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 compliments on my fast updates, I do try, as I hate to wait for updates on my favorite stories also. Side note---MJ MOD, you have me worried. I have noticed your reviews have become somewhat violent lately. I mean hitting poor Erik in the head when he is having a migraine and then wanting to kick him in…, well you know. Nah, I'm just kidding, I laughed out loud when I read them, I love that the story got you a little worked up. Great reviews!

Here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

Author - ToryD

Beta – Potosynthesis (On vacation, sorry for the errors)

Choices

Chapter 5

Christine once again dialed Raoul's cell number as she had seven times previously in the last hour. "Raoul where are you?" She said to herself counting the fifth ring as she paced the length of her small kitchen. Just as she was about to hang up, she heard Raoul's voice on the line.

Raoul was rushing to catch the private jet that was waiting to take him to India to work as a consultant on Erik Desmond's latest business venture, when he finally answered Christine's call. "Christine." He said somewhat out of breath.

"Raoul, I have been trying to reach you all day." She said with a frown-marring forehead.

"I'm sorry Christine. You wouldn't believe the day I've had." He said in way of an apology.

"I need to see you right away; can you come over to my apartment right now?" She asked.

Raoul handed his luggage to the flight attendant as he took the stairs to board the plane. "I can't, I am right now boarding a plane to India."

"India!" Christine said in an astonished voice.

Raoul laughed softly into the phone. "I met with some of Erik Desmond's people this afternoon and they have an urgent need of a consultant in India to oversee Desmond Enterprises newest venture. And thanks to my gorgeous girlfriend, I have been hired to be their Financial Analysis." He said in an excited voice that caused Christine to sink into the small kitchen chair.

Christine felt as though Erik was already at work playing God with her future. "I really need to see you." She said as she blinked away the tears that were threatening to fall.

Raoul frowned at her defeated tone. "Is everything alright? You sound upset."

"Can you come over, it's…it's important." She pleaded in a shaky voice.

"Christine, tell me has something happened?" He asked urgently.

"Yes, I really need to see you." She said softly as the tears she had been holding back began to fall.

Just as Raoul was about to exit the plane, Mr. Reynolds arrived with several other men on Erik's team. "Raoul, glad you made it." He said in a booming voice as he shook Raoul's hand.

"Sir, I have a bit of a small personal emergency, could I perhaps meet you in Bali tomorrow morning?" Raoul asked hopefully.

Tom Reynolds thought of the strict instructions he had received from Nadir regarding the young man before him. "I'm sorry son; we need to get airborne if we want to make our meeting with the Bali government officials. If you can't make this meeting then I am afraid that we will have to cancel our agreement."

Raoul still holding the phone felt as if he was in an impossible situation. "Yes, sir. If I could just have a minute to finish this call?" He said with his hand over the mouthpiece of his cell phone.

Tom Reynolds nodded his permission as he turned to the other gentlemen in his company.

Raoul walked towards the back of the luxurious jet to finish his call in private. "Christine, I'm sorry, but it is impossible for me to get away. If it was any other client I…, but this is a chance of a lifetime. I'm sorry." He said in a regretful voice.

Christine closed her eyes at Raoul's choice of business over her request. "Don't worry about it. It's fine. You should get back to your clients." She said in a discouraged tone.

Raoul cursed himself for his insensitivity towards the one person who deserved his unwavering devotion. "Christine, I promise that when I get to India I will call you first thing. I'm sorry."

Christine almost felt sorry for him, as he sounded so miserable. "Ok, I will talk to you later." She said softly.

Clenching his hand into a tight fist, he tried to quell the feeling of frustration raging through him. "Are you sure?" He asked in a dejected tone.

Christine smiled sadly. "Go, I'm fine now. I'll talk to you later."

"Ok, I love you." Raoul said quietly.

Christine put her hand to her mouth to hold in the cry that threatened to escape. After she took a moment to compose herself, she took a deep breath to grant herself the courage to continue. "Have a safe trip. Goodbye Raoul."

Raoul frowned at the finality of Christine's tone. "Christine…Christine." He called urgently into the phone, only to be answered with a short moment of silence followed by the loneliness of a dial tone.

Christine held the cordless phone to her chest as the reality of her plight hit her with its vicious truth. "Goodbye." She whispered softly, saying goodbye to her old life.

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Nadir watched as Erik downed his scotch. "Erik, don't you think you had better take it easy on the scotch?"

Erik turned and shot Nadir a look of pure distain. "When I want your advice I will ask for it." He said icily as he poured himself another scotch.

Raising his eyebrow at Erik's uncharacteristic loss of control, Nadir felt sorry for his obviously nervous friend. "Erik," he called in a soft voice. "You don't have to go through with this. There is still time stop this before it goes to far."

Erik walked over to the French doors that opened to his million-dollar Manhattan view. Sighing he leaned his head against the cold glass door. "You're wrong Nadir. It is too late. It was too late the moment I saw her across that ballroom seven months ago." He said in a voice that caused Nadir to finally understand what had driven his friend to such lengths to obtain the beautiful and innocent Ms. Daae. Erik loved her. Erik loved her, as he had never known possible. And with that love came a great sense of fear. An all-encompassing fear of unbearable loss. So when all of his attempts at winning the fair hand of Ms. Daae failed, he resorted to the one thing at which he excelled. He set out with cold calculating precision to buy her. But what Erik had failed to consider was that Christine, while she would give her body to him, she would hold back the thing he wanted most, her heart. Nadir shook his head sadly at the utter hopelessness of the disaster that was about to unfold.

Darius knocked on the study door before he opened it to announce Christine's arrival. "Mr. Desmond, Ms. Daae has arrived."

Erik felt his heart skip a beat. She is here, he thought to himself as a shiver of fear went down his spine. "Thank you Darius." Erik said as he crossed the room to go and join Christine.

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Christine looked around the elegant room and marveled at the priceless works of art that adorned the walls. She gasped in shock as she recognized one of the most famous paintings of her favorite French Impressionist painter. Walking over she stared in awe at the breathtaking beauty of the seventeenth century painting.

Erik stood at the doorway watching as Christine looked at one of his many paintings. "Do you like the French Impressionist era?" He questioned her.

Christine felt her heart jump into her throat. Turning she saw the man that she had cursed so violently over the past two days. "I am quite fond of the era." She said in a soft voice.

Erik smiled indulgently as he walked across the room to take her hand in his and raise it to his soft lips to bestow a lingering kiss upon the back of her hand.

Christine felt her pulse jump at the feel of Erik's lips upon her hand. Closing her eyes against the intense heat of desire racing through her she quickly pulled her hand away.

Erik felt her answering desire and felt a small sense of triumph. "Would you like a drink?"

Christine shook herself to try to gain some measure of her composure back. She silently berated herself for her loss of control. "Yes, white wine please."

Erik walked over to the bar and selected a wine for Christine. Expertly uncorking the bottle, he poured two glasses of the golden liquid. Crossing the room, he handed her the glass and offered a toast. "To you Christine…may you know only happiness in your future."

Christine all but chocked on the inappropriate toast of her host. Raising her glass to her lips, she took a long drink trying to gather courage from the wine to help her endure the events of the night ahead.

Erik hid his amused smile at her unease. "Come; let me give you a tour." He said as he held out his hand to her.

Christine hesitated for a short moment before she took his offered hand.

Erik tightened his grip on her soft hand as he led her towards the doorway. "There are fifteen rooms, the main living room which we just left." Pulling her in the direction of the spiral staircase, he motioned for her to proceed him. "On the second level there are two guest suites in addition to the master suite." Opening the door to the first guest suite

Christine stood in awe of the beautiful room. While she was accustomed to luxurious surroundings, she had never seen such utter extravagance. Priceless antiques from various centuries intermingled with master works of art. "It beautiful Erik." She said in a reverent voice.

Erik smiled, please that she seemed to be appreciative of his home. Taking her elbow, he gently led her towards the second suite, which was decorated in much the same manner, with only the choice of colors distinguishing the two rooms. As he led her towards the Master suite, he felt a strange sense of unease, as if he was anxious for her approval. Opening the door he watched as Christine drew in a deep breath.

Christine placed her hand on her heart for she had never seen a more beautiful room. Walking slowly into the main room she reached out to trail her hand lightly on the seventeenth century chaise done in a deep burgundy tapestry, which complemented the dark cherry wood to perfection. Crossing the room she gently drew her fingertips of the hand carved post of the massive dark wood bed. She thought of the master artisan who must have spent hours lovingly creating this testament to his skill so long ago.

Erik stood at the door, looking adoringly at the woman who had somehow become the main focus of his existence.

"Erik," she said with a whispered reverence. "It is so breathtaking."

Erik smiled, as he agreed never taking his eyes off the vision she created. "Yes, breathtaking."

Christine turned to look into his eyes at the strange tone of his voice. She was shocked to see deep longing before he quickly adverted his eyes and turned to continue the tour. "Shall we go downstairs?"

Christine frowned curiously at his behavior as she crossed the room to once again take her place at his side.

Erik took her arm to assist her down the marble stairs. Once they reached the foyer, Erik turned to face her. His apprehension apparent on his half-masked face. "Christine, perhaps we should discuss the reason for your visit this evening."

Resigned to her fate, Christine merely nodded her agreement.

Erik took her hand and led her towards his private study, knowing that over the course of the next few minutes he would become one of two men. Either he would have what he most wanted on this earth, a beautiful wife and mother to his children, or he would become a man possessed, bent on seeking his revenge on all that this life denied him.

Christine took a seat on the soft leather sofa, watching Erik as he closed the door to cross to her side.

Erik sat down next to her, carefully avoiding any contact with her tense form. "From your call last night, I believe that you have made your decision." He said in a quiet voice.

Christine swallowed past the lump forming in her throat. "Yes, I have." She said as she focused on her hands tightly clenched in her lap. "I will agree to become your wife as long as you promise me that no harm will come to my Father's company and his employees. Also I would like your promise that you will keep my father's house with the same staff and provide it as a home for my stepmother."

Erik felt as if his long awaited dream had just come true. She was his at last. "You have my word." He promised. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he retrieved the small box that held the ring that he had created just for her. Flipping the lid open, he took out the flawless three-carat canary diamond radiant cut platinum ring. Gently taking her left hand in his, he carefully slid the priceless gem onto her third finger.

Christine watched in disbelief as the man who had blackmailed her into becoming his wife slid the beautiful ring on her finger as though there was not anything unusual about their cursed union. Not knowing what to say, Christine relied on her manners, "Thank you Erik." She said as she held outher newly bejeweled handto admire the ring as custom demanded.

Erik smiled at her politeness. "You're welcome." Rising he leaned down to grasp her hand to assist her to her feet. Looking into her troubled eyes, he felt a small pang of guilt. Reaching out he traced the smooth curve of her cheek with the back of his hand. "I will make you happy Christine. Our marriage may not start out as most do, but I give you my solemn word, I will make you happy." With his sincere promise still hanging in the air he leaned down to take her lips in the most gentle of kisses. A kiss that did not demand a response, only a sweet kiss that offered her his promise of their future.

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A/N Ok now we can really get this story going…Next chapter is Cara Cara Cara! I can't wait! Also, some wedding plans. Here is another assignment…I need a name for Erik's bitch of a mother. Please post your ideas in your reviews. Thanks!