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Chapter 4

When Erik woke up he was greeted with a dazzling light. He blinked several times and he needed some minutes to remember what had happened and realize that he was in a hospital. His whole body ached and when he tried to move he was shocked to see that his left leg was in cast. Suddenly the door opened and Nadir entered the room.

'Erik, you're finally awake' he said happily. 'I started to worry about you.'

'Nadir, why are you here and not in the opera house?' Erik asked sternly.

At this the Asian laughed heartily. 'Honestly Erik, you're really one in a million. You almost got killed in an accident and all you can think about is the opera!'

'I don't find it funny Nadir. We have to find a new leading soprano. By the way have you announced the audition yet? It has to be kept as soon as possible.'

Nadir just shook his head and smiled. Yes, Erik was definitely all right. Actually he would have been surprised if Erik hadn't acted this way. Always the businessman and director. Nadir imagined that he would be ordering even from his deathbed.

'No Erik, I haven't. Because you know I've been waiting for you to wake up. It might be strange for you that somebody was worried about you, but you really scared me. And not just me, the cast-members called in every minute to know how you were.'

Erik sighed and closed his eyes. Nadir was right. He shouldn't be thinking about business instead he should be glad that he was alive. And ever so he was always cold and prim with the cast, he was touched by their concern.

'Well' he said finally, 'Nadir tell them that they get holiday for this week. But when I'll come back, there won't be mercy.'

'All right, my friend, I'll tell them' Nadir said walking towards the door. 'Oh and don't be surprised if they'll come to visit you.'

Erik closed his eyes when he was alone again. His time in the hospital will be definitely long.

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Raoul jumped up from his seat beside Christine's bed when she stirred. She had been senseless for a long time.

'Darling, I'm here' Raoul whispered stroking her hair. But he withdrew his hand when he met with his wife's icy glare.

'How dare you come here?' she hissed still watching him with hatred.

'How could you ask it?' Raoul was panicked. No, she can't know it… how could she… 'After hearing you were in an accident I rushed here as fast as I could. Oh darling I was so worried.'

'Don't call me 'darling'!' Christine's voice was prim and she looked away. 'For I am not your wife anymore.'

'But baby…'

'I told you Raoul, don't call me on names like that! But surely that slut you've been with was more than happy when you called her that.' Tears started to form in Christine's eyes.

'But how…' Raoul whispered.

'Oh, how?' she asked mockingly. 'Well I thought I'll be a good wife and surprise my darling husband. You know, cook a delicious dinner when he comes home from work, then make an exquisite bath to relax him and spend a loving night in his arms. But as it seems somebody overtook me.'

'Christine it was a mistake and I'm terribly sorry! I promise it'll never happen again' Raoul pleaded. They were the perfect couple, they couldn't break up like that.

'You're right, it won't. Because as soon as I can get out of here I'll give in my petition for the divorce.'

'But….'

'No buts Raoul. And from now on you can only contact me through my lawyer.'

Christine closed her eyes and pretend to sleep picturing that the conversation was over. Raoul was devastated. He couldn't believe that his marriage was over. That incident with his secretary was just an escapade. His one and only love was Christine and nobody else. 'I'll prove her that I still love her and she's mine' he thought as hewent out of her room.

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Days went by but it seemed that thethey passed slower that usual. Erik had at least ten visitors a day and he started to enjoy the sudden attention. Dancers, chorus-girls and members from the orchestra came to check on him and everybody brought a little present for their convalescent composer. On the other hand Christine was extremely bored. Of course she had visitors too but aside from her best friend, Meg, nobody seemed a good company.

One day whenthe nurse came to check on her an idea came to her mind.

'Brooke' she asked the prettyblonde 'could I visit the man whom I crashed into? I just want to tell him how sorry I am.'

'Of course Christine'she replied cheerfully and went to fetch a wheel-chair. 'But be careful!'

'Why?' Christine asked curiously.

'Well, every woman says that he's incredibly hot. And guess what? He's single!'

'Oh, well, I don't think that I would have a crush on him. I'm fed up with men so I don't want to get tangled up with anybody in the near future.'

'Well you know it' Brooke said knowingly. It was impossible not to have a crush on a guy like that. 'Okay, here we are' she said stopping before right the next door.

'What?' Christine cried. He's been here all the time and I didn't even know it?' Brooke just laughed and pushed her into the room.

'Good day Mister Handsome' Brooke said cheerfully.

'Hi pretty one' the man in the bed replied with a wink. 'Clearly he's a flirter' Christine thought. 'But he's damn good at it!'

'I just brought somebody who wants to meet you' the nurse said pushing Christine next to the bed.

'And pray tell me, who is this beauty?' he asked turning towards Christine.

'She's Christine Daaé, she's in the next room.'

'I'm honored' the man said taking Christine's hand and kissing it. 'I'm Erik Destler.'

'Well, I see you guys will be all right so I'd better go. I have to work anyways.'

Brooke went out from the room leaving an enchanted Christine behind. She definitely had a crush on him. His hair was a bit disheveled and his greenish-blue eyes sparkled in the depressing hospital room. He had no shirt on and Christine had to try very hard to tear her eyes from his muscular form.

Erik also had to control himself. He was very glad that Nadir brought him a mask. Because while without it he was repulsive, with it he was irresistible. Women find it sexy and mysterious and he had learnt to use it as an advantage. He openly mustered the woman before him. She was perfect in every way. Although her face was cut in several places he could tell that she was beautiful. Her chestnut curls framed her face nicely and her eyes were a wonderful shade of brown. She was slim but with nice-sized breasts and her nightgown didn't hide too much from her. For the first time since the air-conditioner went wrong he was happy about it.

The silence started to be awkward so Christine decided to speak first and finally tell him whowas she.

'Umm… well as Brooke said I'm in the next room. And… well… I'm here because I had been in a car accident.'

'Really?' Erik asked. 'Guess what? I've been in one too. Some crazy girl crashed into my car' he chuckled thoroughly unknowing that the 'crazy girl' was sitting before him.

'Huh…'

'Yeah, huh… although I hope she's all right.'

'Oh, she is.'

'Really? And how do you know that?' Erik asked confused.

'Well that girl was me.' Christine turned away embarrassed. 'How hairy, Adonis is right before me and I'm just mumbling.'

Erik was taken aback. Surely if he had known who Christine was he hadn't talked in the way he did.

'I'm sorry I didn't mean that.' But he could see that Christine was feeling uncomfortable so he changed his mood and hoped that she will forgive for his attitude. 'But the good side of it. If you hadn't crashed into me we wouldn't have met. And how could I live without knowing such a gorgeous woman.'

Christine couldn't help the grin which appeared on her face. She looked at Erik and saw that he was grinning too.

'Erik, you know how to flatter' she said smiling.

'Oh no, I'm just stating a fact.'

The two soon caught up in a conversation and both of them knew that there was more between them than simple sympathy. Much more.

Woo-hoo they finally met!

Review and you'll get a kiss on the cheek from Erik! Don't and you'll get punjabbed:)

Your loving authoress