Chapter 4

Angels DO Exist

Christine and Meg entered the ballroom together, smiles radiantly showing on their faces. Meg was wearing a white dress, making her look the innocent angel that she portrayed with her costume. Christine was in an even more radiant white dress then her friend. Her hair was cascading down her back, showing off her bountiful curls. Her mask was accentuating her rosy lips, making them look all the more inviting. She was fabulous!

The pair talked amongst some other young patrons, but Christine's thoughts were elsewhere it seemed. She excused herself from the group, finding she was quite bored with the topic of conversation, and seated herself at a table near by, sighing as she did so and resting her hands on either side of her face in somewhat of a pout. Where is this so called 'admirer'? Her question to herself was answered as she saw someone standing at her side.

Christine looked up, finding her chocolate eyes meeting a pair of green ones. Her breath caught in her throat. She seemed speechless! "Mademoiselle." He said, presenting her with a single crimson rose tied with a black ribbon. She couldn't quit staring at him! His black hair was slicked back; a white mask across his face; red attire. His costume seemed to be that of Red Death. He looked... evil, yet... so handsome and enticing. The material seemed to hug his body in all of the right places, making her blush at her own thoughts. She couldn't put her finger on it, but something seemed to be radiating from his eyes.

He looked at her curiously. She said nothing, only being able to stare at him in complete adoration. He started to feel a bit nervous. Could she see right through him? He spoke again, "Mademoiselle?" She snapped out of it, offering a small smile and a blush as she took the rose. "Pardon Moise monsieur. I was... startled." He smiled and bowed his head slightly at her. "Tis no problem at all beau." She found herself turning red once more at his words. He smiled. "May I have a seat?" She nodded slightly and he seated himself next to her, folding his hands in front of him on the table. She found herself fiddling with the ribbon on the rose. It then dawned on her. Who is he? My admirer perhaps?

"Pardon monsieur... but I did not catch your name." He hesitated, and then thought better of it. I needn't lie to her. "Erik. Erik Destler. And you are Christine Daae." He said grabbing her hand gently and planting a small, yet affectionate kiss upon her knuckles. She looked at him curiously. It must be him! She thought, tilting her head at him.

He smiled at her then, an all-knowing smile. He then rose, still holding her hand gingerly. "Would mademoiselle care to partake in a dance?" She smiled up at him, allowing the rose to settle on the table as she arose from it. "I would love to kind sir."

The pair strolled out to the dance floor, Christine mesmerized by the man leading her. His smile seemed to melt her very soul, making it do flips-flops and causing butterflies to dance in her belly. One hand found its way to her hip and the other still held her hand as she laid her other hand on his arm. So soft his touch was! So gentle.

"So Monsieur Destler, I do not think I have seen you in the Opera Populaire before, have I?" She asked, quite curiously. "On the contrary Miss Daae, I come here quite often. I think your mind is elsewhere when you perform. There isn't much time to look about at your admirers while you dance, now is there?" She smirked and nodded. "No, I suppose not."

They were silent for a while, just looking at one another as they waltzed. Everyone seemed to be looking their way, especially her dearest friend, Meg, whom had busied herself talking to some young fop. Madam Giry had an eye on them as well, being sure nothing was to go wrong.

The dance ended and they found themselves back at the table they had previously been at. Erik could hardly contain himself. Things are going so well! Just as planned. He thought, bringing what seemed to be an endless smile to his face as he stared at her through his mask. She finally removed her own, setting it gently on the table next to the gift he had given her. The way she looked at him he knew that she expected him to do the same. His thoughts were confirmed by her next words: "Am I not allowed to see my apparent secret admirer's face?"

Erik looked down for a moment then back up at her. "Ah ah mademoiselle. Then I wouldn't be a SECRET admirer, now would I?" His quick reply even shocked him. Her frown that she adopted upon her face was not what he expected though. "No.. I suppose not." She said, looking down now.

Now this won't do. He gently grabbed her chin and lifted her head, her eyes meeting his. "Now now Miss Daae. Do not fret. As adorable as you are when you pout, I would much rather see you smile." This brought a small smile to her rosy lips, which in turn did the same to for him. "Come... join me on the veranda?" She nodded and rose with him, allowing her to escort her outside to the balcony.

Christine inhaled the cool night air. Erik watched her every move. Christine seemed to feel his eyes on her and turned slightly to address him. "Oui?" He shook his head, unable to stop staring at her. He felt bold all of the sudden, reaching out a hand to brush her cheek with the back of it. Her eyes gently closed, her lips slack as she inhaled slowly. He smelled so sweet, yet so manly. Mon dieu! How beautiful she is. "You put angels to shame Christine Daae. Angels." She blushed, leaning into his touch. "Monsieur..." "Erik... please call me Erik." He said gently, interrupting her. She smiled and looked at him. "Erik... you flatter me so. I feel I do not deserve such affection." "Ah, but you deserve the world ma petite. The world itself." "Such words you speak." She said, honey dripping from her tongue.

He couldn't help himself. He must touch her more! Feel her more! He stepped forward some, not wanting to scare her and fearing he would, but he had to chance it.

He rested his unoccupied hand on her hip, the other trailed down her cheek, her neck, stroking her arm as it too laid rest on the other side of her body on her hip. Her breath caught in her throat again. She looked at his hypnotizing green eyes. "Who are you?" "Je suis votre ange de la musique. The answer to your everlasting prayers."

Recognition danced in her now glazed over caramel eyes. My angel of music? Father didn't lie. He has come to me?!

She was shaking in his arms. He didn't go without noticing. He managed to part from her for an instant as he took off his cape and put it around her delicate shoulders, allowing it to encompass her delicate frame and hopefully warm her body.

He was beginning to feel nervous again when she didn't say anything. He was stroking her arms, warming them for her. She was just staring at him blankly... but he couldn't find any fear in her eyes. She then did something that shocked him. She reached up to his hidden face and stroked the flesh that was not hidden from her. "My angel of music? How I HAD been preying for you." She said, reaching to unveil his face. "NO!" He backed away suddenly, frightening her somewhat.

He looked back at her, guilt coming over his face for yelling at her in such a manor. He grabbed her hands, enveloping them in his and looked deep into her eyes once more. "Not this time ma petite...please bare with me?" She looked at him, and for some reason unbeknownst to her she nodded, fully trusting him.

There time together was interrupted by someone joining them on the veranda. Erik whirled his head around a bit annoyed, but his face softened a somewhat when he saw Meg and Marie Giry standing there. A stupid grin was plastered on Meg's face as she looked on.

"Christine, who is this handsome man?" Meg's excitement for her friend was evident in her voice. Christine blushed, knowing her friend would poke fun at her later for doing exactly what she said she wouldn't.

Madam Giry came to both of their rescue, "This is Monsieur Destler. He is a renowned architect and musician. Tis a pleasure monsieur." Madam Giry curtsied, followed by Meg. Christine looked at her angel questionably. Erik bowed to the other two ladies and smiled at Christine.

Christine was curious as to how Madam Giry knew who he was, but his name escaped her. "I just wanted to make sure the maestro's intentions were pure my dear. It was a pleasure to see you Monsieur.'" Madam Giry said, just as any mother looking after their daughter would. "But.." '"ome along Meg." The older woman said, pulling along her daughter without any more questions.

Christine's outlooks on this man were even more assured. If the Madam knows him, he must be alight. She thought with a smile yet again playing on her face. He couldn't help but smile himself. She had the most beautiful expressions, how could he not!?

He reached up to her face once more and brushed a stray lock of hair away from it. Oh his scent is so powerful... I don't know how much more of this I can take. She grabbed his hand softly with both of her own. Erik expected her to shove him away with disgust, perhaps a slap, but no… she just gently squeezed his hand with her own.

"Come and walk with me?" He asked, hope dancing in his eyes. She could see it. She offered a small smile and nodded. He dropped his hand from her cheek, eliciting a small frown on her otherwise adorable face. He noticed this and quickly offered his arm to her in exchange. She took it greedily as they walked back inside, collected her mask and rose, and walked away from the crowds.

Wow.. this chapter was a lot longer then I expected it to be... so I decided to break it up into two. I hope no one minds. Giggles

BTW, "Je suis votre ange de la musique." means I am your angel of music. Just in case you were wondering. I have been throwing in some French for the simple fact that I love the language. Hehe!