A/N Thank you to my reviewer, I am so thankful to hear what you think.

Ch 8♪

News of the opera spread fast throughout the city of Paris. It was true; the absence of the Opera Populair had left Paris with a sense of loss. So naturally, the news that the Theater Magnifique's Opera had defiantly caused a stir of utter excitement in the city.

Every member of the theater company knew that the composer was the one and only, O.G. It seemed that this so called ghost had used his ways of persuasion to make the managers agree to put on the production. It was also known that the managers were very stubborn men so the Opera Ghost had to have actually done something drastic.

Truth be told, one of the ballerinas, Adrienne, had said she saw M. Dubon one night running for his life.

"I swear on all that is good." Adrienne began excitedly. "I walked into the theater and that was when I heard a scream. So naturally I hid behind a pillar and when I looked up to the stage I saw Dubon on stage and he looked very, very frightened."

"I don't believe you." Anna interjected.

"No you have not heard the rest." She fought back before continuing. "Well when I looked up at the stage I saw another man whom I have no clue about and he was carrying a Punjab lasso. I know it was the Opera Ghost because I heard Dubon beg him not to hurt him over and over. I promise all I have said is true."

"Adrienne that is such bull." Anna said thinking the young child was crazy.

"It is true." The girl fought back only to be interrupted by Madam Burbon.

"Let's stop the chattering and let me see more dancing." Madam Burbon hissed at them.

But of course Anna had thought it was all the imaginings of a silly little girl. Anna had also not seen Erik in over a week. It was beginning to take a tole on her heart, and she felt as if he was not coming back. Anna had felt responsible for that. Maybe he realized she was not worth it, especially if she doubted his love so much.

But with the coming of a new opera, there was so much work to be done. It was the tedious task of the managers to find the new soprano. They had auditioned many girls, but each one just did not hold her own next to Anna. It was Anna's wish that they would hurry up and find someone. Anna was getting terribly impatient working with Madam Degas.

"M. Dubon you should really give up this search, and just cast me as the opera's second star." Madam Degas told the manager.

"Well Madam, we do have one more audition today." Dubon told her with an evil smirk.

"Really." She replied back, showing her obvious annoyance. "Who?"

"Christine Daae." M. Dubon replied back, laughing evilly inside.

Madam Degas did not even reply. She simply, but very loudly, huffed off stage as she babbled something to herself. Anna had been sitting in the audience, along with Richard and the ballerinas, when she heard the announcement.

"Richard did you know Christine was to audition?" Anna asked his curiously.

"No, but I have heard the girl sing." He said in the same curious tone as Anna's. "So I am guessing she will get the part, right?"

"I suppose." Anna said thinking of Erik's reaction.

"Oh Anna do not worry, the managers still love you more." He said pulling Anna into a hug.

"Very funny Richard." Anna replied sarcastically. "But that is not what I am worried about."

"Well again do not worry; I am going to sit over there with Catalina." Richard told her suddenly, as he pointed over to the ballets' principle dancer.

"Why?" Anna asked confused as to why he was leaving.

"Because Andrew is coming over, and you know how he annoys me." Richard said mockingly

"You and me both." Anna stated before she had realized what she had said.

"Good Luck Anna." Richard said as he walked away laughing to himself.

"Hello Darling." Andrew said as he brought Anna to his lips.

Anna felt extremely awkward as he kissed her, and she got the strangest notion that she was being watched.

"Hello Andrew." Anna said as they broke away, breathless.

"Have you heard the news?" Andrew asked her enthusiastically. "Christine is to audition."

"Yes and it is wonderful for I am quite certain that she will attain the part." Anna said as she rubbed his shoulder in assurance.

"I am happy to see you excited over this." Andrew said as she caressed her cheek. "Raoul and Christine are to be here any moment. Would you are to join me up to the lobby to meet them?

"No I think I will go and freshen up first." Anna said already walking away. "I shall be back shortly."

As Anna walked to her dressing room, she knew someone was watching her. Following her with a fixed gaze. The thought of who this person might be conjured up butterflies in her stomach. She ran the rest of the way to her dressing room, hoping to meet the person she most longed to see.

But as she entered her dressing room she was met with only herself.

"How foolish I am." She told her sadly.

Anna walked over to her vanity and sat down. Then a voice coming from everywhere and nowhere, it seemed started to speak.

"The Angel of Music guides and guards you." Erik spoke. "Come to the Angel of Music."

Anna could not help but smile, a weight instantly lifted off of her heart. "Come to me sweet angel."

As she looked back into the mirror she saw Erik standing behind her.

"I am your angel of music." He spoke seductively as he captured her lips with his.

Anna savored the kiss and wished so hard that this could have lasted forever. But reality would eventually catch up with them.

"Why have you been gone so long?" Anna asked him, not hiding her hurt feelings. "I was scared you were not coming back."

"Why would you ever think that?" Erik asked her confused.

Erik held Anna's face in his hand to making sure she was looking at him when she spoke. "I was scared that maybe I had driven you away for doubting our love."

Erik could see the truth and despair in her eyes. He could not help but pull her into a hug.

"Anna do not ever worry about me leaving I would never do that to you." He said kissing the top of her head. "But I do have a job Anna, and you have also been gallivanting around with your precious Duke."

Anna could sense the anger in his voice.

"Please do not be angry with me about that for you know I just cannot leave him." She saw that he was about to speak but silenced him. "It is just not the right time."

"Anna explain to me, what is truly stopping you from leaving." Erik bit out angrily. "The bastard has not even proposed to you."

"And like you have." Anna said bitterly.

Erik did not know how to take what she had said. It hurt him to admit it, but she was right. What would she leave the Duke for? Would it be an unsure future with a wounded composer and architect? He had never even thought about Anna's and his future, except for the fact that he at least saw her in it.

"I am sorry." Erik said showing his defeat, and she could see the look of regret in Anna's eyes for what she had just said to him.

"Erik wa..." Anna began but was cut off by Erik.

"No, Anna do not apologize for you are right. I suppose there is noting left for me to do, other than to wait for you." He said sincerely. "I love you Anna."

Anna watched him walk to the door and wanted so desperately to say something. But she could not find the words.

"God give me the courage to show you." Anna spoke softly through her tears. "You are not alone."

She spoke those words as she silently prayed for Erik. She would show him he was never to be alone, that in the end of all of this, she would always be there. When she returned to the auditorium, the scene before her had remained the exact same.

"Anna." A voice shouted

Anna was smacked back into reality by Christine. She looked lovelier that ever. Anna quickly plastered in a fake smile and greeted the de Chagnys'.

"It is so wonderful to see you again." Christine said as she pulled Anna into a tight hug.

"I cannot believe you are really auditioning." Anna told her smiling.

"Well you reminded me of just how much I really miss it, so I figured I could give it a shot." Christine spoke with so much enthusiasm. "So Raoul here has encouraged me to audition."

"That is so wonderful Christine." Anna spoke, truly happy for the girl.

"Well wish me luck." Christine said as she turned to walk on stage.