About a week later, Christine sat in her lair, writing some new music. Then she heard a noise and looked up.
François was entering through the side entrance, some items that she had asked him to purchase for her tucked under his arm.
"Here you go, Christine," he said, placing the things on the organ. "There's those items you asked me to buy. Odd things you wanted, really... male garments?"
She shrugged. "Think nothing of it, François. I want you to forget that you saw those clothes... forget that I ever asked you to buy them. You understand?"
"All right," he said with a shrug, looking confused for a moment before he sat next to her on the piano bench and looked down at what she was writing. "A love song? And what do you know about love, exactly?"
"Not a lot," she sighed, placing down her pen and rubbing her eyes. "Come on - let's go up, shall we?"
Upon her saying this, they both rose, and she placed her cloak over her shoulders. Then she stepped onto the gondola and grabbed her rowing rod. It was then that she saw that he was just standing there, looking at her.
"Well, come on, François," she said. "I'm not leaving you behind this time."
He smiled at this and stepped onto the gondola. Then she rowed away.
When they reached the upper levels of the Opera, he went over to the flies to see if his fellow scene-shifters needed any help while she walked up to Box Five so that she could get a better view of the stage - which, of course, also meant that she would get a better view of Cameron. Then she peered slightly over the grand tier to observe the rehearsal that was going on.
There was Cameron, she saw after a moment, standing in the center of the stage as always. The majority of the female choristers were standing nearby, gathered together in a little cluster. They were pointing at Cameron, whispering and giggling to each other while also making googly eyes at him. By straining her ears with some difficulty, she could hear what they were saying.
"Isn't he handsome?" cooed one of the chorus girls, giggling. "Oh, Cameron!"
"I wish he looked at girls," sighed another. "All he cares about is his career, it seems! Did you hear about how he's always here late, singing? Committed to work, but not to females!"
Christine felt pleased upon hearing this bit of news. Despite the fact that she'd told him not to be distracted by young women like the ones who were currently fawning over him, she had been sure that Cameron wouldn't listen to her and would instead pursue whoever he liked. She was glad that he didn't, as it would have mad her both angry and jealous.
"Well," said another determinedly, "I'm going to ask him to dinner - now."
Then, without another word, she walked away from the chorus girls and over to Cameron as Christine observed silently from above.
"Oh, hello, Emilie!" Cameron greeted the girl, his face lighting up as he smiled. "How are you today?"
"I'm lovely, Cameron," the girl replied. "I was wondering - would you like to come to dinner with me after rehearsal tonight? Not much like a date, just a meal, you know. If you're not too busy..."
Don't do it, Cameron, Christine thought as she watched the two, her eyes narrowing. You know better... you know my rules. You'd best listen to them if you want to keep me happy!
Cameron considered for a moment. He knew that that would be openly defying his Angel of Music's orders to never miss a lesson and also to never distract himself from her plans for his career at the Opera by spending time with women. However, he wanted very badly to have dinner with this girl - he liked her.
After deciding that getting the opportunity to spend time with the young woman before him was worth risking angering his voice instructor for, he smiled and nodded. "Certainly. I would love to."
Not wanting to hear any more, Christine stormed out of Box Five and back to her lair, feeling indescribable anger rising up in her.
It seems I have some competition for Cameron! Emilie Chastain - how I hate her!
Oh, she's beautiful, all right - as beautiful as they come. Long blonde hair, grey eyes, incredibly slender figure. Disgustingly beautiful! It almost appalls me to look at her.
She has talent, though; I'll give her credit for that. She could probably take over her sister Marie's role as prima donna, or lead soprano, of the Opera if she so desired, but right now she seems perfectly content with being the lead chorus girl.
One thing that I also hate about the fact that she's the lead - now, at least? I engineered her promotion to lead chorus girl! I knew she had talent and got the managers to notice her, and this is how she repays me, this is how she thanks me - by stealing Cameron! That makes me so angry!
It is said that there are three things needed to win someone over - beauty, wit, and charm. Well, I certainly won't win Cameron over with the 'beauty' factor - I'm hideous! Emilie, however, will!
But one thing is that Emilie's wit and charm cannot possibly match mine. Yes, that is what I will win Cameron over with - my wit and my charm... and also my voice. It's my only hope now. I thought I could just be his voice instructor and remain relatively indifferent to him, but I can't - I can't let him get away from me!
My father once said that none of us can choose where we will love.
Perhaps it's time for me to stop fighting that, as it seems that he was right - in my case, anyway. I can argue about how untrue that statement can be all day long, but I know now that if it's going to be true for anyone, it's going to be true for me... and for Cameron, if I can help it.