Hey people! I think you've all earned some hugs for all the reviews you've been giving me! I really am thrilled to know that you guys are enjoying this fic. Hope this chapter doesn't disappoint!
Disclaimer: I own it all! (I wish)
xxxxXXXXxxxx
As a nameless messenger boy approached the De Chagny estate he couldn't help but be overwhelmed by the unseasonable heat. Accordingly he slowed his pace and wiped his brow of the sweat that had cultivated there in the short distance from the Opera House to the main residence where his destination lye. The boy of no older than twelve remembered the young woman who had given him what she called "a very important letter of reassurance" when his confusion had heightened an older woman approached and rolled her eyes while pushing the young girl aside and planting two small gold coins in his hand.
"Make sure this letter receives it occupant young man." She stated with an odd sternness. He had nodded and took one last look at the young brunette behind her who rolled up the ends of her dress anxiously. He tipped his hat to that woman who was so beside herself with some sort of worry that she hadn't even paid him any mind.
It had been surprising difficult to locate directions to the Patron's acreage as the boy soon realized. Despite the fact that the estate was nearby in distance, it was tucked deeply behind several roads and dirt trails. The boy feared his lateness would result in a cut of pay thus he quickened his pace as he finally reached the manor's property limits.
When arriving he found himself out of breath and quite winded, yet before he had any opportunity to knock on the brass door bell a rather annoyed young Patron opened it.
"Have you no sense boy? Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for this letter!" He snapped angrily as he snatched the envelope away.
"Well what are you waiting for?" He yelled at the boy. "Go on go! Get away from my home!" He shouted crossly as the boy ran across the lawn and disappeared behind a grimy avenue.
Raoul muttered under his breath about how distrustful today's youth was as he slammed the door shut behind him. He began to shred open the envelope in a savage manner not caring what the servants passing by thought. His raging only stopped as he recognized the fine handwriting that belonged to Christine.
Dearest Raoul,
I thank you for your patience in receiving this letter. I realize it is far past a day's time since I promised to send word but a slight ailing situation occurred that required my attention. Do not worry for me now, for everything is as it should be.
Sincerely,
Christine.
A deep sense of relief flooded through Raoul as he sighed in rapture and closed his eyes bring the letter to his chest and clinging to the only portion of his childhood friend that he currently had. But suddenly his eyes flapped open in realization as he re-read the letter. Frenzied thoughts began to consume his mind. What sort of 'ailing situation' could Christine be speaking of? Was she sick? Did she require some sort of medical attention? Maybe- Oh no. He thought.
'It couldn't possibly be could it!'
'My God! What if that despicable fiend has done something to her! Damn I knew I should have gone to see her as soon as I didn't hear from her! Why oh why didn't I just trust my instincts and tend to her, as I should have? And my God what must she think of me now that I have neglected her…?'
Raoul hesitated no longer and called his servants to ready his horse and prepare his belongings for the day. He rushed upstairs to retrieve a special item from the game room that his grandfather had left behind, as a gift from his will.
…Raoul loaded the small pistol and proceeded to the Opera Populaire.
XxxxXXXXxxxx
"Christine you mustn't worry yourself so!" Pleaded Meg as she watched her friend recklessly pace back and forth across her room.
"Honestly Meg how could I have been so irresponsible? Raoul made such a big deal of my safety so as a consequence I promised to send word to him shortly after that pitiful Hannibal performance…" Christine stopped pacing at that point and winced at the upsetting memory.
"Oh Christine…" Meg approached her friend with a calm tone. "You won't be able to rid anyone of their worries if you make yourself sick with your own!" She placed a gentle hand on the brunette's shoulder.
Christine turned around and smiled at her lifelong friend unenthusiastically. Perhaps she was right. It was certainly conceivable that she was simply overreacting to her unpunctual message. Perhaps Raoul would not be so worked up after all…then again she had spent nearly the last full two days with Erik underneath the Opera House. At the thought she scolded herself once more. How could she have lost track of the time so effortlessly? She tried to sooth herself with excuses about forgetting the extensive measure of time because of the lack of knowing the difference between night and day. She told herself she was so excited about Erik revealing his nearly finished Opera to her. That of course took some prompting but as he had swore: he was incapable of denying her anything.
He had delivered the script of Anita to her with a somewhat uneasy hand; it seemed to Christine that he was almost afraid of her disapproving of his work. But after singing even a few meager notes of that piece, she found herself enthralled by the magical work of art. As a result the two practiced on the work for hours. Even now as she spoke her voice was rare and tender, still… the trance his masterpiece had put her under was well worth it.
Yet this was no pardon of any kind! She knew better than to foil with her friend's emotions! Christine sighed to herself and began pacing once more. She had made a promise to Raoul and as hauntingly beautiful as Erik music was it was no justified defense!
"Oh Meg what am I to do?" She asked throwing her face in her hands.
Meg hesitated before answering. "I know not what you speak of Christine. This… mysterious teacher of yours…why does Raoul hate him so?"
Christine bit her lip, unsure of if she should continue with her explanation.
"Meg there is a portion of the evening that I did not share with you."
Her female friend crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow questionably. "What in the world are you talking about Christine?"
"After Hannibal Raoul and I went to the rooftop…I was scared and said some things I probably shouldn't have…Raoul offered to protect me. Meg…he said he loved me."
Meg gasped at the exciting words and pulled her friend into a genuine hug. "Oh congratulations Christine! I want to know every detail! Is he officially courting you now? Or did you two just go on ahead and get engaged? Oh Christine this is so fantastic! Who else knows? I am the first you told?"
"Meg calm yourself!" Christine laughed as she reached out her arms to Meg who was now jumping up and down as though she herself were a little child.
"Raoul confessed his love for me Meg…but I confessed nothing for him but the promise of friendship."
"But Christine I don't understand. I thought you cared for Raoul."
"Oh I do Meg I do!" Christine stated quickly to correct her assumption. "I just…don't care for him in a romantic way."
"Oh, I see." Meg was very visibly attempting to hide her disappointment at this stage in their conversation.
"How did he take it?" She eventually asked.
At this Christine hesitated. She wasn't quite sure how to respond to the question. After all Raoul hadn't exactly lost his temper. But somehow as he left the rooftop that night he didn't look at all satisfied or even reassured by her decision to remain a student of the infamous Phantom. If nothing else he even seemed undeniably infuriated, an emotion of his Christine chose to ignore at the time. However now as she began to recall the fuming features an apprehensive feeling grew in her stomach, and somehow she knew that Raoul's stubbornness would not allow him to back off so easily.
A hysterical knocking on her door disrupted her thoughts and their conversation and before she could even answer the door a disheveled young woman entered looking alarmed and fretful.
"Mademoiselle Daae! Thank goodness I have found you!" She screeched as she presented a sloppy greeting to Meg and Christine who she quickly ran up to.
"Charlotte what's wrong?" Christine asked the girl whom she now recognized as the young assistant of Monsieur Andre.
"Oh it is simply dreadful Mademoiselle Daae! The Viscount is in Monsieur Andre's office throwing around vicious threats and claiming that if he does not witness your presents immediately that he will come down here searching for you himself. He seems awfully upset Mademoiselle."
"Christine I think it is best if you go with Charlotte." The new voice startled the three girls, but they were relieved to detect Madam Giry's authoritarian like form standing in the doorway.
"Meg you will come with me. We have much to discuss."
With the orders dispensed the girls bid each other farewell and retreated to their separate sides of the Opera House. Christine, being led down the corridor to the manager's office and Meg tailing quickly behind her mother.
"Mother why are we walking so fast? Are we in a hurry to go somewhere?" Meg asked with slight sarcasm in her voice.
"Young lady you will stay away from this situation between Christine and the Viscount. I fear nothing good will come from it and knowing you, you'll want into be aware of every feature that they'll have to offer."
"But mother-"
"Do not back talk me young lady. No gossip, no letting that despicable curiosity getting the best of you. Is that understood?"
"Yes Madam'"
"Very well" She said in a softer tone. "Go off and practice your lessons now." Meg nodded in response and quickly headed down the empty hall toward her own room. However she lingered in the corridor for a brief moment to watch her mother unsettled shadow looking uncertainly in the direction Christine had just departed to
XxxxXXXXxxxx
"Ms. Daae! There you are! Now we can finally get this matter settled-"
"Christine!" Interrupted the Viscount from Monsieur Firmin's introduction. Charlotte quickly excused herself and left the room as quickly as she had entered not longing to stay any longer than was necessary.
As Raoul approached the disenchanted Christine he took her hands into his own and whispered for their ears only. "Are you alright?"
"Of course I am Raoul. Didn't you receive my letter?"
"Yes, but it did little to harness my concern-"
A gruff sound of someone clearing their throats made the couple realize that they were not alone and they both presented themselves properly for an explanation.
"Our kind Patron here seems to think that you are in some kind of danger Mademoiselle Daae." Began Andre. "In fact he claims that's you are in some kind of danger due to an admirer of some sort?"
Christine eyed Raoul wearily before answering the room's silent hostility. "I am not sure where your Patron gets his information Sir, but I can assure you that I have had no such trouble from anyone."
"I see." Said Monsieur Firmin sitting down, clearly annoyed with the false drama.
"Sir, Christine is mistaken, she is confused. This devotee of hers is not entirely-"
"You sir," Said Christine as she stepped up to match the Viscount's gaze with her own fiery eyes. "Are the one whom is mistaken." The unsaid threat in her expression was enough to make the Viscount change his mind about continuing.
"Very well." Said Andre with a sigh. "I trust we will have no more trouble on this subject?"
"Oh course not sir." Stated Christine with a false smile as she confidently left the room. And after bedding his own quick goodbyes Raoul followed her.
"Christine wait! Christine please!" He called after her rapidly moving form. Finally however she stopped just as they passed a substantial group of stage workers who had stared at their obvious quarrel with humor in their eyes.
"How dare you!" She spat at him as soon as their party stopped. Luckily they were encased in shadows and were hidden away from the ears and eyes of any approaching figures.
"How dare I! What of you Christine? Where have you been these last two days?"
"That sir is no business of yours…I can't believe you did this Raoul! As if the mangers and this whole place isn't suspicious enough of me you had to go and act so childish that they'll probably be more so!"
"Well forgive me if I'm concerned for your well-being Christine! Someone has to be! After all you just associate yourself with murders and villains of all sorts now-!"
"Watch your tone Raoul, someone will hear you!" She said, as she looked about frantically.
" Christine…" He shook his head as though he were scolding a small child. "I am sorry if you see this as a threat against you in any way but you must know that this man cannot be trusted. What if he tries to hurt you? I cannot allow that!"
"You cannot allow that? Just who do you think you are my good Patron? You ask me for trust yet when I ask it of you…you mean to punish me! I have asked for your support on this matter Raoul and I insist that you respect my wishes!"
"Your words speak belong to that of insanity Christine! This thing has done nothing but deceive you-"
"And you have not done the same Raoul? You told me you would authenticate my choice. Now what of that?"
The Viscount gritted his teeth impatiently and leaned his fists against the wall beside her. "You had better start thinking about what is best for yourself…and what is best for that 'precious angel' of yours Christine."
The threatening tone made Christine shiver and she now wondered why Raoul was so suddenly slinging to the inside of his jacket pocket.
"Raoul what are you speaking of?"
He looked up at her frightful facial appearance then and Christine noticed that he was smiling something dark and twisted beneath his own handsome features. "Even Phantoms aren't immortal Christine…"