Disclaimer- I don't own the phantom…but I do own this story…I think
Chapter 13
She crept behind Madame Giry and Meg trying not to be seen but trying to keep up with them. There were ballerinas in the halls scrambling to get ready for rehearsals and the seamstresses tailing behind with a needle and thread. She dodged each one and followed Meg and Madame Giry out to the main hall with the winding staircase. She heard raised voices and made sure she was out of sight but could see what was happening. She saw her two managers and Piangi with Carlotta's little entourage surrounding her and Raoul staring at papers. Madame Giry suddenly stepped forward.
"Miss Daae has returned."
They all turned around and stared at Madame Giry.
"I trust her midnight oil is well and truly burned." One of the managers said. Orianna's jaw dropped, how dare he imply that she was basically a whore. She would have jumped up and kicked his little rich bottom if she wasn't so civil.
"Where precisely is she now?" the other manager asked.
"I thought it best she was alone…" Madame Giry began.
"She needed rest." Meg piped in. Raoul walked closer to Madame Giry.
"May I see her?" He asked politely. Orianna lifted a brow; he seemed genuinely concerned about her, which made a small smile appear on her lips.
"No, monsieur she will see no one. Here I have a note." They all scrambled for it and Firmin took it from Madame Giry and began to read it.
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After Christine was asleep in the bed, the Phantom went about taking care of business. First, he wrote two very admirable letters to the managers. He had to be kind to them or else things would become…difficult. He sealed them and put them aside. He glanced over at the area she was sleeping and smiled. The next letter was to the man who had developed a crush on his beloved soprano. This love had to be stomped out immediately. He wrote down what he thought was appropriate and sealed it, putting it to the side. Now, a letter for that excuse for a singer Carlotta. He wanted to get across to her that she was no longer needed at the Opera Populaire. He smiled slightly as he wrote down his feelings and sealed it, putting it with the rest. Now, in case his messages were not getting across to these people, he decided to write one last note to get his intentions across. If they did not listen to this note, it was there own fault. He finished the letter with pride and sealed it. His theater would be run according to him not these so called managers. He gathered up the four notes and went the quickest route up to find Madame Giry. He needed a few notes delivered before morning.
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Firmin continued:
"Gentlemen, I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature,
Detailing how my theatre is to be run. You have not followed my instructions... I shall give you one last chance. Christine Daae has returned to you and I am anxious her career should progress. In the new production of "Il Muto", you will therefore cast Carlotta as the Pageboy. And put Miss Daae in the role of the Countess. The role which Miss Daae plays calls for charm and appeal. The role of the Pageboy is silent, which makes my casting, in a word, ideal. I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in Box Five, which will be kept empty for me. Should these commands be ignored, a disaster beyond your imagination will occur. I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant,O.G.
Orianna couldn't help but smile. He was trying to make sure that she got the lead even though he threatened to do something horrible if it didn't happen; she still felt flattered. Plus, he was probably all talk. But, then he did get angry when she took off his mask. Men, they are so complex. Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by Carlotta's voice. She was singing her head off about something. But, she did catch the part about Raoul being her lover and that was crossing the line. He was cute and all but he was not her lover in any way. She followed behind the group, still trying not to be seen.
By now, the rest of the opera was awake, hearing the fight in the main hall. Word travels fast especially in a place that echoes. The managers were begging for Carlotta to stay but she wasn't going to. She even began packing up her things but they stopped.
"Christine Daae will be playing the pageboy-the silent role… Carlotta will be playing the lead."
But, even that didn't satisfy her. She began saying that they were just trying to make her happy. Orianna was getting tired of this charade and just exhausted in general. She ran up to the ballet dormitories and lay down on her bed. It was peaceful and quiet since most of the ballerinas were practicing on stage but she just wanted to sleep. She had so many thoughts inside her head she thought she was going to explode. She had slept an hour maybe two when she felt someone pushing her lightly on the shoulder and calling her name. She opened her eyes and saw Meg standing there half dressed in her costume.
"Christine, you have to get up."
"Why? I haven't slept that much."
"I'm sorry but you need to rehearse for tonight, Mama wants you prepared."
"I don't know if I can do this Meg." Meg sat down next to her. She really was turning out to be more of a friend than a mouse. She took one of Orianna's hands into hers.
"Christine, what happened last night?"
"Meg, I'm not sure you would believe me if I told you…" She wanted to cry, just to let it all out but she had to hold it in and be strong.
"We are best friends, sisters, you can tell me anything. And I think I do believe you." Orianna quirked a brow at her, as if asking the question "what do you mean?" "Last night, Raoul seemed so concerned that you were being hurt or kidnapped and I wanting to make sure all was well took Mama's keys and hurried to your room. I found it eerily silent and decided to investigate further. The only light seemed to be coming from, what seemed to be, a crack in your mirror. As I came upon it I found that your mirror slid like a door and when I went behind it you could see into your room. Do you understand?" Orianna nodded, it was double mirror like the police use. Meg continued, "Before I checked the mirror out, I noticed this on the floor." She went over to her bed and brought back the single red rose with the black ribbon on it that Madame Giry had given her from someone, whom she thought was Raoul. Orianna took it and stared at it.
"I thought you would want it back. After I entered the mirror, I followed a sort of tunnel but before I could get very far, my mother brought me back to your room. She sat me down for what seemed like ages telling me about your angel, the phantom."
"This wasn't from Raoul; this was from my angel, my phantom. I saw two more of these down in his home." Meg looked a little concerned.
"Christine, you should have heard about the phantom; his story is so heartbreaking."
"What do you…?" But before she could finish Madame Giry came into the room.
"Ladies, are you ready?"
((What do you think? What do you think? I liked this chapter. I was trying to explain and clear up some things for you and I hope I did it well. Thank you for the great reviews! Keep them coming lol! Keep reviewing and I keep writing! Thanks for reading!))