Chapter Four: Only One Place to Go
After her ghostly experience, Christine had hurried out of her and Raoul's mansion and headed for the only place she felt she belonged: The Opera Populair. As she pulled up to the Opera House in a carriage, everything seemed exactly as she remembered from 3 weeks ago, except for one thing. It seemed that a dark cloud hung permanently over the beautiful building. There was no excitement as there once had been. Surely her leaving could not have done this? Was this some trick of her beloved Ghost's?
When she stepped inside, Christine recognized many familiar faces, some not as friendly as the others. There in the front room stood Meg Giry and her mother, Firmin, Andre, and Carlotta. Meg was the first to notice her. She ran up to her, beaming.
"Oh Christine, Where have you been? The Opera is not the same without you!" She surrounded Christine with a strong hug, nearly disabling the young soprano's ability to breath.
"It's good to see you too, Meg." Christine said, smiling down at her. Meg had always been rather short.
Of course after such an unexpected event, the others occupying the grand room had turned around to see what had gotten Meg so excited. Madame Giry smiled at her. "It is good to see you, child." She gave Christine a hug as Firmin and Andre approached her.
"Ah, Miss Daae, you have returned? We assure you that your presence at our theater will be appreciated, and-" Firmin said, lightly kissing her hand.
"-and that you may once again become our Prima Dona" Andre finished, jealously pushing his business partner aside to touch his lips to her long, beautiful fingers.
Then, just when Christine thought that her stay at the Opera House would be nothing but perfect, Carlotta interrupted. "So, Christine Daae, you have returned to take away my title? Your attempt last month was nice, but let us remembers that it was a failed attempt." She said, glaring first at Christine, then at her managers for even thinking of replacing her with a young foolish girl. "As for me, I am off to prepare for my lead in our newest opera, 'Hannibal, Numero Dos'…Hasta la Vista!" Carlotta seemed to be using as much Spanish in her words as she could, as if Christine would not understand the basic words of her native language. Christine noticed this and said sarcastically, "Hasta Manana, Carlotta!" Oh, how she loved to win a fight with Carlotta.
After her mind was no longer occupied with such unimportant thoughts, she remembered her reason of visitation. She whispered quietly to Madame Giry, "Where is he?" The smile faded from the ballet mistress's face. Christine's heart sank.
"I do not know my dear. No one knows. He does not ask for his salary, he no longer haunts us, he seems to have disappeared completely." No salary? How is he to survive? Christine thought to herself.
"Take me to my mirror please, Madame." Christine said with a hint of sadness and worry in her voice. Madame Giry nodded, "Follow me, child." Meg made an attempt to follow, but Madame Giry sent her off to her room with one look.