Chapter 4

The night carried on with couples dancing the waltz in the giant, romantic ballroom. Gaslight chandeliers lit the entire room and anyone who was anyone was dancing. Erik hated these formal dances, but he still participated because after all, he really didn't have a choice. His wife gazed at him, for these were the only occasions when they danced together, and after these four years of marriage, they were just beginning to fall in love with one another.

Erik thought back to their arrangement. Anna's father was a well-known businessman, but unfortunately his business was beginning to dwindle. It was a small arrangement they had made, Anna would be married to Erik in order for him to pay off her father's debts. She didn't love Erik at first, she tolerated him, but she married him to save her father, after all she was 25 at the time and that was almost too old to be marrying.

When they were first married, he sat in his study all day long, while she did whatever she wanted throughout the house. She accompanied him to dinners and parties and they knew as a married couple what they were supposed to be. As soon as they walked into an event, they became "happily married" and a lot of people enjoyed being around their "happiness" towards one another.

It took four years for Anna to become pregnant, and it was questioned by their acquaintances when they were going to have children, as well as being in the back of everyone's own gossiped thoughts of why they weren't having children. It wasn't a priority in Anna and Erik's mind, for when they were first married, the thought of sharing a bed with one another was revolting. But then they grew fond of one another, and a love was sparked between them, a caring relationship. Erik became a gentler man and Anna became more used to his presence and of course his mask. However even though she had grown accustomed to seeing his deformity, he still very rarely let her see him without it. Their respect for one another grew into a wonderful friendship, she was his best friend and he was hers, therefore they were able to gossip with one another and he finally trusted her enough to reveal most of his past to her.

"So I know you well enough now, tell me who Christine is." Anna said to him while they continued to dance. Erik took in a sharp breath, not that he was afraid to explain to Anna, he just didn't want to put himself back there.

"She is the one who was involved in what I did to the opera house."

"So that would explain why the Vicomte doesn't like you." She said looking away.

"Yes, that is why." He responded. Anna looked a little disappointed, she really was beginning to feel love for Erik and she thought he was feeling love for her too, all she thought something could really be wonderful out of this marriage of theirs, especially when their child came, something that never happened for her, but she always dreamed about.

Erik noted her disappointed face as she looked away and said,

"Listen to me; I am not going back to who I was when I was in love with her. I was a different person, she was a different person and our lives are completely different. My focus is now on making your and my relationship real and having this child. I really am starting to like you Anna, and I know you are starting to like me." She smiled up at his serious face and said,

"I will trust you, I will. I want to improve things too, for we are going to be married for many, many years, we really don't have a choice, and even though it has taken us a long time to grow fond of one another, I think we truly are starting to love one another."

"Well then don't worry about any of this, and enjoy your night. For it really gives me great pleasure to see yourself enjoying these formal galas and I get to be the man on your arm."

"Oh Erik, you really are trying charming when you try to be!" She said smiling again at him.

Christine danced with Raoul and was quietly looking around the room as they spun; she wanted to spot Erik and Anna, when finally Anna's flaming red hair stood out. She glanced over at the couple and could see them deep in discussion. As they continued to spin, she didn't take her eyes off of them, what were they talking about? They seemed so happy together, what would make them have a deep discussion in the middle of a dance? Then she saw Anna smile and Erik smile back at her and it ruined her thoughts. Obviously it wasn't too serious.

The music had slowly died down as everyone was beginning to dwindle out of the event. In the large front room people were saying their goodbyes and Christine glanced once again at Erik and Anna as they were talking to someone while Raoul chatted with the Baron by the front door. What would her life have been like had she stayed with him? Would she be the bubbly woman standing next to Erik, smart and engaged in all of his business conversations? Influential like Anna was, would Christine be that way? Or would she be the shy wife of Erik's that she was of Raoul's? Raoul finally thanked the Baron and Baroness and Christine did the same and he led her outside to get into their oncoming carriage.

Once they were seated inside their carriage, Christine quietly reached into her pocketbook and fingered the business card Erik gave her. Raoul broke the silence and said,

"Well that was a really interesting night, wasn't it?" Christine's questions for how Raoul reacted to Erik's presence were so confusing and she could barely think about them before tumbling the questions out of her mouth.

"Why didn't you expose him?" She asked, and continued, "I was so shocked I didn't know what to say or do. It was like he was back from the dead."

"Yes, I know. I didn't do anything because I'm desperately trying to save our family name and keep us in the luxuries we are. I can't exactly do that getting caught up in another dramatic event." Christine bit her lip, thinking about Erik something excited her and frightened her. It was a dangerous feeling, one that she liked having due to the uncertainty and the excitement of it.

"He seems like a whole new person." Christine mumbled softly.

"It still doesn't excuse him, however we will not be a part of his games any longer, it is just unfortunate that I'm sure we will cross paths again." Raoul said rather sharply.

"Dear, maybe we can forgive-"

"Forgive?! Forgive him for what he did to you?! For what he did to us?! Christine, my love, I love you and always will! That is why I took the risks and almost died for you, I would do it all over again without blinking, however we both almost died at the mercy of his hands! And for that, I just can't find myself to forgive him, and I don't understand how you can!" She looked away from him and stared out the window, he softened up and said,

"However, if you do, that is your choice, and I will always be your faithful husband, here for you and Charles." She leaned against his chest and wondered what Raoul would think when he found out about Charles, what would Erik think when she told him? She had to tell him, it was his right to know, and would her whole life with Raoul go abandoned? Would he abandon her and Charles on the street?

Raoul had the same thoughts racing through his head, what if Christine wasn't as stupid about Charles being Erik's son? What is she told Erik about Charles being his son? Would he lose his beloved wife and son? He really loved Charles as his own, Raoul was a kind man and willingly showed Charles everything he knew about becoming a proper man in society and Charles doted on Raoul. Their entire father/son, unconditional love for one another would be ripped to shreds. Raoul knew that he had to talk to Christine and tell her where he thought Charles came from, and figure out if she even knew that at all.