Behind Closed Doors

Preparations continued for The Magic Flute. Christine tapped away at her computer, sending emails to the advertisers. With the newest opera due to open in a week, it seemed that everything had been left until the last minute. Meanwhile, with Romeo and Juliet drawing to a close, there was also a celebration to prepare for its finish. There was to be a party the next night, Friday, and Christine had already fielded calls from the caterer and decorators, passing them on to Moncharmin and Firmin.

The phone began to ring again and Christine answered with a sigh.

"Christine de Chagny."

"Hello, sweetheart." She smiled at Raoul's voice, "I think I'm going to be late tonight. How do you feel about takeaway? I'll pick it up on the way home."

"Sounds perfect. I need to stay a little later than usual today too."

"Chinese?" Raoul offered and Christine's eyes went to her computer as another email popped up in her inbox.

"That's fine. I'll text you when I leave."

"Love you."

"Love you too." She smiled, hanging up.

She would be late because tonight was another lesson with Erik.

Christine managed to stay hidden in her office for most of the day but a panicked Firmin appeared in her doorway close to three o'clock.

"It's Carlotta, Mrs de Chagny."

"Isn't it always?" Christine said dryly. She stood from her desk, walking past Firmin. Her heels clicked against the marble floors as she made her way to the auditorium, watching in despair as Carlotta shrieked at a seamstress. The diva's eyes settled on the manager.

"This is an outrage!"

"What is?" Christine asked, approaching the stage and climbing the temporary steps that were set up by its side. Mr Reyer, the conductor, gave Christine an apologetic look.

"Someone has been in my dressing room!" Carlotta raged, "My perfume is missing, several of my treasures are gone! One of your staff is a thief!"

"I would be careful of making accusations, Carlotta." Christine warned her, "You can't take such things back easily."

"Why would I take it back? Find this thief or I shall leave!" Carlotta spat.

Christine gave a heavy sigh before turning and walking off stage. Carlotta, Firmin and Moncharmin followed. Christine ignored the titters of the ballerinas and other performers as she walked into Carlotta's dressing room. Her eyes scanned the surfaces.

"Perhaps you can tell me in detail exactly what is missing?" She suggested and Carlotta huffed, gesturing to the dressing table.

"My perfume! It…" Carlotta's voice trailed away. An innocent looking glass bottle was sat beside the mirror. Christine arched her eyebrow.

"It seems to have been recovered. How fortunate. Is there anything else missing?"

Carlotta tugged open the drawers of the table before sitting down silently and staring at Christine's reflection in the mirror with an arrogant expression.

"Clearly the felon has come to their senses."

"Clearly. If there is nothing else troubling you, I will be in my office." Christine told her and Carlotta gave a little huff.

"We shall so. I deserve much more respect. What is an opera without its star?"

"Indeed." Christine muttered to herself. She gestured to Moncharmin and he sidled up to her, "Please ensure that she is kept occupied. I have more than enough to be getting on with, without her temper tantrums."

"Of course, Mrs de Chagny." Moncharmin murmured in chagrin.

Christine sat in the practise room, her eyes fixed on the door. Erik was due to arrive at any moment and though she knew he would not come through the door, she liked having it in her line of sight. It was comforting to know that there was a physical exit.

There was a soft scuffle above her and Christine lifted her eyes to the vent. Erik fell to the floor gracefully, catlike motions giving him fluidity that the average man lacked. He met her gaze and his mouth curled into a smirk.

"Good afternoon, Christine."

"Good afternoon."

"Shall we begin?"

He seated himself at the piano and Christine stood a few paces away, keeping her gaze from him. They began with scales and Christine closed her eyes, allowing herself the pleasure that came with perfect notes that lingered and mixed in the air, more potent than any drug.

Erik barely spoke, beginning the introduction for Pamina's aria and Christine felt herself enter that strange, half-waking place that she had only entered when in Erik's presence, when the music became more than sounds but a reality that only they two existed in. The song wrapped around her, silk strands, sorrowful and beautiful as the character mourned her lover's refusal to speak to her.

She suddenly became aware that the piano accompaniment had ceased. Her voice stuck in her throat and though her eyes were closed, she knew that Erik was stood in front of her. Cool fingers slid across her cheeks, wiping away tears that she hadn't known were there. Christine's eyes flickered open and she stared up at the masked face as pale digits wiped away the last remains of moisture.

It was the first time that Erik had initiated contact with her since she had left his home.

"That was truly exquisite." Erik murmured and Christine swallowed as he turned, his golden eyes hidden from hers as he closed the piano lid, "You are ready."

"Ready…?" Christine breathed and then shook her head. But she dared not voice her argument, Raoul's face in her mind.

"There is a week before The Magic Flute premieres." Erik noted quietly, "You must be prepared."

"Have you been toying with Carlotta?" Christine asked, her senses returning to her. The spell that had weaved it's way around her was breaking and she blinked, turning to look at him as he slid his gloves on.

"She is a child and children enjoy toys."

"That's not what I meant." Christine said tiredly, "It's unnecessary. She's an able singer."

"She is past her prime and to compare her singing to yours is a crime." Erik said frankly, patting his hair as he straightened his collar.

Christine was silent. Arguing did not seem like a viable option. Erik turned his curious eyes on her. She stared back at him and he tilted his head.

"You are very withdrawn this evening. You've not argued with me at all."

Christine was quiet for a long time.

"I'm a little tired, I suppose." She said eventually, "Preparing for The Magic Flute and finishing Romeo and Juliet. It's been a long week."

"The last show of Romeo and Juliet is tomorrow. You should spend the week devoting yourself to perfecting the part of Pamina." Erik said decidedly, "I shall meet with you on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Saturday, on opening night, you will perform."

She would not. Christine was decided on that matter but didn't bother to speak her mind.

Erik seemed to notice her silence and smirked again.

"Do remember, Christine, what is at stake. Your husband will be at the opening night, will he not?"

Christine's heart pounded and Erik stepped closer. His presence felt like an electrical charge that danced across her skin and his leatherbound fingers caught her chin, forcing her to look up at his masked countenance.

"Your soul is mine, Christine de Chagny. You must never forget that. Your voice is mine and your soul. You have taken my music, have been to my home and in return, I own you. The boy is of no consequence to me, as I have already informed you. Why try to resist?"

He gave a soft sigh and his stance turned from threatening to something else… adoring? Alluring? Christine couldn't take her eyes from him as his fingers traced from her chin to cheekbone, fingertips brushing her skin.

"Your voice… you understand, don't you Christine? The power you have is beyond that of man, it is heavenly. Such a gift… such beauty… in a world as hideous as this, do you not understand how much it requires your beauty?"

Yellow skin stretched across a skull… rotting lumps of flesh… sunken eyes. Christine squeezed her eyes shut but the images flashed across her eyelids. Erik's hands fell away from her face and when she looked up, he was gone.

Christine arrived home moments before Raoul. She changed in their bedroom, pulling on her pyjamas, long soft trousers and a camisole top before going to sit in the living room, awaiting his return. He carried in a plate of Chinese food, setting on the little table beside her. His tie was done and the top button of shirt undone.

Christine watched in silence as he began to eat, talking about his day. After a few moments, he looked up at her and she examined his face. His long straight nose, clear blue eyes, thick blond hair. He was so handsome and Christine wondered a world that could create two so different men. One so beautiful and one so wretched that her heart ached at the thought of him.

"Are you alright?" Raoul asked, his hand resting on her thigh. Christine nodded, reaching for her plate.

"Tired, I think. I'm ready for Romeo and Juliet to finish." She twisted sideways, stretching across the sofa with the plate in her lap. Raoul smiled from his seat in the armchair.

"Are you excited about The Magic Flute? I think Phil wants to come and see it soon."

"See the opera or see a certain dancer?" Christine asked wryly and Raoul laughed.

"He's not subtle, is he? He's flying over next Thursday, ready for the opening night on Saturday."

"Subtlety is not a de Chagny trait." Christine teased and her husband gave her a mocking look.

"Wicked girl."

They finished dinner and went to bed. When Christine had finished in the bathroom, she found Raoul lying in bed, reading a book. She slipped in beside him, leaning over to rest her head against his chest. His heartbeat was steady and she closed her eyes listening to it.

This heart would remain beating only so long as she obeyed Erik. He had already killed once. Only her obedience would stay his hand.

Christine would perform in The Magic Flute. She had no choice. She didn't know how, but something would happen in order to make her perform.

However, Christine thought sleepily, he had made no conditions upon the length of her performance. Perhaps the opening night would suffice…? She doubted it.

Raoul's hands slid across her waist as she shifted her head to meet his lips.

For this man, her husband, she would perform. Anything to keep his heart beating.

A/N: Hello darlings. I love, love, love the reviews that you have left! I'm so glad that people are still reading and enjoying this story. Come and tweet with me sometime, user name is Kat097 there too.

Much love

Katie