Chapter 13- Unexpected Vistors

"Antoinette… I didn't expect to see you here. This is my private chamber." Erik began to straighten certain articles on his dressing table. "What do you want?" Antoinette took a deep breath and began to speak,

"Enrique… Erik, I know who you are. I've known since the beginning, and I have not breathed a word to anyone. I have been so happy for your successes, but I cannot keep quiet anymore. What kind of person have you become? Look at yourself, you drink, and smoke, and sleep with women—don't lie I know you do—and seem to have forgotten who you are. You are together with his Katharina person… Erik, she is worse than Carlotta was!"

Erik rolled his eyes and smiled, "So if I do not become the pathetic monster I used to be, you will do what exactly? I believe enjoying the company of a few women if far less of a crime than murder, Antoinette." His smile became more intense and Madame Giry lost some of her bravery. She edged towards the door, Erik might have changed but she was certain he had not lost his ability to kill.

"I am not the sort who would resort to blackmail, Erik. I have not lost my morals." And with that she left the room and shut the door. He looked back at the door and grimaced. She had no business to butt into his affairs. He could be whoever he wanted to be and was not forced to assume a certain role. Now he could be whatever role he wanted, and he could have any woman he wanted. Erik loved power and now, he held more than he ever had before his surgery. He was not letting Antoinette Giry get in his way.

He took off his costume and put on his black silk dressing robe, a gift from Katharina. As he opened some letters from admirers, he heard a knock at the door. He exhaled deeply in annoyance, now what? He walked towards the door, still in his robe, and opened it. This time he opened his eyes wide in surprise; it was Christine.

He could not stop staring, she looked older, it had been about a year since had seen her. Her hair was done up in aristocratic fashion and her dress had so much silk and lace she almost looked like a doll. A huge engagement ring glittered on her petit hands and earrings of similar size sat upon her ears. She looked to ladylike and mature. Yet, even after all of this time, her very presence reminded him of his old feelings. He felt like he had traveled back in time, when he was aching for her to love him.

The silence was broken at last, "Erik… oh God, it's really you. I… I knew it was you when I heard you sing but… God you're face. I… I'm really happy for you."

Erik straightened and began to oraganize some of his flowers that graced his dressing table and regained his newfound arrogance, "Yes, well, I am sure you wish things had turned out differently between us now right?" he laughed wryly and glanced at her reaction in the mirror. She looked down at the floor biting her lip. He was almost enjoying how uncomfortable she was. "Well," he thought, "she should be. She seeks me out now that I'm not a horrible monster. What on earth does she expect?"

"I'm sorry Erik, please don't assume anything other than one friend coming to congratulate another friend on such a wonderful performance. I always knew you would be up here someday. I only wish that…" Erik could see that she was crying.

"Why are you crying, Christine? What could be wrong with your perfect life? Your perfect husband, your diamonds, what more could a girl want Christine?" He had never been so angry with her; she had the nerve to crawl back to him after breaking his heart?

Christine seemed to have new strength to stand up to Erik now. She walked over to his chair and pushed his shoulder, "I did not come here to pick a fight with you Erik; I don't know why I came! Now my decision is looking very poor, but if anything, I came to make amends. You were such a big part of my life and I miss any friendship that we had. Do not even think to patronize me with my reaction to your face! I admit I was frightened of you at one time, but in the end it was your soul that frightened me. Regardless of what I felt for you…" she stopped realizing what she had said but continued, "I could not be the brunt of your unhappiness Erik. And do not presume to compose a perfect symphony of my life. You know nothing of what I am now."

Amused by her courage, Erik stood up and revealed the height he held upon her. She did not cower but stared up boldly into his blue eyes. He almost felt like a small child being scolded under her gaze, but shaking the feeling he continued to counter,

"Oh, pardon, Madame de Countess, your life is now terrible? Do not complain to me, for you chose this life and now should suffer the consequences for it?" She seemed to shrink as he stung her with words, still he continued to sneer, "Do not tell me that your darling Vicomte beats you daily and gives you too much finery." He laughed and then stopped. Her eyes welled with tears and she turned away in defeat.

Somewhere inside him something reached out to console her and he found himself embracing the weeping Countess. She clung to him desperately, his silk robe being slowly dampened with her hidden sorrows. He let her release for awhile and then he pulled her away gently and firmly asked, "Has Raoul struck you?"

Christine wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, "Well… once… not intentionally but Erik that is not the point." Erik's eyes blazed with what he would do to Raoul if he ever saw him. "It's just… ever since… well… I just envy you so much and I wish that I could be… the stage is my passion and Raoul won't…he would prefer I not sing here because… too many memories…" She started crying again and Erik held her. He could never ever be mad at Christine, not forever, he would always feel a need to protect and love her.

Christine let herself go and looked into Erik's eyes. Tentatively she reached her hand up and placed it on his cheek. Something inside him ached for her, different than any of the other women he had been with recently; there was love here, passion, and history. She stroked his cheek with her hand and over his nose and lips. He took this cue and pulled her in for a kiss. She almost pulled away on instinct but found herself trapped within the past, present, and future. It was the same Erik and her soul always called his name in her dreams.
Erik's lips left hers and smiled, Christine smiled back, tears on her cheeks drying.

Then she giggled, Erik looked puzzled but soon he found out the reason for her outburst, "I'm so sorry Erik, it's just… your kiss has improved so much since last time…" Erik stiffened and coldly replied, "You too my dear." His arms left her waist, "You should leave I have to get dressed and meet Katharina. If you would like I will have a chat with the Vicomte. There is no way in hell he will suspect that I once was…" the word caught in his throat, "the dreaded Phantom. Perhaps he can be reasoned with."

Christine looked upset as his rejection of her, but thanked him politely for his gesture and left the room. As she left Katharina came in staring at Christine with jealousy, "Oh Enrique? Who was that? She looks pretty no?"

Erik smiled falsely, "Are you suggesting that I am having an affair with the Countess de Changy, Katharina? That is a fairly indecent suggestion. You shock me."

Katharina smiled with satisfaction, "Is she now? So the Vicomte de Changy is her husband." She smiled to herself, "I would have thought he would have had better taste in a wife." Erik clenched his knuckles and was awakened to Katharina's idiocy. How could he have been so blind? He quickly replaced a smile, and embraced her, "I would be careful if I were you, that Countess used to be quite an Opera Diva."

Katharina wrinkled her nose, "Well she could not have been that good or the management would not have let her go." She snuggled in Erik's shoulder. Erik's mind whirled with a plan, he had to make things right, or at least try.

"Perhaps you're right my dear." He thoughts to himself, "If Christine came back here, you would be out sung so fast that it would knock you on your feet." He held her close but with new purpose.