OMG! 237 reviews! Yay! I am soooo happy! So here is an extra long chapter! Most (if not all) of you might hate me by the end of the chapter but I SWEAR I'll make it up to you in the next chapter! Chapter Twenty-Five:

Recording A Single

A week later, she received a call from Erik asking her if they could meet at Full Moon recording studio to record the single.

Christine dressed in a sweater and jeans, placing her hair in a tight bun.

Then she drove downtown to the recording studio.

It was in the heart of the city and was as high as the other skyscrapers around it. She knew it was the building by the large sign over the door that said 'Full Moon Records.'

Christine walked into the air conditioned lobby. The lobby had many chairs for the people waiting and a reception desk with a woman behind it with a computer and phones.

Behind her there was another sign that said 'Full Moon Records' with the picture of a full moon. The woman greeted her with a warm smile. "Yes? How can I help you?"

"I'm Christine Daaé, Erik Destler called me to tell me to meet him here."

The woman read over a list then smiled. "Sure thing, Miss Daaé. Take the elevator to the twenty-seventh floor, someone will meet you there."

Christine thanked her and went to the elevator she was told to go to. On her way up, she thought about what she was about to do.

A thought had suddenly occurred to her. She was about to see Erik.

Funny, she had never been anxious about seeing him but suddenly she was. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach and a smile approach her lips. She looked at her reflection and started fixing her hair.

She started to bite her lip in anticipation. She had to tell him how she felt. He had to know. He had a right to know.

But did he feel the same way? What if he didn't? What if he only saw her as a friend, a sister? What if she confessed and he didn't care?

The rejection would be unbearable, she wouldn't be able to deal with it.

She shook her head. No, Christine, don't be silly. He does love you. He has to. He still does.

Christine's heart sank. Doesn't he?

The elevator bell ran and the doors opened.

A redhead with a blazer met her at the elevator. She had her hair up in a professional bun and a hands free in her ear, the cord led to the breast pocket, where a cell phone antenna peeked out.

Her dark brown eyes were behind wire rimmed glasses and they studied her intently. "Christine Day?"

Christine nodded, ignoring the fact she had mispronounced her last name. "Yes."

"Follow me," the woman said in a tired tone.

Christine did follow her. She followed her past another reception area and some doors. Finally they reached a door that led to another room much like Erik's own recording room, only this room was much bigger.

In front of the buttons and mixes, there were two men. They were touching the instruments and pushing different buttons as Erik sang into a microphone in a soundproof booth.

The men had headphones on and nodded every once in a while as if in approval.

Christine sat on a couch nearby and watched as Erik continued. Her heart swelled when she saw him, and a smile spread on her lips. She had never been so happy to see him. He had seen her and winked at her from inside the booth and Christine felt her cheeks turn pink.

What is wrong with me?

The woman looked at Erik smiling and when she looked at Christine, the smile faded. "You like him, do you?" She asked crossing her arms.

Christine nodded whispering as she had done. "Yes, he's a dear friend."

The redhead smiled. "He's such a tease. Especially when we're together," she smiled brightly. "He knows all the right way to swoon women. He certainly knows my weak spot."

Christine stared at her with her mouth open. It was a good thing she wasn't looking at her and seen her surprised expression.

The woman, nevertheless, continued smiling. "Every date we have ends the same way." The woman glanced at her. "With breakfast."

Christine continued to stare, then looked away. Of course he has a girlfriend! Of course he would. Why wouldn't he? She took a deep breath to keep from crying.

She stood up quickly and said louder than she meant to, "Excuse me, where is the restroom?"

She pointed to a door behind her. "Down that hallway second to last door on the right."

Christine went obediently, taking her purse with her. She went to the bathroom and looked at herself in the mirror.

"How could I have been so stupid?" She asked herself. It wasn't long ago when he thought Raoul and her were engaged. He had every right to be with someone just as she was.

But the gala?

She was probably out of town.

And the presents?
He was making everything up to you. The coffee, the dress…

The night at the beach?

He felt as if he owed you for accompanying him.

"How could I have been so naïve?" She took her fist and pounded her reflection. "Damn it," she muttered.

Sniffling she took a paper towel from the rack. She dabbed the corner of her eyes and prevented herself from crying.

She could hear her heart breaking in two. Was this how he felt when she left with Raoul? She was surprised he didn't hate her.

Don't give the game away, Daaé, she told herself. He can't know how you feel for him.

Christine took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She looked at herself in the mirror. She was glad she hadn't cried.

She mustered all the courage she could and the last seven years of drama lessons and experience to cover up her heartache. She composed herself and left the bathroom.

When she went back to the room, the two men were conversing with Erik while the redhead chatted away on the phone.

Upon entering, she drew the attention of everyone there. Erik smiled and left the men to greet her.

"Christine, my dear, you found the place all right?"

It was as if his very appearance taunted her. He was dressed casual but his presence mocked her, showing her something that she couldn't have. She could only nod, she feared her voice would falter while she spoke.

"Great. I would like you to meet Simon and Red. They are in charge of recording my songs."

They both shook her hand and she smiled at them, each in turn.

Simon was a highly dressed individual with more jewelry on than Christine had in her jewelry box.

Red was a scruffy looking man with a bandana on his head, his exposed arms were covered in tattoos. He seemed to belong to Hell's Angels, the way he was dressed and the way his beard was an untamed graying brown.

"This is Lucy," he said hardly glancing at the other woman in the room. "My assistant."

Christine swallowed after nodding silently. He had scarcely regarded Lucy, what did that mean?

She didn't have time to think about it because in the next moment Erik had clapped his hands as if a child waiting greedily for his dinner. "Now that that's out of the way, we shall begin." He began towards the booth but turned. "Would you like anything? Something to eat or drink?"

Christine shook her head firmly.

Erik looked at her suspiciously, and then looked behind her. "Lucy, get me water."

Lucy left quickly, the hands free firmly attached to her ear.

"Christine, if you would kindly step over here?" Erik directed her to the cubicle, and took her purse, placing it on the chair she had been sitting on.

Christine followed him to the small space where he began explaining what she had to do. "It's just how we had practiced it. If you want to do a part over again, let me know. Just put the headphones on your head and you'll hear everything. I'll be over there with Simon and Red listening. Any questions?"

Christine shook her head.

Erik placed his hands on her shoulders. "Dear, is something wrong?"

Christine bit her lip and shook her head.

"You haven't spoken since you got here."

Christine smiled slightly. "Th-there's nothing wrong." She felt relieved, at least her voice didn't crack or anything.

Erik glanced behind him and shut the door. "Christine, no one can hear us. Confide in me, tell me, what's wrong?"

She wanted to tell him. She wanted to tell him her heart was breaking and how she felt about him. She wanted to tell him she loved him.

"I'm fine, Erik. I just went to sleep late after work last night. I'm a little tired, that's it."

"We can do this some other day if you wish," he said taking the doorknob in his hand.

Christine stopped him. "It's fine. I can do this. I'm just a little nervous."

"You're sure?"

Christine nodded. "Right as rain."

He smiled and embraced her into a powerful hug.

Christine resisted the urge to sigh deeply and place her head in the crook of his neck.

"You have no idea what this means to me, doing this. Thank you."

Christine closed her eyes. "No need to thank me."

He let her go and left her alone in the little room. There was a music stand and a microphone that hung from the ceiling. On the music stand there was, of course, the music and the headphones.

Christine put them on just like he had told her to.

Erik's voice came over the headphones. "Remember what I told you. There's no need to be nervous. Just as we practiced it." He put on his own headphones.

Christine nodded and looked past her reflection in the glass that separated her from the three other men. Lucy wasn't there, she was still, presumably, fetching Erik's water.

She gingerly touched the paper on the stand and glanced at her reflection. She had never imagined herself doing this. Being in a professional recording studio to record a single that was going to be heard all around the country, if not the world.

Suddenly her butterflies in her stomach returned and she bit her lip.

Am I ready for this?

Then the music began and all anxiety melted away. When music enveloped her she felt at peace, this time was no exception. She closed her eyes, picturing herself back in the music room with Erik, perfecting her voice, helping make his music come alive.

She smiled and took a deep breath before starting, "In sleep he sang to me, in dreams he came…"

They did the song about three times. Everything was going fine until the end when Christine had to vocalize. Erik wasn't satisfied with it, he would make Christine do it over and over again.

It was one time that Erik stopped her that Simon seemed to have blown a gasket.

The booth was supposedly soundproof but Christine could hear their argument. Especially Simon's yelling.

"What is wrong with her singing? The vocalization was just right! It was bloody perfect!"

Christine looked on as Erik said something she couldn't hear to him. Lucy, she could see, started laughing at the comment, Red also. Simon blushed furiously and sat back down. Erik smiled contently and pressed a button. His voice came on once again. "Christine once more, the E was too flat."

Christine nodded and the same music came on again. She went through the same notes again, closing her eyes as she vocalized. She sang with all she had, all the energy she had held back.

As the last two notes marked the end of the son, she opened her eyes and looked at the waiting faced.

Lucy was chatting away on the phone again not caring what was going on. Red was nodding in approval, Simon was looking at her with mouth open and Erik had a content smile on his face.

"That was good?" Christine asked with a hopeful smile.

Erik nodded and said something to the other men, then he opened the small booth and walked in. "This time, we'll do it together."

Christine was surprised. They had never done the song together. When they would practice, it was only her part.

Nevertheless, she nodded and he placed his headphones on.

The familiar organ notes played almost immediately and when she started singing, she noticed Erik looking at her.

"In sleep he sang to me in dreams he came, that voice which calls to me and speaks my name." She had never thought those words through. How true they were. "And do I dream again? For now I find the Phantom of the Opera is there, inside my mind."
He smiled at her and put his hands over his headphones. She had missed hearing his voice.

"Sing once again with me our strange duet; my power over you grows stronger yet." Smiling he continued. "And though you turn from me to glance behind, the Phantom of the Opera is there inside your mind."

She closed her eyes, becoming lost in the lyrics, in his music. "Those who have seen your face draw back in fear. I am the mask you wear-"

"It's me they hear."

She felt his hands in hers, she was distracted by his touch but continued the song without missing a beat, their voices in unison. "Your spirit and my voice, in one combined, the Phantom of the Opera is there, inside my mind."

She almost gasped when he touched her cheek, she had the sudden urge to press her cheek against it. But she stopped.

"In all your fantasies, you always knew, that man and mystery-"

"Lay both in you." She took his hand away fro her face. She was determined that she would stay professional with what she was doing.

He looked at her confused but continued with their duet. "And in this labyrinth, where night is blind. The Phantom of the Opera is there, inside my mind."

She closed her eyes as she broke off into her solo. The notes reverberated throughout her body and escaped through her lips.

"Sing, my Angel of Music!"

Christine glanced at Erik, smiling, her concentration unwavering.

"Sing, my Angel."

It seemed to be the boost she needed because in the next she was singing with the confidence she needed.

"Sing for me."

She continued, having the need to impress him.

The song ended and Christine saw Red nodding once again as Simon said something quickly to him.

Erik leaned into the microphone. "Did you get that, Red?"

Red continued nodding. It seemed to be the only thing he could do.

"We're done," he said in triumph.

"Great," Christine said taking off her headphones.

"Lucy made reservation at Pierre's for lunch. Would you like to come?"

Tag along on a date? What was he thinking?

Christine bit her lip and started to walk out of the booth. "Sorry, I have things to do."

"But you said you had nothing to do today."

Christine walked past Red and Simon. Retrieving her purse she tried to think of an excuse. "Well, you see, I received a phone call and my friend; he needs my help with something. I really couldn't say no."

As she waked out of the recording studio, Simon gave her a card. "If you ever decide to go platinum, call me."

Christine blinked and took the card. "Uh, thanks?"

"Christine, who's the friend?"

She said the first name that popped into her head. "Raoul."

She instantly regretted saying that. She mentally scolded herself. How could I do that?

"Sorry, Erik, I have to go." She made her way past him.

But he was relentless. "Christine, what's wrong? Something happen?"

Christine turned and opened her mouth to speak but nothing would come out.

She wanted to tell him how she felt. She fell in love with him only to find out that he had a girlfriend.

She made her way to the elevator.

She pressed the button and waited. Erik was beside her the whole time.

"I'm sorry, Erik," she said quickly. "Raoul's still my friend despite what happened and he needs me."

Christine kept pressing the button repeatedly as if it would make the elevator come faster.

"Christine."

He had said it so sweetly, so softly that she turned.

He took her hand in both of his, placed it on his chest in front of him and whispered her name again. "I know it's not Raoul, something else is wrong. I hope that by now I would have gained your trust enough that you do not find the need to lie to me."

Christine looked at him tenderly and she placed her head on his shoulder. "Oh, Erik." She sighed deeply, weighing the situation. "If only it were that easy."

The elevator bell rang and she could hear the doors opening.

She stepped on her toes (because he was so much taller than her) and kissed his cheek. Stepping back, she said, "I'm sorry. I am."

He held onto her hand and only let them go when she was out of his reach. Even then, he had done so reluctantly.

She stepped inside and when the elevator doors closed, she had to wipe her eyes.

(Ducks from tomatos and lettuce being thrown) I'll make it up to you, I promise! Anyways, I was watching Reign of Fire yesterday. I bought the movie without even seeing it only because Gerard Butler is in it. Needless, to say, I screamed at the the television at the end...I'm not going to say why because I'm sure most of you hasn't seen it.
Back to A Memory's Phantom, everyone wants to know what is in the secret room. Not to worry readers, all will be revealed soon! (well not really, but by the end of the story you'll find out) So to make it up to you, Erik will give you a hug forevery review in this chapter:)I am so glad that almost everyone likes this story(I can't really speak for the ones who read this story and don't review, but I'm sure they do, too :) ) Review Responses:
La Romantique Perdue- Maria was Carlotta #2, no one liked her and Christine befriended her when she thought that Erik had done something to her voice. They're friends now.
phantomann- No, acutally that was it...(pouts) I thought it was important...
The Next Christine- Writer's block sucks but you will get through it. It happened to me with Phantom of the Auditorium countless times...
NaomiPoe-(shifty eyes) um.. no... how did you know that Erik's favorite ice cream was rocky road? Now he wants to wrestle the computer away from me to tell you what was in that room! (Erik get back!) I know what you mean about being cynical... i think I'm the most deranged in my family... angst is to come, I can assure you...
Thank you everyone for all the wonderful reviews, it's what keeps me going to keep writing the chapters (it really fuels me because right now I'm on chapter thirty-six) Soon, Chpater Twenty-Six:
Movie Night (you know the drill, ten reviews and then an update) :):):):):):):):) Erik hugs you all!