Well here is a long chapter to make up for the last one….I'm not sure how proud I am of the last chapter so I tried to make this one really good. I really hope you like it :)
*Still not the proud owner of anything you recognize, just the proud borrower*
Christine POV
"Christine!" I heard Raoul call my name as I walked to rehearsals. I spun around and saw him walking swiftly to where I was standing.
"Are you feeling better?" He asked as he took my hand and kissed the back of it.
"Yes, I'm doing much better, Thank you."
"Good, we wouldn't want our new Prima Donna to miss rehearsal again and deprive us another day without your grace." I felt my face slide into a confused expression with creased eyebrows while I cocked my head to one side.
"Excuse me Raoul, but I do not understand what you are talking about."
"The Managers haven't told you!?" He said in shock.
"The managers are contemplating whether or not they should cast you in the lead and put Carlotta as your understudy!" I must have still been asleep and dreaming. Surely that was impossible…I was a dancer.
"But hey haven't even heard me sing!"
"Not yet, they're going to ask you to, today!" Raoul was so cheerful and excited when he said that, but the sound of his words made my knees buckle. I only sang for my papa and my angel…the thought of singing for the managers made my head spin…but what if I got the part?! I couldn't possibly fathom singing for a full house; I would faint!
Sensing my nervousness, Raoul put his hand on my cheek and stroked it with his thumb.
"Christine, are you alright?"
"I-I…Well…" He starred at me with a face that was now helplessly lost in confusion.
""…How did the managers even get the idea that I could sing? And how do you know this is true?"
"Being the patron has advantages of knowing lots before everyone else. They told me, since of course I'm funding every decision they make. They also told me that they heard form a very reliable source that you would make a great Prima Donna…better than Carlotta."
I found myself speechless…I had only been here a couple of weeks or so and it seemed as though things were happening to me at such a rapid pace that I could barely keep up.
"Come Christine, I will escort you to rehearsals. We don't want you to be late." Raoul said as he held out his arm for me to hold onto.
The whole walk there I felt myself becoming even more engulfed in nerves with each step that brought me closer to the moment of having to sing. I was desperately hoping that I would awake from this stressful nightmare, but no matter how many times I pinched myself, I never did.
When we got there I danced with the other dancers and much time had passed. Maybe Raoul didn't know what he was talking about and the managers were never going to ask me to sing.
We went through our dance one more time but in the middle of it I noticed the Managers walking towards the stage which caused me to lose my focus and trip. My heart was beating hard and I prayed that they were not here to ask me to sing.
Once the dance came to a halt, the managers clapped their hands in a small applause.
"Bravo ladies, Bravo" Andre shouted. Some of the girls smiled and giggled at the kind remarks, but my face stiffened and my bones became tense with trepidation. I was content with dancing; I didn't want to be the Prima Donna!
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Firmin shouted.
"We have a slight alteration to the production in mind." I knew what he was going to say and I felt the room around me start to turn.
"We have been thinking about putting Christine Daae in the lead role of Marguerite in Faust, and making Carlotta her understudy." My face turned a bright red when I noticed everyone began to stare at me and whisper to the person next to them.
"No no no!" I heard a loud shout come from behind me as Carlotta marched on to the stage and stop in front of the managers.
"She will not a replace me! I'm too good for dat!" She yelled while pointing at me viciously, which only made me more fearful of singing for everyone.
"Carlotta, please calm down. We still have to hear her first. There is no guarantee she will become Prima Donna."
"Calm down?!" She screeched causing more stagehands and actors come watch this absurd scene.
"I will not a-calm down!" She looked around the room and stumbled over more words to say and she looked very flustered.
"You know what?! I'm leaving! You will be sorry when this little chit disappoints you and costs you money! I'm gone! Bye bye!" She screamed while storming off the stage and out of the opera house.
Everyone was silent and I could feel lots of eyes bore in to me.
"Christine, will you please sing for us?" Andre asked while holding his hand out for me to grab. I felt paralyzed and no longer in my body, but in some dream…yes! It was a dream! It would be impossible for me to mess up while I was dreaming!
I slowly nodded very faintly and took his hand. He led me to the front of the stage where I could see a house full of empty seats except for two where Raoul and his brother sat. Raoul had a grin on his face that stretched from ear to ear. He looked at me with eager eyes and nudged his brother on his arm to make him pay attention.
I then looked up at the two managers with questioning eyes that begged them to stop this nerve racking torture.
"Sing whatever you like" Andre assured me while gesturing with his hands for me to start singing.
I stood there for a moment asking myself what I should sing, but then I remembered the song Erik had showed me. I would sing that, and imagine myself by his piano, singing only for him. The thought of my angel calmed me and I felt my body relax.
I took a breath and let the music escape from my lips…only for Erik, I thought.
Erik POV
I had talked with Nadir long in to the night. Though it pained me, he voiced his opinions about Christine and Raoul. Unlike him I didn't believe they loved each other. They haven't been in each other's presence for long at all and I had faith that Christine would realize he was an animal and keep out of his reach.
But the Persian was set on the idea that Christine's eyes fluttered every time she looked at Raoul. It disgusted me. I had told Christine to stay away from him and I knew she would.
The next morning after I escorted Christine to the top for rehearsals, I went about my way through my secret passageways watching her every move throughout the day. When Raoul stopped her to talk, I felt my fists clinch. I wanted his neck in my restricting hold just for looking at her the way he did when they were near each other.
Then Christine did something that caused my eyes to pop…she grabbed his arm and let him walk her to rehearsals! I told her to keep away from him, he was a distraction and she disobeyed me. I wanted to swoop down and get her out of his grasp but I knew I couldn't. I just watched in agony.
When I listened to their conversation, I felt myself become filled with rage; he told her how the managers were going to have her sing and she went pale. She was nervous and I could not be there to comfort her.
Why wouldn't that boy just leave her alone and let her figure stuff out on her own? I had planned on her finding out the moment it would happen, which would give her no time to get choked up. I knew she was ready enough for I; this morning I even had her sing before she left, to warm up her vocal chords. She thought it was odd that I wanted to sing so early but she didn't question me.
When rehearsals started I took my seat in box five and watched her carefully while she danced. She seemed to be calmer like she forgot about the idea of singing until the managers walked on stage. She tripped and I could see her shaken expression from where I was sitting.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," Firmin started to say.
We have a slight alteration to the production in mind." As he said this, Christine went white and I wished I could hold her and tell her she would do great.
"We have been thinking about putting Christine Daae in the lead role of Faust, and making Carlotta her understudy." People began to whisper and I saw Christine was visibly shaking.
"No no no!" Carlotta came out whining like a cow.
"She will not a replace me! I'm too good for dat!" I knew the managers were going to put Christine in the lead anyways because of my note, and this was just for show, so I figured Carlotta being replaced would be punishment enough for saying that, even though I wanted to play games with her mind and bring on an even greater torture.
After she eventually ran out of the opera house in anger, I once again put all of my attention on Christine.
I could feel tingles in my stomach and my palms went sweaty. Sing like you always do; forget the cast watching you, I thought in my mind as I watched her step to the front of the stage. Please just sing from the heart, don't worry about the others here, I wanted to tell her.
When she took a breath and notes finally slipped from her tongue, I felt relief wash over me causing me to relax. It was beautiful. I closed my eyes and became lost in her sweet melody.
"Think of me, think of me fondly when we've said goodbye
Remember me once in a while
Please promise me, you'll try"
I remembered going over this song with her more than once and each time she sang it, it reminded me why I was so enthralled with this girl. She was an angel all around.
"Then you'll find that once again you long
To take your heart back and be free
If you'll ever find a moment
Spare a thought for me"
Every lyric was breathtaking and I tried to remember exactly how they were sung at that exact moment so I could hear it again and again in my head whenever I wished to.
When her song finally came to a grand ending everyone was silent. I could tell that worried Christine but I knew everyone was speechless with pure astonishment, how couldn't they be after a performance like that? A couple of maids began to clap first which caught on with the rest of the opera's cast.
"Christine, that was very lovely. We shall fit you in your new costume very soon, you got the lead." Firmin said while Andre shook his head in agreement. I watched Christine's smile light up with a joy that would be hard for just anyone to match.
"Now get out of our way Christine, the dancers are rehearsing" Madam Giry said to Christine with a wink. Christine just shook her head and practically ran off the stage with excitement in every step.
I ran to the chapel, knowing exactly where she was going and waited for her to come through its doors. I waited for many minutes; much more time than she needed at the rate she was going and I wondered if she decided to go somewhere else.
I went to search for her but I didn't get far before I saw Raoul talking to her outside the chapel doors. She looked a little flustered like she would rather get away from him, but she made no attempt to tell him to leave her.
Raoul POV
"Christine" I said as I caught the girl's hand. She had just sung wonderfully for the managers and successfully convinced them to put her in the lead; I had to complement her on such an accomplishment.
She turned around when I got her hand.
"Hello Raoul"
"You sang like an angel." She blushed when I said this and took her hand away from mine in embarrassment. I was satisfied with the effect of my words and decided I would make an advancement towards her.
"Thank you, I was very nervous." She smiled.
"Christine, will you please come with me? I would like to show you something."
"Um" she said as she looked at the chapel door behind her.
"Well, I actually was going to-"
"For me Christine? Please?" I interrupted her and took her hand, slowly bringing her away from the chapel door, not wanting to hear rejection.
"Alright, but real quick." she said seeming nervous.
I kept her hand in mine and lead her to the opera's roof top. It was early winter and the first few snowflakes began to make their way through the mid-day sky. She gasped as she saw the statues of angels and Pegasus's, then looked off the edge into the city below.
"Raoul, I've never been up here before. It's gorgeous!" she gaped. I just grinned at her and brought her over to the base of a statue and sat down, never letting go of her hand. Christine ran her eyes across every detail of the roof and never hid a smile every time she noticed something new.
I watched her carefully, and enjoyed how the white snowflakes fell into her hair creating a stark contrast with her dark brown curls. Within a few minutes, a tiny shiver released itself from her body so I took off my coat and draped it over her shoulders. I should have at least realized she would be cold out here in her skimpy ballet outfit…but I liked the idea of her wearing my coat. It's like it was proof she was going to be mine soon.
She snuggled herself deeper into the black fabric I put on her as if she was searching for warmth. I lightly placed my fingers on her chin and turned it, guiding her face to look at me. When we made eye contact I smiled and she returned it.
"Christine, I was wondering something."
"What is it Raoul?" she said as she turned her head back away, breaking our shared gaze and looking down at her knees that were now huddled up to her chest for warmth. Sensing she was cold, I took the opportunity to get closer to her and put my arm around her shoulder, gently pulling her towards me until her head rested on my chest. Her breathing was heavy and appeared to be nervous so I grabbed her hand and kissed it.
"Raoul, I should go."
"Where is it you always have to be when I'm with you?" I said in a joking manner even though on the inside I was serious really wanted to know.
"It's nowhere, I just…I have to go Raoul" She said scooting away from my hold but I put my hand on her shoulder and stopped her from getting up. She looked impatient and fidgety as if she were late for something…again.
"Christine, are you alright?" I asked turning her chin with my hand again so she would look at me. After a moment when she still didn't answer I spoke up again.
"Where do you have to be? I will take you there." She looked all around then leaned in to me and spoke softly.
"You can't tell anyone, can I trust you?" a faint smile made its way onto her lips.
"I'll keep quiet about it." I assured her and put my hand on top of hers, which was now on the ground supporting the weight of her body as she leaned in even closer to tell me.
"Remember those stories that my father used to tell us? The ones about the angel of music?"
"Yes."
"Well the angel of music…he…" She looked around once more and softened her voce to a silent whisper.
"He has visited me. My father said he would send him and he did Raoul! The angel has been teaching me how to sing!"
"Christine," I said as I took my hand and ran it though her soft curls for comfort.
"You were only dreaming. Those were just stories. Your father said that to bring you comfort after his death." I felt sorry for her as I said that. Her eyes closed and she took a deep breath as if the truth was too much to handle.
"No Raoul, it's not a dream. It's very real; I can hear him and…feel him." I became worried for her as she said this. Feel him? She was describing no angel…but in fact it sounded like a man she was talking about; a mortal man. Even if angels visited people, you would not be able to feel them.
"Christine, I'm concerned for you and your safety; you speak of an angel but it sounds like nothing more than a man; a man that has you under a lie; but I could help you. You could come stay the night with me and my aunt from now on, I will provide you with a room of your own. I will come and get you every day after rehearsals and keep you safe away from this man. And even if I'm wrong, a change of scenery might do your mind some good; I think you're still in some sort or shock after your father's death."
"No Raoul! I cannot just leave him! He will become angry and stop giving me lessons! His temper is not one to mess with, he will-"
"Christine?" I heard a girls voice interrupt causing Christine to stop speaking and look over her shoulder.
"Meg?" She said as the blonde girl approached her.
"I've been looking all over for you, until a young stage hand told me he saw you come up here with the Vicomte, and looks like he was right." She said with a smile.
"I just wanted to congratulate you on getting the lead; I've never heard you sing before and would have never guessed you would be that grand! But I could always find you again later if you want me to, you look busy." Meg said with a sly grin as she slowly inched away from us, hinting towards the fact that Christine was almost in my arms, and practically inches from my face, from telling me her secret news.
"No Meg, Its fine, I'm not busy." Christine said as she stood up and glared at me almost, as if she were mad at me for trying to help her.
"Oh good, because I have lots we need to talk about; you were sick yesterday and we need to catch up on the day we missed not in each other's presence." Meg nudged Christine's shoulder as she said this.
The two girls began to walk off arm in arm, but knowing I needed more time to talk with Christine myself, I stood up and grabbed her spare hand causing them both to come to a halt and look back at me.
"Christine, before you go, please accept my invitation to escort you to the masquerade ball the night after the first show. I would love to spend that night with you." Her eyes became wide and looked over at Meg who was now beaming with excitement.
"She would love to go with you Raoul" Meg answered for her. Christine looked at Meg, then back at me with a face full of shock. Before Christine could protest, the girls left, Meg practically running and dragging Christine behind her before she could answer for herself.
I was genuinely concerned for Christine. The thought of a man disguising himself as an angel and teaching Christine didn't set well with me. Was there something he wanted from her? She said he would become angry, and that his temper shouldn't be messed with. Had she made him mad before? I felt my own temper flare at the thought of some madman becoming enraged at Christine. What if he hurt her? I decided to keep a sharp eye on her form now on, and protect her from her so called angel of music.
Christine POV
"Why did you do that Meg?! Why did you answer for me?!" I practically yelled at Meg as she yanked me through long hallways while she skipped with joy.
"Because I knew you were going to say no."
"And do I not have a right to say no?" I asked in a mocking tone. I didn't want to go to the ball with a man that wished to keep me away from my angel.
"You don't when the Vicomte asks you! I wasn't going to let you ruin your chances with him! He's into you and you need to go for it Christine!" Part of me knew she was right, it was the most logical thing to do; Raoul would be a good partner and I'm not exactly the highest paid person in Paris. But my angel had told me to stay away from him because he was a distraction. I hoped he hadn't found out that I was on the roof with Raoul…I've already disappointed him so many times with my thoughtless actions I couldn't help but believe that this would be the reason for him leaving me.
I didn't want him to go, every time I've been around him, my heart became filled with such joy that it forgot how to beat. I enjoyed it when we danced, and the few hugs we have shared brought a warm feeling that I didn't want to live without. I wondered what it would be like if Erik had brought me to the roof and sat with me under a statue then asked me to the dance instead of Raoul…or even be a viable option as far as courting…I had to stop thinking about that! It had to be a sin to have such thoughts about an angel, and it was still most likely true that he loved someone else in heaven anyways; an angel that was much prettier and more mature. My stomach turned at the thought. No, God put Raoul in my life for a reason, and it would be foolish to neglect him.
"Meg" a voice called from behind us causing my thoughts to shatter and Meg and I to stop and look behind us.
"We need to talk to you." Sorelli, the young dancer motioned for Meg to come join her and the small group of ballerinas behind her. Meg looked back at me, her eyes asking for permission to go. She knew I had hard feelings towards Sorelli so she avoided her for my sake as much as possible. I nodded for her to go and she walked off with the other girls.
Once they were gone and out of my view, I rushed through the hallways to the chapel where I was originally trying to go before Raoul stopped me. When I got to its door, I stopped before opening it. A cold chill went through my spine and something in my gut didn't feel right.
I took a deep breath and slowly pushed opened the heavy door and peered in. The room was completely dark so I went to the altar and struck a match to light a candle.
I watched as the room became filled with a modest flickering dim light and sat there on the floor for my angel to open the wall that the alter was against.
Minutes passed and I began to worry…had he left me? A small tear escaped my lid and ran down my cheek. He left me because I had been foolish to go with Raoul. I thought.
"Angel?" I was silent for a long moment, waiting for a reply that never came.
"Erik…" I called as I stood up and put my hands against the cool stone wall that opened and lead towards my angel's home. I was beginning to think that he really had left.
"Please, Angel, don't leave!" I begged as more tears streamed down my cheeks. I pounded my fists on the wall now, hoping that somehow it would open if I kept doing that. But it didn't.
"Angel?!" I sobbed wanting to hear his voice.
"So you allowed yourself to fall victim to Raoul's charming looks, my child?" I heard Erik's voice resonate through the walls in bitter tones. I remembered his anger when I had asked too many questions that one night and felt it coming back.
"I-I…Angel please."
"Please what? Forgive you for letting Meg tell Raoul you would go to the masquerade ball with him, so it wouldn't be you responsible for agreeing? Or are you begging my forgiveness for telling him about me teaching you? Something I told you never to share with anyone yet you told the fop of all people."
I collapsed onto the floor in a ball. Surely he was getting ready to leave. I had done so many foolish things and this would be the one to spark his departure. The room grew silent only for a few long seconds, then the wall opened and I could see my angel's silhouette. It almost looked unholy, and more like a ghost's. I wanted to run out of the room in fear but I didn't dare move. Instead I just put my head down into my hands and shut my eyes tight.
I felt my angel's tight grip on my upper arm pull me into a standing position, then he roughly began to pull me back through the wall, and the sound it made when it shut echoed through my ears.
"You betrayed me. Are you not grateful for me? I spend so much of my time trying to help you and you repay me by disobeying me? First you took my ring, and now you spoke to Raoul about me when I told you to stay away from him! You are trying my patience my dear." He said in a harsh voice as he dragged me down to his home.
"I could leave you if you'd like Christine! Is that what you want?" I could hear pain in his words. I hurt him, and it was obvious he was disguising his sadness as rage. I felt regret for that, but I also felt a sense of betrayal myself. Mortals are the ones who aren't perfect and falter with human emotions such as sadness…or anger. Was Raoul maybe correct? Was this angel in fact a man?
"Answer me Christine!" He yelled as he stopped in the middle of the dim cavern and grabbed my face in his hands, causing me to have no choice but to look at him. I found my attention become drawn to his mask. What would an angel have a mask for? Was he somehow hiding the fact that he was possibly human, and thought something as strange as a mask would give him the upper hand of mystery, like an angel might have? I felt an undying urge to know the truth; to see if he really was human or not.
I felt my hand creep up to the white mask and I cupped it softly, feeling the leather against the palm of my hands. His emotions immediately softened and his eyes revealed only vulnerable sadness. We shared a moment of each other's gaze, then he closed his eyes and leaned into my hand. I then curled my fingers around the mask's edges and tore the white barrier away from his face.
Dun dun dunnnn!
So, if anyone wants to kill Raoul for just living right now, this might be a good time before he causes anymore trouble between Erik and Christine :p Also, I'm sorry I forgot yall's snippets, Maybe Erik wont yell at me too much for that…I promise you will get them for the next chapter if you're kind enough to review :)
It was nice to hear from some new people last time, so thanks! And I will try not to keep yall waiting for the next chapter for toooo terrible long..…well it just depends how many reviews I get doesn't it? ;)