I do not own any of the characters from The Phantom of the Opera, although I do rather enjoy borrowing them from time to time.

A/N Thanks for the positive reviews on the first chapter. I am so excited about this story! I hope you will come to love the complex characters as much as I do. Please review and let me know what you think. Oh and by the way, I need a name for Erik's butler, he and Marie will go head to head in the battle to serve Christine, should be an interesting sub plot. Please review and let me know what you think.

Here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

Author - ToryD

Beta - Potosynthesis (on vacation so there maybe some errors, sorry)

Choices

Chapter 2

Christine sat with her confusion plainly written across her beautiful face. "I'm sorry Mr. Desmond; I don't think I heard you correctly." She said as she looked at him questioningly.

Erik stood to walk over to the window to gaze unseeingly out at the busy street below. "I think that under the circumstances that you should call me Erik, Christine." He said with an amused chuckle. "Your father, through some very unwise business decisions needed a very large amount of capital in order to save Daae Industries from receivership. He appealed to most of the major banks and financial houses only to be told that he had nothing of value to secure the loan." Erik turned from the window to look at Christine. "That is where I enter the picture." Crossing the room, he once again took his seat and stared intently into her confused eyes.

Christine continued to look at him with a bewildered expression on her face. "I don't understand. Why would you lend my father so much money when others refused?" She questioned the mysterious man before her.

Erik joined his hands and touched his two extended index fingers to his pursed lips, never once breaking the intense contact between their eyes. "I found the opportunity to be irresistible. You see Christine; while the others only wanted money as security I wanted something of far more value."

Christine frowned at his words, "But…I…" stumbling on her words, she drew in a deep breath to try to calm her agitated state. "What is it that you had hoped to gain? What could my father have promised you that you would risk so much?"

Erik raised a perfectly arched eyebrow, "Why you of course." He said simply.

"Me! My father would have never promised me in return for a business loan!" Christine said with such sincerity that Erik almost felt sorry for her, almost.

"I was afraid that you might not believe that your father would gamble so recklessly with your future, so I took the liberty of bringing a copy of the agreement with me." Erik said as he took a thick contract form his dark pinstriped suit jacket pocket. Standing he crossed to where she sat, holding the damning document out for her possession.

Christine felt his intense stare, as he stood not a foot from her. She felt the familiar fluttering sensation in the pit of her stomach at his nearness. Reaching out she snatched the paper he held in his hand. Unfolding it, she began to read the legal language that did indeed promise her in exchange for thirty million dollars. Closing her eyes she cried out against her father's betrayal, even in death he has the power to hurt her beyond all comprehension.

Christine's eyes sought out Erik who was once again standing by the window. Rising to her feet, she crossed the room to stand a few feet behind him. "This can't be legal. No court will uphold this contract. I am afraid Mr. Desmond that my father has taken advantage of you." She said in a soft voice.

Erik smiled at her naiveté. "My guess would be that you are very much correct in your assumption Christine." He said as he turned to look into her exquisite face. "But as you will soon learn, I have not gotten to where I am today by making foolish mistakes." He crossed the short distance between them to stand so close that she could feel the confidence radiating off him. "I knew that I would have to have more than just your father's word to make you honor the contract."

"There is nothing that you can do to make me concede to this so called marriage!" She said with a heated flush adorning her cheeks.

Erik smiled as he reached out to allow his fingertips to trace her perfect bottom lip. Christine drew back with a shocked gasp, not only from the boldness of his touch, but also from the heat that his touch ignited within her innocent body.

As Erik let his hand fall back to his side, he quickly lowered his lashes to hide the look of hurt that had taken up residence in his eyes from her rejection. "As I was saying, I have made certain ah…," he paused as he thought of the right word to ensure that she would understand the seriousness of his intent, "guarantees shall we say, that you would indeed adhere to the terms of the contract."

Christine looked up into his striking half-masked face. "What guarantees?"

Erik smiled a smile filled with the same maliciousness to that of a tiger about to pounce on its prey. "Why you of course my dear. You are my guarantee." He said cryptically.

Christine inhaled a deep breath only to let it rush out in a sharp hiss. "How am I your 'guarantee'? She questioned him in an exasperated voice.

Erik walked over to his chair and once again sat in a relaxed manner, which in truth was in sharp contract to the emotions racing through him. Adopting a calm voice, he looked up at her as he continued with his explanation. "Your sense of duty Christine. That is my guarantee."

Christine frowned at his statement. "Duty? To my dead father? You have made a mistake if you think I hold any duty to him Mr. Desmond!" She said in a passionate voice.

Erik raised an eyebrow at her heated denial. "I was not talking about your father Christine. No, I was talking about Daae Industries." He said with the confident tone she was beginning to despise.

Christine failed to hold in the short humorless laugh that escaped her lips. "Daae Industries, now why would I care about Daae Industries?"

Erik felt her distain for her father's company filling the room. "Yes Christine, Daae Industries. Or should I say the more than eight thousand employees of Daae Industries." He said in a calm tone.

Christine felt a sharp sensation of guilt fill her. "What are you going to do?" She asked in a shaky voice.

Erik leaned back in his chair, at last feeling once again in control. "Do Christine. It is not I who has the choice here; it is you who will decide the future of the employees of Daae Industries."

"Me?" She said as she sank down on the soft leather sofa opposite him.

"Yes, you my dear. If you choose to refuse my offer of marriage then I will close Daae Industries within forty-eight hours. All eight thousand employees will of course have to be fired. Oh, I almost forgot, your fathers home was also part of the deal. The household staff will be terminated as well." Erik paused as he noted the look of utter despair on her face; he felt a small measure of guilt in being the one to cause her such distress. Shaking himself, he once again focused on his goal, the goal being the beautiful Christine. "Should you accept my proposal then I will rescue Daae Industries and remain its vigilant benefactor for as long as we are man and wife." Erik stood to cross to the small bar in Mr. Townsend's office; pouring himself a small amount of whisky, he took a small sip as he turned back to the devastated Christine. "So you see Christine the choice is all yours. Save the company that your father spent his life creating, or live with the guilt of letting it fall into bankruptcy. Your choice."

Christine raised her tear-filled eyes to his, "But, why? I don't even know you. You…you don't even know me." She said in a quiet whisper.

Erik continued to stare at her with his piercing green gaze. "But my dear Christine, I do know you. I have made it my undertaking of the last seven months to know you." Erik said in a haunting tone.

Christine felt a chill go down her spine at his ominous statement. "Why me? You don't love me." She said in a soft whisper.

Erik laughed at the word. "Love, Christine? No, I don't love you. Love is an emotion suffered by fools and teenage girls." He said with a sneer.

Christine shook her head causing one of her long brunette curls to escape the loose tie that she had place in her hair this morning. "Then why? Why me?" She inquired with a look of such pain that Erik had to turn away.

Erik looked down at the carpet, willing himself to get his raging emotions back under his iron control. Taking a deep breath, he slowly turned to walk back to her side. "Why you, you ask?" He said in a soft voice that belied the intense emotion racing through his blood.

Christine looked up into his compelling eyes, she felt as though he was looking into her very soul with his unwavering stare.

"Why indeed!" He said in a passionate voice that caused her to jump in fear. "From the first moment I set eyes upon you I knew that I must possess you body and soul!"

Christine drew in a quick sharp breath at his declaration. Shaking her head in denial, he positioned his arms to entrap her on the leather sofa.

Erik brought his face so close to hers that he could feel her quick little breaths escaping from her soft pink lips. "Oh, yes Christine. From the first time our eyes met across the room, I felt such an insatiable desire for you that I have made it my mission to move heaven and earth to have you!" Erik leaned in to position his lips just a hairs breath from her softly parted lips.

Christine felt her heart jump in her throat as she could feel his breath on her face as she looked up into his passion-filled eyes. She cursed herself as she felt the stirrings of intense pleasure fill her at his nearness. Closing her eyes, she tried to fight her powerful desire for the man before her.

Erik felt her answering passion. "You feel it to Christine." He whispered against her quivering lips. He felt triumphant at his latest discovery.

Christine shook her head violently. "NO!" She pushed him away and jumped to her feet. Rushing towards the office door she reached out to grasp the knob only to be stopped by Erik's restraining hand. Her breaths coming in short gasps she refused to look up at him.

Erik felt her trembling even though he was not touching so much as an inch of her body. Adopting a calm business tone, he informed her of his deadline. "You have until tomorrow evening to make your choice." With those last few words, he handed her his card with his private number and opened the door to allow her exit.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Christine raced past Mr. Townsend and his shocked secretary. Marie rose and hurriedly began to follow Christine. "Christine!" she called to the young woman.

Christine felt as if the devil himself was after her. Hearing Marie calling to her she leaned her head against the cool metal of the elevator as she waited for the older woman.

"Christine, what has happened?" Marie asked with concern in her motherly voice.

Christine looked up into Marie's kind blue eyes. She looked at the woman who had been the only person in her father's home to show her any compassion and love. How can I allow Erik to throw her out of the only home she has known for over twenty years? Her mind questioned. Oh God, what am I to do?

Marie looked into Christine's tortured face, "Tell me, what Mr. Desmond has done to you?" She questioned with insistence.

Christine let the breath that she did not know she was holding escape her lungs. "Nothing. Please let's just go." She said as she pushed the elevator down button with a sharp jab.

Marie frowned at Christine's dismissal. As she was about to begin her questioning a second time she was interrupted by an agitated Mr. Townsend.

Robert rushed towards the bank of elevators hoping to catch the departing Ms. Daae. "Ms. Daae, please…I have something for you." He said as he approached the two women.

Christine turned to look at the out of breath attorney. "I'm sorry Mr. Townsend, what did you say?"

Robert looked at the striking beauty with sympathy. "Your father instructed me to give you this in the event of his death." He said as he held out an envelope with the name typed on it.

Christine reached out and took hold of her father's last offering. "Thank you Mr. Townsend." She said as she swallowed past the lump that was forming in her throat

Robert felt such pity for the beautiful young girl that he cursed the indifference that her father saw fit to impose upon her in his lifetime and now in the finality of his death.

As the elevator doors slid open, Christine motioned for Marie to precede her. Pushing the button to access the lobby of the fifty-story building, Christine felt as though her world had been turned upside down in the space of the last thirty minutes. As the doors began to close she looked up to find Erik's eyes trained upon her in an intense stare. She felt as if he was calling to her soul to join his. She felt her blood begin to race at the thought of his all-encompassing possession. Shaking her head, she pushed her unwanted thoughts from her tortured mind. Closing her eyes, she shut out the sight of the man who was invading her very being. "No." she whispered as she let a single tear escape to fall slowly down her smooth pale cheek.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

As Erik watched the elevators door close, he felt Christine's eyes answering his call to join his soul in the overwhelming passion that was sure to engulf them both. Taking out his cell phone, he pushed the speed dial to connect him with Nadir. "Have the car downstairs in five minutes." He ordered in a gruff voice as he walked towards the bank of elevators. Within the privacy of the elevator, Erik braced his hand on the cold metal door, lowering his head he allowed the emotion that he had held in check for the last thirty minutes free reign. Closing his eyes tightly he fought the overwhelming guilt that was invading his soul. Clenching his hand into a tight fist, he reached back and viciously punched the metal door causing a large dent to appear. Welcoming the distraction of the physical pain, he flexed his throbbing hand as he renewed his vow to have Christine at any cost. "You will be mine Christine. You will be mine."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

A/N Next chapter Christine's father's letter, more Raoul, and we get to meet Christine's friend and co-worker Meg, and of course Christine's decision. Oh and a very heartfelt thankyou for the review that said I was one of her favorite authors. Wow you really made my day! Please review and let me know what you think. Thanks!