Disclaimer: Erik, Christine and Co are all property of Gaston Leroux, Susan Kay, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber etc. I own the plot.
Chapter Four: The Morning
Erik let Christine lead him up the stairs of the inn to her room. They sat down together on the edge of the bed. When Christine caressed Erik's cheek it was the last straw. He buried his head in her chest and let out a heaving sob. She held him whilst he cried and slowly slipped off his mask. She put it on the bedside table and it remained there until the sun came up…
Erik awoke feeling as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He couldn't ever remember feeling so warm and secure, not even in his opera house. He lifted his head to discover what had made him feel so good. He came nose to nose with a sound asleep Christine Daaé. Somehow, in the night he had ended up laid half on top of her with his head in the crook of her neck. He admired her peaceful face close up and he could feel her warm breath on his cheek. He froze. He quickly lifted a hand to his face and realised the shocking truth. He was not wearing the mask…
Christine stirred and groaned something about 'not sleeping in a corset' before opening her eyes. She gave a smile when she saw Erik. "Good morning." She murmured to him as she sat up. "Are you alright?" She asked when she realised that he was staring at her. "You can see my face." It was a statement not a question that came from Erik's mouth. "I'm not wearing my mask."
"Yes…" Christine said looking genuinely puzzled. "What's the problem? You are not mad at me for removing it again, are you?" Erik, however still looked confused.
"Aren't you going to faint or scream or something like that?"
"Oh, Erik! You had me worried for a moment there. I'm not concerned about your face. The first time I removed your mask I was afraid of how angry at me you were, not what your face looked like… I'd rather wake up to your face than Raoul's any day, charming though he is." He gave a small smile, clearly still a little unsure of himself. Christine made the smile genuine as she pulled him to her and planted one kiss on each of his cheeks.
After another kissing session they got up and smoothed their wrinkled clothes. Christine packed all her things (the ones that she had managed to grab in one trip to the opera house) into a small trunk. After she paid the bill they headed off towards the Giry's house.
Meanwhile…
Raoul sat staring at the ring in his hand. He had just received a very displeasing letter and a certain ring. He was in a state of shock and anger. The note from his ex was clasped in his fist. It read:
Dear Raoul,
I hope this letter finds you well. I also send my deepest apologies for deceiving you. I love the Phantom, Raoul. I thought that we could still have something together but I feel nothing when you kiss me. The one kiss I shared with him gave me feeling I have never felt before. I do love you, but as the brother only. Someday, I hope you will find a woman to love you as I love my Angel.
Once again, I am very, very sorry.
All my love,
Christine Daaé
He growled and furiously thrust the note into the flames of the sitting room fire. He would not be treated like this! He silently swore to get revenge on the blasted Opera Ghost and his bride, Christine Daaé.
TBC…
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