Ok…so I updated earlier because I got 7 reviews when I asked for 6, yay! I really have to thank Kay, you're so sweet and your amazing reviews have defiantly touched my heart, you do not sound obsessive one bit, and hey if you did then no biggy, Erik is pretty obsessive with Christine and Please please please get an account so I can PM you, it would make me feel so much better to know I can properly thank you :p

There's only one POV in this Chapter which is Erik's sooooo I hope that suits everybody, I couldn't seem to get in any of the other characters heads today…

I don't own anything you recognize

Erik POV

Never in my whole life have I ever had such great inspiration for music! I've written lots of dark pieces in my 32 years on earth, all very raw and filled with sadness or anger, but never something so filled with…love. I admit that I had tried in the past to put love into music but looking back, it sounded very unauthentic. I didn't know what it truly felt like to be in love; the only experience I had was watching other couples from the shadows or books that dabbled on the topic.

But now, I found it impossible to cease my hands from scribbling notes on a staff or expressing my emotions on an instrument. I had never experienced this new sensation that music now brought me before. It's like all the things I pretended or imagined when I played melodies, were coming true and now had a whole new meaning.

I couldn't suppress my smile while I stood in the living room playing my violin. Christine was now asleep and I had nothing left to do except reminisce on sweet memories we had created today. We had danced for hours, laughing and talking while we did so. She shared lots of beautiful stories that her father used to tell her and she also spoke of the many places she's been while traveling with him before they came to Paris with hardly any money.

Her father had given her a good life and I was very happy that she had him. It made me sick to think if she were to have a mother like mine. Christine deserved only the best and it was obvious that her papa was exactly that.

After we danced we sat together in the living room and continued to talk and snack on some cookies Christine made. I don't think I've ever talked so much in one day, in my whole life; and if I did, it certainly wasn't about topics that brought me joy like what came when talking to Christine.

I found it hard to not even be in the same room as Christine now. She was my beacon that brought back hope into my life and I never wanted to see her leave me and bring back loneliness into my life. I shuddered at the thought of her ever seeing my face. Surely she would run from me, never to return. She would realize that I was no angel, not even a mortal man, but a monster. The devils child.

As much as it now pained me to lie to her, and pretend to be her angel; I knew that she would never except me as a man, and was determined to never let her find out. But somewhere deep inside myself I kept from admitting she that would eventually. A lie that big would surely never go undiscovered. She was bound to get curious about the mask.

I decided to just savor the moment I had with her while she still believed me to be holy. Hell, when she did see my face she would no longer believe in God, or any heaven. What God would even create such a repulsive canvas that was my face?

I couldn't bare thinking of such awful things. The notes that were pouring from my fingers into the violins pitches, were now filled with sour hate. I didn't want to hear such a thing after being engrossed in melodies that spoke of love and happiness. I found I no longer had the urge to play and hear angry tunes, so I put my violin up in its case and went to my room to perhaps get some much needed sleep. I barely slept even a wink for the past few nights, knowing Christine was sleeping in the bedroom next to mine, and it didn't help when Nadir woke me up last time.

When I entered my room I reveled in the darkness it brought. I felt safe being unexposed. I went to light a couple of candles to provide some kind of light, and when I did I noticed that practically all my candles had been lit but have long since burnt out. Candles I never even normally touch, had been burnt and I frantically racked my brain; did I light all my candles this morning? If I did I was careless and didn't blow them out when I was finished.

I sat on my bed and began to think of other things, I didn't care much for wondering whether or not I lit candles. My mind quickly went back to Christine. I loved her. Yes, I did and it made me smile every time I thought about those words. Maybe God did exist after all…who else could create such a divine angelic beauty that is Christine, other than a God? She was flawless and I quietly thanked God in my head for bringing her to me…If there was a God to thank.

When normal people loved each other they got married. I knew I did not yet know if Christine felt the same about me but I could not help but pounder on the thought. I reached in my jacket pocket and pulled out a key with a decorative skeleton at the end of it. Marriage meant rings and if I ever found myself so lucky as to marry the angel in my guest bedroom, I had just the one.

I had been awarded many things in Persia form the Shah, from gold to diamonds, or anything I ever wanted. But there was one gift in particular I kept close to me. A ring with a rose on it. I had assassinated a young man that was a threat to the Shah, and he gave me the ring as an award. I didn't know why I kept it or even accepted the gift but it intrigued me. It had a modest beauty to it that was rare to come by. It reminded me of Christine and it would be the perfect ring for her, if we were to ever get married.

I went and grabbed a small chest that was beside my nightstand and put it on my bed. When I went to open it with my key, I noticed the lock had been tampered with. I wouldn't have left this chest unlocked! The ring was too important to be left vulnerable inside of it!

I quickly lifted the lid but caught my reflection in the shattered mirror attached to the lid. I hated looking at that mirror, the same one I was forced by my cruel mother, to look into as a child. It showed the truth. That I was a beast hiding behind a mask, that would never know the pleasure of having Christine love me In return. But I discarded that thought when I remembered my chest had been tampered with.

The box was empty! I blinked my eyes a few times to make sure my mind wasn't playing tricks on me, but it was true. I felt around in the box with my hands by instinct. My heart was ramming against my chest and my body became weak. Damn! Someone had been in my room. It all fit together; the candles that burnt themselves out, the unlocked chest, and the missing satin box that held the ring!

Then my mind came to rest on one theory; Christine. She was alone for about an hour or so this morning and when I came back, I saw her hand in her pocket….with a box! It was the square satin box which held the ring! That's why she was so nervous!

But why would she take it? I felt a little betrayed at the thought of her stealing from me. She wouldn't do that would she? The ring was very valuable and she didn't exactly have all that money but…I wouldn't believe it was her unless I saw for myself.

I silently walked into her bedroom and was contemplating whether or not I should wake her. She looked so lovely, almost like a doll laying there in the darkness with her covers wrapped around her. But then I saw the satin box sitting beside her on her nightstand. She stole it from me! She went in my room without my permission! Who knows what she could have seen that might have revealed my past in Persia or when I was a boy!? If she had the ring, there was no doubt that she had already seen the shattered mirror! I began to panic and the room around me started to spin.

I snatched up the box and opened it real fast only to confirm the ring was still in it, then put it in my coat pocket. I acted without thinking and I found myself shaking Christine by her upper arms. She awoke with a panicked gasp and she looked frightened.

"Angel! What's wrong?" her eyes searched over my body as if they were looking for and injury I might have had.

"You took it! Why Christine?!" I wasn't yelling but talking in a more stern, and frantic voice. I was hurt that she took it but found I didn't have the energy to yell at this angel two nights in a row.

I waited for her to answer but she remained silent for a long time and I noticed how all the blood drained from her face while her eyes became wide.

She stood up, releasing herself from my grasp and faced away from me as she put her hands on her hand.

"I-I'm Sorry. I meant to put it back…really, I did!" She was saying in flustered tones. She appeared to be looking for the ring, she was searching under the bed and shifted through trinkets on her dresser.

"I already have it back." I said, causing her to stop her search.

"How?"

"It was on your night stand so I put it in my pocket."

"Oh."

"Come here." I told her as I walked out into the dining room and motioned for her to follow.

She sat down on her chair at the table and I went in the kitchen to make some tea. I still felt anger coursing through my veins so I put my hands on the kitchen counter and leaned into it while taking deep breaths to calm myself. I wouldn't yell at her. I remembered the other night clearly and the self-loathing that came when I saw her frightened expression as I yelled for her to go to bed. Chances were already slim for her to love me back, and scolding her every night wouldn't help them get any higher.

When I heard the whistle from the tea pot stating it was done, I poured us both a cup and brought them into the dining room.

"Thank you." She said as I placed her cup in front of her.

"Christine, we need to talk about how you got my ring." I told her as I took a seat in my chair across from her.

"I...Uh, I went into your room." She looked down at her feet as she spoke.

"I can tell. But what made you do so? Why did you go through my possessions and take something that wasn't yours?"

"I'm not a thief!" she stated while jumping to her feet quickly.

"Everyone thinks that's what I am, but I assure you, I'm most defiantly not!" She said in between exasperated breaths. What was I to do to calm her? She was now pacing the floor beside the table, ranting with words that were now so chocked up with sobs, I could barely understand them and I just watched, stunned. After a few minutes of contemplating my next move I stood up and gently grabbed her hand, which stopped her in her tracks causing her to stare into my eyes sadly.

"Christine." I said while I brushed some of her lose hair behind her ear with my free hand.

"Calm down. I'm not calling you a thief. I'm just curious as to how my ring came into your possession when I had the chest it was in, locked." After I said this Christine starred at me for a moment then swiftly put her arms around my waste and embraced me. She was softly crying into my chest wetting my jacket with her tears and she began to talk.

'I'm sorry. I was bored and wanted to see your room. When I went in, I couldn't help but be curious about what was in the chest. I picked the lock and found the ring, but brought it into the living room where I could see it better. It was just so enticing I had to try it on but then you came home and…" Her words trailed off into little sobs.

"I'm just really sorry Erik. I meant to put it back." She seemed so innocent and there was no doubt she was telling the truth. I couldn't help but put my arms around her in return until she calmed down.

I took a deep breath and let out words with it "I forgive you Christine, but from now on, you are not to enter my room. If there is something you want…like a ring, tell me and I will get it for you within seconds." She looked up at me as I said this.

"Really? Even a ring?" She looked skeptical like she was questioning the validity of my words.

"Of course, I would bring you the moon back if you asked." I was watching her carefully once I said that, hoping for a good reaction. I knew I was being a little bold but I was being honest.

Christine let out a small giggle then hugged me closer and buried her head into my chest again.

"Erik; you've already brought me the moon." She said while she laughed causing small vibrations from her voice to flow throughout my chest and to the rest of my body, consuming me in relief and fascination.

I wasn't entirely sure what she meant when she said that, but I was enjoying the moment and didn't want to ruin it with questions.

After a few minutes with Christine still huddled in my arms, I realized that it was getting late and she did have rehearsals tomorrow. I knew that the managers would have her sing for the first time, and it would look bad if the new Prima Donna missed two rehearsals in a row

"Christine." I said while pulling her away from my arms.

"Hmm?" She sounded sleepy.

"I think it is best you return to bed now. You have rehearsals tomorrow."

"Alright. Goodnight Erik." She said as she slowly made her way to her room.

The way she said my name was still ringing in my head and I stood there for a moment savoring its sweet sound, until I was disrupted by a knock on my door. I thought about not answering it, but felt compelled to argue with whoever it was for knocking so late.

"Ah Daroga, what is it you need at this fine hour? I'm here for whatever it is you need." I said sarcastically as Nadir stepped through the doorway and entered my house.

"Did you know Raoul is looking for Christine? What if he finds out you have her? He is very in love with her and I do not doubt she feels the same way, if he figures out she is with the opera ghost, he is bound to become angered."

"No Nadir! Do not speak of such things! Christine would never fall for a fop like him, she's too smart for that!"

"Oh Allah, please help me. Of course she loves him Erik, it's all over her face when she is in his presence." He stated as he moved into the living room to sit down.

"What would you know about love Nadir? She does not love him!" The idea of Christine even being around Raoul caused bile to rise to my throat. He is an animal that is filled with lust. It would be impossible for him to actually love her.

"I was married once."

"That was long ago. Besides, all that Raoul wants from Christine is to have her in his bed. It makes me sick."

"Maybe you're misjudging the man."

"Are you for him or me, Nadir? Because it sounds a lot like you would rather have a stranger win Christine's heart, than someone who has saved your life several times. I love her…and I'm not fully sure but I think she loves me in return…she looks at me with an emotion in her eyes I have never seen aimed towards me. It was not filled with hatred, disgust or even horror…but maybe love of some type."

"Erik…" Nadir took a deep breath.

"Please help me with this Nadir. Help me keep her heart away from Raoul's?"

"He sighed then responded. "The messes you get me into Erik. Alright. I will…"

Well it was a little shorter than normal but I was trying to update early today and had lots of distractions with crazy things here and there…so it's not too long :/ oh well hope yall still enjoyed it and sorry I didn't get yalls snippets. No promises I'll review tomorrow but I will try if I get 6 reviews. Either tomorrow or the next day for sure though.

Have a nice day/night/or whatever it is when you read this :)

Remember one word reviews are much appreciated too! :p