"Erik is a name I took by chance. But it works fine..." He sounded very light-headed, contrary to his usual grave attitude.

"I must thank you for your discretion, Meg. I wouldn't like to have the Persian messing with my affairs any further," he said gravely.

Even when he didn't sound too withdrawn, I could still tell easily that he held a barrier between him and people.

Of course, I had been speculating about the meeting with the foreign man, including his warnings, and wondering what in the world he could have to do with Erik. And pondering over the matter as I was, asking these questions to the Phantom, though, was another story.

It seemed like whenever I pushed my way through that barrier, he felt wildly threatened, even if my intentions were the best ever. I decided forgetting the topic, at least for now.

"You are very welcome. Where are you, exactly?"

"Everywhere!" his voice spread itself to all the walls and objects, in a magical way. I felt surrounded, people and things talking back to me, with voices that belonged to nobody. He laughed, proud of his little trick.

"Nice! Are you a ventriloquist?"

"Me? Little Meg Giry, I am no ventriloquist, I am a Phantom!"

He feigned indignation, making me laugh with him. The inconstancy of his moods was amazing! He could show great fits of temper, as I had just seen a while back, as well as these playful, even childish attitudes.

"Would you like to come in and talk for a while?"

I was secretly hoping he would. In spite of all that happened, I had missed him and still had that urge of being with him.

I also wanted to put my indecision towards him to a test. I suppose the haunting image of his deformity wasn't enough to put an end to that feeling of admiration I had since the beginning. No, there should be a lot more about him to make me forget that sight, and I wanted to allow myself to be seduced by him again.

I believe he hadn't considered the idea of actually getting inside my room, sitting on my bed and chatting with me. He was so used to being the Phantom, the one who talks from behind walls (or mirrors, as I was ready to learn by the time), that my question took him by surprise.

"I don't think it would be a good idea," he said hesitantly.

"By the way, Meg Giry" He quickly changed the subject, " just in case you've given a thought about going on with your...spying habits, I'm obliged to let you know I've just blocked that passage to my lair tonight."

I shrugged, pitying him somewhat for believing that his timing was good. And somewhat proud of myself for outsmarting him for once. I stifled a nervous laugh.

It was my turn to ask him.

"May I ask…why will you go out of your way to help my mother… and I?"

He was silent for a very long time.

"I guess I.. tolerate you…and your mother." I could hear his smile saying this, and a hint of a very agreeable laugh at the realisation of the 'quid pro quod' exchange that we just had.

I smiled too, a bit giddy, and another awkward pause ensued.

"Erik," it was a little strange calling him by this name, "how exactly are you going to help my mother?"

"Ah, my dear one! Don't you worry about it! I can assure you it will be quite easy." He feigned a malicious laugh.

"Remember? I may be Erik for you, but for the others, I am still 'the Phantom of the Opera'!"

He emphasised the last part, in an eerie, self-deprecating belated addition, good humoured all the same. But my focus had been on the former "for me" comment. I liked the sound of that.

I smiled, wondering what he was planning in relation to saving my mother's job, and more importantly, also wondering if it could be possible that The Phantom of The Opera was flirting with me.

"Good, because if it doesn't work, I'll lose my place in the Opera, and I'll end up having to sleep in your house down there. And I believe you wouldn't like it..."

"Not especially..."

We both chuckled at that, and not restraining anymore, giggled away together.