Christine woke to the morning sunlight shining through her window and down onto her face gently. She felt peaceful, until she remembered the fop's cruel behavior. Once again she was boiling under her skin. She sighed and let herself calm down, so as not to ruin the peaceful sense. She slipped out of bed and dressed into a nice looking outfit and smiled. She began to wonder what this day had ins tore for her. She moved her hand down to her swollen stomach. For a slight moment she thought she could feel tiny movements. To think Raoul had tried to destroy the unborn child hurt Christine. She was sure that he didn't love her, not anymore.
She self-consciously strode out of her room and into the hassled rooms of the Opera House. She glanced up from time to time, watching a shadow lurk above her protectively. Just his presence made Christine feel confident enough to face the world.
She had been dismissed of her normal Opera duties for her pregnancy. But she still liked to wonder about the stages. Except for the stage that La Carlotta happened to be singing at. She was singing a song from Faust, very loudly…but not so well. Christine chuckled to herself at the Prima Dona's ironic voice. Her croaking had not completely subsided, as she gave a small croak and began to freak out. Christine felt a light hand on her shoulder and turned her face to see Meg, grinning ever so mockingly at Carlotta. Christine couldn't help but laugh as well. She had never felt so good about herself. She had her friend beside her, a diva to mock, her Angel right above her, and to top it off a child. But with the good comes bad. Behind her the Viscount appeared and glared at Carlotta as she squealed frantically and rushed off stage.
Of course Meg and Christine burst out laughing, and Christine thought she heard the faintest chuckle right above her.
Christine turned to see Raoul gazing at the stage. She uncomfortably tried to slip past him. Unfortunately, as she was walking down the halls, her shadowed Angel above somewhere, she could hear the fop's footsteps behind her. She moved faster and absentmindedly started up the staircase leading to the top of the Opera House. When she thought she had lost him, she glanced up as she climbed the staircase. She saw the white mask disappear into the shadows, finding a way to follow her unseen. But then the fop caught up with her again; she quickly cats her gaze away from the Phantom.
Christine let herself out onto the rooftop which now, the snow had all melted away. She walked over to the edge of the roof and looked out at the scenery. It was so beautiful, she almost didn't notice a hand placed on hers. But she did, she flinched and coldly turned away. There was no way of avoiding Raoul now.
"Christine, why do you run from me so?" his voice made her heart ache in pain. She so dearly wished her Angel were the one beside her now. "Christine I love you." Raoul was singing. Christine turned to him and cast her eyes into his.
She shook her head, "You do not love me. You have proven it all too well. You only want to take me away from the Phantom because you are jealous." Raoul looked most sincere, "Christine, have you let him poison you so, that you can not see my love? What has he done to you? Will you ever be the same? Are you going to let him do whatever he pleases with your life? Yes, that's right Christine; you have your own life. You don't have to let him control you." Christine turned away. Part of what he said was getting to her. Like a knife it was cutting through her heart, and slicing it in two. In one half, her Angel promised a life with music, protection, love and passion, and in the other was Raoul, the Viscount who had been her childhood sweetheart, the boy who had always adored her so. For once, she actually felt torn. Raoul noticed that his words were having an effect.
The Phantom was watching, safely away, and also realized Christine's change of mood. He took a deep breath, knowing to trust her with all he had. The fop was simply doing what he had accused the Phantom of doing, he was manipulating Christine's mind, and the Phantom knew it. He would not be angry, not matter what.
Raoul took Christine's hand in his own and sighed. "Christine, come back. Come back to me. You have been drifting so far way, isn't it time to swim back home?" Christine looked up into eyes, with sorrow (that he was manipulating her so) hatred, sadness, and the slightest hint of love.
On seeing her eyes, and getting no rejection, Raoul leaned down and kissed Christine.
A/N: Don don duh…lol sorry for the time between chappies! This was a hard chappie to think of though.
Thanx to all my reviewers, and please, keep reviewing!
