Hello! Totes sorry for making you wait so long. Stuff happened. Life stuff, computer stuff, you know, that stuff. Disclaimer: I do not own any references or characters that are POTO related. Enjoy! I hope everyone likes it. ^_^

Chapter 4

At rehearsals the next day, everyone was abuzz with the news that a there was a new soprano joining the opera. Charles talked with different people, not betraying he knew who the new soprano was.

Fleur sat in the front row of the seats and smiled. She watched Charles until she, and everyone else, heard the door open.

Andre and Firmin walked towards the stage, followed by Belle. When they reached the stage, Firmin stepped up to it leading Belle with him. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce the young lady that will be taking the place of the Prima Donna. Mademoiselle Belle," he ushered her forward into the light. Firmin frowned when everyone gasped. "Mademoiselle requested to wear a mask at all times to maintain her anonymity. Please respect her wishes..."

"Wait!" All eyes shifted from Belle to Fleur who stood red-faced. She points at Firmin and yells at him. "I thought that I was the lead soprano, the Prima Donna. You said she..." pointing at Belle, "...never responded to your requests!" She was out of breath. Dramatic tears fell down her face.

Firmin stepped towards her. "Mademoiselle, please. She did not receive our requests. They became known to her after we had asked you. We are still giving you a job. You are to be her understudy."

Chatter spread through the company.

Fleur looked around, her gaze resting on Belle. "You...you're behind this."

Belle smirked and dramatically pointed to herself. "Me? I answered the pleas of a pair of desperate managers looking for a singer, a role I am very capable of fulfilling. You, on the other hand, are just another diva, looking for a spotlight to take from a more capable performer. What is the real reason for you being here? Is not everyone as curious as I?" She smiled at the nods that answered her question.

Fleur looked at her, shocked. "Well...I...it doesn't matter!" She glared at Firmin and Andre. "You two! I was told that I would be the lead soprano. Then this...this vixen suddenly has it given to her. What did she do, sleep with someone to get the position?" Suddenly she gasped, falling against the seats.

Belle stood over her, ready to backhand Fleur again. Tears streamed down her face. "H-how dare you? Such a thing to say! I took this position because it was asked of me. I had no intention of doing this. You know why? It's because of people like you. People who take the pride of the theater and drag it through the mud!" She turned to the managers. "Monsieurs, I regret to inform you that I will not be taking the position." Belle turned to Fleur. "Mademoiselle, the position is yours." Her voice came out cold and unfeeling. Belle turned and walked away, but not before giving Charles an apologetic look.

Charles stepped forward to run after her. He stopped himself, but not quick enough not to be noticed by someone...

}{

Matt and Rachel had come to the opera house together for the first time. Rachel told Matt that they were getting married, not committing a crime. She also wanted to talk to Madame Giry, which she hadn't done since after Masquerade.

"You do not need to be in the room, Matt."

"But I want to be." He wrapped an arm around Rachel's waist.

She smiled. "Fine." Planting a kiss on his lips she opened the door to Madame Giry's room. "Madame?" She stopped dead in her tracks when she heard sniffling from the adjoining room. "Hello?"

"What's wrong?" Matt came in behind her. "Mother, are you here?"

Both jumped when Madame Giry stepped out of the room. "Matt, Rachel, can I help you?"

Rachel gave her a puzzled look. "Madame, we could have sworn we heard crying."

"Rachel? Is it Rachel, Madame?" The tearful voice came from the other room.

"Yes, it is, and Matt as well." Madame Giry walked back to the room. A black leather gloved hand reached out to her.

Belle stepped out and looked at Rachel. She wasn't wearing her mask. "Rachel!"

Rachel ran over and hugged her. "Belle, what happened?"

Belle sobbed onto Rachel's shoulder. "That witch happened." Her voice grew sinister. "That horrible woman!"

"What woman?" Matt stepped from behind Rachel and patted Belle on the back. "Does this have something to do with Charles?"
"Oh no, of course not. Charles just wanted me to take the position of Prima Donna. The managers had asked me to. But that other woman..." She let go of Rachel and hugged Matt.

Matt stiffened and tried to comfort him. "This other woman, would it be Mademoiselle Fleur de Anges?"

Belle looked at him like she would kill something in a second. "Never say that name, ever! I don't want to here it..." She hugged Rachel again. "This isn't good timing. If I get too upset..."

"Belle, do you want me to take down to your home? Charles won't be able to leave rehearsals." Madame Giry had stayed silent til now. "I know you do not want to talk about it, but this woman...was she in the car-"

"Madame! You are never to speak that abhorrent word in my presence." She let go of Rachel and wandered to the door. "I can make my own way." Just as she opened it, she replaced her mask and turned to the trio. "I apologize. I would never want you to see me in such a state. Madame, I'm sorry for my speech. Also, if you can talk to Charles, he is making plans for renovations in my home. If you could, help him make arrangements. I shall be down there when he comes to see me." She sounded rather detached as she walked out the door. "Good day."

After she left, Rachel turned to Matt in confusion. "What happened? Who is this woman she was so upset about? I'm confused..." She sat down in the nearest chair and leaned against her hand.

Matt placed a hand on her shoulder. "I only know that the managers hired a new singer. Apparently she's good. But not as good as Belle. How could the managers...?"

Madame Giry sighed and sat down. "I think I know what has upset Belle." Rachel and Matt looked at her. "I think Mademoiselle de Anges must have been unkind to her. That doesn't surprise me because she's a diva. But I also think that this started a long time ago at the carnival...Those two don't know it, but they know each other..."

Rachel gasped. "What, how...?"

"Like I said, it started back at the carnival. I remember something else I witnessed that fateful night..."

}{

After rehearsals, Charles tried to sneak away. He was caught by Fleur.

"Monsieur Daae...may I call you Charles? I have a question, I wanted to ask you to join me for dinner. We can discuss the performance." She spoke to him very sweetly.

Charles shook his head. "I'm sorry, mademoiselle, I have previous plans..."

"Call me Fleur. I think I know who those plans are with..."

Charles gave her a puzzled look. "And how would you know my personal plans?"

Fleur smirked. "I saw how you looked at that woman. You're the one who got her the position that is now mine."

He regarded her with cool indifference. "I have no idea what you are talking about, mademoiselle-"

"Fleur!"

"-de Anges. What my plans are, they are not any business of yours. Good day."

"Wait, Charles..." She called after him as he walked away from her.

He tried hard to ignore her. That became impossible when Fleur grabbed him and kissed him. Charles tried to pull away, but was unsuccessful. She locked into that kiss as a leech locks onto the skin.

"Monsieur Daae, could I interrupt?" No one had heard Madame Giry walk up.

Fleur let go of Charles and glared at her. "Madame, what business could you have with him? He is a singer and you deal with ballet."

Madame Giry gave her an icy stare. "For your information, mademoiselle, he used to be a dancer. And what my business is is none of yours. Would you excuse us, mademoiselle?"

Fleur humphed and stomped off.

Charles looked at Madame Giry, alarmed. "Madame, please don't tell Belle. If she knew what Mademoiselle de Anges did she would..." He couldn't finish the sentence. He knew what she would do, and so did Madame Giry.

"Charles, I promise. Now come, I need to discuss some things with you. Belle asked me to help you arrange the renovations. I would also like to talk to you about Belle's history a little more. Some current events have shed light on..." She took his arm and led him to her room. "Just listen, please?"

Charles nodded. "Alright."

As they stepped into the room, Fleur stepped out from behind a wall. She whispered to herself, "I knew he had a relationship with her. But how does Madame Giry...?"

}{

Belle threw herself on the swan bed. Her tears soaked the silk sheets quickly. "Why am I so upset?" She sat up and looked down at her stomach. "Please grow up to never live like me. I love you too much. I hope you have a better life than I did and do. Please..." She covered her face and sobbed...

'gasp' Belle and Fleur know each other! I wonder how? I'll update with the answer as quick as I can. Promise! Keep sending ideas and reviewing. R&R!