Hey guys, sorry I took so long to update. I hope you like this next chapter! Plz R&R!

Lux Leroux: Thank you for your review. It is very much apppreciated! You do have a fair point about Erik blowing up, it is quite possible, but the way I like to see it is because he's so hurt, he doesn't have the energy or strength to get angry, and he knows that Meg is trying to help him, she was the only one that tried to show him comfort and reassurance down in the lair and I think he appreciated that. Oh well, we all have our own opinions though! Oh and thanks for the tip, I'll bear that in mind. I hope you enjoy this chapter!


Chapter 4: Feelings, Surprises and Trouble

Meg sat reposefully on her bed, resting her forehead against her knees. She sat there unmoved, trying to drain all thoughts from her head. It, however, was no use. For the past five days the latest events of the opera house had been stressing.

The managers couldn't help themselves, they were constantly checking on the opera house's progress, doing and saying whatever they could to reassure themselves that the opera house was going to be up and running again. Meg had even heard they had a new patron, what was his name? Monsieur Jacques Boucher or something.

What was worse was that the selfish managers couldn't wait to put on another performance. The managers were so eager to hold the next performance in the main box, which was by now looking magnificent with the chandelier back in place, that they were pressuring everyone, and everything for that matter. Meg wondered if the staff were really ready for a performance so soon.

Meg was also told she would be lead dancer, in other words prima dancer. Before Meg would have squealed with delight by hearing this information, but instead she found that everything was being rushed and the reality around her seemed unauthentic.

Meg let out an audible sigh. Perhaps she was overreacting. She glanced around the room with doleful eyes, which didn't look natural on her usually glowing features. "Erik" she whispered softly "I wonder what you're up to now".

Meg had tried not to think about her reactions towards the mention of Christine the other night, but the thoughts came anyway. She had been very sensitive on the subject of Christine and especially the way Erik talked about her. Why? Could she be jealous? Meg shook her head and told herself that it was protectiveness over Erik and that her resentfulness towards Christine triggered such feelings.

Just at that moment a knock sounded on Meg's door. Meg jumped slightly and then relaxed as she realised the source of the noise. "Who is it?" called Meg politely. "Meg open the door" called the impulsive voice of her mother.

Meg got up and walked swiftly too the door, when she opened it her mother's face looked slightly stressed. "What is it mama?" asked Meg concerned. Her mother regarded her slightly "The opera house is holding a huge audience of guests downstairs in order to welcome the new patron, they require your presence" she finished gently. "It is a formal occasion, so make sure you wear something presentable" she added calmly, and with that she smiled and walked down to welcome the new patron leaving Meg standing there at the door.

Why must they require my presence? thought Meg hesitantly. Meg shrugged; they probably wanted to make a good first impression and probably it was considered compulsory for everyone to be at this celebration, especially people who performed in the opera house. Just like the viscount Meg thought ironically.

So Meg dressed into a rich emerald coloured gown that she used only on special occasions with matching green pearls which she fastened around her neck. She then pulled her hair back with pins, leaving two locks of hair falling gently down the sides of her face. She pulled out her treasured jade-glittered ornamental rose her father had given her when she was five and pinned it onto the back of her head. She walked over and looked at herself in the mirror, she looked presentable as they wanted her to be, so she went down to greet this so called patron.

As Meg descended into the main hall she was greeted by a number of people, including her ballet classmates and noble woman who took the chance to show off their most expensive and exotic gowns, along with their diamond jewelry. She also was greeted by various other people she had seen as old members of the opera house community. Her mother walked up to her and greeted her with a warm embrace followed by a comment on how lovely she looked. She smiled back in appreciation.

The managers; Monsieur Andre and Monsieur Firmin welcomed the audience to the opera house and started discussing the success of refurnishing the opera house and of upcoming events. He mentioned that with the opera ghost gone the opera house could now live up to its full potential. Everyone applauded. Something stung the inside of Meg's stomach as the thought of Erik came to her mind. Is he here? Meg thought If so how would he be reacting to this?

Meg looked up to the rafters. She scanned the area moving her eyes along the narrow path and she could swear that she had caught glimpse of black, but it was no longer there. Meg gaped. He is here she thought.

Meg's attention was then drawn back to Firmin's speech. "Now the moment I am sure you have all been waiting for, let me introduce you to our new patron, Monsieur Jacques Boucher". Just as he said this a young man walked out and onto the stage. He looked around the age of twenty, he had blonde hair that fell past his shoulders and Meg could just make out his eye colour, blue.

He wore a beaming smile on his face as he thanked everyone for their welcome. "I am most honored to be the new patron of the well profound opera populaire and I'm sure our success will travel a great way" he concluded while he glanced around at the audience with a charming smile.

Meg heard giggling around her and when she turned around she saw five girls giggling and saying various comments like his gorgeous and I hope we get to meet him. Meg's brows furrowed, she remembered she use to giggle over handsome man but later she found out it was immature and rude. Meg admitted to herself though that he was handsome, but she hoped that this patron wouldn't be at all like Raoul.

Meg walked over to the table were the refreshments lay. She took a slice of cheese cake and was about to walk up to her mother when the managers walked her way with the patron. "-and this is Mademoiselle Giry who will be performing as prima dancer in our upcoming event" Andre inclined at Meg happily. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mademoiselle Giry" replied the patron looking at her with a glimmer in his eyes, as he took her hand and brought it to his lips in a polite manner. "Pleasure to meet you as well Monsieur Boucher" replied Meg gracefully. "Please call me Jacques" he replied politely, "Only if you call me Meg" she replied smiling. His lips tugged. "Deal". "I wish you a good evening Meg" and with that he turned and walked back with the managers.

Meg smiled, though after she felt as if something was grinding her stomach, she didn't know why. A sudden thought of Erik entered her head but she pushed it away, she didn't know why to that either. Perhaps she was worried about why he disappeared from the rafters or how he reacted to the celebration or maybe just him in general.

Meg slapped herself mentally. He said he'd be alright, last time he said he could take care of himself. But why do I feel the sudden urge to go to him? After all she hadn't seen him in five days and when she was away from him for too long she began to worry. She wanted to help him, make him feel like he was a person, not be away from him. What reason did she have to be away from him for so long? Was it because she was busy with ballet practice for prima dancer? Was she scared of going down there alone? Or was she scared of her discomfort about Christine last time?

From five days ago Erik never came to get her, nor did Meg go down to visit him. She told herself now it was time to go back. She had let herself be too preoccupied with her thoughts and duties rather than realise what was truly important. Him.

Meg bid her mother and friends goodnight. She also reluctantly bid the managers goodnight and thanked them for the celebration. Then she bolted as fast as she could up the stairs, and into her room. She turned the key in her door and with a click the door locked.

She then turned to face the mirror and an excited grin spread over her face. She paced quickly to the mirror, slid it opened and entered his world of so called darkness. Meg defined it as beautiful really, though two weeks ago she would have defined it as scary.

Meg paced through the tunnel and when she got to the end she let out a deep breath and entered his lair. She slowly walked towards the organ where he usually sat, he was not there. She checked the other rooms, no sign. Maybe he is still investigating the opera house Meg told herself.

She sat down at the organ for what seemed like ages as she glanced around the room admiring its beauty, but by now a long amount of time had passed and she was starting to get bored. Something at the end of the room caught Meg's eye. It was a black wooden door she hadn't noticed before and apparently there was a key left in it.

She walked up and traced the black door with her finger. The wood is beautiful, it looks like ivory. Meg's finger accidentally brushed the key that was in the door. Suddenly curiosity enveloped her mind I wonder what's in here, he has never mentioned this room to me before. The curiosity was just too strong for her to just leave. "It won't hurt if I have a little peek" she whispered and with that she turned the key and an astonishing sight was revealed to her.

Meg stepped into the room awestruck. Here hung different pieces of art that Erik himself had painted. There were carefully painted pictures of flowers, birds, animals and famous structures of Paris. She also saw sculptures. Some as small as a robin to as magnificent as an eaglewere setup gracefully around the room. She grinned in wonder. When she reached the end of the room her jaw dropped. There in front of her were the most beautiful paintings of Christine she had ever seen.

There were some paintings of her in Hannibal and other paintings where she was either singing or dancing in other performances. Meg moved around these paintings to the far side of the room, where an exact duplicate doll of Christine stood. Meg gasped, "It looks exactly like her" Meg voiced out, her voice stunned.

Meg glowered, she felt like her stomach was carrying tons of lead. She almost felt ill. What is wrong with me? She thought in terror, almost collapsing. I guess I should have expected that his adoration of her would show not only through his music, but art as well. She sighed. I have to admit though, this place is very beautiful. I have never seen so much beautifully painted art in one place. He really is a genius, in so many different ways she thought fondly.

Meg stood for a moment, but suddenly felt out of place. She felt strongly another's presence and shivers racked her small frame. Meg turned around ever so slowly, and there standing in the door way was Erik, looking livid. His gaze on her was so intense and the corners of his mouth twitched upwards in anger.

He advanced on her and Meg moved back in fright stumbling over a small crate as she backed up. She tried to regain her balance and thankfully years of ballet dancing came in handy. Erik stopped, his face contorted with fury, "Get out!" he roared in rage as he pointed at the door with one stubby finger. Meg flinched at his tone and she held back tears, "Erik, I'm so sorry" she cried begging him for his forgiveness. He didn't listen. "Get out!" he screamed angrily, not paying attention to her pleads.

Meg couldn't stand it anymore, so she ran straight past him and bolted out the door. She ran past his lair and into the passage way, not caring if her dress was getting tattered on the way. When she reached the mirror she pulled it open quickly and slammed it shut, then she collapsed in a heap on her bed and began to sob.


A/N: For chapter 5, I'm going to tell some of the story so far and also further events from both Erik's and Meg's point of view. Stay Tuned!