Oli: -glances over nervously and blushes- Awww, I feel loved. -gives a great hug-
Ali: -swoons- Ooh, that only makes it worse. Quick, to the writer's cave! I must type some more before I go into a veggie stupor! Oh, and thanks for the review, MIDNIGHT-PIXIE.)
Diane was singing. Once more her mother had taught her more of the Angel of Music song at a visit to home. Oh, it was so beautiful!
"Angel of Music, hide no longer. Secret and strange Angel!"
She was sitting in her dorm, running a brush through her burgundy wavy hair, for she had nothing better to do. It was twilight, and everyone had finished their supper and were sleepily talking or actually sleeping. Diane was alone, and she enjoyed the but of silence between visits from Adamo. She paused for a moment, closing her eyes in ecstasy as she remembered his touch.
Something knocked against her wall. Diane froze, straining to hear anything more. When nothing came, she sighed and even laughed a little.
"Just a mouse..." she whispered to herself.
But all was quiet now. Everyone had gone to sleep. Diane watched as some strange gust of wind flew from her open door and all of her candles went out. The opera house could not afford electric lighting at the moment.
Now she was scared. What was going on? Diane stood, ready to run for her life away from her room and to Adamo. Surely he would protect her! But, right before she raced away, she froze. The most beautiful sound could be heard. She couldn't decide where it was coming from... the ceiling perhaps?
The music had grown louder. Was someone singing? It sounded like a young man's voice, but with the sweetest hint of an Angel. Diane stood in wonder, her eyes closed as the music lifted her soul practically out of her body.
Soon the man's song was so loud Diane felt her ears ring and her stomach vibrate with the sound.
"I am your Angel, don't you fear me. Worry not, dear Diane."
It was her mother's song! But she had never heard there lyrics before. And yet, it was so beautiful... Diane simply stood, drinking in the sound. And just as suddenly as she had heard the music, it stopped. Diane opened her eyes, and she wept. She wept for she had never heard anything so beautiful, and it had stopped, and she feared she would never hear it again.
Oliver, from behind the mirror, felt his heart break at her open, passionate sobs, and wanted to sing for her more. He had never realized his voice was so enchanting. All those years of nursing it and practicing made it wonderful. But, he had to say something. Afterwards Diane would wonder who had sung to her and just left.
"Don't cry, my darling. The Angel of Music has come to comfort you and teach you."
Diane sniffed and hiccupped. His voice... it was so sweet and tender.
"Angel...?"
Oliver hesitated. There was no going back now. What was he to say? Would this plan work? Would Diane fall for an Angel?
"Yes, your Angel. No one else's. I have come to teach you how to sing."
He said the phrase 'no one else's' with such forceful gentleness that Diane felt her heart soar. At first she could barely speak, but when the Angel said nothing, she feared it had gone away.
"Angel?"
"Yes?"
"You will not go away?"
"Never."
Diane sighed and sat down on her bed, rather flustered. She must be sick, or tired, or just insane. There was a voice in her head.
"Angel?"
"Yes?"
"I am not imagining you?"
"Of course not, trust me. Someday you may even meet me."
Diane smiled. "When?"
Oliver paused. Should he say what he was thinking? Would it be worth it? He gulped, swallowing his fears.
"When you love me."
xxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxx
"Come on, you must meet him! He's so sweet and gentle and has the most beautiful voice!"
Diane was towing Adamo behind her, running in the direction of her room. Adamo had a disbelieving, flummoxed look on his face, but he ran along with her anyways.
"Wait, this man, his name is Angel?"
Diane was hastily turning her key in her room's door, but not too quickly to not give an exasperated groan.
"No, he is an Angel! He has been teaching me to sing all night! You must come and meet him!"
Diane truly did want Adamo to meet the Angel, but secretly, even to herself, she wanted to make sure she was not insane. If Adamo heard him as well, then she was just as sane as anyone else in the opera house. Well, not everyone.
The door flew open, and Diane stood right in the middle of the room, just as she had last night. She took a deep breath and sang the couplet that the Angel instructed her to sing when she wanted him.
"Angel of Music, hide no longer. Come to me strange Angel." Adamo marveled at her voice. It was actually a lot better than the last time he had heard her. Not that she had been bad or anything.
At first there was nothing, then all of a sudden a booming, glorious voice resounded through the small room.
"Wondering child, so lost, so helpless. Longing for my guidance."
Adamo almost jumped. Where had that voice come from? He looked to Diane, whose eyes were teary and a smile of pure joy was on her face.
"Angel, I would like you to meet Adamo," she called. Her voice echoed for a second, but then silence resumed its post. No one responded.
"Angel?" she called weakly.
Nothing. tears formed in her eyes, but this time of sorry and worry. Had her beloved Angel left her? She turned to Adamo, who had a disbelieving look upon his tanned face.
"I heard it..."
Diane nodded furiously. "He's left me... I'll never hear him again."
Adamo froze at the way Diane talked of this Angel. She was so passionate and caring...
"It doesn't matter. You don't need an Angel to teach you how to sing. You already know how."
Diane sniffed, and gestured towards the door, signaling that she wanted Adamo out.
"I just would like to be alone now, please..."
Adamo caressed her face lightly before shutting the door behind him.
Diane sobbed and collapsed on her bed.
"Oh, Angel..."
"Yes?"
Diane froze and sat up straight.
"Angel. Y-you are here?"
"I shall never leave you."
"But... you didn't answer me."
"I do not like that man. He is... untrustworthy."
Diane's eyes widened in surprise. "Adamo? Why?"
Oliver paused. It was bad enough that she had brought that rat in here without his knowing. He had revealed his secret.
"I have my reasons."
(Ah, and of chapter. I like this one as well. hell, I like the whole story!
Oli: Well, yeah! It's all about me! How could you not love it!
Ali: -stares for a moment- He has a point...)