Christine

We walked to rehearsal just Erik and I; we kissed as usual before we parted, he was warm and gentle. He called to me as I walked away, "I'll be watching mon ange." As I looked back to reply, he was gone. I smiled; I knew he would be watching. He had become very interested in this play ever since I had mentioned that the plot sounded like our relationship. I had become curious myself for I had not read the ending yet; I was eager to see what my clever angel had written.

The boy that played the present lovers role, whom I was too leave was around my age. I could hear him practicing behind the curtain. He was fair for a beginner; I had yet to see his face. He is shy I had been told and he will show his face to you at our first performance.

While practicing, my mind wandered off. I began thinking of the other role in the play, the old lover's role. I wondered "Had Erik written himself a part? Last time he killed a man just to be able to sing with me..." I wasn't too worried though even though the man that was supposed to play that part hadn't showed up once at the rehearsals. He too had stage fright they told me and said that he would practice alone until the first performance, as the other man will, and he will show his face at the first performance.

The thought lingered for a while but I quickly brushed it away as my solo came.

It was the hardest part in the entire play. The woman, Lucie, was to be singing to the man she returned to after all those years. The notes soared higher than most sopranos could even reach, but it surprisingly came easily to me. I cleared over the highest notes leaving all who were listening in total silence as the sound echoed throughout the theater. As I finished, applause from everywhere was I all I could here; everyone within earshot was cheering.

I felt my face begin to blush and as I looked around at them all, something distant caught my eye. I saw a figure... A shadow... in Box 5... The figure was applauding as well as all who were around... "Erik." I whispered.

As soon as I said that, the figure vanished; I knew it was him. Rehearsal was soon over and I went to meet with my beloved angel and walk home.

"You did well mon ange." He said as he grasped my hand and we began to walk back home.

As our eyes met, the fire in his grew strong and burned sapphire blue.

"Do you really think so?" I asked unsure if he truly meant it...

"Of course... I have never lied to you and I never will." He now had a serious look on his face.

I bowed my head when he said this; I didn't want to see the remembrance of what I did to him show in his eyes. "I know." I replied now wishing I hadn't asked. "I was just unsure."

He stopped walking and grabbed my shoulders so that our eyes met and he said "Christine? What is wrong? You are not yourself..."

His eyes questioned me; they searched my eyes for the answer but with no luck.

I sighed and said, "I guess... I'm just nervous... The play is tomorrow and I haven't even seen the new performers... I'm just worried... That's all."

"I understand... Don't fret though mon ange... Do not worry. Everything will be fine." He said as he wrapped his arms around me.

His embrace reassured that whatever I may face, as long as I had Erik, I would get through it. We stood for a while, savoring the comforting feeling of the embrace.

Then we started, once again, to walk, hand in hand, home.

Erik

Christine was nervous I knew, but there was something else... Something deeper...That was bothering her. I was curious of it; I hadn't realized though that maybe it was because of the fact that she had not met any of the others... There was a reason for this though... a purpose for her not meeting the other performers... A secret I had to keep from her... If she knew... (sighs) I don't think she would play her part the way she should... The way I want... The way I need her too...

I recommended she go to bed right after she has eaten... She looked very pale.

I lay with her till she drifted off then I kissed her gently and whispered as I shut the door, "You will soon know mon ange... The truth will be clear to you very soon."

The day of the play had come... She awoke that morning, feeling a little better, but still nervous...

"It will be fine... You will be perfect mon ange, as always." I said as I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her close to me.

She turned to me, our eyes locked, and her lip quivered as she spoke.

"Erik... If you say I will be fine..." she sighed heavily... "Then it must be true." She smiled and gently kissed me... Her trust in me had grown greatly since the day she returned to me... I just hoped that she would still have that trust in me after this play... I hoped... "Well mon ange, you must pre-pare. It will not be long till curtain time." I told her as I grasped her hand and I walked her to her dressing room. She nodded. We kissed goodbye as always and I left my sweet mon ange... before I left though she called out to me softly and asked, "Will you be watching?"

I smiled and replied, "I wouldn't miss it." I walked off; I was about ready to kill myself, "Am I really going to go through with this?" I questioned myself. "I must... If I do not...Oh God I don't want to even consider it." I went to the lair to pre-pare for the play.

Soon, Mon ange, you will understand. Soon all will be clear.