This is a reall vital chapter and one of the most fun to write. I'm moving some relationships forwards and beginning the build to the big confrontation. Thank you for bearing with me, please review. *C.E.L

Chapter Eight

I woke up early the morning on Christmas Eve, due to my now recurring nightmare of being yelled at to sing while some sort of menace is lurking in the background. My dress was hanging on my bedroom door and I couldn't wait to put it on and let myself enjoy the evening, uncaring of what was to come. Before that though I had tons of things I needed to do. Not the least of which was calling my family.

My parents were never supporters of the idea that after high school I would move to the city to pursue a career in music and theater. When I did exactly that after graduation my parents basically limited contact to holidays and when my sister was home from boarding school. They didn't want Cece to know that we didn't talk. I hadn't even told my parents that I had this part. "Merry Christmas, Mom" I said, when she answered "We haven't talked in a while so I thought I should check up."

"Yes, I was wondering if you would make time to come visit? The family is here and everyone wants to see you." My mother said tentatively.

"Mom, I would love to, I'll see if I can hop a train for early tomorrow. I have this fundraiser with Rom tonight but I'll do my best to make it." I didn't think about the fact that my mother had no idea that I had reconnected with Rom.

"Rom as in your ex-boyfriend? The one you dated in high school?" I wondered who else it would be, Rom was my first serious relationship. "I'm happy to hear you two are back together, he was a charming you man." That he was. I was glad that my mother had not forgotten how much she liked Rom, whose upper class family had impressed her. "Oh, your father just came in. Here you should talk to him." There was a scraping sound as my mom handed off the phone.

"Hi, Dad!" I was thrilled to hear from my dad. I had gotten my passion for music from him, his family had owned an instrument store for over a hundred years and when he took it over he made it a national chain. I remember sitting in the original shop looking at sheet music and demanding that he teach me to read it.

"Merry Christmas, Lissie." My dad had always thought Rom's annoying nickname was perfect for me. "You're coming for tomorrow now, I heard?" he asked

"Yes, but I'll have to bring work with me I'm afraid." I said, waiting for him to ask what I was doing now.

"What's your new job? Last I heard you were a waitress." My dad's confusion was evident.

I kept my tone intentionally nonchalant, "I'm singing Christine in The Phantom of the Opera." I could hear my dad's jaw drop through the phone.

"That's wonderful, honey. Is that how you met up with the Morris boy?" My dad had never called Rom anything but "the Morris boy" and I still laughed about it.

"Yes, Dad and his name is Rom." My dad laughed and then wished me a merry Christmas, congratulating me once more on my new job.

I called Rom to invite him to come with me to my parents' place for Christmas day. He agreed on the condition that he would pay for the train fare to get us both there. I didn't argue much because I didn't have very much money, not that I would ever admit it to Rom. After calling my parents again to tell them Rom would be coming with me, I began to arrange what I would need to be beautiful for the ball tonight.

I was giving myself one final check in the mirror when my doorbell buzzed and I knew Rom was here to pick me up. I had managed to make myself very presentable and I hoped Rom would appreciate it. My long almost red hair had been knotted up in an elegant twist, with a few wispy tendrils hanging around my face. The green in my dress and earrings matched beautifully and my make-up was simple, yet noticeable.

Rom's reaction did not disappoint, of course I doubt my reaction to seeing him in his perfectly tailored tux left much to be wanted. He was impossibly handsome and yet, very different from his usual self. He seemed a little shy at first, and Rom was never shy.

Behind him, on the street was an elegant, if not very subtle limosine. "Rom, you're taking me to a ball, not the prom." I teased, sincerely touched by the gesture but unwilling to show it; uncertain as I was of our relationship.

Rom silenced me with a kiss. Then he whispered, his lips so close to my ear that his breath tickled, "Your dress matches your eyes." He turned around quickly then, opening the limo door for me. It wasn't a confession of love, but it made me shiver and blush all the same.

The ballroom Rom's parents had rented was absolutely stunning. The chandeliers shone as brightly as the sun and the whole room was bathed in a warm golden light. People in every kind of finery walked around, socializing or dancing. Mr. and Mrs. Morris were right at the door to greet us.

"Welcome," Mr. Morris boomed, "so glad you could come. Rom hasn't spoken of anyone else for weeks of course, and may I say he did find the prettiest girl in the city to bring along." I giggled at Mr. Morris's obvious flirting but Mrs. Morris cut in before I could make an appropriate remark.

"Yes, we were very pleased to hear that you would be working with Rom. That dress is lovely dear, wherever did you find it?" I was saved from responding by Mimi, the soprano who played Carlotta, coming over to say hello.

"I'm so glad we could make it, I'm just thrilled to be invited, and to be surrounded by some of the best talent agents in the city. It's absolutely thrilling." Mimi gushed in her slightly shrill voice.

"Who's we?" I asked casually, "I didn't know you were with anyone."

"Oh, we aren't together, not that I don't want to be, Eric is amazing." I should have known, beside me I felt Rom stiffen, his mouth set in a hard line.

"Eric, as in Eric Devarrow? My co star?" I asked, clinging to some hope that maybe Mimi came with another Eric.

"Of course, I mean, who else?" Mimi giggled and then blushed as Eric walked over and put his arm around her waist.

He had slicked back his jet black hair, and he seemed to know how good looking he really was. While Rom was easily described as "handsome" Eric was straight up sexy. Unfortunately he was an obsessive stalker who had been sending me photos of myself. I felt bad for Mimi who had played right into his hands. It was obvious how much she liked him; she never took her eyes off him. Eric, on the other hand, never took his eyes off me.

"Hello, Elise, I hoped you would be here." His cool half smile chilled me to my core. I turned to ask Rom to get me out of the situation, only to find that his father had dragged him to a corner of the room, and they seemed to be arguing. I was face-to-face with Eric. Alone.