Disclaimer: I do not own the Erik, Christine, or any other characters mentioned. All I own is the plot. Songs owned by ALW.

A/N: Thank you to those who have reviewed! I've made a favorites list, yes! Hands out red roses tied with black ribbons.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

A little later:

Christine hurried out into the city for she still had not found a wedding dress, and she didn't want Raoul to know that she had been dreaming of a certain one.

"I'll just pick out the first one I like and be done with this whole ordeal. It's just so hard to pick out a wedding dress, especially when I don't even know if I want to get married." Christine thought to herself as she entered what looked to be a promising boutique. "On the other hand, I'm not sure if he is still alive…"

"Bonjour, Mademoiselle, how can I help you today? Is there anything in particular that you are looking for? My name is Manette if you need any help."

As the owner turned to walk away, Christine answered, "Actually, your help would be greatly appreciated, Manette. I'm looking for a wedding dress and I have not a clue as to where to begin."

"Oh, congratulations! And who, may I ask, is the lucky man?"

"Raoul, the Vicomte DeChagny"

"So you're Christine Daae, the former Prima Donna. A pleasure to meet you; you're so lucky to be marrying the Vicomte. I don't think there is a richer or more handsome man in the city of Paris. When is the wedding?"

"In about a week and a half." Christine answered and thought, "She's wrong, there is a man that is much more than Raoul. I just wish someone would give me a sign that he lives."

"I heard you were taken by the Phantom of the Opera. Are the stories true? Is he really as repulsive as they say? If it were me, I'd never have let him get that close—"

Putting on her best impression of an elitist, Christine answered her, "I believe I came here to find a wedding dress, not to be interrogated by a nosy gossip. If I tell you anything by tomorrow morning, the gossips in this City will have probably inverted it into a tale I won't even recognize. If you are incapable of helping me find a wedding dress; I'll just take my business elsewhere."

"I do apologize Mademoiselle. It has been a long while since I have had someone of such notoriety in my boutique—people have called you the harbinger of Death himself. But, I believe you need a wedding dress, because of who you are marrying white is the only way to go. You'll need something that exudes elegant sophistication. Come, come, no time to waste." Manette said as she started picking out possible gowns for Christine.

Finally, after what seemed like hours to Christine, she and Manette found a gown that was fitting of the one who would become the future Vicomtess DeChagny. Christine paid for the garment with the money Raoul had given her and hurried out of the shop, imagining what the woman might say about her to her future customers.

As Fate would have it, she would not make it back to the DeChagny's without another little confrontation because she wasn't looking where she was going. She hurried headlong into a man on the sidewalk. Each one's packages went flying.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, Monsieur, I wasn't paying attention. Usually, I'm not so clumsy." Christine apologized.

"It's all right, Mademoiselle, I, too should have been paying more attention. Are you hurt?"

Christine took a good look at the man before answering. He, if his wardrobe were anything to go by, was one of Raoul's society and he was very gentlemanly. He reminded her of someone though she didn't know whom.

"No, I'm not hurt. A couple of scratches but I've had worse. May I ask you're name, Monsieur?" She asked blushing and with a slight giggle.

She immediately reprimanded herself, "Why are you flirting with this man? He may be attractive and well-mannered, but you're engaged already. Remember Raoul?"

He interrupted her thoughts by answering, "My name is Olivier Gabriel. Here is your package, Mademoiselle." He picked up her package and gave it to her then took his own. "Au revoir, Mademoiselle."

"You may call me Christine."

"All right, then, au revoir Mademoiselle Christine." And with a flourish he delicately took her hand and kissed it.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Monsieur Gabriel."

"Ah, but the pleasure was mine, Mlle. Christine."

As he turned to continue on his way, Christine asked him one last thing, "Monsieur Gabriel, I beg your pardon if you're in any way offended by my question, but I need an outside perspective; how do you know if you are truly in love?"

"Why should I be offended by such a question? I'll gladly answer, from my experience at least. You know its true love when it keeps you up at night, when you feel as though you are bound to the person even if they are thousands of miles away. You know its true love when the love binds you so tightly you cannot live without recognizing it. It consumes your thoughts. You can't help but try to find ways to make the person happy."

"Thank you, Monsieur Gabriel."

"You're very welcome, Mlle. Christine. Whoever you're engaged to is one lucky chap to find a woman who contemplates things for herself."

"I don't think he feels that way." Christine mumbled.

Christine didn't think she had been heard by Monsieur Gabriel as they parted ways. But unfortunately for her, Monsieur Gabriel had been blessed with good hearing.

Upon hearing her mumbling, Olivier thought to himself, "I can't believe the bloke she's engaged to doesn't believe he's lucky to have her. She's just so beautiful. He'd better be careful or else I may steal her from under his nose whoever he is."

A/N: The lovers' triangle has expanded into a square. All you constructive criticizers and impatient readers, you know the drill. Review!

TNC,

Writer Muse