When The Phantom and Soprano entered the Phantasma's hotel's ballroom, the party was already underway. The electric lights were dim setting a tete-a-tete ambiance yet the small string orchestra played a lively waltz. Christine spotted Gustave dancing with Rose and leaned into her husband, "I am impressed with how swiftly he got Charlotte home."
He placed a light kiss on her cheek, "Never underestimate the pull of the heart."
"Just like his father," Christine giggled placing her hand on her husband's chest.
A few heads turned their way and Christine took a deep breath, "I believe we have been spotted."
"What did you expect with that dress?"
She looked up at her husband. From the side she stood on, Christine could only see the good side of his face. Is he hoping my dress is enough to distract from his face?
The couple walked further into the room, a few more heads turned and there were some hushed whispers.
"I want to dance, Erik, come on," Christine tugged her husband towards the dance floor.
"No, no, no, not yet," Erik in his strength pulled her towards the refreshment table. "I believe some celebratory champagne is due first."
When they got to the table the server looked at Erik and gasped, a bottle of champagne slipping from his hand. The glass crashing onto the wooden floor turned all the heads in the vicinity.
"It was an accident, no need to concern yourself," Christine pulled away from her husband and addressed the people watching. She then addressed the server, "Another bottle, please. And get your co-workers to help you clean this up."
The shaking man left his station swiftly. Christine turned around and saw her husband, eyes closed, his face twisted in anger as his fists squeezed tighter than she thought possible.
Voices swirled around them. "Is that really his face?" "I thought it was just stage theatrics?" "Is that the reason he wears a mask? What a tragedy that such an angelic voice must live in a damaged body." "He's such a genius though; let's just put a stipulation that for any future donations he must stay behind the stage."
"Yes, yes did you expect anything less of the owner of Phantasma?" Erik snapped. "I thought I could finally be myself at my own opening party!" A quick turn on his heels, he pushed past the gawking crowds and back out of the hotel; faster than Christine could keep up.
"Erik, please!" The Soprano called after him as her dress's train billowed behind her through the hotel's lobby.
"You were right, Christine! You were right!" In one frantic push the hotel's doors opened and he was out in the warm summer night. "I am such a fucking fool! I really thought this meant something!"
"It did, Angel, it did," she pulled him into a tight embrace. She felt his tears dripping into her hair.
"I do not know which is crueler the screams of revolt or the comments of pity I just heard."
"What of the cheers as we took our bows? Charlotte's face as she saw you on stage without your mask?"
"Papa? What's wrong?" Gustave stood a few steps behind his embracing parents.
Erik let go of his wife and turned to see his son in the electric lights of Phantasma. A few paces behind him was Rose.
Gustave's face sunk as he looked at his father, "Oh I understand now." He threw his arms around him.
Rose slowly walked up to the family. "Mr. Y…" she spoke softly.
The Phantom looked up.
Rose swallowed and took a deep breath, "Your voice was magnificent tonight. Gustave told me the opera sounded completely different when you sung it with his mother and he was right. I cried, your voices soared to heaven and you could just feel the love. Your appearance doesn't matter when there is that much beauty."
Gustave let go of his father and both looked at the young lady. Erik smiled as he took Rose's hand and brought it to his bloated lips. She flinched slightly but did not move.
"Thank you, young lady," He let go of Rose's hand after the light kiss.
Rose bundled her hands together behind her back and looked down at the sidewalk. Christine observed the girl's body language. She knew first-hand the bravery Rose was showing right now. The fact that a fourteen-year-old girl could stand here while grown people gasped and whispered. She didn't have to come out here, this was a family affair but her affection for Gustave extended to his family.
"You are very kind, Rose," Christine spoke up. "We are so glad you enjoyed the show."
The girl smiled, "Are you coming back to your party? I know my parents were looking forward to talking to both of you. And I know my mother would love to see your dress, Mrs. Y."
Christine looked up at her husband and took his hands. Fear filled his eyes and she felt his shaking hands but he nodded.
"Gustave, why don't you escort Rose to her parents and let them know we will be in to see them in a few minutes?" Christine smiled at her son.
The boy grinned as he offered his arm to his sweetheart and they walked back into the hotel.
Erik took a deep breath, "Hold me tight, Christine. I'm scared of how I will respond once I'm back in there."
Christine let go of his hands and offered her arm, "I will not let go of you. You were brave enough to go out without your mask, be brave enough to not resort to the means you used to."
With his free hand, The Phantom caressed her cheek, "I do not deserve you, Angel."
"Yes, you do. Now let's go." The couple turned back to the hotel.