As Luck Would Have It

Christine ran to her car, shielding the freezing, cold rain that was pouring dreadfully hard from her face. Today was the first day Christine was going to work for Erik Dupon. As if she wasn't nervous enough, the dreary rain wasn't helping with her already low spirits. She just hoped her hair wouldn't frizz as much as it normally did in this kind of weather. The last thing she needed was for her face to be covered in a vast mound of unruly curls when she shook Mr. Dupon's hand for the first time. What a lovely first impression that would make. Christine quietly laughed to herself.

As she finally got to the front seat, Christine quickly gave an approving glance at her makeup in her pocket-sized mirror and double checked her hair. It was alright, for now.

Christine was more than halfway to the Royal Opera House when the speed of her car began to decrease and she could hear the screeching of her wheels scraping again the road. She barely had enough time to pull over before her car came to a dead stop. Oh gosh, no, this can't be happening!

Disregarding the rain, Christine threw open the car door and began to hurriedly examine the wheels until she found the flat one. It was completely deflated and Christine could barely make out the end of something sharp sticking out of it. Not bothering to inspect it further, she ran to the trunk praying she had remembered to put the spare tire in there. Of course, no such luck. Oh crap! Oh crap! Oh crap! Christine panicked.

By the timeshe managed to remember that this was 2005 and there was in fact technology to help her, she was drenched. She made her way back to the front seat of her car, picking up her cell phone. Just as luck would have it, it wasn't charged and completely out of battery. With a glance at her watch, she soon learned that she only had two minutes to spare before she was officially late.

Christine was in sight of the opera house, and without thinking, grabbed her bag and began running towards it. By now,she was panicked, and didn't even begin to think of what she would do once she got there. Let alone about how crazy and soaking wet she looked.

She got to the front door in ten minutes time, panting and at a loss of breath. This didn't stop her, however, from opening the front door and heading straight in.

As Christine stepped inside, she instantly knocked into someone and was thrown back, landing on the ground with a thud. Whoever she hit was obviously carrying a large stack of papers which were being scattered everywhere.

"Oh! I am so sorry!" Christine gasped. Well this day is just perfect! And it's only 8:10!

Christine sat up and found herself face to face with an offered hand to help her stand up. She gratefully took it. Once she regained her balance, she took the opportunity to finally look at the person she bumped into. All the tension and nervousness she had been feeling earlier suddenly came back to her in a second. With a quick intake of breath, she began to ramble.

"M-Mr. Dupon, sir! I'm so sorry! You s-see, halfway here I got a flat tire, so I checked the trunk of my car for a spare. That's when I realized I had forgotten to put one in there. So I tried to call for help on my cell, but I had also forgotten to charge it. I ended up running here, getting soaked in the process. Now I'm here, rambling, and making a really stupid first impression," Christine managed to blab in a solitary breath.

In the awkward silence that followed, Erik merely nodded his head. "You must be Christine, are you not?" She nodded. "Very well. You may begin your job by picking up these papers while I find you some dry clothes to change into so you don't catch cold. When you're finished, you may take the papers to the stage, which is through this hallway straight ahead. I will meet you there," was Erik's straightforward reply.

As Erik walked away, Christine continued to stand there blushing and mentally slapping herself for her stupidity. Her mind was just now beginning the slow process of everything that had just occurred. Then her thoughts went to Mr. Dupon. She'd always known that he wore a mask covering half of his face. She figured that it was just for some artistic reason, knowing the world of the arts. But that's not what stuck out about him the most, it was his voice. That low, deep, tenor voice that made shivers run up Christine's spine. And never in a million years would Christine forget those eyes. Those dark, green orbs that seemed to bore right into her own. He's gorgeous, she decided. But I'd never be worthy of him. Someone as talented as himself would never take a second glance at me. But that still doesn't mean I can't admire him. Christine thought slyly.

Realizing Erik would probably be waiting for her soon if she didn't hurry up, Christine began to pick up the fallen papers. Glancing at one, she discovered that it was the script to the opera that the theater must be beginning. This only made her more anxious to begin working here.

Christine made her way to the stage after finally gathering up all the scripts. When she arrived there, she found Erik already there talking to a man. He had a very dark complexion and looked to be in his late 40's. When Erik saw her, he beckoned her over.

"Ms. Daae, this is Nadir. He's my assistant and will be helping you when I'm unavailable. Right now he will escort you to the nearest restroom so that you may get out of those wet clothes," Erik formally announced, before walking away.

Nadir smiled kindly at Christine, which put her more at ease.

"Good morning, Ms. Daae, I'm pleased to meet you." Nadir kissed Christine's hand, making her blush. She was already beginning to like him.

"Hi, Nadir, glad to meet you also. But I must ask you to please call me Christine. 'Ms. Daae' is just too formal for me," Christine said. For some reason she had this strange feeling that she could confide in him easily.

Nadir laughed warmly. "That sounds fair. If you'll follow me, I'll show you to the restroom," he replied, and began walking toward a door on his left.

Erik walked to his office and sat down ina chair, rubbing his temples. He had this strange feeling in his stomach ever since he had seen Christine Daae run into him. He hated to admit this, especially since he didn't even know her, but, Christine Daae was very beautiful. Her dark brown curls, which were dripping wet, seemed to frame her face perfectly. And her big, brown, chestnut eyes seemed to make her the perfect picture of innocence.

He felt his breath had been taken away when he first heard her speak. He could only imagine what that angelic voice would sound like is she were to sing. Luckily, Erik had been able to recover fast enough, as to not give away his emotions. He seemed to be very skilled at that.

Almost immediately, Erik snapped back into focus. She would never want a monster like you! Get a hold of yourself! Erik absentmindedly began tracing the porcelain mask that covered half his face.

Once Christine was dressed in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved, button up shirt, which seemed to fit her perfectly, she was led by Nadir to Erik's office where he had been instructed to take her. Once there, Nadir let her in and with a small, reassuringsmile, he left. Christine felt nervous again at the absence of her new friend.

Erik snapped his head up at her appearance. "Ms. Daae, I see you've changed. I hope those clothes are comfortable?" Erik inquired.

"Oh, yes. Thank you very much." Christine, in her nervousness, forgot to ask how he had known her size.

"If you'll take a seat I'll explain what you're to do while you're here," Erik said.

Christine sat in a plush chair in front of his desk and awaited further instructions.

"You're job will be to assist me with directing and to help make corrections to the lyrics and the script of the opera, if needed. I assure you that you'll always be busy and you will be paid fairly. But as for today, I would like you to just observe how things work, and get to know the cast," Erik explained.

Christine nodded, shyly.

"Any questions?" Erik asked.

Christine looked down at her hands, not being able to meet his intense gaze. "Um…well, there is one thing. I was just wondering if you would call me Christine rather than Ms. Daae. If that's not too much…" Christine added.

Erik gave a small smile which went unnoticed. "If that's what you wish, then I insist that you call me Erik," he said reasonably.

Christine beamed. "No problem."

"Very well, then. Rehearsal starts in a few minutes, but I'd like to give you a tour of the opera house before we begin." Erik stood and Christine followed.

"That would be great, Erik," Christine said, giving him a smile.

Erik's heart began beating faster at the sound of her sweet voice saying his name.

"If you'll follow me…" Erik began walking out the door.

As Christine followed she looked up, saying a prayer of thanks. What she would give to have her parents here with her.

A/N: Once again, I'm so sorry about the wait. Things have been busy, but I'll try harder. Thanks to all you reviewers, you're a real inspiration. Please let me know if you have complaints or find a grammatical error. I like to know that stuff, so please tell me! Anyways, I thought I'd let you know that I'm a fan of letting Christine and Erik getting together fast, so don't let that suprise you. And I like to portray Erik as strict,but not unkind. Just thought you might want to know that about me if you're reading this story. So let me know what you think! Thanks!

You're humble servant,

Greek-Phantomphan