CHAPTER 18

Christine sat inside the carriage as Nadir walked into the bank. He told her he wouldn't be long. She watched as Parisians went about their day along the bustling street. A jewelry store caught her eye and she decided she would have a quick look. She let the driver know where she would be in case Nadir would come back before her.

"Monsieur Reinard is expecting me," Nadir assured the clerk at the front desk.

"Go down the hall and make a right. His office is the last door to your left," the clerk directed.

Nadir knocked on Monsieur Reinard's office door and waited for a response.

"Entrer," Monsieur Reinard beckoned.

He noticed the Persian immediately as he came through the door. "Ah, Nadir is it? I've been expecting you. Of course there's a technical matter we need to observe in…" Monsieur Reinard was handed the documents Nadir held in his hand before he was able to finish his sentence.

"Very good! And I see you share in your friend's impetuous nature," he added with a chuckle. "Well, let me return the sentiment and make this as swift as possible. All you will need to do upon choosing a home will be to bring me all the paperwork and I will take care of the rest. As for miscellaneous purchases, you are to send the bills to me and they will be taken care of as well. Finally, Monsieur Erik wishes you to bring this to him, since his funds on his person have been lacking." Monsieur Reinard placed a packaged bundle into Nadir's outstretched hand. "His usual amount of 200,000 francs."

Nadir practically dropped his jaw at what he now held in his hand. "Erik's occupation as the Opera Ghost has obviously been quite rewarding, financially," Nadir thought to himself in awe.

Monsieur Reinard shivered as he addressed Nadir. "Do see to it that Erik receives his funds, or I fear we will both be skinned alive!"

"Do not despair, Monsieur Reinard, he will get it," Nadir assured then finished silently in his mind, "amongst other things…"

He bid Monsieur Reinard farewell and left with a giant grin from ear to ear. He couldn't wait to get back at Erik later.

Christine stopped in front of the windowed display, and eyed the various pieces, like a child at a sweet shop. Hypnotized by the sparkling vision before her, she hadn't realized she was being watched from behind.

"So, Mademoiselle Daae, you go about town casually, after breaking my dear brother's heart?" The voice said irritably.

Christine stiffened at the tone of his voice. There was no mistaking who it belonged to. She turned her gaze to the man who had unexpectedly addressed her.

The Comte Philippe de Chagny looked upon her in a disgusted manner. "A lowly commoner could not afford such luxuries as those, Mademoiselle," Philippe pointed at the jewels Christine was entranced by a moment ago.

"I do not appreciate your audaciousness, Monsieur! You should not speak of what you do not know!" Christine said sharply.

Philippe was flabbergasted at what he heard. He retaliated, "But I do know, Mademoiselle... very well, in fact. You are but a dancing girl at the opera. You had a few moments on stage filling in for La Carlotta, at which time you cast your poisonous charms upon my unsuspecting brother, while you carried on like a whore with that madman! You are not capable of real love! You only cause pain! It's a good thing Raoul didn't end up with you, not that I wouldn't have prevented it, but obviously your involvement with my brother was due to his status and considerable family fortune. You probably thought you could swindle his riches for yourself and your lover, the spawn of the devil himself!"

Suddenly, Christine slapped Philippe so hard, the corner of his mouth started to bleed. She ran back to the carriage and wept at all the harsh accusations Philippe had colorfully narrated for her.

Philippe stood there awhile as he dabbed at the corner of his lip with his handkerchief. He noticed an oddly dressed fellow exit the bank and then he entered the carriage that Christine had disappeared into. As the carriage rode off, Philippe couldn't help but be suspicious.

Christine never bothered telling Nadir what had taken place while he was inside the bank conducting business. She was ashamed. Even if the statements were not true, they still upset her.

They traveled to several towns outside of Paris looking for a home to purchase. Each one had been fruitless in their efforts. Christine just didn't have the heart for it after the events that occurred earlier in the day.

"It will be alright, Christine. There are other towns we have yet to check. You are not expected to pick something today," Nadir reassured her.

"I really wanted to surprise Erik today though. He'll be disappointed knowing I didn't find us a home," she sighed.

"Do not say such things, Christine. I've known Erik for many years now and have never seen him act the way he does when he is with you. His love for you goes beyond reason. You could never do anything wrong in his eyes, least of all disappoint him. Let us head back and see what tomorrow brings."

On the way back into Paris, Nadir wondered what had happened to Christine to change her disposition from her cheerfulness of the morning, to this current pessimistic state.