Chapter 18: You're My Fate

The concert hall rang with applause as the audience gave a standing ovation after the performance of Dracula had come to an end and the cast took a bow.

To evade suspicion Nadir had gone to Christine to recommend a doctor at the far side of phantasma that might be able to give her something that would restore her singing voice and Christine eagerly went but the doctor only gave her a vial that was simply filled with mineral water.

Hope came off stage in her Mina costume smiling brightly when Erik hugged her tightly, spinning her around,

"You were amazing" he praised causing Hope to giggle,

"It was amazing... I didn't realise singing could feel like that" she said softly and Erik smiled, brushing the back of his hand against her cheek,

"Mister Y? Miss Daae wants to see you. She's hoping she can get paid now as she and her husband want to return to Paris as soon as possible" a stage hand told him and Erik sighed,

"Work is never done" he said, looking back at Hope who shrugged her shoulders but hugged him again,

"Be careful" she whispered gently causing Erik to smile softly,

"I will, don't worry" he promised before heading to Christine's dressing room.

Christine smiled when Erik knocked before entering the room,

"Miss Daae, I am so pleased your voice was able to be returned so that you could participate in the performance" Erik said and Christine smiled brightly, standing from her dressing table chair,

"Thank you, Mister Y... Your compositions are something truly to be admired" the diva praised as Erik removed his cheque book and pen from his suit pocket before scribbling a sum upon a blank cheque and ripped it off the book and handed it to Christine,

"It's 4 times what I originally promised you. I think that is more than enough" he said with a chuckle and Christine giggled,

"Considering you originally promised me 10,000? Yes I would say 4 times that is more than fair" she said and Erik nodded,

"Well, I wish you and your family a safe trip back to France" he bid before going to leave,

"Mister Y?... I was hoping I could ask you something" Christine called after him and Erik reluctantly turned back,

"Of course" he said,

"Well... It's just. I know that It was you who composed the songs for the show tonight but... It's just your style of writing matches the style of someone whom was once very dear to me" Christine explained gently and Erik was surprised because he could always tell when she was lying and strangely, this time she wasn't,

"I see... Who was this man?" he asked,

"He was my singing teacher and... I am sad to say that I betrayed him in the most worst way possible. He loved me but I being the stupid child I was, couldn't see past a simple birthmark that covered half of his face... He doesn't know but... The last night we were together... We conceived a child together. Much to Raoul's displeasure but... My husband was kind enough to forgive me and he accepted Gustave as his own but... I always pray that Erik knows how sorry I am... And that I've always loved him" she finished gently and Erik sighed,

"How long have you known?" he asked and Christine twiddled her fingers nervously,

"I had my suspicions but... I knew completely when the overture of tonight's show began" she admitted and Erik sighed once more,

"Christine... I shall not lie I am happy to see you again and to have heard you sing again is something I have dreamed of for a long time... And the fact I have a son... Well it warms my heart" he told her causing Christine to smile softly,

"But... I don't love you any more, Christine... I don't even think I ever truly did" he admitted sadly and Christine felt a tear fall down her cheek as she stepped forward, taking Erik's hand in her own,

"Please Erik, you don't mean that. The night we made love and conceived our son was the most magical night of my life... Do you remember what you told me? You said that you would always love me. Was those sweet whispers that have kept me going these last 10 years a lie?" she asked softly,

"No... No they were not a lie... I may have loved you then Christine but... I don't love you any more" he told her, trying to pull his hand away from hers but she held onto him,

"Please Erik. Kiss me and you'll know that's not true" she begged,

"Just one kiss and if you feel nothing then I will leave and you shall never hear from me again" she promised and Erik sighed,

"Very well" he murmured and they both shared a soft kiss, eventually pulling away from each other after a moment and Christine smiled brightly when she saw Erik give a soft smile,

"I knew you would feel something" Christine whispered going to kiss him again but frowned when he pulled away, still smiling softly,

"You're right... I did feel something. Christine when I kissed you... All I could think about was Hope and... I felt sad that you weren't her. I do love someone Christine... And it isn't you" he told her before leaving,

"I'll send you money and gifts for Gustave every month and when, if you ever choose to tell him who his true father is... He is welcome to visit me anytime he wishes" he told her, not giving her a chance to respond.

Hope had gone to see if Erik had returned to his office and glared when she found the Vicomte attempting to break into Erik's safe,

"I might have guessed that you would take advantage of the distraction caused by tonight's performance to try and steal that stupid diamond" she said firmly causing Raoul to turn towards her stunned but he smirked, removing a gun from his pocket, pointing it at her,

"Well if I can't find the diamond on my own... Then I guess the jewel of Mister Y's eye shall have to lead me to it" he said smugly but Hope wasn't afraid,

"So this is why your wife called Erik to her dressing room. To distract him whilst you broke into his office" she accused but Raoul rolled his eyes,

"Please, my wife hasn't cared about the diamond as I have. All she has cared about is finding Gustave's father and rekindling the love she once rejected" he said with a bored tone and Hope frowned, feeling her heart drop as Raoul smirked, clicking the barrel of his gun so it was ready to shoot,

"So, Hope. What is it to be? Either you take me to the diamond now... Or I go and find your beloved Erik and put a bullets in him until he practically begs me to take the diamond by telling me the location himself?" he asked as Hope glared at him.

Will Hope lead Raoul to the diamond? We'll find out in the final chapter!

Kind Regards,

TheAuthor1996