Chapter 5

When I got home my mother practically swooped down upon me wiping a damp cloth on my face, and putting more lavender oil on me. She then powdered my face, and painted my lips and lightly around my eyes. She then had Anne tighten my corset and tidy me hair. I looked at my mother as if she were insane once she was done and pinched my cheeks for color. I could hardly breath, my breasts were pushed up immensely by the corset and my waist was practically as thin as my neck!

"Oh, Emily! The Preece's are here! You won't believe your eyes when you see Laurent, and he's not married or engaged!" Her blue eyes were sparkling.

I sighed, so that's why she attacked me; he wasn't married yet. He was probably fat and spoiled, and I'm sure his nose still ran.

As I walked into our parlor I was greeted by Madame Preece's beaming face, the years had been good to her, I could not, however, say the same for her husband, though he was much older than she. I spoke with her for a few moments; glancing about the room every so often. It seemed as though anyone of importance was there, including my Aunt. I made a note to myself to avoid her seeing as I had missed our dinner together that afternoon. I looked around for a fat blonde haired boy with a runny nose. I did not see any but I recognized many of the guests; old friends of the family, and there were some guests I did not know at all.

Of the guests I did not know one stood out especially. A handsome young man with light brown hair and brilliant green eyes. He smiled at me, making eye contact, from across the room and bowed his head slightly. I returned the bow and a small smile crept over my lips, then he turned to one of the many guests I was familiar with, it seemed he was asking my name. I smiled in spite of myself and went on having small talk with some guests.

At one point, while I was standing by myself, I felt a light tap on my bare shoulder. I turned and saw the handsome young man standing there.

"Good evening, Miss Sterling." He said and smiled at me.

"Good evening." I returned and waited for him to introduce himself. However, he just stood there quietly.

"So, Emily, how have you been?" He asked breaking the silence.

"Um, I've been well." I answered, a hint of confusion in my voice. The man laughed lightly and I gave him a questioning look, "Please, what is so funny, sir?"

"Emily, it's me!" He smiled, and my confusion grew, "Laurent! I thought for sure you recognized me when you smiled. I had to make sure it was you."

My jaw dropped; I was horror struck. This handsome, kind, young gentleman was Laurent! Runny nosed, rude, hair pulling, toad holding, immature Laurent!

He laughed cheerfully and closed my mouth, "That's really not an attractive look for you, though what is?"

What did he just say! Ha! Gentleman my left foot! He hadn't changed at all…well, maybe just a little. He was tall and fit, well groomed, his green eyes shone magnificently against his tanned skin, farther complementing his handsome features. Wait! No! I refused to find his attractive, he is still just an immature little boy in a man's body!

I think he was able to tell I was offended, he tried to apologize but I wouldn't have it. I left and went into the grand dinning room, in which guests had started to go in and find their seats.

Small placards were placed on the plates and I read each one looking for mine. The names I read were mostly familiar to me, old family friends. But the names I read next made me do a double take. Raul de Changy and Christine Daae de Changy. I stared at the cards in disbelief. Since when did my parents know the Vicomte? He had attended a few of the masquerades my aunt had held… of course, I recalled my mother once telling me how she had met the Vicomte, though I was not interested in her story.

I pulled myself from my thoughts and continued to look for my seat, which was on the other side of the table. I was seated across from the Vicomte and Christine, and much to my dismay, beside Laurent. I decided I would not speak to him, except when I must.

The supper was going fine, until my mother spoke. Somehow our guests had gotten on the topic of "the Opera Ghost" and how a beggar had sworn they saw him a few months ago. Of course the man was slightly mad, so the authenticity of the statement was not high. I kept glancing at Christine and Raul during the conversation, both seemed uncomfortable, I could imagine why. Then…then my mother spoke.

She was laughing at something my aunt had said, no doubt speaking down upon the Phantom, then chuckling she said, "Oh yes, Emily has a very unusual, and I say unhealthy, fascination with the Opera Ghost. An infatuation one could say." The only thing that was heard after that was the clatter of my fork falling to my plate. The entire room had gone silent and were then starring at me; Laurent's look was that of mild amusement, at my embarrassment, I'm sure. I stared horror struck at my mother as my face went crimson.

"I-I…" I tried to speak, to say anything! "I'm not s-sure it's-it's quite so s-serious…" my voice trailed off. I glanced quickly at the Vicomte and Christine then looked down at my plate. For the rest of the night everyone ate in silence, except for a few whispers now and then.

After supper dessert was served in the parlor. I passed up on my share, besides if I wanted any later I had only to go into the kitchens later that night, and went out onto the empty balcony that over looked our garden. I rested my elbows on the stone railing and placed my head in my hands. It was not a very lady-like stance, but I didn't care that much.

Every once in awhile I heard my name whispered among the guests. A pair of voices came near and a straightened up, then it seemed the pair noticed who I was and decided against going out on the balcony.

Minutes passed, perhaps a half hour or so when I heard foot steps behind me. "You know, you really shouldn't fall in love with monsters, it gets people to talking."

I rolled my eyes, it was Laurent. He stood beside me and we were quiet for some time. "I'm sorry," he said, "I haven't been very nice to you." I just scoffed "No, really, I am. I just… I'm so used to the little Emily." He turned towards me, and I looked at him, actually bothering to straighten up, "The Emily that would cry when I teased her, but at the end of the day all would have been forgiven and forgotten as we sat in the play room and told each other stories."

I smiled slightly, "I had forgotten about the stories."

He smiled to, his eyes twinkling, "Apology accepted, then?" I nodded letting out a small laugh. "All right then." He took my right hand and placed a light kiss on it, then looked at the ring the Phantom had given me. "What's this?" he asked looking at it, then let go of my hand.

"Oh, it's nothing. My aunt gave it to me, for my sixteenth birthday." I lied, then turned the ring around so only the silver band showed. Laurent watched me do it but seemed to just shrug it off. Then he looked towards the garden than at me.

"Would you like to take a walk with me? It's such a lovely night, I would hate for it to be ruined by just standing here." He sounded sincere, so I agreed. I took his offered arm and we went down the stairs of the balcony to the garden.

We walked slowly talking to one another and stopping every so often to look at the different flowers in the dark. Once or twice I thought I saw something in the shadows, I had a feeling it could be the Phantom, so I would loosen my grip on Laurent's arm and try not to smile so broadly. We were stopped at a fountain, reminiscing about the times we had played in it as children, when I heard two pairs of footsteps behind us, the a voice;

"Do you mind if we join you?" a man said.

"Not at all, it'd be a pleasure." I answered not bothering to see who it was, only turning my head slightly to the two, while I continued to watch the falling water. Only when the two stood beside us did I look to see who they were. It was Raul and Christine, I looked back at the fountain quickly, and un-meaningly clutched Laurent's arm.

I think he sensed I was uncomfortable just standing there; although he had not lived in Paris at the time he knew the story of the Phantom of the Opera and how Christine and Raul had been involved.

"We are going to continue our walk now, if you wish to join us." Laurent said and began walking.

"Thank you" I whispered as quietly as I could, he just smiled.

A moment later the Vicomte and Christine had caught up to us, which was not all that hard considering Laurent and I were not walking all that fast. The four of us walked in silence, listening to the sounds that drifted down from the parlor. Then something caught my eye, something in the shadows of the trees that surrounded my family's manor. I slowed, almost to a stop, but then it was gone.

Laurent stopped as well and looked at me, "What is it?" he asked, Raul and Christine had stopped as well.

"Nothing, I just thought I saw something." I said pointing in the general direction, "It was probably just a rabbit or squirrel, or something." I dropped my arm and glanced back at the trees, seeing nothing.

"That is a very pretty ring." Christine said motioning to my hand. I suppose I had unconsciously turned it back around. "It looks like one I once had." She added and glanced at Raul, who only nodded looking at the ring.

"Oh, thank you." I said quietly, then it dawned on me, hadn't Christine given her ring to the Phantom? Or at least that is what they said.

"Her aunt, the Countess, gave it to her. For her birthday, actually." Laurent said as a matter-of-fact. God bless him!

I nodded, "She gave it to me on the sixteenth birthday, four years ago." I continued from what Laurent had said.

"Oh? You are not much older than I, then." Christine said, "Only by two years, I had no idea. I was under the impression you were older."

"Oh, really?" I smiled, at this point I just wanted the night to end. As if in answer to my prayer it began to sprinkle. "Thank the Lord!" I thought as all four of us hurried back to the parlor.

((NOTE: I don't know how old anyone in PotO is supposed to be, but in this story I'm having Christine be 18))