Just to warn you: I LOVE RAOUL BASHING! So if you're a Raoul fan I advise you not to read this chapter:))

Chapter thirteen

Weeks later a very unpleasant surprise was waiting for Christine when she arrived home. Raoul was sitting in the living room with an upset look on his face. Surely he had gotten the letter of Christine's lawyer that she won't go to any kind of counseling and that she definitely wanted their marriage to end.

"Sorry Chris" Meg apologized. "I couldn't keep him out of the house."

"Never mind Meg. And would you please leave us alone for a few moments?" Christine asked, her eyes never leaving Raoul's. "I need to discuss some things with this gentleman here."

"Sure" Meg replied hurrying out of the room.

"What do you want?" Christine asked indifferently.

"I've received your letter." Raoul stated. "And you don't want to come to a marriage counseling."

"Well" Christine said looking at her nails, "since it's for married couples who want their relationship to get better I found it quite useless in our condition."

"You must come!" Raoul threatened.

"Or what?" Don't even try to tell me what to do. You're clearly not in that position."

"I'm still your husband!" Raoul yelled jumping up from his seat.

"Just according some stupid paper!" Christine shot back. "You've stopped being my husband when you cheated on me God knows how many times!"

"My darling…" Raoul tried with a softer tone.

"Don't call me that!" Christine said menacingly clenching her fists.

"Christine, I know I've made a mistake. A very big mistake. But please, don't judge me by that!" Raoul pleaded. "You still have my heart."

"Do I?" Christine laughed. "And tell me, with how many other girls do I share it?"

"You're the only one" Raoul said with big puppy eyes.

"Am I?" Christine's tone was softer too and she moved closer to her husband.

"I swear" Raoul whispered taking Christine's hand and sitting back on the sofa pulling her with him.

"You know" Christine started putting her hand on Raoul's lap, "my heart belongs to only one man too." Then she leaned towards Raoul as if she wanted to kiss him but in the last moment she turned her head away and whispered in his ear instead, "But unfortunately that man is not you."

Anger boiled in Raoul as Christine stood up again and he jumped up again.

"That masked bastard, isn't he?" he demanded.

"Don't yell at me, Raoul!" Christine said calmly leaning against the windowsill.

"I do as I please and if I want to shout then I will!" Raoul's face was red from anger. "Who the hell is he anyways?"

"Not as if it was any of your concern but now that you've asked it this sweetly I'll tell you" Christine said ironically. "He works at the Opera House and he's a very charming man. And well… you're a man so I don't know if you've noticed it but he's incredibly sexy" she said dreamingly.

"Sexy?" Raoul was out of his mind. "Then tell me, my darling wife, why does he wear a mask?"

At first Christine couldn't reply. During her relationship with Erik she had never thought about it. Not even once. But then it hit her. What was under that thing?

Christine quickly composed herself and said, "It's Erik under that mask. Just him and nothing else."

"Ahh, so your lover has a name!" Raoul said dramatically putting his hand over his heart.

"He's not my lover" Christine softly stated. "He's my love."

For minutes they were silent, the only sound in the room was Raoul's heavy breathing.

"Fine!" he finally said. "Just play your little games but be careful. You're still mine and I'll never sign the divorce." And with that he stormed out of the house.

"You too, have a pleasant day!" Christine yelled after him. "Jerk!" then she said to herself.

"Wow, this was very entertaining!" Meg laughed appearing in the room. "The look on Raoul's face was priceless!"

Christine didn't saw Meg nor heard her for her thoughts were far away. She couldn't forget Raoul's question. What is behind the mask? she asked herself again and again. And why did she never think about it? Surely it wouldn't change her feelings but still… She wanted, no she needed to know it. If they were going to have a serious relationship there had to be no secrets between them.

"Hey Chris, do you hear me?" Christine snapped back to reality upon hearing Meg's voice.

"Yeah, sorry I'm just thinking."

"'Bout what?" Meg pried.

"It's just…" Christine felt miserable. "I'm considering moving in with Erik…"

"Yeah" Meg interrupted. "And I honestly don't know what are you still waiting for."

"Meg, it's not that, you know how I feel for him. But… you've heard what Raoul said, right?"

"Umm… he said a lot of things, what do you mean?"

"The mask."

"The mask, yeah I loved your reply. It was so romantic."

"But Meg… I don't know what's underneath it."

"What?" Meg was surprised. "But you've been together for quite some time now. I thought…" she trailed away.

Christine buried her head in her hands. "What should I do? Surely he has a reason for wearing it so I can't just snatch it from his face."

"Why don't you ask him to show his face to you?"

"You think I should just ask him to?"

"Of course. He can't expect you to trust him if he hides something from you."

"I guess you're right" Christine sighed. "But I'll wait until after the opening or the opera. He's so busy and always stressed out, I don't want to trouble him with it."

"Do as you wish but don't waitup toolong. The later you ask the worse it will be."

"Oh Meg" Christine said hugging her friend. "I'm so glad to have you. You're better than a psychologist."

"I know" Meg laughed. "I know."

Okay, if you don't review an angry Raoul will take a visit to you. And believe me, it won't be pleasant.

Your loving authoress