DISCLAIMER: I don't own any Phantom characters or plots except for my own. I only am keeper of Angelica, Ri'chard the stable boy, Gareth LeJolie, and other original mentioned characters.

Thanks to: PhantomLover2005 (Erik's Secret Admirer), Phantom's girl, Twinkle22, trallgorda, AngelofMusic8578, and everyone else who has read and reviewed! I love the reviews and you guys are a GREAT help.

Angelica was in a dreamy daze all through rehearsal later that afternoon. She thought about Ri'chard and how she longed to hear that he loved her. She knew for ages he had a special place in his heart for her, but never thought it would be above a friendship. Even her dancing seemed to have improved since the wondering and wandering, in search of real feelings ended. But what wasn't in her mind, was how she could face Gareth.

Practice rehearsal soon ended and Angelica raced off the stage and back into the dressing room. After she was fully changed, she sat down at the dressing table and began to brush the kinks out of her long dark curls. She thought of Ri'chard again and sighed. Just then, a knock on the door broke her day dream.

"Yes? Who is it?" she asked hoping it would be Ri'chard.

But she was stunned when Gareth entered, carrying a bouquet of daisies.

"Gareth." she said, forcing a lying smile.

He bent down and kissed her hand. She shivered and still couldn't deny the way his kisses effected her.

"Angelica...Darling, Angelica.." he said as he ran his fingers through her hair.
She could not hold back a real smile now.

"I have never felt this way about anyone, until you."

"H-how do you feel?" Angelica asked nervously, still smiling.

"Happiness, weightless, grateful...Listen.." he said beginning to move closer to her. "For a long while now, short, but seeming very long, I've been wondering to myself, 'when will I find someone who I can truly care for', and who will let me love her forever."

"Gareth, I-"

"No...Please, listen to me, Angelica." he said now taking her hands. "I'm falling in love with you. It's not like a childhood infatuation, or a lustful feeling, it's true, I can tell."

Gareth's brown eyes sparkled in the candlelight as he stared deeper into Angelica's limpid pools. She stared back, and saw that the stars were there. She took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. He caressed Angelica's hands, and stared harder hoping for an answer.

"I..." she muttered.

Gareth stood to his feet helping her to standing as well. She thought hard about the consequences but, couldn't resist the pull. It was like a trance.'Don't break the stare'.

Angelica moved closer to Gareth separating their hands, but not losing the grasp. She placed them around her waste and hers on Gareth's shoulders, she looked at his body and returned the gaze to his eyes.

"Kiss me, Gareth...Please." she said, her face now centimeters from the trembling boy's.

He obeyed and let his lips gently inch closer...Into a long, passionate, kiss.

After the kiss was broken. Angelica had to come to a realization.
"I'm torn." she thought to herself still in Gareth's arms.

How could she care for two men, who are complete opposites in nature? Try as she might, it wasn't clear. Angelica then had a horrible thought. Will she be asked to choose? Will they find out about one another? And finally...What would father say?

I think this one has to be my worst chapter... But I promise you guys it will all make sense in time. Thank you, and enjoy! Happy post-Halloween.