Chapter 4

Mr. Destler and I practiced very hard for my opening night recital. It was the first time I would have ever been on stage, but he was so proud of me I didn't have time to be afraid.

"Now Christine, many people are going to be out there tonight, are you sure you are ready?"

"Yes Mr. Destler, I know I am!"

He smiled at me and kissed my cheek gently.

"You'll be great."

I blushed and instantly my hand flew to my cheek. Then without warning, I turned and ran to the backstage door.

As I sat in my dressing room, I brushed my hair while staring at myself in the mirror.

Why do I act like a child around him? The thoughts flooded my mind until a knock was at my door.

"Miss Daae, 5 minutes!"

I quickly gathered my things and hurried up to the stage. I began to wish my father would be here to see this. But unfortunately, he was away on business like usual. It seemed like Mr. Destler was more like my caretaker than my music teacher since my father was always gone. As I got behind the curtain, people crowded me trying to brush up my makeup and fix my hair. Suddenly, it was my cue and I walked out onto the stage. Mr. Destler sat at the piano, his hand extending towards me. I smiled as I took it and he placed a kiss on it. Then he began to play my song.

"When I fall in love, it will be forever. Or I'll never fall in love.

In a restless world like this is, love is ended before it's begun. And too many moonlight kisses,

seem to cool in the warmth of the sun. When I give my heart, it will be completely. Or I'll never give my heart. And the moment I can feel that, you feel that way too. Is when I fall in love with you. When I give my heart, it will be completely, or I'll never give my heart. And the moment, I can feel that, you feel that way too. Is when I fall in love, when I fall in love, is when I fall in love, with you."

The crowd applauded with an uproar as I curtsied and turned to Mr. Destler.

"You did very well my dear. I am pleased with you."

Back in my dressing room, as I was getting ready to go home with Mr. Destler, a knock came to my door.

"Flowers for you miss, from Mr. Destler."

I took the beautiful bouquet of red roses in my arms and read the card.

"Christine,

You have made me very proud of you tonight. You sang beautifully. Bravo my dear sweet child.

Love Mr. Destler

I smiled as I held the note in my hands. Suddenly I saw Mr. Destler in my doorway. I turned around to meet his loving smile.

"Oh Christine, you were wonderful." he said as he embraced me.

"Thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful."

"Like you." he replied with a smile.

I blushed and he smiled.

"Are you ready to go home?"

"Yes"

It was a beautiful night outside. It was close to Christmas so it was very cold here in Paris, but still, it was spectacular.

"Such a beautiful night to walk home." said Mr. Destler

"Yes it is." I agreed.

He took my hand in his own gloved hand and I smiled at him.

The moon was so bright tonight and the stars were everywhere.

"Nature is so beautiful." I whispered.

"So are you." he whispered back, then stopping.

"Christine, I have something I have needed to tell you for a long time. I am not sure exactly how to start, but I will before I pass out from fear."

I smiled at his silliness but before he began, I heard a gunshot in the air.

"What was that?" I asked

"I'm not sure, but we need to leave right now."

He took my hand in his once more and we began to run down the street. Suddenly, another gun shot was heard and this time I screamed. I knew they were after us.

"Christine, they want me, not you. Run, run into that alley right there and wait. Please my love, wait."

"No Mr. Destler, I can't go without you."

"Please Christine, for your own safety, go now!"

I turned from him and ran into the alley. Suddenly Mr. Destler was jumped by a man in all black clothing.

Running down the dark night street I came to see them. Mr. Destler and another man fiercely fighting, doing anything possible to hurt the other. "Mr. Destler?" I whispered.

"Christine, get away from here!" he screamed.

Suddenly 2 other men came surrounding me, pushing me down to the ground.

"Get your hands off her!" screamed Mr. Destler.

The man who had been fighting with Mr. Destler pushed him up to his knees and the others brought me to him.

"Little girl, this man you know so well...I think you deserve to see behind the facade he wears everyday."

"No, please, don't do this to me." pleaded Erik.

"Shut up!" screamed a man while kicking Erik in the side.

"See, look at his face!" he screamed while ripping off his mask.

Mr. Destler quickly tried to hide his face, but to no avail. But as I sat there looking at him, I knew then why he wore the mask. He was disfigured. But not badly. His face was a bit red and his one eye kind of drooped, but nothing extremely major.

"Oh Mr. Destler." I whispered, "You're still beautiful to me."

His eyes looked up at mine quickly and filled with tears.

"Christine..." he whispered.

"What! You think this is beautiful! He is a freak! He was a sideshow at my carnival!"

"You wicked evil man, Mr. Destler is not a freak, he is a beautiful and handsome man whom I love with my entire heart and no amount of disfigurement could ever change that!"

The man just looked into my eyes and motioned for his men to leave us. He got up and whispered to Mr. Destler, "I'm not done with you yet. You will still pay for killing my brother."

As they walked away, Mr. Destler put his mask back on and looked at me. Being only inches apart, he pulled me to him and brought my lips to his.

"Christine..." he moaned.

He kissed my face and the nape of my neck until I moaned as well.

"Erik..."

He opened his eyes and looked into mine and whispered,

"I love you."

"I love you too."