I'm alive! And another chapter is finished!

Phew, I'm sorry for taking this so long but I had author's block:(( I watched Dear Frankie and it totally messed me up... That's a wonderful film! I LOVE GERRY!

Umm... Okay so here's the story, enjoy it:))

Oh and Hollie, I sill love you:))

Chapter nine

Christine emerged from her room a bit after midday and stumbled towards the bathroom. Her eyes were swollen from crying so she could barely see, her hair was a mess and her throat hurt from shouting every possible obscenity at Erik. She didn't even bother with changing from her dress so she was still wearing her red gown from the previous day and it was torn on several places since in her fury Christine tried to totally destroy it.

After a long bath she felt a bit better but it didn't help much. Nothing could help her. Except a remorseful Erik begging for her forgiveness… But no, she didn't want to think about him. He fooled her and she didn't want to become another trophy for him.

"Christine, are you all right?" Meg asked as her friend sat down at the table in the kitchen.

"Of course, why shouldn't I?" Christine questioned ironically.

"I'm sorry Chris, really I am." Meg said starting to make a tea.

Neither of them spoke until Meg put Christine's tea on the table. She sipped into it and sighed.

"I'm sorry Meg, I'm just a bit pissed off. I can't believe that I thought for even a moment that he's truly interested in me."

"Honestly Chris, would you be happier if he had wanted to have sex with you?" Christine looked up at Meg, confused. "Because I personally think that he just didn't want to rush into this relationship. And I'm pretty sure that right in this moment he's banging his head in the wall for hurting you."

"Since when are you this adept in my love life?"

"Don't mock me, I'm just trying to help you."

They sat in silence for long minutes while tears formed in Christine's eyes. She looked up at Meg pleadingly then without a word stood up and hugged her.

"What would I do without you Meg?" she cried.

"Well, I'm quite the one-off and inimitable" she laughed hugging back her friend.

Their loving moment was interrupted by a knocking on the front door.

"Just drink your tea, I'll answer it" Meg said standing up and heading to the door.

When she opened it she was greeted by a delivery man holding an enormous bouquet of white roses.

"Good day Miss, this is to be given to Miss Christine Daaé."

"Um… I'll take it, she's… she's not presentable at the moment."

Closing the door Meg realized a little envelope among the flowers with Christine's name on the front. She instantly recognized the handwriting. It was from Erik. She hesitated whether she should give it to Christine or not. She was afraid that it would just upset her more. But on the other hand Meg hoped that perhaps it could cheer Christine up. She decided and finally entered the kitchen.

"It's for you Chris" Meg said putting the flowers down on the table.

"From who?" Christine asked but suddenly it hit her and she groaned. "Why did you take it? You should have said that I'm not living here. Or simply have told the deliver to return it to the sender."

"Chris" Meg sighed. "At least open that stupid envelope to know what he wants."

Christine unclosed the envelope showing false indifference but deep inside she was dying to know what did Erik want. Slowly she opened the letter and started to read it out loudly so Meg would know it's content too.

My dearest Christine,

Guilt is tearing me apart because of last night. I didn't want to hurt you and to be honest I didn't even think that you'll be this upset. I truly enjoyed your company and I don't want our relationship to end even before it could begin. I know that you need time to forgive me and I hope that finally you will. Till then please take these flowers as the symbol of my apology. I'm very, very sorry.

Erik

Christine didn't speak just stared at the letter in her hands then slowly a devilish grin appeared on her face.

"So he wants my forgiveness?" Christine said to herself. "Well he'll have to do so much more for it than sending me flowers."

Meg released her breath that she didn't even know she was holding. She knew that Christine will forgive him and somehow she felt that Erik will do anything to earn that forgiveness.

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Erik paced in the living-room of his flat. The flowers must have arrived by that time and he prayed that Christine won't appear in his doorway throwing the bouquet into his face. He felt terrible. The more time passed, the more he hated himself for being an idiot with Christine. Fortunately the talk with Nadir helped him realize that there was still life after Luciana and he mustn't think that every woman is the same as she was. Least of all Christine. The beautiful, smart Christine who had literally crashed into his life. And he was glad for that.

His thoughts were broken off by the ringing of his phone. The number was unknown so first he considered not answering it because he had no intention in having a conversation with anybody. Well of course except Christine. But the caller was insistent and the phone just kept ringing so finally he answered it.

"Hello?" he barked into the phone.

"Whoa… what's this manner? Are you having a bad time?" the voice of a woman asked in a mocking tone.

"M-Meg… Uhh… sorry, I didn't know it is you" Erik stammered.

"Oh well, never mind. I'm just calling to inform you that Christine accepts the flowers but she's still very hurt."

"Could I talk with her? I can explain my behavior."

"She isn't interested in your excuses. And you still have to do a lot to win back her trust."

"I thought so."

"Okay then, I delivered the message, so bye and have a nice day."

"Meg wait" Erik said before she hung up.

"Yes?"

"Tell her that I'm really very sorry. I didn't think that she'll be so upset."

"All right, I'll tell her."

"Thank you. Bye."

"Bye."

Erik hung up the phone and sank onto the sofa sighing. "So it's not hopeless" he thought. There was still a chance to win her back. And he decided that no matter what, she'll be in his arms soon again.

So what do you think?

Review and Erik will send you red roses. Don't and you'll get punjabbed!

Your loving authoress