The Girl Next Door

"I like that one." Christine said, pointing at a car. Erik lifted an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"I don't know. It's a nice colour and I like the shape." She shrugged, unwilling to admit her lack of knowledge when it came to cars. Erik was obviously aware of it anyway. He sighed.

"You don't want that car. They're not particularly reliable. I think you would be more suited to this." He patted the bonnet of a different car. Christine considered it.

"Well… do you think so?"

"Yes. And it may not be your favourite colour, but it will certainly be more practical in the long run."

Christine chewed her lip and then nodded.

"Alright. I'll trust you on this one." She looked around for the salesman, who came hurrying over to help them. Whilst he and Christine discussed payment and insurance and other boring details, Erik watched Christine carefully. She may not know much about cars, but she was certainly good with people. The salesman had been giving Erik curious looks since they'd arrived, no doubt instigated by the presence of the white mask. Erik had been ignoring him, something that Christine had been aware of and had therefore chosen to talk to the salesman herself, rather than put Erik into a position of awkwardness.

After some time, everything was sorted. Christine wrote out a cheque, gave her details and was assured that she would be contacted within a week when everything was cleared. She turned to Erik and smiled.

"Well, that's that."

"Shall we go somewhere for dinner?" He said as they returned to his car. "Perhaps a restaurant?"

"That sounds nice. Any particular occasion?" She said, slipping her hand into his as they crossed the concrete of the car park.

"Does there have to be a reason?"

"Not at all." She smiled.

"Have you seen this?" Meg said, bursting into Christine's office the next day. Christine didn't look up.

"Seen what?" She muttered, reading over some documents.

"This." Meg thrust a piece of paper at her. It was clearly torn from the notice board and declared that there was to be a birthday party to celebrate Carlotta Guidacelli's twenty-fifth birthday. Christine glanced at it.

"Oh."

"Everyone in the office is invited."

"Oh."

"Are you going?"

"I actually had plans to throw myself to a pack of bloodthirsty wolves that night." Christine commented dryly. Meg grinned.

"C'mon, it could be fun! We'll go, laugh, make fun of the birthday girl…"

"Meg, there is no way in hell that you could persuade me to go to that party." Christine said, looking at the notice again. "For a start, I can't stand Carlotta, and I'm pretty sure she feels the same way about me. And secondly, this party is two weeks on Saturday, which is when Firmin wants me to spend the day in London on that course."

"You'll be back in time for the evening." Meg pointed out. "And why would she put that everyone in the office is invited if she didn't mean you?"

"Because she's not about to write 'everyone in the office, except Christine Daae!'"

Meg huffed and folded her arms.

"At least think about it."

"Fine. And now I'm going to get on with my work, which you should also be doing." Christine said, returning to the documents. Meg glared at the top of her head and then left, muttering darkly.

Erik was dozing in an armchair when Christine got back from work. Cat was curled on his lap and his eyes opened to glance at his mistress before he stretched, claws bared. Christine knelt by the chair to look at Erik. He had been sleeping fitfully at night; she had often heard him waking. Sometimes he got up and sometimes he went back to sleep. But he had never mentioned it to her, so she had decided to wait until he said something before bringing it up. She assumed it was the pressure of work; Hannibal was due to open in just over a month and a half. Now he seemed somewhat peaceful. Christine went into his kitchen to make herself some tea and sat at the island counter to read the local newspaper. There wasn't much of interest to her and she returned to the living room, to find Erik waking. Cat leapt gracefully from his lap to prowl around, stretching his limbs. Erik looked at her in surprise.

"When did you get back?"

"Just a few minutes ago. Sleep well?"

"I did." He was rather surprised, but certainly pleased by the fact. Christine smiled at him.

"Good. You look like you needed the sleep. Do you want some tea?"

"Yes, please."

She went back to the kitchen and Erik followed her.

"How was work?" He asked.

"It was fine. Rather dull today, actually. But I got quite a lot of work done and the campaign starts in two weeks. That'll keep me busy." She said, pouring hot water into a mug. Erik nodded and watched as she prepared his tea. After a few moments she glanced at him. "Are you alright?"

"Yes."

"…You seem… I don't know. Why don't you go and sleep for a bit longer? Maybe you're coming down with something." Christine said, starting to become concerned. Erik smiled slightly at her anxiety.

"I'm fine. A little tired, but I shall get an early night."

"If you're sure." She said, clearly not satisfied. Erik took the tea and sipped it as she put the used spoon into the sink.

"Would you care to do some music?" He asked. She nodded, smiling.

"That'd be great."

She followed him back into the living room and stood by the open balcony windows as he sat at his piano. They did their usual warm ups and once he was sure that she was ready to sing, he searched through his many songs, all kept carefully in plastic folders to protect them. Even copies of the songs he used in his operas were in here, as well as some pieces that were not his own. He looked at her.

"Any requests?"

"I'll let you choose, maestro." Christine said breezily. He considered the many pieces and then took one out.

"I don't believe we've tried this one before."

"Is it one of yours?"

"No." He gave her the music and she read the music as he played it through once. The second time around she began to sing, growing more certain as the music played on.

"Ah! Je ris de me voir
si belle en ce miroir,
Ah! Je ris de me voir
si belle en ce miroir."

He stopped her on several occasions until she was singing it considerably better than she had on her first attempt. It truly was a joy to listen to, hearing her voice improve on each passing try until he knew that he could make her perfect. Eventually he could resist no longer and stopped her. She looked at him expectantly but he didn't say anything. He merely picked up 'The Jewel Song', slipped it back into its plastic wallet and reached for Don Juan Triumphant. Christine's eyes widened briefly and he placed the same piece of music before her, with only the two lines on it. He didn't speak; he merely sat back down and began to play. Christine watched him for a moment before turning her attention to the music before her.

She sang it at least five times before he put the music away again. As he paused, yet again, she worked up the nerve to speak.

"Erik, why don't you release Don Juan Triumphant?" He looked at her and she pressed on. "I've heard it, and I've sung it. It's beautiful music. I mean, it's not your average opera, it's very different. But it's still beautiful. It could be such a success." She said earnestly.

"You don't understand."

"Well, make me understand." Christine said firmly. Erik breathed heavily.

"You read music differently to other people. Especially my music. We have shared so much music that you cannot possibly see how much of a failure Don Juan Triumphant would be."

"How could it fail?"

"People go to operas with certain expectations, which Don Juan Triumphant does not abide to. If I were ever to put this opera on, people would go expecting to see Hannibal or Il Muto. They would not be able to bear the disappointment or they would be repulsed by what they hear. This music, Christine, is far too important to have it scorned by them."

She looked at him, slightly confused.

"Since when have you cared what they think?" She whispered. Erik looked up at her and then back at the music.

"From the beginning."

"Erik-" He began to play loudly, drowning out her words. A heavy weight settled in Christine's chest as she started to sing again.

A couple of days later was Jammes' review. She sat nervously in Firmin's office with him and Christine. Firmin went over her self-evaluation with her and once that was finished, he looked to Christine.

"I've asked Christine to join us since you two have been working together and she'll have a better idea of how you're doing." He smiled at her. "Over to you."

Christine smiled at Jammes.

"Stop panicking, OK? You've got nothing to worry about. Your work has been very impressive for someone of your experience in the business. You're surpassing the standards and targets that were set for you when you started here and you're branching into other areas as well. Meg said that you were really enjoying the radio side."

"I am." Jammes nodded.

"As you know, we've been trialling you on the Hawthorn projects and you've done exceptionally on it. But Richard and I have been speaking and we think you're ready to fly solo for a bit." Christine said. Jammes looked decidedly nervous. Christine took out a sheet of paper. "We got a request from Noel Lefevre. He's finished his latest novel and he wants us to do his advertising again. I'm putting you in charge of a team. Josh and Alex from graphics are on it, you already know them. And there are a couple of people from other departments as well. You know how it all works and now's your time to try it out for yourself."

Jammes was gaping at her incredulously.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I've already informed the team, so all you need to do is get started. If there's any trouble, you know where to get help." Christine smiled. Jammes took the paper, a lovely smile lighting up her face.

"Christine, thank you so much! I can't believe it!"

"You're welcome. I need to have a word with Richard, so why don't you get started?" Jammes nodded, beamed at them both, and left the office, looking as though she were walking on air. Firmin smiled at Christine.

"I think you've just established the role as heroine in her eyes."

"She's got a good brain for the business. She could go so far, Richard, she just needs a push in the right direction." Christine said earnestly.

"I'm glad you think so. Sorelli is going to be going on maternity leave in three months and I was trying to decide who to give her workload to. It's a toss-up at the moment."

"Between who?" Christine said, leaning forward in interest.

Firmin cleared his throat.

"Well, one, obviously, is Jammes…"

"And?"

"And… Carlotta."

"What?" Christine hissed. Firmin huffed.

"I know you don't get on, Christine, but-"

"She doesn't know what she's doing! She's not produced a single piece of work since she's been here! How can you be considering her for a position of that importance? Sorelli has an enormous workload; she'd never be able to cope!"

"I'm afraid it's not that simple. We've had a request from Mr Guidacelli that Carlotta is made into a more… permanent member of the company. A sort of envoy of Guidacelli Tech, someone to update Mr Guidacelli on the proceedings here and how effectively the technology is being used."

"Richard, you can't be serious!" Christine said angrily. "You can't give her that much power over the company! She gives the word and the whole of Populaire Advertising could go under!"

"Which is exactly why we must comply with Mr Guidacelli's instructions." Firmin said. "Carlotta will not be given free reign but she will have a lot of… access."

Christine just looked at him in disgust.

"Surely we are making enough money for the company to become self-reliant?"

"Enough that we don't need a backer but not enough to give us the equipment updates that we need. Without up-to-date equipment, we would soon become ineffectual in comparison to other companies. With the Guidacelli's backing, we can continue to grow and hire more staff, as well as produce the same standard of advertising that Populaire prides itself in." Firmin pointed out in an assuring voice. "Carlotta won't be able to make any large decisions without first consulting me and she won't interfere with your work. If anything, she is an employee of Guidacelli Tech, not Populaire Advertising."

Christine did not look convinced. She exhaled irritably.

"Fine, Richard. But don't give her Sorelli's work. Give it to Jammes, or Meg, or anyone except her. Let her do Daddy's dirty work, but don't let her into our business."

"I can't make that promise, Christine." Firmin said and Christine knew very well that he couldn't. But she thought she'd ask anyway. She stood up.

"I'd better get back to work."

"Christine, this information isn't exactly public yet. I don't suppose I need to tell you to keep it to yourself. Although Meg and Sorelli will probably pick it up as well." He said dryly, his moustache twitching in amusement. Christine smiled weakly.

"Got it."

"Oh, and Christine? We will all be attending Carlotta's birthday party." Firmin said. Christine lifted an eyebrow.

"I've got that course."

"It'll be over by then. You will attend. Bring Mr Destler if you want, but do at least show your face there."

"We're doomed." Meg said simply. "Doomed."

"Screw maternity leave, I'll have the baby at work." Sorelli said gloomily. "No way am I letting Carlotta get her hands on my work. I'll just have the baby by the fax machine and get on with it."

"I mean, we don't hate her the way you do, Christine, but I don't relish the idea of having her in a position of that much power." Meg said, stirring her mocha late. Christine sighed heavily.

"I know… but there's not much else we can do about it. If Firmin turns her down, Populaire's done for."

"And if we keep her, Populaire's done for." Sorelli added. Christine sipped at her coffee and looked out of the window. The late July weather had turned from glorious sunshine to a threatening thunderstorm. The heavy black cloud loomed ominously as they sat in the café for an after-work coffee.

"Well… I suppose there's nothing we can do now, except for put up with it." Meg said decisively.

"I guess so." Christine said, rather miserably. "God, she's going to make my life a living hell, isn't she?"

"Absolutely. But we'll be there to defend you." Sorelli promised. She grinned and patted her stomach again. "It's kicking again." Meg squealed and leant over to feel. No matter how many times she felt it, it always amazed her. Sorelli laughed and looked over at Christine.

"Nadir and I are going to the doctors on Saturday for a check-up. I don't know whether or not I want to know if it's a boy or a girl."

"I hope it's a girl." Meg said, still leaning over Sorelli's bump.

"I don't care. As long as it's healthy, it doesn't matter." Sorelli said firmly. "I'll see how I feel on the day and then I'll decide on whether or not I want to know."

Meg gave Christine a lift home. As they pulled into the car park, Meg said,

"Look, don't worry about this Carlotta thing. It probably just means that she'll get to be more obnoxious than usual. Populaire will probably pull through, no matter what, OK?"

Christine was not thoroughly convinced as she climbed into the lift after picking up her mail. A young man, probably around twenty one or so, smiled at her.

"What floor?"

"Five, please." He pressed five and then eight. Christine glanced at her watch. Erik would be home by now. She glanced through her letters briefly and the young man said,

"I'm Neil. Floor eight."

"Christine. Five."

"Lived here long?"

"Nearly a year. You?"

"Only a few weeks. What are the other residents like?" He asked. Christine suddenly realised that she didn't know.

"I'm not sure, I only know my neighbour on floor five."

"I haven't met my neighbour yet, he's been on holiday." Neil said cheerfully. "Hope he's OK to live with. What's yours like?"

"Well, we've been seeing each for a few months, so it can't be all bad." Christine said wryly as the doors opened at floor five. Neil grinned.

"Nice to meet you."

"You too."

The lift closed and Christine moved towards her apartment. Erik's door was open, as usual and she glanced inside. The radio was on but he wasn't in the living room. She went to her own apartment, took off her coat and put her bag down before going to find Erik. He was in the music room, pacing back and forward, occasionally going to a music stand to write a few notes down. Christine tapped lightly on the open door to let him know she was there. He turned and smiled.

"There you are."

"Sorry, I went for a coffee with the girls. We got some truly terrible news at work today."

"Oh?" He said, putting the music away.

"Carlotta's being made permanent. And powerful." Christine said glumly. Erik looked up in disbelief.

"What? How?"

They went into the kitchen and Christine explained the whole situation whilst Erik made tea. Cat was perched on the edge of the island surface. Christine stroked him as she finished the story.

"It's not been announced yet, but it won't be good news for anyone. But we can't refuse without putting the company in jeopardy."

"Couldn't you find a different backer?" Erik suggested.

"Guidacelli Tech provides our equipment cheaply. If we got another backer, it'd be more expensive for them because we'd have to start paying full prices and that's a hell of a lot of money." Christine sighed. "We'll just have to put up with it. If things start getting out of hand, we can talk to Firmin and try to sort something out."

She shook her head.

"Anyway, what about you? How was your day?"

"Very productive. The costumes are coming along nicely and so are the backdrops and props. It's just a matter of getting it all together. Eleanor and Carl are doing nicely though. Although she is finding Think of Me quite unbearable."

"How? It's a lovely song!" Christine said, perplexed. Erik smiled slightly.

"Which is why I was wondering if you'd mind me recording you? She may understand it a little better if she hears someone else singing it."

"Well, no, of course I don't mind."

"Good. Because I brought home some recording equipment for this evening. Not particularly specialised tools, but they'll have to do." Erik said decisively. Christine laughed quietly and slipped off of her stool to hug him.

"I knew I could count on you to distract me from a bad day."

"I knew I was here for a reason." He said dryly.

A/N: Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's. I actually ended up seeing Narnia instead, and My God, it is an awesome film. See it. Now.

Actually, review. Then see it. I'd like to dedicate this chapter to RachaelMNiner, for a simply lovely review. And the use of 'The Jewel Song' is inspired by a conversation on a forum about whether or not having lyrics in a story is a good thing and someone recommended that I try branching out of the ALW lyrics. I hope it works...

Next: I don't know how many of you know about this, but a certain phan forum called phansonline . net is having the Fourth Morbidity Contest, and voting is now open! Yours truly has entered a story, but since it's anonymous, I'm not telling. Ha. But there are some truly fantastic stories in this one and I urge you to go, read and vote.

www . angelfire . com / scary / darkphiccontest /

Rules are all on there. Go, now! And read!

Lotsa luv

Katie