CHAPTER 25

Messieurs Andre, Firmin, and le Comte Philippe sat in a makeshift office discussing the blueprints.

"I am not familiar with this architect, Delacroix. Why have I not been informed of these new designs? They are exceptional, but I am to foresee all the changes being made in the reconstruction. The de Chagny family has put a generous amount of funds into this project and I will not tolerate such oversights. Do I make myself clear, Messieurs?" Philippe banged his fist onto the desk.

"Oui, Comte!" Both men said simultaneously.

"But if I may say…" Andre hesitated then continued twisting the end of his mustache, "Monsieur Delacroix offers his services free of charge, which covers our overall expenses quite considerably. Not to mention he also plans to match the de Chagny donation to benefit the Arts."

Philippe did not like to look like a fool, especially by someone he had not even had the pleasure of meeting yet, but on paper.

A knock on the door broke Philippe's concentration.

Raoul ran a hand through his hair as he strode inside and bowed to the gentlemen before him.

"What brings you here, little brother?" Philippe asked, annoyed.

"I came to see how things were progressing and to offer my services to Messieurs Andre and Firmin, should they need it." Raoul announced.

"We have gone over this, brother. Father no longer wishes…" Philippe, wide-eyed at the interruption, glared at his brother.

"I know what he said, Philippe, but I am offering my own services. Not on behalf of anyone else." Raoul clarified.

The managers stared at each other as they witnessed the siblings arguing with one another like children at a playground.

"I do apologize, but should we not focus on the opera's reconstruction?" Firmin asked breaking the brotherly quarrel.

Philippe looked at Firmin in shock that he would dare interrupt.

Raoul offered his hand and his apologies for his behavior. "You are right, Monsieur Firmin. We should put our energies into the opera and not exhaust them on each other."

Andre and Firmin nodded and smiled at Raoul's business-like manner. They both preferred this young man's ability to that of his unscrupulous brother Philippe.

"I wish to see this Monsieur Delacroix! I find it highly unethical for a man to be so involved in such a venture and not appear before us during matters of business." Philippe specified.

Andre and Firmin explained to Philippe that they had never seen him and that their generous patron was an eccentric recluse who saw no one. "All his affairs are directed through messenger or his advisor Monsieur Reinard," Andre finished.

Philippe rubbed at his chin with suspicion. "It's best not to include this 'Delacroix' for now. I already had to deal with these three idiots before me!" It was already proving to be very trying on him. "So be it. We shall carry on just fine without Monsieur Delacroix. His blueprints and financial backing are good enough." Philippe said decisively.

Raoul was curious about Monsieur Delacroix, but with what the managers had just described, he had a clear impression on the identity of this particular 'eccentric recluse.' He wasn't too sure what to think. The Phantom brought the opera house down, but now he was aiding in its repair? "A guilty conscience, perhaps, or maybe Christine's doing."

The men all agreed that the Opera Populaire would begin construction first thing in the morning and the estimated completion was set for the summer.

"Just in time for la jour de Bastille!" Andre exclaimed.

"That should be quite lucrative, Andre!" Firmin cajoled.

"We shall have to put on a big production, followed by a celebration ball!" Philippe suggested, as he counted the figures in his mind.

"Might I suggest, Marivaux's The Game of Love and Chance?" Raoul recommended.

"Brilliant idea, Vicomte!" Firmin agreed.

"Smashing idea, indeed!" Andre confirmed.

"Brother, I had no idea you fancied romantic comedies," Philippe teased.

Raoul looked at his brother and sighed. "There's much that you don't know about me, Philippe, nor will you ever for that matter."

Raoul excused himself and left the three men to finish their financial discussions upon the opera's grand re-opening. He had more pressing matters to address.

"To Mademoiselle Giry's flat, Francois." Raoul ordered as he climbed into the carriage.

He had to settle something that weighed heavily on his mind from this afternoon's incident.

Raoul straightened out his jacket, smoothed out his hair with both hands and then knocked on the front door of the Giry residence. He stood straight and confident although his nerves were on edge. The lock clicked, which startled him briefly. As the door opened and he saw her, he smiled.

"Raoul? What is it? Is something wrong?" Meg cocked her head slightly in wonder.

"Non, everything is fine… I hope. But never mind that, little Meg. May I come in? I need to talk to you."

Meg ushered Raoul into the sitting room. They both shared the long settee, which Meg often sat in to read her romance novels. She placed a few books that sat atop the settee onto the table in front of them. She tapped her foot in nervous anticipation, but was calmed by Raoul's touch as he held her hands in his.

Raoul looked into her mirror-like blue eyes and tried to apologize for what happened outside of the bakery. He knew his concern for Christine, although friendly, still harbored some left over feelings for her that he still held close to his heart. "Meg, I didn't mean any disrespect. I cannot ask you to understand, but I will always care about Christine, even though her choice has already been made. I accept her decision as long as she continues to be safe and happy."

Meg put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't feel guilty, Raoul. I should be the one to apologize for my childish behavior. I don't know what came over me. Christine is so dear to me, like a sister, and you, Raoul, you have been such a wonderful friend. Can you forgive me?"

Raoul had expected Meg to yell or throw something at him, but certainly not this. "She is quite an amazing young lady," he thought as they gazed tranquilly in each other's eyes.

As they slowly leaned into each other, one of the books Meg had placed on the table fell to the ground. They both snapped out of their trance and reached for the book, colliding into each other, bumping heads. They both rubbed at their skulls and laughed.

"This is becoming a habit, Mademoiselle." Raoul said comically.

Meg giggled and agreed with him. "I fear we are hopeless, Monsieur." She added to his jest.

Raoul watched her nose wrinkle as she laughed and smiled so preciously. She warmed his soul with her innocent nature. Meg was genuine, not like the socialites he had come across many times who had their own agenda of bedding a wealthy noble to further their status amongst the rest of society. She was like a breath of fresh air to him; much like Christine, yet completely different. Meg was nobody else, but her own. "Like myself." He realized.

Lost in her freeing presence, he lifted his hand and traced her face slowly.

Meg stopped smiling and closed her eyes to his touch.

As his finger slid under her chin, he pulled her closer to him, leaning in and placing a kiss to her forehead.

Meg opened her eyes and met his gaze. They were face to face, the heat of their breath mingling in the space between them.

The sound of keys at the door made them look quickly in that direction then back at each other.

Meg grabbed Raoul's face between her hands and threw all caution to the wind. She kissed him on the lips impulsively then released him in a flash as her mother stepped through the door. With her cheeks flushed, she stood up and brushed at her dress.

Raoul sat in the settee, mouth slightly parted, stupefied.

"Welcome home, Maman!" Meg called to her, a bit too quickly.

Madame Giry raised an eyebrow at her daughter as she saw the young Vicomte seated on the settee. She tapped her cane to wake the man from his inadvertence.

Raoul flinched and stood up. "Nothing, Madame!" Raoul blurted, and then shut his mouth tightly, cursing his idiocy.

"I beg your pardon, Monsieur?" Madame Giry walked towards them imposingly.

"Maman, Raoul was just here to tell me of the opera's reconstruction plans. He was just about to leave." Meg grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him to the door.

"Yes, I... must be… on my way. My apologies, for… I... cannot stay, Madame..." Raoul tried to address Madame Giry, unsuccessfully, as Meg was scooting him out of the front door.

"Good day, Monsieur Vicomte." Madame Giry said resolutely.

Author's Note
The "Delacroix" name was formatted from my previous idea of "de Lacroix" but it bordered too much similarity to Raoul's "de Chagny" so I changed it. I don't own any specific originality rights to the name, just thought I'd add that little tidbit of info on how I came to use it. Alucard's Secret Lover mentioned to me that someone else has used the Delacroix name for their fan fic, so I am just making sure I mention how I came about using it in mine. I am not trying to steal anyone's ideas at all. So thought I'd make that clear. -smiles-

Disclaimer
I do not own anything related to Marivaux or his play "The Game of Love and Chance." Brilliant French Classic play I must say! I suggest seeing it, if it ever comes to a theatre house near you. Thanks to Marivaux for entertaining us! I also still do not own anything related to "The Phantom of the Opera." All credit goes to those I mentioned in the "Disclaimer" in Chapter 1. -hugs-