☼☼☼

When Raoul finally awoke, Christine made up her mind. She was to return to the Opera house. Raoul didn't betray an emotion. He smiled and kissed her cheek, praising Christine for her choice. She couldn't help but feel suspicious of Raoul's gentle behaviour. It was clearly out of line and yet, he contained himself rather smoothly.

"Well," he said after an interval of silence, "we better start packing, if we are to arrive by tomorrow the very latest."
"Oh, Raoul! Thank you, darling! Thank you." she hugged him before briskly marching to her room to prepare herself for the exhausting trip.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The ride by coach was long and extremely uneasy. It felt as though the road back home was like a perilous ride to hell. Christine shuddered the thought away and leaned against Raoul affectionately. He hadn't spoken since their departure and she tempted him several times into diverse subjects. The discussions ended briefly by Raoul's short and decisive responses. Christine's persistence grew to the point where her next approach was the heart of her worries.

"Do you think he's still there?" she spoke casually.

She felt Raoul's hand, which was clasped into hers, tighten.

"What makes you think that, my little lotte?"
"You know what I mean, Raoul. If you don't desire to talk about it, just say so...don't make me feel absurd."

There was an uneasy silence.

"Do you regret letting me go back?" she asked.

Raoul shifted and took her face into his hands. Concern was etched in his face.

"Now what makes you think that? What-?" he closed his mouth and searched into her eyes.
"Whatever you ask of me to do...I'd be willing to for your sake. I'm only fretting because I deeply care for you, Christine. I nearly lost you and I promised myself to never let that happen again. I know you truly belong at the Opera house...and if he's still there, I vow to challenge him if he ever dares disturb your happiness."

"Oh, Raoul!" Christine leaned into a kiss just as the coach stopped. A caterwauling cry arose outside.

"Basta! Your dilemmas make this diva very sick!" cried the Prima Donna.