Hello again. Chelsey here. You guys are going to hate us for this... But we promise if you review it will be better (eventually). Thank

you for the reviews, we really appreciate them. And now, Chapter 4.

Chapter 4

He stared at her in angry disbelief. "Why did I believe you? I knew that you would just hurt me again. You... How could you? You are indecisive, you know nothing of your desires." He was shouting by now; he rose from the bed, drawing his discarded robe around him. "I shall tell you this for the final time: leave. Do not come back into my life again."

"I am not indecisive!" she shouted back, turning to face him, her hands balled into angry fists.

"The hell you are not! You tell me you know what you want, that you wanted me. And now look at what you are doing! Turning away!"

"I do want you!"

"Your actions would suggest otherwise," he said, regaining his composure somewhat.

Christine threw her arms up in contempt, anger still burning in her eyes. She didn't know what to say... In truth, she was scared out of her mind, but she wasn't going to let him know that. He turned from her.

"Leave my home," he ordered quietly.

"You don't mean that..."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You just... You just don't."

"Of course I do. Why would I want you now? Leave." In truth, he of course didn't wish for her to leave, but knew that her actions and "desires" were simply alcohol induced; he was a fool for ever believing otherwise. "Do not doubt what I say. Never have I said something that I did not mean," he added after a slight pause.

"No. I am not leaving," Christine said firmly. She would not lose something she had longed for all this time just because of her stupid actions... She would not lose the chance to be with him... Not again.

"Why?"

"Are you sure you haven't?"

"Sure I haven't what?" he asked impatiently.

"Said anything that you did not mean."

"Quite sure."

Christine looked down at the floor, remembering what he had told her that night... The night she had left with Raoul. She had put the diamond ring in his hand... He had told her he loved her. He had meant it then, she knew that... But now? She couldn't be so sure. Suddenly, she felt completely vulnerable and naked in her thin chemise. Erik kept his eyes on her, vaguely aware that she was beginning to squirm under his intense stare.

"You told me that you loved me when I left... You might still; I can't tell... But like I said before, I don't believe in love anymore..." Still looking at the floor, Christine gathered her dress and corset from off of it. She had not meant to give up, but conjuring up those memories... She hadn't meant to get emotionally involved... As much as she hated to admit it, she had just wanted his body this night... Nothing more; she knew that he probably felt the same. But the idea of Erik still being in love with her had made everything too real, and Christine didn't think that she could face that reality. Her thoughts turned to Raoul...she had been in love with him, or so she thought, but for some reason her feelings had changed; she had thought love was supposed to be forever, but hers for her husband had not been and that had led Christine to question whether love existed at all.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He was having a difficult time understanding why she was being so morbid; it was completely unlike her. It wasn't as if she had been deprived of love for a whole Godforsaken lifetime. She had a husband who loved her, friends... What more did she need?

Christine shrugged, finally looking up at him, as she retrieved her corset from the floor. "It's not that difficult to comprehend... I just don't
think there's any such thing as love... Simple as that."

"I'm sure you would know," he said coldly.

"Why is it so hard to believe that I do?" she asked, her anger surfacing once again; Christine glared at him... She was sick and tired of people looking down on her just because she was young, or the vicomtess, or believed her to be nothing but a trophy wife... A gold digger.

"Christine, forgive me for asking, " he began, sarcastically, "but what do you know of being deprived of love? In a romantic sense, to be exact. You are married, after all; you have not forgotten already, have you, dear?"

Christine gaped at him, her mouth dropping open. She closed her eyes, trying to remain calm, she felt as though she would lunge at him and attempt to murder him, or burst into tears. Christine had gotten quite skilled at hiding her feelings though, over the past few months especially, but this was proving to be a challenge. She swallowed a little too loudly before opening her eyes once again.

"Do not mock me, Erik," she said, in a dangerously low voice.

"Leave then. You have at least gotten a part of what you wanted. That should hold you for a while." He could hardly believe he was saying such contemptuous things to the woman he loved, but she had driven him here.

With that, something in Christine snapped. She walked over to him and slapped him across the face.

"How dare you!" she said, her voice shaking with anger... as well as some other emotions she couldn't put her finger on.

He stared at her a moment before speaking, to himself as much as to her. "I see you've acquired some gumption. Quite impressive. However, if you do not leave, I very well may do things that we will both come to regret once they've passed; I advise you to leave now," he said, hiding his considerable anger.

She shook her head, and gave a laugh that held no joy or amusement--only anger and pain. "You wouldn't dare do anything of the sort..."

He too let out a mirthless laugh. "You have absolutely no idea. You haven't the faintest idea of what I am capable of. Do not force me to show you." In truth, she was correct. These were all empty threats; he would never harm her, even with how much she had angered and hurt him.

Christine rolled her eyes. "I don't believe you."

"Damn it, Christine, just leave. There is no reason for you to stay."

Christine remained in her place. She did not want him to think she was fazed by his bluffs, although he was starting to frighten her a bit; she knew that she was a more than a little over her head.

"You are bluffing... You would not lay a hand on me."

"I wouldn't venture to say that..." he said with a smirk. He paused, then said, "Christine, I don't know what you are seeking. You won't take my body, you obviously don't want my company, and yet you won't leave me. What are you in search of? You turned away when we were so close," he continued. "I figure that is what you wanted, so why did you relinquish it, when it was nearly yours?"

Christine looked away from him. "It was too real..." she said, her voice suddenly becoming quiet. That was the truth; all of her dreams... He had been in them, and they were just that... Dreams. When it was finally happening, she felt the need to run from it... Her dreams coming true... That was what scared her.

"I am unsure of what else you expected."

She said nothing... Just bit her lip and kept her eyes cast downwards. It was amazing how easily he could turn her emotions upside down. Mere minutes ago, she had been furious with him, now she felt vulnerable; like such a child. Moments before she had slapped him; now she could not even meet his eyes. Once again she became aware of how thin the fabric of her chemise was; she was virtually naked before him.

"I suppose I shall retire now. Do what you wish," he said, defeatedly, not knowing what else he could say to her.

"Right... Right, okay... I'll just... Go," Christine muttered, suddenly feeling embarrassed... She quickly put threw on her dress, not even bothering to but on her corset or lace up the front. She exited the room quickly, before her cheeks could get too flushed. She needed a drink, but Raoul didn't keep liquor at home... But God, she needed a drink badly.

Erik watched her a moment, mulling their strange evening over, before she disappeared from his site. He turned, snuffed the candle out, undressed, lie down on the bed, and closed his eyes.