Oof, it's been a hot minute, hasn't it? I can't thank everyone enough for your continuous encouragement and support. It means the absolute world to me. This new year, I have made it a point to write more (Both original works and fanfictions) for you guys. If you are interested in finding out more about my original works...so am I! I still have so many in progress that I can't seem to finish any of them. But they will be finished this year, I guarantee you! I will post some announcements concerning them as time goes on. They will be posted on my Wattpad account, which I will give to you at a later date (when there is more on there than just The Phantom's Shadow and An Opera in Chaos.) Beware, though...you may find some BTS fanfics there and on here later (I can't say I joined the hype cuz I was already a fan before they became big over here...) So, with that little speech over, I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 53

A couple days passed and I was back to my normal self. No more bouts of crying, no more letters, nothing. Things were finally getting back to normal.

Well...you know what I mean.

Antoinette had resumed her dance rehearsals with the ballet corps whereas I was tasked with finding a new show to perform. Yeah, me again. Not the managers, me. Apparently I had become quite popular with my show choices (especially the talent show) and Paris was already abuzz, eager to hear my announcement. Like it's easy to pick any show...any at all...

But, in a way, it kind of was. I had been browsing my tablet (yes, it was still functional) and found the Korean version of the musical Jekyll and Hyde. My first thought when I heard the music and saw the production videos was Erik! He needs to be in this!

So with a whole day of hounding and begging him about it...he still said no.

"But why, Erik? It would be perfect and I can't think of anyone else that could pull it off. You would be perfect. And no, you can't use your face as an excuse anymore. It's pretty much blemish-free now. So there is nothing keeping you from saying yes besides your bullheadedness."

He shook his head and took his (unneeded) mask off. "If you just want me in it because you want to hear me sing First Transformation, I could sing it for you right here and now."

"Maybe I do, but I really don't think anyone else would do it justice," I said with an eye roll. "It has to be you."

He began to walk away, but I grabbed his sleeve before he could get too far away. "Please, Erik. For me."

Erik hung his head as he heaved out a sigh. "You are making me soft, woman."

"Good."

And right I was. Erik was a hit and – dare I say – an absolute heartthrob. It turns out I wasn't the only one who thought he was perfect for the role.

Lines of women stretched through the ballroom as they waited for just a glimpse of the man that stole everybody's heart. Accompanying them were their non-too-happy dates for the evening, scowling as Erik's name escaped each person's mouths.

As I observed them from a distance, Erik was quietly freaking out behind me. "Mon amour, I don't think I can go out there."

I turned and noticed his mask – his safety blanket – was back on its perch. I made my way to him and gently brushed my fingers over it. "I won't make you go out there if you're that uncomfortable. Trust me, I get it. It's absolutely nerve-wracking. But think: wouldn't it be nice to actually get some credit, and need I say admiration, for once? You already know they love you. Why not receive it?"

It took him a few moments before he allowed me to take his mask off and give him the biggest bear hug I could muster. "You always know how to talk me in to things," he stated. "I hate it."

I giggled. "I love you, too."

He took a deep breath before slowly making his way towards the awaiting crowd. I could see him slightly cower when they began cheering, but soon gained some confidence as he realized they were basically fangirling over him. I rolled my eyes in amusement when he looked back at me with a smirk. I would say he needed to be knocked down a notch, but given what he had been through in his life, I decided to let him relish it a bit. Just as long as he didn't take it too far. I trusted him, though.

As I watched him interact with his new fans, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me. I looked all around me to find who it was, but all eyes were on Erik. Once I turned around to see if anyone was behind me, a hand came around my mouth and an arm wrapped around my waist, dragging me away from the ballroom. I struggled to break free from the person's grasp, but to no avail. I soon realized they were taking me to the roof. That's a comforting thought, I thought sarcastically.

My kidnapper let me go once we reached the roof. I noticed their face was covered by a full eerie-looking mask: black tears painted underneath the left eye and the lips painted dark red. I scurried away from them as fast as I could towards the door, but they blocked me just as I touched the doorknob. "Where do you think you're going?"

Okay, so this is definitely a man...

"What do you want?"

He chuckled evilly. "Oh, it's not about what I want. It's about what you want."

I got in my sassy pose: arms crossed and hip cocked out. "And what exactly would that be?"

"Your secret to stay as such. I know everything...time traveler."

By the way, just a disclaimer: I do not own Jekyll and Hyde, but I do encourage you to check it out. Escpecially the aforementioned Korean version of First Transformation...you'll thank me later...