Foreward

"Miss Daae will see you now."

"Thank you,"

Erik was taken to the back porch where he found her smoking a cigarette. Closely, he watched her from across the back porch, thinking of what he should say to her. Christine had her back facing him, leaning slightly over the railing, ever so often she would tap her cigarette over the silver ashtray, and taking a sip from her half empty glass of wine.

"I thought you didn't smoke." he finally said as he cleared his throat.

"You thought wrong." she replied as she turned around to face him. How different she looked after just two years of not seeing each other. Christine had cut off her once long beautiful hair to a slightly shorter length which was put up in the style that every city girl liked to do. The small dress that she wore, hung loose against her now thin frame. Pale skin and eyes gave him the idea that she hardly went out during the day. "Why are you here?" she asked "do you want something?"

"Yes... I need your help... I wanted to ask you for -"

"Money?" she interrupted, her voice slurred "Go ahead, money's in the purse."

Hesitantly he looked at the purse which was carelessly tossed on the chair near him. He couldn't take the money from her, especially at the moment. He was worried about her. Christine's voice was slurred showing how much wine she had been drinking. "That's the only thing I'm good for these days." He winced as he heard her say those last words. Erik had been gone from New York and was staying in California, the newspapers had done several articles on her, everyone making the front page. 'Daae Scandal!' 'Miss Daae Gone Missing.'...Never would he have guessed that so many things would change.

"Take it!" she cried as she plopped herself of the wooden steps, drink and cigarette still in hand "Take it! I don't care!"

Rushing to her side, Erik kneeled next to her "You should rest-"

"Stop it!" she yelled throwing the items in her hands onto the ground. Christine had pushed him roughly away from her. "I'm tired of being told what I should and shouldn't do! Just stop it!"

Within seconds, the stunned Erik felt Christine angrily walk pass him and go inside, slamming the screen door behind her. Never before had he saw her so angry, but with all that anger after all that time, Erik knew there would be much more of that.

Days had passed by and Erik would find himself in the study room writing a letter to his fiancé when a telegram arrived for him. The old house keeper brought the telegram into the study room.

"This just arrived, sir."

"Thank you Marian."

Studying the letter, he noticed the neatness of his name that was written across the envelope. Turning it over, he quickly broke out the seal to read the letter written to him.

Dearest Erik,

Forgive me for my behavior the other day. I'm afraid that you had caught me at a bad time.

For a moment Erik paused his reading, trying to picture a sober Christine sitting in front of the fireplace as she tried to write her letter.

I expect that you will still need to borrow the money that you had originally wanted. Why you do not just simply ask your friend, I do not know but if you need it so bad then you may have it. It is probably better off with you than me. I have not been the greatest person for sometime. For sure you have read the newspapers who talk continuously about all the scandal the young wealthy Daae girl had made. I am wasting away all my life in liquor and drugs, it doesn't matter now. I enclose here a check which I hope will be enough for what ever you will needing it for.

Yours

Christine

The check was there in the envelope, his name neatly written on it. She had given to him more then enough to have the music school financed. Instantly, a wave of guilt washed over him as he held the check tightly. Christine did not deserve to live the unhappy life that she lived in. She would have never turned to the dangerous life if it hadn't been for him. If only he hadn't pushed her away…

'Please,' she cried 'don't push me away Erik, please.'

He looked at her one last time before taking his belongings and walking out the door. Inside the cab was Emily Grey, the woman he met during a dinner party and had an affair with. He had betrayed Christine.