Sorry it took so long to update, but chapter 4 is now here. In this chapter Adele hears about the famous Phantom. Oh, and thanks to CrossBreed777 and ...face for adding to their story alerts and LonelyDreamer90 for faving. Here's you some punjab lassos, remember to be safe and keep your hand at the level of your eyes.

No ownage except Adele Durand and Leland (so far). Enjoy!

"My opera house is built on top of a lake?" Adele questioned Durand, her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.

Durand shifted slightly, the only thing giving away his nervousness. "Yes Mademoiselle."

Durand's men had just finished their exploration of the five cellars, discovering the lake in the process. Adele pinched the bridge of her nose, before sighing and looking up at Durand once more.

"Why, Monsieur, would anyone build something on water? And don't use Venice as an example because it's sinking."

"The opera house was built years ago; they probably couldn't change the location and decided to improvise."

"Improvise how?"

"Take a look." Durand motioned Adele over to where his laptop sat. The two began to scan pictures one of his men had taken when they discovered the lake. "Do you see this?" he pointed to a strange mechanism.

Adele leaned closer, brows furrowed. "What exactly is it?"

"It's a mechanism that drains the lake when the water gets too high. I've never seen anything like it before." Durand admitted. "Whoever made it must have been a genius."

Adele pondered that statement for a moment, before saying, "Why wasn't this or the lake in the original blueprints?"

"Probably to keep from discouraging future buyers." Durand told truthfully. "You yourself are upset over discovering the existence of the lake, yet you told me that you had your heart set on this place before you even looked at it for the first time. Imagine the outcome of someone who wasn't as determined as you saw the lake in the blueprints."

Adele nodded. "I understand. Does the mechanism still work?"

"Yes. In fact, it's in perfect shape. Almost to the point that I would say that someone has been taking care of it."

"That's impossible; no one's been here in two years." Adele frowned.

"Maybe it's the Opera Ghost." Durand gave a humorless chuckle.

"'Opera Ghost'." Adele repeated.

Durand gave her an incredulous look. "Do not tell me that you purchased this place and have not even heard of the Phantom of the Opera?"

"Monsieur Durand, the old managers didn't even tell me of the existence of the lake, why would they tell me about a ghost?"

"I suppose you have a good point." Durand leaned back in his chair. "Do you know about Christine Daae?"

"The opera singer." She nodded. "I heard about her. Did she not make her debut a few months before the fire?"

"Yes. There was a lot of talk surrounding her, and one of the rumors was that the Phantom of the Opera was giving her music lessons."

"Are… are you serious?" Adele was baffled. "People were actually saying that a ghost was giving this girl music lessons?"

Durand nodded. "It seems silly, but there were a lot of mysterious circumstances that happened at the house that made people believe, and apparently the chandelier was no accident either."

"What do you mean?" Adele leaned forward, interested.

"Apparently the Phantom caused the chandelier to fall out of jealously over Mademoiselle Daae. You see, she caught the eye of the young Vicomte de Chagny and they apparently became lovers."

"Sounds more like a jilted boyfriend than a ghost." Adele muttered.

"Yes. I don't know much more details other than Mademoiselle Daae disappeared for a few days after, along with the Vicomte. When they appeared again they were married."

"That could easily be explained as an elopement." Adele waved away the notion. "Besides, there is no such thing as ghosts."

"Maybe. But theatre people are superstitious, so do not be surprised when the Populaire is up and running again if people start claiming paranormal happenings."

"I'll make a note of it." Adele agreed. "So, other than the lake are there any other major problems?"

"There are a few places that have suffered majorly from fire damage. However, they are in places that do not affect the structural integrity of the building."

"Good, let's start there and work our way out."

A little bit shorter than the others but at least it's here. Next chapter the construction begins! R&R!