Sooo this chapters not the longest length wise but its kinda heavy content wise. I'm sorry it took a while for me to get out but I was having trouble writing it because I had to make a lot of important decisions here that would really affect the plot of the story. Any ways I just really hope you like it.
Enjoy
Erik POV
All I could think of, was how undeserving I was as I stared into the cold, unfeeling glass that bore my twisted reflection. My face has always caused destruction to anything that held even an ounce of beauty. Even the vanity mirror in Christine's room which I was now looking in appeared broken by my reflection; the very same mirror accustom to portraying charm as elegant as Christine's.
A strong ambushing pain surrounded me as my thoughts shifted to Christine. Her heart would never belong to me even if she gave it to me willingly. No, it would belong to this grotesque face. It would break her, just as it has done with me…and my mother.
I took a deep breath as images of my dear mother flooded my mind. I couldn't think of anyone more damaged by my face than her. Angel's had nothing on her magnificent elegance. She put the definition of beautiful to shame. A tear slipped from my eye and slid down every distorted vein and twisted piece of flesh on my cheek. My mother hated me for loving her, and I didn't blame her at all. I repulsed her, and all the hate and regret I had caused her ate her from the inside out. By the time she laid cold and lifeless in her coffin, every inch of beauty she had once possessed had abandoned her. She herself became hideous, because of me.
I knew that if Christine were to ever be mine, it would wither away at her and only cause her remorse. I felt conflicted and alone. No one to sympathize and relate, and no one to help. The whole situation was all on me. I had to be the one to make the right choices, and I would be responsible for the outcome- whether or not in reality Christine was the one to choose. If she later regretted her decision to pick the monster, I would be to blame for letting her.
I continued to gaze into the mirror. Oh God, why did this cruel joke of yours have to run deeper than just appearances? I felt my anger grow, and all traces of sadness escaped me. Each breath became deeper and held rage at its base.
No. It would not be my fault if Christine chose me. It would be God's for flaunting what I couldn't have. I would put him to shame and prove him wrong. Christine will choose me, I will prove God's sick joke wrong, and everyone in this damned world wrong. I would take what has been said my whole life that I could never possess- beauty.
I walked out of Christine's room with a strong drive to get what I deserved and headed for a trunk in my room where I kept some things I had brought back from Persia. I had to get ready for the ball, and only my best attire would work.
Christine POV
I was speechless and didn't know how to react. I knew I couldn't be around him anymore and that I would have to confront him eventually and go our separate ways but not like this. Not with so many people around to overhear our conversation. I was at least hoping to see him one last time underground and perhaps sing with him a final time. I wanted a moment alone with him before I would possibly never see him again.
"What possessed you to come here with Raoul? I mean really Christine, you don't look like you're having much of a good time." His tone was playful yet I could hear the seriousness behind each word.
"He's a friend, Erik." He squeezed my hand that he was holding a little tighter at my pitiful attempt to defend Raoul. He then started walking and I followed him through the crowd.
"It has been an honor for me to patron this fine Opera House…" Raoul's voice echoed out through the lobby as he spoke on the stage.
Erik brought me to a small corner just outside of the thick crowd of people and began to speak.
"Christine," He said in a low tone looking around to make sure nobody was paying attention. "I have something I wish to confess to you." He gently took the rose ring that I was holding in the palm of my hand and held it up to where we both could look into it. "This ring came from Persia. The Shah himself gave it to me." His eyes seamed to stare right past the ring as if he was lost in a deep memory. "This ring has buried itself deep into my heart and stands as a reminder for…what I truly am. On that night you bore witness to my face, I gave you the ring in hopes you would take it and accept what I am and always will be." He slowly reached for my hand and slipped it on my ring finger then looked me in the eyes as more words rolled off his tongue. "I love you Christine Daae, and hope you feel the same."
I stood there in shock, unable to find words.
"Christine?" He pressed waiting for a response.
"Erik…I" My mind was scattered and I stumbled over words. Erik, sensing my apprehension placed his hands on my upper shoulders and pulled me in closer. "I love you too." I was weak. I couldn't help but want nothing more than to spill my love for him into words and affection, and as soon as the words came out of my mouth I knew it would eventually do nothing but cause broken hearts. I was aware his pledge of love for me was a false misunderstanding for him, yet I couldn't find the strength to deny it. Even if it was fake I wanted to hold on to every ounce of it for as long as I could.
"There is just one last thing I would like to do before I let you wonderful people get back to your night of dancing and celebration," I heard Raoul in the background as I looked into Erik's relief filled eyes.
"Oh Christine" Erik spoke softly as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in even closer, causing me to look around to see if anyone had seen us.
"I would be honored if the beautiful Miss Christine Daae would come up here for a moment." I froze when I heard Raoul's voice echo through the room.
"Come," Erik said as he pulled his torso away from mine and grabbed my hand to walk away. I did not follow.
"No, I can't just leave him like this, waiting for me to appear up there in front of everyone." My words jumbled together and they were barely audible as I spoke so fast. Erik just stared at me taken aback by my protest. Due to his lack of response I pulled my hand from his and cut through the crowd making my way up to the small make shift stage.
Upon arrival Raoul grabbed my hand and pulled me in closer to where he was standing.
"I have known this young lady since we were children and I am very proud of who she has become." He took off the mask he wore to the ball and turned his focus to me. "She has been there for me when others couldn't and has always kept a smile on my face." My mouth parted slightly in surprise as he started to kneel down on one knee. "I know this is sudden, but I love you, Christine Daae and would love nothing more but to share the rest of my life with you. Please agree to marry me?" He pulled out a golden colored box and lifted the lid to reveal an elaborate diamond ring that matched the simple necklace he had given me earlier.
I felt my heart beat faster in panic. I loved Erik, yet I knew what the smart decision would be. I looked out into the audience of people awaiting my answer and scanned the room for Erik. He was at the very back in the shadows and it was a wonder I spotted him. I shot him an apologetic look. I knew after this I would most likely never see my angel again. Our gaze locked for a split seconded and I could see what looked like hope.
I forcefully pulled my eyes away from Erik and in the process caught sight of Madam Giry. She raised her eye brows and nodded once in encouragement to answer. Then I turned my attention to the man kneeling before me. The silence of the room was overwhelming as I looked into his prying eyes.
"Yes Raoul, I will." As soon as my words were spoken, the room echoed with applause and Raoul jumped to his feet and pulled me towards him. Without a pause he pressed his lips against mine and my cheeks engulfed into a fiery red. I felt sick to my stomach and a small tear escaped my eye. That tear belonged to Erik.
When he pulled away he took the ring from its box and grabbed my hand. He hesitated a second when he saw the rose on my finger but then proceeded to slip it off and replace it with the huge diamond one. Raoul handed me the rose ring back then lead me off the stage with his arm around my waist.
"Would you like some wine to celebrate the occasion Christine?" He asked cheerfully while giving my hand a quick squeeze.
"I would like that Raoul." I said as I faked a smile. I could care less for the idea; in fact this occasion hardly seemed worthy of celebration, but I wished for some time alone, at least to escape and say goodbye to Erik.
"Very well, I shall return, I won't keep you waiting." He kissed my hand then eagerly strolled off.
When he disappeared into the crowd, I rushed towards the back where I had seen Erik a few moments ago. I looked all around as fast as I could and paused every few seconds when the occasional person I passed would congratulate me on my engagement.
After a few minutes passed, I gave up on finding him and started to walk back towards Raoul while trying to hide the look of disappointment on my face.
"Ssshh. Don't make a noise." I froze in my steps when I heard Erik's Voice whisper from directly behind me. He was so close to me I could feel the heat of his body radiating off and I was sure no one else heard him speak but me.
Erik slowly reached for my hand and started to pull me along with him and I did not protest. I didn't want to.
"Christine! Stop!" I snapped my head back and saw Raoul yelling, causing the people around us to bring their attention to us.
"Raoul." I couldn't say anything else. I was hoping my tone had conveyed enough apologies with its acknowledgement.
"Christine, this man is no angel, he is a monster don't go with him!" His voice was urgent and he looked panic-stricken.
Erik stopped walking and turned his gaze to Raoul. I saw hate in his eyes and his grasp on my hand became crushing.
"A monster, monsieur?" Erik questioned mockingly and cold. "If I remember correctly, sir, just this morning Christine's…actions expressed no such thing." Raul shot me a confused and betrayed look and all I could do was stare at him apologetically. "In fact with the way her touch practically begged for me it was quiet obvious that the title Angel fits much better. Don't you think so, Christine?" I felt my cheeks become searing hot as I looked around to see everybody whispering and murmuring at Erik's words.
"You leave her alone." Raoul said sternly as he pulled out a small knife from the inside of his coat pocket and aimed it for Erik. The women in the crowd gasped and took a step back. Before I had any time to think I was pulled back against Erik's torso. Erik clasped both of my wrists in his hand behind my back and with his other hand he was holding some kind of lasso wrapped around my neck.
I felt aghast and quickly came to the realization that my life was literally in Erik's hands. I had never thought that he would kill me, but all of a sudden the rough rope rubbing against my skin started to change my mind.
"I'm sure you remember very clearly the last time we met. I trust you don't wish for your beloved Christine to have to go through the same thing." I felt my knees begin to buckle at his words and I couldn't help but wonder what exactly he meant. They had met before?
"You're nothing but a cold bastard."
"Am I?" Erik said as he tightened the lasso's grip around my neck causing my breath to become limited and I choked a little in response. "Put down the knife and let us leave in peace, then I assure you Monsieur, no harm will come to Christine."
I no longer wished to go with Erik, all love I thought I had for him had escaped me in the second it took for him to wrap his hands around my life and threaten it. Tears started to roll down my cheeks and I let out a few sobs that were choked and partially restricted due to the rope.
"Monsieur," Erik nodded his head towards a man standing a few feet beside him in the crowd. "I don't quiet think Raoul quiet understands the significance of my threat. Would you be so kind to come and remove Christine's mask?" His tone was commanding and the man quickly walked up and took off my music note printed mask, revealing red wetted cheeks and scared eyes.
The man then stepped back and as soon as he did I shot Raoul a pleading look that begged for his help.
Raoul took a step back in defeat and threw the knife on the ground and put his hands in the air.
"I'm sorry Christine." Raoul spoke softly as he looked down to the ground. Erik then proceeded to drag me away, my hands still behind my back and the rope around my neck. I struggled to break free of his grasp and keep my ground, I didn't care if he killed me for resisting, I would rather die then walk away with the devil who was now a stranger to me.
We hadn't gotten very far, when all at once, Erik briskly pushed me to the cold hard ground and I looked up and saw Raoul coming at him with the knife. Before I could even fully register the situation Erik somehow managed to get the knife from him in the blink of an eye and aim it towards Raoul. Without hesitation Erik plunged it into Raoul's flesh and they both fell to the ground with Erik on top.
"Raoul!" His name came out in a shaking sob. I swiftly un-wrapped the lasso from my neck and crawled over to the two men as fast as I could. Erik never pulled the knife out; instead he held it in place with a vice like grip.
"Erik! Stop, please stop Erik!" I yanked backwards on his arm as hard as I could in a panic. "Erik, you're going to kill him!" I screamed and I looked around the room for help but no one came. Instead everyone was dispersing and the women were screeching as they ran.
Raoul was becoming pale and his eyes now looked dull as they rolled back into his skull. While filled with panic I did the first thing that came to my head and I reached my hand over to the skeleton mask that covered Erik's face. I frantically yanked it off and it fell to the floor beside us.
"Damn you! Erik shouted abruptly. Then, in a flash he pulled out the knife and pushed me to the ground once more, only this time he went with me and placed himself firmly on top of me. He took the blood stained knife and pressed it against the skin of my neck in a threat.
It was quiet. The only noise to be heard was the stomping of police outside the opera and Erik's harsh breaths. We both locked eyes and I watched as his gaze shifted from rage to a soft melancholy look. I felt my heart shatter and I wished to reach out and touch the distorted face that now bore the emotions of a scared child.
"Come." Erik said calmly as he dropped the knife to the ground and stood up. He helped me up and started pull me out of the room. I looked back to see Raoul laying on his back wheezing and coughing up blood, just before Erik lead me into the shadows.
Sooo what did yall think? Was it too much? Too cheesy? Were they in character? If yall want we could just forget this chapter entirely…..
I'm not sure how I feel about it yet and I didn't edit it all that much (sorry) because I kinda just wanted to get it updated since it's been two weeks.
Anyways let me know what ya think.
Oh, and plus, the wonderful Alan Fox was my 100th review so I had her answer some questions and her answers will show up in future chapters so be on the look out!
Thanks you guys!:D