A.N: This chapter isn't as sexy as the previous one, but it does have it's importance. And don't worry Erik fans, you meet him next chapter.

Chapter Two: "A new beginning"

Sarine was awoken abruptly the next morning by Jonathan knocking and calling her name at the door.

"Sarine? Are you awake yet?"

"Yeah," she called, sitting up. "Come in, Jonathan"

Jonathan opened the door and walked in. His medium brown hair was wind-messed, but he held a smile. He eyed the cloak curiously.

"Nice cloak," he said. "Whose is it?"

Sarine looked at him, then to the cloak still draped over her, then back to Jonathan.

"It's not yours?" she asked.

He shook his head and walked over to the desk. Picking up the rose, he looked at it oddly then handed it to her.

"Have a guest last night?" he asked, a pinch of jealousy in his voice.

"No," she replied. "I dusted, then came in here. I think I even left the gas lights on."

They both looked to the extinguished gas lamps, then back to each other.

"How? I locked the door," Sarine said, scared.

Jonathan looked at her seriously, "What if someone was already here?"

Sarine laughed, "Oh no, not that Phantom stuff again. I already said, he's probably long gone."

"What about his calling card?" Jonathan asked, gesturing to the rose that Sarine still held.

Sarine just shook her head, grabbed the cloak and walked out of the room. Jonathan followed, taking a quick look back in the room before closing the door. Sarine walked quickly through backstage and emerged stage right. At center stage there was a group of three girls. Sarine walked over to them.

"Hello," she said to them, hiding the rose and the cloak behind her back. "I'm Sarine Toumont. I'm twenty-three, and the owner of this gorgeous opera house. And, if I am able, I hope I will be your director."

The tall brunette to her right smiled at her, "I'm Amy Trouge. Twenty. Soprano one chorus."

Sarine shook Amy's hand and turned to the next girl, "What's your name?"

"Tara Fischer," the short blonde across from Sarine said. "I'm twenty as well, but I'm an alto chorus."

"I'm Rose Maria. I'm eighteen, and also a soprano one chorus." The short redhead to Sarine's left said.

"I'm very glad to meet you all," Sarine said. "This is a new beginning, ladies. Our shows will be more extravagant and perfect than any ever performed."

"What show are we doing?" Amy asked.

"Well," Sarine started. "I haven't a show yet. I wanted to see how many people show up first. Shall we warm up?"

Sarine walked over to the piano that was hidden back stage and played a note. The girls sang it with her. They warmed up for about another half-hour. When they were done, Rose and Tara went to the dancer's quarters to find beds. As Amy walked over to her, Sarine pushed the cloak and rose further under the piano, which is were she placed them when she walked over.

"Sarine? May I be so frank as to ask a question?" Amy asked.

"Sure," Sarine replied.

"Um…" Amy said. "If you're having trouble finding a show, why don't you just ask the Phantom? He wrote 'Don Juan'."

Sarine laughed, "If the Phantom were here, he would let us know of his presence. He has not done so yet."

"I don't know…" Amy said, pulling the cloak and rose from under the piano. "This looks like a sign of his presence."

"It's just a flower and a cloak. They could belong to anyone," Sarine defended.

"But who else puts a black ribbon around a red rose? I think the Phantom has taken a liking to you," Amy said.

"Giving me a rose does not mean he's taken a liking to me," Sarine protested. "Maybe he just wants us to do a good opera."

"I bet that if you left a note for him asking for an opera, tomorrow you'll find one under the rose. This is just a new beginning to an old story," Amy said with a note of closing in her voice.

After that, Amy handed the cloak and the rose back to Sarine and walked to the dorms. Sarine walked the other way to her office. She walked in, placed the rose and cloak on the corner of her desk, sat down, and eyed the pen.

Should I? she thought.

Yes, she should. And she did. She took a sheet of paper out of her notebook and wrote:

Monsieur le Fantome,

Being a full-time resident of this opera house, you have undoubtedly noticed new management. I myself am the new owner and am asking for help. We have no opera to perform, and I loved 'Don Juan'. I have heard of you as a great composer and architect, which is why I am asking you for help. Please assist us in putting on shows better than any before.

Sincerely,

Sarine M. Toumont

After she signed her name, she folded the letter up and sealed it with wax. She then folded the cape up, placed it on the desk, and placed the letter on top of it. Curling up under the tatty blanket, she lay on the couch and fell asleep, this time remembering to blow the lights out.