Chapter 5: A Not So Special Gift Of Thanks

Erik found himself wishing the weeks away as he paced back and forth within his cavern home that sat next to a lake which ran beneath the opera house; The company was getting ready for their opening night performance of 'Cinderella' and Christine had succeeded in obtaining the lead female role of the famed fictional maiden whom's name was born from the fact that her face became tarnished with the ashes from the fireplace that she would sleep next too... It was one of Erik's favorite shows; A story about transformation, telling of how someone can become a better version of themselves was a story that always appealed to the lonely phantom.

The angel of music had been giving Christine extra lessons; Sometimes even twice a day in order to prepare her for her stage debut and it was on opening night when Madame Giry was helping Christine get ready that the young singer found a single red rose tied with a black silk ribbon,

"What if I let him down, Madame?" Christine asked nervously but the ballet mistress smiled softly,

"You are his greatest triumph, Christine. You will make him proud" Madame Giry assured before leaving Christine to finish off getting ready and Christine looked at her reflection within the mirror before taking a deep breath in attempt to calm herself down.

The orchestra were tuning their instruments as the audience began making their way to their seats and Erik was irritated to find a couple sitting within box five,

"Excuse me... This box is mine" Erik said rather politely, watching as the couple looked around them confused before shaking off the voice they had just heard and Erik felt himself grow frustrated,

"I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU LEFT!" Erik yelled firmly and chuckled as he watched the couple cry out in fear before fleeing the box and most likely the opera all together; Erik entered the box through his usual secret passage way and closed the main door completely so that no one would see him and he took his seat before beginning his anxious wait for the show to begin.

Rose had seen the couple running from the opera house in terror and looked at Madame Giry whom could only shake her head in amusement,

"Box 5" the two women chorused before getting back to work.

Erik noticed that the curtain rise was delayed but he was not worried as the opera's director had come on stage and explained that set pieces were just being lodged into place so that there would be no accidents... Erik felt himself stiffen however when a knock came from behind him.

Rose stood outside the door to box five and was hesitant before knocking,

"... Forgive me for disturbing your evening, monsieur... I wouldn't intrude but... What I have is too big to fit under the door..." Rose said timidly, checking to make sure that no one was watching her,

"... I'll just leave it outside the door" Rose said but jumped when the door creaked open slightly but no one exited,

"... Mademoiselle Nightingale" a hidden gentleman greeted and Erik was careful not to allow her to catch sight of him but was stunned when only Rose's hand came inside the door and offered him a key,

"... I thought you might be getting tired of requesting that this box be left empty. This is the only key but... If you were able to lock it from the inside and leave the key in the lock then the managers will be unable to have a new key made" Rose said gently and Erik was stunned by this gesture... Small though it was... It may not have been that special to anyone else but to him... This gift she was giving him was everything.

Erik slowly reached out his hands, taking the key from Rose's hand whilst his other kept a gentle grasp on the one in which the key had rested and he heard Rose gasp softly,

"... Thank you, Mademoiselle... I do not usually allow anyone to hear me... However I could not help but overhear you defending me to your sister's angel of music... There is not many whom would reject an angels opinion" Erik said lightly and felt Rose's fingers curl around his hand gently,

"You are just as much an angel as he is. If a birds wings are damaged. Does that terminate the fact that it is a bird?" Rose asked and Erik couldn't help but chuckle,

"Well said, Mademoiselle" he praised and didn't see how Rose smiled gently,

"Monsieur?... I hope you don't think me rude but... Might I ask your name?" Rose asked curiously,

"... I am the phantom" Erik answered after a moment and felt his chest tighten when he heard her giggle,

"No... I meant your real name" Rose said politely and there was a long silence that fell between the door that separated them,

"... Erik... Erik Destler was my name in life" he finally admitted,

"Well it was nice to speak with you, Mr Destler" Rose replied gently as Erik rested his masked face against the door and closed his eyes having heard his surname on her lips and he reluctantly released her hand as she retracted it gently,

"I will leave you to enjoy the rest of the performance... Goodnight, Erik" Rose bid before pushing the door closed carefully and waited a moment before she heard it lock from the other side and she couldn't help but smile softly before rushing down to the backstage area in case she was needed.

Erik could still feel the warmth that Rose's hand had brought to his own when she had held it,

"... Goodnight" he whispered before turning and retaking his seat just as the curtain raised and the show began.

It was that night that Erik laid in his bed and found himself conflicted... Christine's voice made his heart feel as if he could fly; He loved her with his entire being. Was it wrong that he had a strong connection with Rose?... Was it wrong to yearn for friendship as well as love?... Was it greedy of him to want both?

REVIEW FOR CHAPTER 6!

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996