatly worried Christine, but she knew that if anyone could take care of and protect Erik, it was Julianna. She was a truly amazing woman, even though she was a criminal. She was a true friend. Christine knew there was no amount of money that could ever repay Julianna for her generous act of kindness.

Christine sighed, as her thoughts drifted to more urgent problems. The main one was what to do about Raoul. She had a hard enough time making up an excuse to have their wedding postponed. But it would be even more difficult to tell him the wedding will be canceled; she wasn't going to marry him.

She cared for Raoul; really, she did. But she knew in her heart that she did not love him … at least as a husband. She certainly loved him as a friend. He was a true friend and she didn't want to have to hurt him, but her happiness depended on it. If only, there was some other way. But there wasn't. She painfully awaited the day she would have to tell Raoul she was leaving. She couldn't bear the thought of breaking her dear friend's fragile heart … much like the way she shattered her Angel's.

She felt a tear slide down her delicate cheek. How could I? she thought. I never wanted to hurt him … but I did. God, I must have hurt him so bad. And now I'll have to do the same to Raoul.

That brought her thoughts to another pressing matter. How exactly was she going to get away from Raoul? Tell him she needed some time alone, and then disappear and never return? No, she couldn't do that. It was much too cold and cruel for her taste. She knew she couldn't just tell him she was going away with the Phantom of the Opera. That would put too many people in danger … especially the Phantom, himself.

Maybe she could write a letter to Raoul. That seemed to be the only logical way, except for telling him in person. She knew she would never be able to do that. She shivered at just the thought. Yes, she decided, she would write a letter, and then disappear. A letter full of lies. And deception. She cringed. It was the only way. The only way to live happily ever after with her beloved Erik.

She touched her lips, tenderly, remembering the passionate kiss they shared. And the pain in his beautiful, blue eyes afterward. She knew he believed she only kissed him to save her darling Raoul's life. So untrue, Erik, she thought, wishing she could tell him that right then. She wanted so much to tell him that she loved him, unconditionally. She longed for him to know how sorry she was for leaving him, for putting him through all of this pain. Soon, she thought.

She dreamed of him often at night, when she could actually get to sleep. His beautiful eyes, his handsome face, his soothing voice … but most of all, she dreamed of once again kissing his soft, enticing lips. I could have had it all … and more, she thought. God, why did I have to be so God damn stupid? The one thing I wanted most was within my grasp. Yet I let it slip right through my fingers. She never realized how much she cared for - no, loved – her beautiful Angel until the day she had to be without him. Funny how sometimes you can't see all that you have, until it's gone.

She sighed again, realizing how late it was. Raoul would be expecting her for dinner soon. She turned around quickly, and to her surprise, came face to face with the man himself. "Raoul!" she exclaimed, shocked by his unexpected arrival.

"Christine!" he said. "We were expecting you downstairs for dinner half an hour ago."

"I'm sorry, Raoul," she replied, hastily. "I must have lost track of time. Je suis tres désolée. Forgive me."

He frowned at her sudden plea for forgiveness. It wasn't that big of a deal. He silently wondered if something was wrong, and he decided to ask her about it later. "It's alright," he said, holding her hand. "No harm done, my love."

She forced a smile. She didn't know how much longer she could lie to him. He must suspect something is out of place, she thought, noticing the frown on his face.

"I love you so much, Christine," he said, tenderly kissing each of her delicate fingers.

Oh, God, she thought, Why does he torture me so? "I love you, too…" she said, as convincingly as she could. If only he knew the truth…

He grinned widely and started leading her down the stairs to the dining room, where a lovely dinner awaited them. The thought never crossed his mind that this could be one of the last dinners he would ever spend with his dearest Christine.

Well, there's chapter 13. Hope you liked it. I'm sorry it'skind ofshort, but it was necessary. The next chapter will be longer and more interesting, I promise. So, anyway, please review. And thank you to all my loyal readers and reviewers. LOL. : )