DISCLAIMER: Please refer to Chapter Two

Erik watched from the back of the ballroom as Cecilia and Christine walked to the library. Erik, having been searching the house for other methods of spying, walked into the adjacent room where a small vent connected the two rooms. His eavesdropping days were not yet over.

"Please do sit down Madame," Cecilia said as she gestured to Christine to sit down.

"Please call me Christine," Christine replied, "Thank you for meeting with me. I am anxious to implore you to listen to an audition."

"Christine, I have heard you sing before. I needn't hear an audition."

"What?"

"I wish to talk to you about matters concerning Erik."

Christine looked down and remembered her wedding night. She had hoped that Cecilia would have forgotten the incident or that things had been mended between her and Erik. Needless to say, Christine realized that Cecilia was actually in love with Erik or else she wouldn't have met with her in this fashion.

"As you know, Erik and I are engaged. I am sure your husband or Suzanne has told you such."

"Yes, I am quite aware. In fact, Erik himself told me."

"I do not wish to hear about his past or the extent of your relationship. I deeply respect him, and if he wishes to tell me the truth, then he will tell me in due course. You needn't tell me what happened on your wedding night. The only thing I want to know is if you love him."

Erik almost gasped through the wall. He could not believe what he heard. He could not understand how Cecilia had been so trusting and so understanding. Moreover, he could not believe that she did not ask Christine about his past. She knew Christine could have told her everything about the murders, the rumors, and their relationship. Yet, she was classy enough to leave Erik his dignity whether or not he was present in the room.

Cecilia looked sternly into Christine's eyes. Christine noticed that Cecilia was obviously in love with Erik. However, Christine knew from speaking with her husband that Madamoiselle Deveraux was an incredibly smart woman. She knew that Cecilia did not hand her heart lightly like so many woman of her status did.

"Christine. Your answer has nothing to do with my hiring you to be my diva. I think you have incredible talent both singing and in the corps de ballet. I have watched you perform since you began at the Opera Populaire. I daresay I have become quite biased after the performance of Don Juan Triumphant."

Christine smiled at Cecilia with a sense of respect and admiration. Cecilia had been calm during their entire conversation thus far. Christine knew that Cecilia was not angry with her and Erik. In fact, Christine was impressed by how easily Cecilia held her broken heart.

Erik realized at that moment that Christine would never be like Cecilia. Cecilia was stable, mature, intelligent, and focused. She was classy and incredibly kind. Christine had always thought of only herself. She came to Erik in the first place because of her own pain, but Cecilia seemed to cater to others. Christine was emotional and unstable when it came to her music or even her feelings for men, when Cecilia was able to hold back her feelings in order to comfort those around her. She even treated Fredrick with dignity and respect after what he had done for her.

Erik knew that Cecilia spoiled him. Christine had never done that. The same Christine who yanked his mask off without question or remorse was the woman who sat across from the angelic Cecilia. Cecilia earned Erik's trust. She proved to him time and time again that he was more than just an apparition and a monster when Christine exposed him to more scrutiny and pain.

Erik knew Christine's answer. He knew that she did not love him. She looked at him as nothing more than a father figure, but then again, she was only seventeen. Even her precious Vicomte was no older than Cecilia who was almost considered past marrying age for her twenty two years.

"Madamoiselle Deveraux, I do not love Erik. Not in a way that should cause you any concern. I thought Erik was my guardian after my father had died. In fact, he has been like a father to me. I could never have given him anything more."

Cecilia looked at Christine as if she were going to break, but as stubborn as Cecilia was she would not give Christine the satisfaction.

Christine stood up and hugged Cecilia, while Cecilia, in a bit of shock, eventually relaxed and hugged the young woman back.

"I must return to my husband now," Christine began and she walked to the door, "thank you for everything. Please, call upon our household anytime. Raoul and I hope you enjoy the gift. Joyeux Noel, Cecilia."

"Joyeux Noel, Christine."

When Christine had left the room, Cecilia sat down for a moment. She had to regain her composure before she returned to the party. A few moments into her contemplation, she heard a soft knock at the door. After checking her face and hair in the mirror, she opened the maple door complete with elongated golden knob.

It was Erik. She gasped as she looked him up and down. His black suit was brand new and the obvisous work of Matthieu. His hair was perfectly psotitioned as usual, and he had a new mask on tonight.

"Can I speak with you a moment before you return to the party?" he asked with large weepy green eyes.

"Of course," she replied as she gestured him into the room, "what is it?"

"Cecilia, I am been a daft fool," Erik began as he noticed Cecilia's face soften, "I have taken you for granted. You have been such an angel to me. No one has ever let me into their home and heart as you have… I am not really good at expressing my emotions as I am sure you have noticed."

He paused for a moment and pulled out a handkerchief with something wrapped inside.

"There is so much I want to tell you. I am not saying this is going to be easy. In fact, I am pretty sure we are going to have to work at it everyday. I do not want to lie to you. I will always love Christine, but in all of this confusion and all of the suffering I have put you and myself through, I understand the truth."

"What do you mean, Erik?"

"I love you more. Forgive me for my complete immaturity in this. I have never had anyone love me. I do not know how to tell you the intensity of my feelings or even express to you that I know I have been foolish. I do not deserve you, but I am willing to make an effort everyday in order to win back your trust and love."

He began to unwrap the handkerchief revealing the ring he had bought to match her blue eyes. He held up her trembling hand and placed it on her finger.

"You do not have to answer me right now, or even tonight for that matter. Come, let's go and enjoy your party," he finished as he leaned down and kissed her cheek.