Wowowow, it's been YONKS since I updated! :O My excuse? Pretty much all the annoying GCSE shizzle that accompanies the awesomeness of being a year 10! But now I'm back on track with my story, and promise to make future updates more regular! :') Hehehe, and I must admit that the 11 reviews I received for my first few chapters SERIOUSLY excited me, so please please please keep telling me what you think! Woah, and I'm getting lotsa hits too! So if you 'hit' my story, please also drop me a review! ;-) Many thanks my beautiful readers; here is the next chapter! xoxox

Lucien's POV

I spoke to her!

I held a conversation with my dear, sweet Ella, whilst oozing a sudden, unexpected confidence.

She smiled at me! Her beautiful smile was aimed at me! In fact, she smiled multiple times, sometimes even staring at me whilst a beaming smile lit up her face.

Her stares were not like those of the people in the street; she did not stare at me as if I was crazy. On the contrary, she stared at me as if… as if she found me attractive.

It may have been my imagination, but it seemed to be so real! She may have not been the first woman to do so, yet it is Ella alone who holds the key to my heart. It hence seemed so… unearthly to have her stare at me in such a way. After dreaming of this moment for so long, its reality was purely breathtaking.

I soon convinced her to sit with me, where we often stole 'secret' glances at each other. When our eyes met, my heart soared.

We shared a smile that seemed as special as sharing a secret that only we knew.

Oh, for once in my life I felt so happy! I could barely speak through my excitement, yet knew that I could take this moment to an even further extent of bliss.

"So… do you live locally? I'm sure that I have seen your face before," I truthfully exclaimed, smiling at her.

"As I previously stated, I believe that it would be impossible to forget such a beautiful face." She blushed prettily, as my love for her grew and grew.

"Oh Sir, you do flatter me…"

"Lucien," I interrupted. "Please, call me Lucien."

"Lucien…" she smiled, as if savouring the taste of the word on her lips.

"I like that name, it's different- exotic in a way!" she exclaimed, excitement dancing in her eyes.

"Well, good afternoon Lucien, my name is Ella!" she stood, and did a mock-curtsey, attempting to suppress a giggle. I grinned in response and also stood, bowing to her.

"Indeed Ella, it is a most pleasant afternoon… especially now we have met!" I winked at her, relishing my new-found confidence, and she giggled and blushed again, retreating back to her seat. I joined her, and she continued questioning my name.

"Lucien… Is it of English decent?"

"I am entirely English, yet my name is of Latin origination."

"Latin? Wow, that truly is exotic!" she said excitedly.

"Where do you think my name comes from? I've never asked Papa…"

"You do indeed have a lovely name. It sounds… sweet and… pretty. It suits you," I said shyly; losing my confidence for a moment.

Ella modestly smiled, and I especially took pleasure in noticing how she played with a strand of her hair, whilst unknowingly fluttering her eyelashes as she murmured,

"Thank you for your lovely, kind words Lucien, you really are most charming!"

My heart skipped a beat, yet I simply cleared my throat, attempting to portray confidence again.

"I only charm you with the truth Ella! Nothing more, and nothing less," I purred, daring to reach out and touch her cheek. She immediately leaned towards my touch, shutting her eyes like a content cat. I caressed her cheek, and she lifted her gloved hand to touch mine, creating a most innocent yet intimate pose.

We both realised all too soon how improper this was; we were still merely strangers. After we sprung apart however, we shared yet another special, secret smile.

Through the haze of my thoughts, I somehow managed to remember our previous conversation.

"I may know that your name is somewhat… appealing," I said softly, my gaze never leaving her,

"Yet I am afraid to confess that I am unsure of its origin," I finished, frowning.

Ella seemed to have also been lost in her thoughts, forgetting our topic of conversation.

"Oh? Ah, yes… my name origination! No matter, I'm sure I will survive! Although I will be burdened with the question forevermore…" she playfully stated.

"Well then, I will make it my responsibility to find this out for you! After all, we wouldn't want you to be pondering about your own name for the rest of your life, would we? Life is far too short for unanswered questions," I teasingly replied, beginning to stand.

"So, seeing as you have made this task your own responsibility, I take it… we will perhaps meet again?" Was that… a hopeful expression I saw on her face?

"Most definitely! Of course, only so that I can tell you your name origins…"

"Of course!" she giggled.

"Well, it has been my sincerest pleasure meeting you… Ella," I gave her a meaningful smile, and extended my hand, "Perhaps we shallbump into one another again!"

Ella burst out laughing, and met her hand with my own as if to shake it, only for me to take her hand and place a lingering kiss upon it.

"I'm sure that we will…" she breathed, gazing at me with an expression which I could not fathom.

"Goodbye Lucien!"

"Until we meet again, dearest Ella…"

Tehehe. Am just a TEENSY bit excited, 'cuz today I received an extra-special (extremely belated) Christmas present in the post; which has obviously taken AGES to arrive! And guess what? I now have an adorable t-shirt which refers to me as an "Angel of Music". Yes, I now have a Phantom t-shirt. My life is complete! If you review, I might magically, erm, photocopy my Phantom t-shirt and send it to you over fanfiction! I will just need Erik to help me figure out how to do it exactly… but anyways! Back to DESTINED. Yayayay! The next chapter is officially up! xD I hope you enjoyed, and pleeeeeease tell me whatcha think about Lucien, Ella and my story! And also tell me exactly what YOU would like to happen next! I will take everything into consideration; your suggestions could change the entire path of my story! EXCITING MUCH. Hehe 'nyways, lotsa loving to my fellow phantomers! REVIEW FOR A PHANTOM T-SHIRT. You know you want to! ;-) xoxox