Chapter Two

I woke the next day feeling encouraged and well rested. Thinking back on yesterday I grinned at the ceiling, Erik Destler had paid me a compliment. Me, Natalie Giry, a compliment on my measly dancing ability. Meg did not need to come to wake me that day because I was the one intercepting her in her way to me. "Hi." I greeted her.

Meg beamed at me. She'd always loved when I was in a good mood. Even my clothing was brighter and I allowed myself to wear something with short sleeves. "You look ravishing." She complements cheekily.

"Oh but never as incredible as you little sister." I laughed taking her hand. We'd always been close and over the years I'd gotten used to lying on a daily basis to her. Every time I called Antoinette mother I was lying, and although it was tough from time to time I knew it was necessary. I was not her blood sister not that didn't stop me from adoring her.

"Mama wanted to speak with you." Meg told me and at her word I changed the direction I was headed in. I had a few moments in which I could stop to see her. The ballerinas had the day off on Tuesdays so Antoinette would be in her office. I excused myself from Meg and headed there alone almost getting lost along the way.

Knocking on the door I waited for permission to enter. After being invited I slipped in and saw that Antoinette was all ready to leave. "Where are you going mother?" She gave me a soft smile.

"Have fun, dear." And she slipped out of the room. Frowning in confusion I watched her leave and as soon as the door fell shut I heard a new voice. It was smooth and gentle.

"Hello, Miss Giry." I turned slowly toward the voice.

"Hello, Phantom." He wore all black except for the mask and he sat on the edge of Antoinette's desk. He looked right at home there and I couldn't help but grin. "It's nice to meet you."

"And it's a pleasure to meet you." He responded standing up. "I'll get straight to the point. You danced wonderfully last night and you are the understudy of a distasteful lead. So you can sing then correct?"

"Yes, I suppose I can sing. Not to perfection and most certainly not as good as your last student." He stiffened at my words. "Forgive me, I spoke out of turn."

"It's fine. She is... no longer any concern of mine." I only nodded at his words thinking it dangerous to say anymore. This wasn't going to be like my childish daydreams. He wasn't going to swoop out of the wood works and make me a star, he wasn't going to befriend me, he wasn't going to take me to his secret lair, and he most certainly wasn't going to give me the time of day.

"Miss Giry you look troubled." I smoothed my dress and fixed my straighter with a little more formality I responded.

"It's nothing to worry yourself over." I looked down at my feet afraid to meet his gaze.

"I make it my business to know the problems of those I tutor. So what is the matter?" I froze digesting his words.

"Sir?"

"You heard me correctly." He gave a light smile, not a complete one but it did show in his eyes which made it alright in my book.

"I'm afraid that I'd be a waste of your time, Phantom."

"I don't waste my time Miss Giry. And if I give someone a title I expect them to respect my judgement upon the matter." I shook my head roughly.

"Forgive me, I'd love to be taught by someone so...knowledgeable." I'd almost said incredible but managed to stop myself in time.

"Good. I'll meet you in your room at 7 o'clock." He stated before gesturing for me to leave the room. Right before I closed the door he called out to me, "Oh and Natalie please don't disappoint me."

Let me just say that was probably the longest day of my life. So when it was a few minutes from seven I was running toward my room. Makes sense when I finally stop staring at the clock I'm almost late. Getting into my room just moments before seven, I stopped to breathe. "Very close, Miss Giry."

Straightening up I stared at Erik who'd made a home upon my bed. He was flipping through my notebook surveying my notes and before I could help myself I snapped at him.

"That's private!"

"Not anymore." He mused. "Some of these hold great promise... others well not so much." I flushed red in indignation.

"I happen to be proud of my music I'll have you know."

"I've gathered as much."

"You know Antoinette didn't mention that you were such an grump." I huffed sinking to the floor. He raised an eyebrow at my position but the went back at looking at my notes.

"You don't like your mother?" He asked in surprise.

"Why would you think that? I adore her." I blinked in confusion.

"You referred to her as Antoinette." He stated snapping the book shut and setting it down. "Not in a motherly fashion."

"Oh..." I sighed. Did I seriously make that mistake. He wouldn't train me if he found out I wasn't their blood. "We uh.. got in a fight the other day."

"You are lying to me. I don't like liars, Miss Giry. In fact I do not tolerate them in my theater." A shiver ran through my body at his words.

"It was just a mistake."

"Liar..." He stood from my bed. "I told you. I do not tolerate lying. You will be honest with me Natalie Giry or I will find out your secret myself."
"I'm adopted." He stopped advancing toward me. I watched his blue eyes search me up and down.

"I see."

"I understand that you won't train me. I'll tell no one of our meeting."

"Did I say that I was no longer going to train you, Miss Giry."

"Well no but-"

"Then open your ears. Don't assume what I will do. You'll find that you'll get my actions wrong most of the time."

"Yes, sir."

"Call me angel."

"No." I refused looking him in the eye. "You are not an angel Erik. And I will not lie to you." He looked at me in surprise before smiling. One side of his mouth didn't go up as high as it should but it was still an honest smile.

"You learn your lessons quickly." He stated with pride. "You'll make a good student."

"So I've been told."

"You called me Erik." He said suddenly.

"Yes, I believe I did."

"So Antoinette told you about me then."

"Something of the sort." I didn't see the point in telling him my entire childhood was filled with all sorts of stories about him, that would sound obsessive and I didn't want to scare him off. He nodded at my words.

"So shall we begin our lesson."

"Well that is what you came here for."