The next morning, Nadir was getting a shave from Annabel and discussing their next move in their scheme. However, there was a sense of urgency after she explained their little predicament. "She is going to perform at Phantasma tonight," Nadir asked. "That seems very unusual of her."

"That's what Meg announced last night, but we have a problem on our hands," she said as she shaved the stubble on his cheek.

"And what's that?"

"Christopher was there to hear the news."

"What," he yelled as he moved around with anger, making it difficult for Annabel to continue.

"If you don't stop moving, I'm going to slice your throat," she warned, but there were two meanings behind that one statement. Out of fear, he remained still and waited for her to finish. "However, I have convinced his wife to not let him go by saying she is obsessed with him. I just hope it works."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then we'll have to stop him ourselves," she said before finishing the shave. "All done."

"Thank you," he said as he wiped the shaving cream off of his face with a towel. He looked in the mirror and smiled at her talent. "You never told me who taught you how to shave so well."

"That's because I intend to keep it that way. All I can say is that he taught me more things than just shaving," she said as she cleaned the razor.

"Can I at least get a name in case I want to thank him personally?"

Her happy face soon turned sad as she said, "Even if I did, you wouldn't be able to. He's kind of . . . dead."

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"It's fine, I guess. It's all in the past and I've learned to move on," she said before placing the razor in her wooden box. "Let's not get sidetracked; we need to make sure they never meet."

"Right. I could send Darius to remind her to stop Christopher from going to Phantasma tonight."

"I guess, but why couldn't you do that yourself?"

"Let's just say that he has a silver tongue that can influence anyone."

"If you're right, then be my guest, but it is vital that he doesn't fail. If the two of them meet, you will never be able to win her."

"I know, but he never fails, so I have full confidence in him. I'll send him to find Rachel right now," he said as he started to leave.

"I still think it's best if you spoke to her yourself. After all, she probably trusts you more than him."

"I'm too busy to handle it. I just released this new spice from India and my shop has been flooding with customers. It would be too much for Darius to handle all by himself."

She sighed, but said, "Fine, but he cannot fail."

"I promise he won't."

In the afternoon, Darius searched all over town for Rachel, but had little luck finding her. He even checked their motel room, but he only found Christopher and even he didn't know where she went. The only hint he gave him was that she might be out shopping. He then checked every shop in town and after an hour or so of searching, he finally found her in a trinket store. "Madame Daaé, I didn't expect to see you here," he said smoothly as he entered the shop.

She turned around and smiled. "Oh, Darius. What a surprise! I never expected you to leave Nadir's side."

"Well, he was fortunate enough to give me a break and I thought I might do a little shopping."

"Oh, then why don't you join me? I bet you know all the best shops in town."

"Sure," he said, but he knew he needed to remind her sometime soon about the performance tonight. However, as they continued shopping, Rachel was too distracted by everything around her that she wouldn't give him her full attention. Something was always so beautiful or interesting to her. "Rachel, did you know that-,"

"Oh my! That dress looks so beautiful! I have to try it on now!"

"But you just bought a dress similar to it at the other shop."

"No, that one is red with black trim. This one is red with gold trim. I don't have one like it," she said as she dragged him in the store, but as she looked around some more, she noticed more dresses that she wanted to try on. Darius waited impatiently outside the dressing rooms as he watched Rachel come out with different dresses on.

"Rachel, Fantôme is-," he tried to say, but was always interrupted by a comment.

"Oh, it's so beautiful, but it's a bit tight on the bust. Maybe I can have a tailor fix that. Oh, I wonder how Christopher would like it."

"Speaking of him, I bet he's going to see-,"

"I'll buy this dress and maybe this one. And maybe this one. Oh, this one was so cute."

"Rachel, you already bought three dresses from the other shop. Do you really need any more?"

"Of course! A woman can't have too many dresses," she said with a smile. After a few hours of shopping, they finally took a break and had lunch at a bistro close to Phantasma. "Phew, that was a lot of shopping, don't you agree?"

Darius, who was carrying all the bags, finally set them down and sat at the table. "You can say that again."

"Do you know what time is it?"

Darius pulled out his pocket watch and said, "It's almost six. How did we spend so much time shopping?"

"I do this almost every day; it distracts me," she said with a slightly sad tone.

"Distract you? From what?"

"I don't feel like talking about it, but let's talk about you. How come you didn't buy anything?"

"Well, I didn't see anything that really caught my attention, but they have great things to buy at Phantasma," he said, trying to jog her memory about Annabel's warning.

"Sure, they have some incredible things, but I just want there last night with my husband. If go there again, I might get lost."

"Well, maybe I can escort you around and maybe we can see a show there while we're at it. I heard Fantôme will be performing tonight. Doesn't that sound exciting?"

"Sure, but . . . (sigh). I'm not going to lie to you, Darius, but Annabel told me to make sure he didn't go."

"Why is that?"

"She said Fantôme is obsessed with Christopher and would do anything to get him. Is that true, Darius?"

He was silent, but finally said, "Well, Nadir has tried to win her heart for ten years now, but she says her heart will belong to Christopher. I guess she is obsessed with him." After a moment of silence, he continued, "Will you stop him from seeing Fantôme?"

"No," she said weakly.

Surprised by her answer, he asked, "Why not?"

"I want to see if he's still faithful to me. Yes, we've been married for ten years, but at this time, some husbands start to grow weary of their wives, especially if they don't have children. If he truly loves me, he will meet this obsessive fan of his and not let her tempt him. He has been a good and loving husband all this time, so I would be surprised if he changed now. After everything, he has stayed with me, even when he knew he could have any other woman he wanted."

"So, this is a test of trust? Usually wives wouldn't do this unless they doubt their husband's faithfulness."

"I do trust him, but I'm not going to stifle his career because of one woman who happens to be a very influential person."

Darius couldn't believe what he was hearing. She was really going to let him do this and possibly ruin their marriage? He didn't know what to say now. He did his job: remind Rachel about tonight's performance, but she is willing to let him go. What was he supposed to do now?

Seven o'clock finally arrived and Christopher made sure he was in the front row to finally see Fantôme for the first time. Well, he'll hear her. Meg announced she was going to sing in the shadows, so this would be entertaining to watch. Soon, music started to fill the concert hall and out came the same three performers from yesterday's show. "Ladies and gentlemen; are you ready for one of the greatest shows of your lives," Gangle announced. Once again, the crowd cheered loudly.

"We're glad to hear since we have a special performance for you all tonight. For the first time ever, we have our lovely Fantôme of the Fantôme Theater! Are you all excited to hear her," Ms. Fleck announced. The crowd cheered loudly yet again.

"Well, what are we waiting for? Here she is: Fantôme," all three of them announced as the lights began to dim. Soon, a spotlight shone on a few dancers who arrived on the stage and they quickly got into position. However, another spotlight shined on another performer who was dressed in all black with a black hat that hid most of her face. The only part that wasn't covered was her mask.

The day starts; the day ends; time crawls by
Night steals in, pacing the floor
The moments creep yet I can't bear to sleep
Till I hear you sing

The dancers showed that this song was about love and loss. One person loved someone very much and whether it was heartbreak or death that caused them to separate, it was clear that the one singing still loves the person even after all these years.

And weeks pass and months pass; seasons fly
Still you don't walk through my door
And in a haze I count the silent days
Till I hear you sing once more

Christopher couldn't believe what he was hearing. That voice sounded all too familiar to him. Could it be? No, there was no way. It couldn't be . . .

And sometimes in darkness I dream you are there
But wake holding nothing but the empty air
And years come and years go; time runs dry
Still I ache deep in my core
My broken soul can't be alive or whole
Till I hear you sing once more

It's couldn't be her. She said she wanted to be away from him. After all, Fantôme didn't even write the letter that brought him here. There's no way that Fantôme could be . . .

And music, your music, it teases at my ear
I turn and it fades away and you're not here
Let hope pass; let dreams pass; let them die
Without you, what are they for
I'll always feel no more than halfway real
Till I hear you sing once more

It was her. There was no doubt about it now. Fantôme was indeed the woman he had been looking for since she left Paris. Fantôme was her. The crowd cheered loudly as the song finished and the performer in all black bowed as the spotlight faded on her. The dancers then bowed as they quickly left the stage. Christopher was astonished by his discovery that he had to see her in person. It has been too many years since he saw her last.

"You performed so marvelously," Erik said as he hugged his dear friend in the dressing room.

"Thank you, Erik. This was exactly what I needed to calm my nerves. I didn't think that they would cheer so loudly like they did," she said, still filled with excitement.

"I told you they would. You have a very lovely voice." She removed the hat off her head, letting her hair flow down her shoulders.

"You sang so well," Diana said as she too hugged her mother. "You should do this more often."

"I might just for you, but not for a while," she said as she kissed her daughter's forehead. "Thank you for letting me perform in the shadows. The last time I performed in public, I started a huge fire in the opera house."

"You caused a fire, mother?"

"Yes, but accidentally. I didn't mean to." Despite the statement, Diana laughed.

"You're welcome, but can I ask you something?" They looked at him curiously as he asked, "Was that song for Christopher?"

"Is that Monsieur Daaé," Diana asked.

"Yes, but he's an old . . . friend," she lied. She was silent, but continued, "I wrote that song for a show, but it seems that he was my muse."

"But you sang it like he was here. There was so much emotion in your voice that I could have sworn you saw him in the audience."

"That's the only way I can sign with passion; I imagine he is there listening to every word and note I sing."

"Well, if he were here, he would be very proud of you," he said as he gave her another hug, but it was clear those words had some impact on her as she tried to hold back the tears.

"Mister Y, can you show me around Phantasma please," Diana begged.

"If it's all right with your mother," he said as they both looked at Erika.

"Of course it's all right. I'll just change into something more comfortable and I'll find you two later."

"All right, we'll see you later." He escorted Diana out the door, leaving Erika to her thoughts.

"I sang as if he was there," she repeated. "He has a way with words, doesn't he? I bet that's why Christine fell in love with him." She then heard a knock on the door and sighed. "What now Erik," she said as she turned the knob to open the door, but she would have never suspected in a million years who was behind that door. She opened it and was frozen in place. No, it can't be!

"I-I can't believe I finally found you, my Angel of Music," Christopher said as he hugged her very tightly. She was still in total shock by all this that she couldn't embrace him back. In fact, she felt as if she was going to faint.

"H-How," she muttered. Her mind drew a blank and she couldn't think of anything else to say.

"A letter brought me here," he said as he quickly pulled the letter out of his coat pocket. She quickly grabbed it and scanned it, but was in utter shock.

"I-I didn't send this. This isn't my handwriting," she said.

"I know you didn't, but I'm glad I received it, nonetheless. I finally found you," he said as he tried to give her another hug, but she walked away as she continued to examine the handwriting. Then, it finally hit her.

"Nadir, you son of a bitch! Why did you do it?"

"Nadir? Did he send the letter," he asked in confusion.

"Yes he did, but I can't figure out why! He's . . . ," she tried to say, but stopped herself. "You should go."

"Why would I leave? I'll never leave your side again," he said as he embraced her.

"No, no, no, you have to go now," she said, almost as if she feared for his life, which in a way, she did.

"Erika, I haven't seen you for ten years and you're telling me to leave? What kind of wife would do that?" At those words, she froze in place yet again.

"I'm not your wife."

"I don't think you believe that or else you wouldn't still have your wedding ring on." She then looked at her wedding finger and he was right: she was still wearing the ring, even after all these years. She looked at his hand and didn't see the ring from their wedding, which was to be expected. "Don't worry, I'm still wearing mine," he said as he showed her his other hand and on the ring finger, there was their wedding ring.

"Still, you're not safe here if Nadir sent that letter. Please, Christopher, you need to leave," she begged.

"Not until you say you don't love me," he said. She grew quiet at his request, but couldn't bring herself to say such a lie. "You would have been with Nadir by now if you didn't love me."

"How do you know that?"

"A lady friend of his told me," he said. He was cautious not to say Annabel's name in front of her.

"His lady friend," she repeated, trying to figure out who he was talking about, but she figure it out quickly and said, "If she is involved, then you really must leave! Your life is in danger."

"Erika, what aren't you telling me?"

"When I find him, he better have a good explanation for all this," she said to herself, but took a deep breath and continued, "Why did you have to come?"

"Well, we came so I could get a job, but-,"

"We?"

"Yes, Rachel and I," he said, making her slightly sad.

"So you did follow my wishes and married her."

"Of course," he said as he got closer to her. "I did it for you."

"She's made you happy, right?"

He was hesitate, but said, "Yes, she has. I would like to at least talk to you, Erika, and see what you've managed to do since Paris."

"Now is not the time," she said, trying to get passed him, but he stopped her.

"When is? I mean, you can't keep avoiding me any longer."

"We can't-," she tried to say before he kissed her. Despite her attempt to break free, she couldn't help but embrace it. She closed her eyes and they continued to kiss passionately. However, the kiss was short lived as she pulled back suddenly.

"Please Erika; let's at least have dinner or something like that? I haven't seen you for ten years! I promise that if you give me at least that, I'll leave Coney Island."

"You promise," she asked.

"I promise," he assured.

She took a deep breath and said, "Fine, we can go to dinner."

He hugged her yet again as he said, "Thank you! You won't regret it."

"I might already," she mumbled, but spoke up to say, "I'm only available the following night. Is that all right?"

"Of course that's fine! Thank you," he said as he let her go and then reluctantly left the dressing room. Did that really just happen? Did her worst nightmare just come true? Or was it her dream for him to come here? She couldn't tell. Throughout these years, she felt empty without his presence, but that was partially filled with Diana. Oh, Diana! If he was here, would he figure out that she is her daughter, or should she say, their daughter? So many thoughts raced through Erika's that she couldn't help but cry.

"What do you mean she didn't care," Nadir asked furiously to Darius after he finished closing the shop.

"I'm sorry, but Rachel said this was a test of his faithfulness," he explained, fearful for his life. His master was always scary when he was angry.

"I told you that you should have talked to her," Annabel said with a razor in her hand.

"And I told you I was too busy. I had complete confidence in you, Darius, and you failed me."

"What else could I say? I even said that she was an obsessive woman! That would have convinced any other woman to make sure that their husband could not go."

"You could have dragged her to the show and made her stop him," Nadir said angrily.

"But your orders were not to be conspicuous about our plan. In fact, I might have violated that rule a little already."

Nadir sighed and asked, "Does anyone know if the two of them met?" Both of them shook their heads. "Then I guess I'll have to see her tonight to make sure."

"That won't be necessary," Annabel said as she pointed to the window and hurriedly went upstairs. Darius and Nadir looked and saw that an angry Erika was heading toward the spice shop.

Nadir quickly opened the door and greeted her by saying, "Hello Erika. I'm surprised to see you here. So, how was the show?"

"What the hell, Nadir," she asked angrily, but he could see streaks of dried tears on her face.

"What are you talking about," he asked, trying to play innocent.

"Stop pretending, Nadir. I know you sent the letter that brought Christopher to Coney Island! I recognized your handwriting!"

He was silent, but finally said, "So, you met him."

"Yes I met him, but I'm confused as to why you would bring him here in the first place. Why would you bring your rival here?"

"I-I wanted to prove to you that he wasn't the man you remembered."

"Well, he is; maybe even better than I remembered since he's matured and is no longer the naïve boy."

"Then that's bad news for me."

"And not only that, but I hear you are working with Annabel Lee. What are you thinking?!"

"Can I not be friends with her so I can see if she is truly the woman you think she is?"

"Do you think I'm stupid? I don't think she's a murderer, I know she's a murderer! What else could explain why some of her customers never leave her barbershop? If you value your life, you would never speak to her again."

"That's insane! If she was a murderer, wouldn't she have killed me by now? I'm one of her regular customers."

"I don't know how she gets away with it, but it seems she targets men that don't have anyone that would miss them."

"Erika, I think you need to calm down. You're stressed about meeting Christopher and you're not thinking straight. I'll make some tea for you," he said, trying to alleviate her anger, but to no avail.

"Nadir, I don't know how this was supposed to be beneficial, but I hope it will end soon," she said as she stormed out of his shop.

"Wow, she's really pissed at you. I can't blame her though," Annabel said as she walked down the stairs.

"Please don't tell me you're taking her side, even after all that," he said with annoyance.

"Well, I did say that this would happen, didn't I? Besides, I think you now have no chance of winning her heart."

"Shut up! This will work out in the end. There's no way he would leave his wife for Erika."

"But Erika is technically his wife," Darius said, receiving a slap at the back of his head from Nadir.

"No matter, this situation has gotten worse and unless we do something now, she'll fall in love with him all over again," Annabel said as she held up her razor. "Can I finally do it?"

"We can't just murder him! If he dies, she'll think I did it or sent you to do it. We need to find a way so I can still win her heart."

"You're no fun; you need to feed me eventually," she said with a teasing grin, but when she received no reply, her smiled faded. "But how will you be able to pull this off?" At this point, you should give up."

"No, failure is not an option, not when love is at stake. I'll figure out something, but until then, good night Annabel," he said as he opened the door. She pouted, but left the shop.

Once he closed the door, she said to herself, "Even when things get impossible, you won't give up, will you? For a whole year, I had to put up with this crap and for what? The only advantage I have in helping him is that if I ever get caught by the police, he'll find a way to bail me out, but I always make sure there is no evidence left behind." She pulled out her razor and looked at it shine in the moonlight. "It's funny, he doesn't want to be unloved, but if he gave up this quest, he wouldn't be. His determination is something I've come to adore, but it's also made it so hard for me to love him at the same time. Let's just hope he gives up soon before I lose the little sanity I have left and do something I might regret."