Chapter 5

As the couple walked to Raoul's car, Erik kept his attention fully focused on their voices from his distance.

"What restaurant are we going to," Christine asked curiously.

Raoul glanced over at her as they walked and smiled knowing his answer would wow her. "How about Juniper's?"

She gasped and the his smile grew wider. "That place is really expensive! Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it's no problem. I can afford it." He seemed to notice Christine's uneasiness and quickly added, "Oh, and I'm paying for you of course, so don't worry."

Erik watched from the shadows with a scowl. So, the boy apparently thinks this is some sort of date? …Well, I think otherwise.. With that thought in mind, Erik quickly headed back to the music building to make preparations. I shall have to go to this restaurant, Juniper's, as well.

"What kind of music do you like?"

"Pretty much anything," Christine replied while admiring the inside of Raoul's red Corvette. It was the most expensive car she had ever ridden in.

"That's cool," Raoul commented while adjusting his Ipod, which was connected to the car's stereo. After a few seconds, the booming sound of some rapper Christine couldn't place filled the car. "This alright?" he yelled over the loud music.

Christine flinched a little, trying to adjust to it. Not what I would have picked.. And whoa, I hope I don't go deaf.. "Yeah, it's fine," she yelled back sweetly. So I don't like his music. Oh well, it's not a big deal. It's only one thing..

After about fifteen minutes of having to listen to the music Christine finally decided was complete trash, they finally made it to the restaurant, much to her relief. Getting out of the car, Raoul locked the doors and they made their way inside.

Once they were seated, the two made some small talk while looking through their menus. Christine was realizing something else about Raoul as they talked. Their interests, which were once so similar, were now very different. She tried to shrug it off, but the knowledge was so evident that it was hard not to be disappointed.

While Raoul rambled on about sports and parties, she sat and listened quietly. There really wasn't much she could add. But, not wanting to seem bored or rude, she maintained eye contact and nodded occasionally.

Although the difference in their personalities was a bit of a let-down, Christine still felt a sort of connection with Raoul. Maybe it was just their childhood history, maybe it was something more...

Whatever it was, she found she didn't want it to end.

Meanwhile…

Erik was focused on one thing- getting that boy away from Christine. Or, at the very least, just watching over the pair to make sure things remained low-key.

Not thinking of the consequences his actions could have, he expertly hot-wired Antoinette Giry's white Honda Accord and used her GPS to get to Juniper's. Since he rarely stepped foot off Ballad campus, he obviously had no idea where the restaurant was.

What am I doing, he finally thought to himself about ten minutes into the drive. I never allow myself to be seen in public. ...But I must keep an eye on Christine. She is too important.. And if that means being seen, then so be it.

He arrived at Juniper's, parked, and walked in with his black fedora lower than usual on his head so as to create a sort of shadow over his face.

When he entered the restaurant he immediately found to be a bit too gaudy, Erik instantly felt an anxious stare from the hostess. He didn't even have to look at her to know she was fearful of his appearance.

"Um.. How many will be dining with you tonight?"

"One," Erik simply replied while glancing around to find Christine. Once his eyes spotted her table, he quickly picked a table he wanted. "I would like to sit at that table in the corner." He pointed with one long gloved finger, and the hostess' brow furrowed slightly. She was obviously suspicious. "That won't be a problem.. Will it?"

His silky, unique voice was very easy to give into and she shook her head. "No, no. It will be just a few minutes. May I have your name?"

Erik was about to demand to know why on earth she wanted to know his name, but restaurant etiquette suddenly occurred to him. "Destler."

Erik was seated within ten minutes and he knew it was probably in order to hide his weird appearance. The manager surely wouldn't want someone such as he being the first person customers saw upon entering the restaurant.

Erik kept his menu close to his face, glancing over it so that only his eyes could be seen.

While observing the pair, his teeth gritted. He hated to admit it, but the boy, 'Raoul', was not disgusting... The reality of the matter could not escape him- The boy was everything that he, Erik, was not. Good looks, charm, high self-esteem... He looked to be everything a person would desire.

But, is it appealing to Christine?

He pondered his question for a moment. Raoul being in her life wouldn't have been such a horrible thing had Erik never seen her, and had her program of study been different.

But the past cannot be changed, Erik thought with regret, although it was not directed towards Christine. I know it all too well... He briefly thought about the mask on his face.

A waiter finally walked over to his table. "Good evening. I'm Jack and I will be serving you."

Erik felt the man's eyes on his mask and curtly said, "Well, Jack, I will have a glass of your finest wine and that will be all for the evening." He then reached into his pocket and, as he did so, heard the waiter gasp. The pathetic man probably thought he was pulling out a weapon! A smirk crossed Erik's lips before he proceeded to remove a fifty dollar bill from his pocket. He handed it to the waiter who, in turn, blinked in surprise. "For your service and my privacy, Monsieur."

Jack was startled but accepted it without hesitation and quickly left the odd customer to his peace.

"What classes are you taking this semester," Raoul asked from his seated position across from Christine at the restaurant.

"Mostly music courses, but I'm also taking English, Calculus, and German."

"Whoa.. Sounds rough."

"Let's just say.. I'm busy." She laughed a little at her understatement. "What about you?"

"Well, if things become too busy I just skip a class.. or a whole day of classes. Whatever has to be done. I hate stress." He noted her expression and reassured, "Aw, Chrissy, don't look so worried. I actually don't even have to be going to college. My family has enough money that it wouldn't matter."

Her brow furrowed. "But don't you want to make your own money? Wouldn't you like to be more independent?"

He laughed at that. "I'm independent enough. I'm not living at home and I do my own thing. I wouldn't want them knowing everything I do.."

Why has he changed so much? She stood at that point. "I'm.. going to the restroom." She looked around, noticed the bathrooms were in the back, and began walking that way.

While making her way to them, Christine suddenly noticed a napkin fall to the floor. She was about to politely pick it up, but whoever had dropped it did so before she could.

The person's head was facing downward so that she could only see a black fedora. Christine smiled and laughed lightly while straightening back up. "Well, I guess you beat me to it."

She watched as the person, a man, slowly sat back up with a grace she had never seen before. He then softly spoke "Yes, I suppose I did." He raised his head and their eyes met.

Not only was his speaking voice beautiful, but so were his eyes. They were a rather hypnotizing light blue, like the sky on a beautiful day.

He suddenly looked away, causing her to blink. "Ex- excuse me," she murmured before slowly walking away.

Moments before… Erik's POV

I watched as Christine suddenly stood from her seat. Then, surprisingly, she moved towards me. It couldn't be denied that she certainly looked like an angel tonight. I could not keep my eyes off her.

I suppose it was the rare opportunity that made my next actions take place... A strong urge overtook me. I knew I had to gain her attention.

It was entirely foolish, but consequences were far from my mind.

I would quickly brush my white napkin to the floor.

And, although I couldn't know for sure, I hoped Christine would give into her caring ways and try to pick the napkin up.

But I, having quick reflexes, was prepared to reach the napkin before her. She would then notice me for the first time.

Such a huge event surrounding one small napkin…

Everything went according to plan.

I could feel the importance of our meeting. All else seemed to cease to exist as our eyes met. It was more magical than any trick I had ever performed..

I kept watching her after that. As she ate, as she drank, as she spoke to the boy.. And much to my surprise, I couldn't help but notice her gaze travel back to me. It happened more than once, maybe more than twice! It was proving to be a glorious night outside the confines of Ballad Conservatory.

Minutes after... Christine's POV

I walked back to Raoul's table after going to the bathroom, but, for some strange reason I didn't wish to go back to his table. Instead, I wished to sit with the man in all black- the man with the light blue eyes. There was something about him that was different.. And yet, I couldn't place it. Whatever it was, he was intriguing.

And, though our meeting was short, I knew in my heart that he was more intriguing than Raoul.

After about five minutes of picking at my food, I decided I couldn't take it anymore. I had to look back at the man. Trying to be as discreet as possible, I chanced a glance at him, and that's when I noticed the strangest thing- There was a black mask covering the entirety of the man's face! How could I have overlooked it before?

I turned back to Raoul and tried to figure out the reason for how I couldn't have noticed such an obvious thing.

I couldn't help glancing back a few more times, though.

Christine noticed that the man was still at his table when she and Raoul stood to leave, which seemed surprising since, as far as she could tell, he'd only had a glass of wine.. Shrugging it off, she followed Raoul to his Corvette trying to forget the strange occurence.

Instead of turning on more rap music in the car, they drove to Raoul's campus and sat in a parking lot outside his dorm silently. Finally, he decided to speak. "Christine, are you ok?"

The question surprised her just as much as the awkward situation. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"Well, it just seems like you've been distracted.. Like, in the restaurant, it seemed like you were in another world or something. Maybe I'm wrong.."

She was quiet for a second before saying, "No, I'm sorry, Raoul. It's just, I guess I do that a lot, daydream that is."

"It's ok." Without warning, Raoul reached out and held Christine's hand. She was momentarily surprised, but, thinking it had to do with the fact that she basically never went on dates, she forced herself to relax. "Thanks." Was that the right thing to say?

"No problem," he whispered back. After several more moments of silence, he came to a conclusion, "Christine, you just need to have some fun."

She couldn't help but laugh at that. So very true.. "You're probably right. What'd you have in mind?"

With a grin on his face, he casually asked, "Would you like to see my dorm room?"

There was a little bit of doubt in the back of her mind, but, at the same time, she did want to have fun. "Yeah, sure."

Little did they know, there was a man in a mask sitting in a white Honda Accord nearby, and he was examining their every move.