"It is fine if we wander, no one will dare say anything, and it was unlocked because I told them to leave it so."
"You told them to? And they listened?" I asked, astonished.
"Of course. I own the building after all."
"You what?"
"I own the Opera Populaire. Did I not tell you so?" Erik asked, honestly sounding as if he believed I already knew.
"No. You didn't."
"Oh. Well, excuse me for not telling you sooner. Though I would have sworn I told you during the masquerade."
"Ha. I think I would have remembered that."
"Of course you would. Forgive me."
I just sighed, and responded, "There's nothing to forgive, you just surprised me."
By now we had gotten to the stairs that led to box five. "Wait," I said as something suddenly donned on me, "If you own the building, why were you on the same tour as me?"
At this Erik laughed, "Well, actually, I had just come here to check on some things, and happened to be at the front as your tour was starting. Then I noticed a stunning woman in a Phantom of the Opera shirt walk in late, and simply had to talk to her."
"So you only stayed on the tour for so long to talk to me?" I asked with a blush.
"Yes, that's pretty much why. Besides, I had to pay my respects to box five before leaving, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity.Besides, I realized that a horrid lady was working here, that's no longer a problem."
"You didn't fire her, did you? Erik! I mean, I was late, and we were talking." "That does not excuse her."
"Erik! Wait. So you knew that the door would be unlocked before we even made the bet? You cheater!" I said while lightly hitting his arm.Erik laughed again and pulled me in for a kiss, "Do you really mind so much?"
I melted in his embrace and responded "No, but your still a cheater."
"Of course. I only make bets I know I'll win."
I lightly hit him again before smiling and saying "Race you to the top." Then immediately running off before hearing his answer.
"Oh. Too bad we didn't make a bet! I would have whipped you," I said with a smile once Erik had caught up with me at the top of Box Five
"But we did not, so my previous statement remains true." He replied.
"Minor technicality. So why are we here anyway?"
"Perfect place to start. I have much to tell you tonight."
I'll admit, this freaked me out a bit. "Um, ok. What about?"
"Me. But we'll have to start well before that. Come sit down on one of the chairs." Erik said while escorting me to the nearest seat. Once I was situated he sat down on the seat next to mine.
"You may not believe everything I tell you, but I swear to you it is all true. Please listen until the end." Erik said.
"Ok," I replied.
"My Great, Great, Great, Great Grandmother gave birth in the year 1873 to a child sired not by her husband. In 1872 she had tired of the unsatisfying love of her husband, and yearned for the passionate lust she had known just two years before. In 1872 Christine returned to her angel of music.
1872
She knew it was a bad idea the moment the thought had entered her mind. She knew it was madness. She loved Raoul, but only so much. She need passion, she needed desire. She needed Erik. The need had finally gotten the best of her, so, on May the twenty-second of 1872, she had returned to the Opera Populaire to search for him.
The second she stepped inside she shivered despite the heat. It had changed so much since the last time she had been here. It was unbelievably dusty, and spider webs covered most of the room. It saddened her to think that a once beautiful building had been reduced to this.
She wandered further inside, not sure where to start her search.
"Erik?" She whispered lightly. After waiting several minutes she shook her head to clear any lingering fright, and headed up the staircases. She decided that box five was as good a place to start as anywhere.
She was spooked by the quietness. It had never been like this. There was always some noise, at least one young ballerina scurrying about. The quiet gave her too much time to think. Had it really already been one year? That couldn't be right. And all these ludicrous reports flying around, if the memory wasn't so fresh, she would have laughed. Erik, an old man? Those who said so must not have very good seats for the performance of his opera. He was only 32 when the catastrophe took place! Sure, he looked older without his wig, but he was still Erik!
But that wasn't enough for her then. She wanted someone she could be seen with, who would trust her to go out into the world. She still wanted those things, but she wanted fulfillment more now.
Oh, she knew she wasn't being fair to either man, but she couldn't help it anymore. She was determined to get what she wanted. To feel complete for once since her father died. To have the happiness with Raoul, but the passion with Erik. Was that so much to ask? No, she didn't believe so.
And, before she knew it, she was at box five. She opened the door, and stepped in side, and she was surprised by what she saw. It was not dusty like the rest of the Opera Populaire, but pristine and clean.
"Erik?" She whispered again. But there was no answer. Christine was becoming more and more frightened. She needed to get Erik's attention somehow, and she was now almost certain that he was here. So she did the only thing she could think of, and began singing the aria from Faust, that fateful song.
She sang the entire aria, and once she was finished, she winced. She hadn't sung since the night she had chosen Raoul, and it hurt to sing so long and so loud now.
"You had such a lovely voice. It's a shame you gave up your private lessons, what a pity."
"Erik?" she asked while turning around. But no one was in the box. "Erik, come out. Let me talk to you."
At this a laugh suddenly surrounded her. "Are you really in any position to be making demands? You're the one who left; you should be begging to even hear me, not ordering me to show myself." The voice said.
"Erik, please. We need to talk."
"No, we need to do nothing!" Erik snapped, "You need to talk. That's all you care about, isn't it? Just yourself. For once, Christine, think of someone else."
"Erik? Erik?" Christine shouted, but she knew it was too late. She knew he had already left.
AN: Ok, I tried really reallyhard to get this up yesterday, but the site wouldn't let me. Just in case your wondering. Kris was actually kinda glad the lady got fired, that's why she didn't harp on it. And yes, if they're going to talk about Erik later, that means this isn't his only secret. Also, Erik is 12 years older than Raoul, and 3 younger than Mme. Giry (according to ALW). ALW said Raoul was in his "early 20s" now, because Raoul new Christine/had a crush on her when they were younger, I decided to make him 20, so there would only be a four year difference. So that made Erik 32. Of course, that also made Mme. Giry 35, which seems a bit young, but what can you do?. Next chapter should be exclusively Christine and Erik, I think. I don't know for sure!