1The Return of the Phantom 8: The Dinner Date

The curtain call is over and everyone rushes off stage. Chelle and Derrick are the last people off. He walks her to her dressing room, "I'll meet you back here after we change out of our costumes. By the way you were great tonight."

He leaves Chelle to go change out of her costume. She puts on a long black sleeveless dress, and she pulls her hair up in a loose bun. Chelle is very excited about going out with Derrick and yet at the same time very nervous because of all the events that been happening. She wants to have a good time out, but she just can't stop thinking about the man in box five. After fifteen minutes she hears a knock on the dressing room door. She opens the door and see Derrick standing there; he is wearing a black tail tuxedo. "Are you ready mademoiselle?"

"Yes, Monsieur." Chelle takes his arm and he leads her to the main door of the opera house. He opens the door for her and they step outside. There is a horse drawn carriage waiting there for them. Chelle smiles at the site; it is the most beautiful thing she has ever seen. Derrick leads her up to the carriage and helps her inside.

Derrick turns to the driver and says, "To the park Monsieur." He looks over at you and smiles, "I hope you like it".

"Yes, it is wonderful. So were going to the park?"

"You'll have to wait dear Chelle. By the why you look ravishing."

"Thank you"' Chelle says smiling and trying not to blush. "It is a wonderful out tonight."

"Yes, and I could think of no other way to spend it other than with you."

They arrive at the park; Derrick takes Chelle's hand and helps her out of the carriage. Derrick leads her to the center of the park. There in the middle of the park is a candle light table set up for two. Derrick walks over to the table and pulls the chair out for her, "Your seat, Chelle."

"This is for us", Chelle never had anyone do something like this for her it was as if it were out of a dream. They sit down at the table. He raises his hand and a waiter comes over to them and hands them a menu. They look at the menu as the waiter walks away and then Chelle looks up at Derrick, "I didn't know there were waiters working at the park", she says jokingly.

"I hired them from one of the finest restaurants of Paris. Are you ready to order?"

"Yes, I believe so." Derrick motions to the waiter. Chelle orders Fettuccini Alfredo and Derrick orders Lasagna and a glass of white wine. Several minutes pass and the waiter comes out with their food and the wine. They both eat their meal; it is the best meal they ever tasted. Once they are done with their meal Derrick takes Chelle's hand and leads her to another part of the park.
"I heard that if this show is a success that Monsieur Leroux is going to throw a masquerade at the Opera House. It will be first masquerade they had in centuries", Derrick says.

"A masquerade would be quite lovely, I bet the last time they had one was when Erik and Christine were still alive."

"Yes, well I was hoping that perhaps you would like to go with me, that is if they have one".

"I would have to think about that Monsieur Derrick. But, right now lets focus on tonight. What else does it have in store?"

They continue walking through the park when they start to hear the sound of water and music playing ahead. At the end of the park they see a lake; on the lake is a gondola. Derrick takes Chelle's hand and helps her on to the gondola. Derrick then sits down next to her The rower of the gondola starts off; the whole time he is singing French Arias. It all reminds Chelle of a old romance movie. The night couldn't get any better. There are stars shining down from the dark night sky; and the singing in the background. They ride the gondola all around the lake and then it drops them off where they first started.

They walk back to the carriage and then ride back to the opera house. At the opera house Derrick leads Chelle up to the roof top. "This is the spot the real Christine and Raoul came to the night of the masquerade."

"Yes, I know. It's wonderful. I never imagined that this could ever happen to me. I mean first to get to play the part of Christine, but to make it better I get to play the part here at the very Opera house that all of it took place in."

Derrick looks over at Chelle and notices that she is shivering. "Are you cold we can go back in if you like?"

"No, I want to stay. It's just a little chilly up here. But, I want to stay it's so beautiful."

"Here put this on", he takes off the jacket of his tux, and puts it around her shoulders. They then just stand there in each others arms for several minutes. It's as if there is nothing else in the world at that time other then them.

Several minutes pass; they both decide that it's time to go back in. Derrick and Chelle walk down all the stair cases that lead to her room. When they arrive at her room Derrick opens the door for her. "I hope you had a wonderful time tonight, Chelle."

"I did very much. Everything was lovely."

"You are lovely dear Chelle", Chelle tries to say something but Derrick puts his finger up to her lips to stop her. He then slides his hand over to her cheek and leans in to kiss her. Chelle closes her eyes and just stand there letting him kiss her. After he kisses her he turns to leave, "Goodnight my dear Chelle."

Chelle calls after him, "Derrick, I would love to go to the masquerade with you; that is if there is one." She then throw her arms around him and kiss him again.

Derrick finally leaves; the night was prefect nothing could make it go wrong. Chelle turns into her room and walks over to the bed. There on the bed she sees a single red rose with a black ribbon tied around it and a note. Chelle picks up the note with very shaky hands; she is afraid to open it. She finally get the nerve and open it.

"Dear Mademoiselle,
You were a sensation tonight. Tonight you gave your soul. Your soul is very beautiful, my child, and I thank you. No emperor every received such a gift! The angels wept tonight. (Gaston Lerouxs Phantom pg. 24) If you have not heard already Monsieur Leroux is going to be holding a masquerade after the show on closing night. I would be waiting for you by the grand stair case. I will be wearing a full black mask that covers the top of my face and a dark blue suit with a matching cape. Meet me there at 10:00. I will be waiting for you my dear. Your angel, OG."