Chapter 2: Temper

Christine groaned as she hopped off the stage. Rehearsals had been excruciatingly long and tiring today. And it didn't exactly help that she couldn't stop worrying about Erik. Was he still upset with her? He had left her in her dressing room so abruptly that she didn't have time to say anything. She couldn't stand the thought of him being upset with her. She had to talk to him.

"Christine! Christine, wait up!" Meg Giry ran to catch up with her friend.

"Christine! What's wrong? Where were you last night?" Meg grabbed her arm as Christine rushed down the hall.

Christine turned to look at her friend. "Nothing, Meg. I'm just tired that's all."

"You didn't answer my other question. Where were you? Maman and I were worried when you weren't in your dressing room, and I daresay Monsieur Vicomte was quite upset." Meg said suggestively.

"What? Raoul? He's just a friend, that's all," Christine trailed off as they came to her door. "Now if you'll please excuse me, I'm exhausted and need some rest".

Meg nodded and gave Christine a quick hug before running off. Christine sighed as she opened the door.

Placing her music on her desk, Christine walked to the mirror. She began nervously fumbling with her dress.

"Erik?"

Erik was indeed waiting in the darkness of the passageway behind the mirror. He watched Christine come in and silently cursed himself for being there. She wouldn't want anything to do with him, now that she'd seen him. The look of horror upon her face when she'd laid eyes upon his face had been enough to make him wish he'd never talked to her.

"Erik?" The sound of her voice jolted him back out of his thoughts. She was calling to him. Did she know he was here? No, he decided, she couldn't see him. And he shouldn't say anything.

"I need to talk to you! I know you're in there! Please come out!" her tone dropped to a whisper. Was that a hint of sadness he detected?

Tears flowed down her cheeks as she fell to the floor. He was upset with her. She wished she had never touched the mask. She had ruined her most treasured relationship and now he would never talk to her again.

"Christine, don't cry. I'm here" He moved the latch and mirror opened, revealing a handsome man dressed in black with a white porcelain mask covering half his face.

He sat down next to her and gently moved a stray curl from her face. Suddenly her arms were around his neck as she sobbed into his chest.

Erik froze. This was more contact then he had ever known. His tense hands gently stroked her head as she cried into him.

"Oh I was so worried! Are you still upset with me? I can never forgive myself for betraying your trust! Do you hate me? Oh please say you forgive me! I so want to continue our lessons!" Christine was lost in her tears, almost hysterical.

"Christine, I could never hate you! I'll forgive you this time, but you must never ever do that again, do you understand? Promise me!" he pulled her chin up and stared into her chocolate eyes.

"I promise," she whispered. They sat like that for a moment before her body became limp with sleep. He laughed softly to himself before standing up and gently lying her in her bed.

Gazing down at her, his blue-green eyes took in her beauty. She truly looked like an angel.

"Good night, mon ange," he whispered.

He hesitated before bending down to kiss her forehead. And then he was gone.

Erik sat by his piano, thinking over what had happened. She had seen him at his worst, and yet she still wanted to be near him? It didn't make sense. A loud splash quickly gained his attention.

"Madame, you should not be here," he said coolly.

"Erik, what exactly do you think you are doing with Christine," Madame Giry questioned as she came near him.

"None of your business," he growled.

"Erik, it is exactly my business. Christine is like a daughter to me. I brought her here after her father died and looked after her."

"I've looked after her too," he muttered, turning away from her.

"I know; that's why I'm here. I don't want you to hurt her. I don't know why you brought her here last night, or what you did, but I don't like it at all. She's still a young girl, Erik. Don't do her any harm," she pleaded.

"Madame, I can assure you I mean to do no such thing. Now kindly leave me." He ordered.

She obeyed, her skirts rustling as she left. Erik sighed and returned to his music.

When Christine awoke, she noticed an object on her desk. Walking over curiously, she smiled when she realized it was a beautiful red rose with a black ribbon tired in a bow around it. It smelled so wonderful! Glancing down she found a note.

My dear Christine,

I hope this finds you well this morning. Please come to your room immediately after rehearsal ends. Dress warmly. We shall continue your lessons then. Good luck today.

Erik

Christine smiled. He was still going to teach her. Just then, there was an abrupt knock on the door.

Tying a robe around her slender body, Christine went to answer the door. "Raoul!" she exclaimed, taken aback at the handsome blonde standing in her doorway.

"My dear Christine! I was so worried the other night when you were not here! Where were you?" his expression was one of sincerity. Which made her feel bad for lying to him.

"Oh, I was out visiting a sick friend. I'm sorry I wasn't here. But I did tell you I couldn't have dinner. You should have listened." Christine clicked her tongue, wishing he wasn't there.

"Well, perhaps we can reschedule? How about tonight, dearest?" Raoul leaned in and pecked her cheek.

"What? Raoul, no! Get off me! What do you think you are doing? I can't have dinner tonight, or any other night for that matter! Now please, leave!" Christine pushed him away and moved to shut the door.

"Christine! No, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It's just you look so beautiful," Christine blushed at that, " and I couldn't resist. Please, you're not giving me a chance! We're friends, just one dinner. To catch up on old times, Little Lotte. Please." His bottom lip jetted out and she couldn't help but give in.

"Alright, Raoul. Tomorrow. Now please, I'm almost late to rehearsals!" Christine slammed the door in his face. What was she doing? Erik would surely be upset with her. But Raoul was just a friend. Erik could understand that, right?

She quickly got dressed, grabbed her music, and headed to rehearsal.

Erik was dumbfounded. Why on Earth would she agree to accompany that boy to dinner? He was nothing but a fop! A slave of fashion! Unless… unless she had feelings for him! That was the perfect explanation for her actions. She was in love with that… that… insolent boy! Anger shook throughout his body. How could she do that to him? Betray him once more? She belonged to him, not that fool! Oh, she would pay for this, he thought, before returning to his lair.

Christine hurried excitedly to her room. Tonight she'd be with him. She blushed at the thought of Erik, making a mental note not to do that in front of him.

Turning the knob she ran into her room, only to run right into Erik. She lost her balance and Erik reached down a gloved hand to stable her.

"E-Erik! You startled me!" Christine's breath was heavy.

"You're late."

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry, rehearsals ran over today. I ran here as fast as I could." Christine looked down, hoping he'd forgive her.

"Well let's not waste any time." Erik grabbed her hand and turned to walk through the open mirror.

The lesson lasted only a couple hours, but it seemed like an eternity to Erik. When it was at last over, Christine turned to leave.

"Our next lesson will be tomorrow night, and don't be late this time!" Erik called to her.

Christine turned around. "Erik, I already have plans for tomorrow night. Perhaps we can move it to another time?"

"And what exactly are your plans for tomorrow night?" he spat at her angrily.

She was startled by his tone, and realized he had heard her talk with Raoul that morning.

"Erik, please. It's only dinner with an old friend. To catch up on old times. Please don't be angry." She knew he was very possessive of her, even if she didn't understand why.

"And I'm to believe this? That's he just a friend. A young, rich, handsome friend. Don't lie to me! I know you're in love with him! That you'd do anything to be with him! I know what you've done with him! You can't lie to me, you're his whore!" his jealous and anger overpowered him. He had lost all control.

Christine was horrified at his accusations. Her mouth hung open as she stared at him in shock. How could he say such things to her? Shock quickly turned to anger as tears poured down her face.

She left before he could find the words to apologize.