A/N: Rawr, the writer's block is killing me. I can barely type a paragraph. I think it's because this is an AU so the whole storyline is original, whereas in My Little Rose, I had the original musical and book to guide me. Plus, I just started my new job today and it was madness, I'm so tired I could just fall asleep right now. Needless to say, I have no energy to write ):

This week, I have another pre-written chapter from ages ago! Thank you to new favs/followers!

Tsuray: Hahaha the love won't start so soon! I like a slow build-up, unfortunately.. :P

Masked Man 2: I think at this point in time, Erik couldn't give two hoots about how his words would endear him to Christine, hahaha! He's probably just used to having his own way and saying what he wants, bigshot composer that he is..

emeraldphan: Thank you! I do hope I get over this block soon too. And yes, I can't wait til Erik gets to show his softer side!

Cora DeBlaere: Thank you for the encouragement! I'm glad you enjoyed (:

moonlightrose1991: Thank you! Yes, I do hope I get the inspiration to keep going!

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Chapter 7

The day of the rehearsal dawned with a bright and sunny morning. The birds in the garden were chirping merrily as Christine ate her breakfast, and she took it as a good omen that the rehearsal would go well. Her stomach gurgled unhappily, and she tamped down the feelings of nervousness that were threatening to spill over. She packed her bag for the day and left the house to meet Meg down the street before they headed to the Academy together.

She spent her lessons shifting restlessly in her seat, unable to concentrate much on what her professors were saying. Her mind was drifting off to the songs she had to sing during the rehearsal later on, and her fingers were tapping the rhythm of the beat on her table.

When at last the bell rang to signal the end of the last lesson, Christine grabbed her book bag gratefully and rushed out of the class, heading to the theatre.

"Hey, Christine!"

She turned to see a senior walking toward her, waving with a bright smile on his face. She smiled. Theo was just one year her senior, and he had been one of those who had encouraged her even when she had been unable to sing.

"Hey, Theo," she greeted him. "Are you heading for the rehearsal?"

He grinned widely. "That I am. I'm looking forward to working together! Do you know how long I've waited for this? Two years, Christine! Thankfully you decided to get your voice back on the year I'm graduating."

Christine groaned. "Don't remind me of the two years, please, Theo. I'm not even confident that I can sing again even now. Which role are you playing?"

Theo pretended to look aghast. "Why, Christine Daae! Do you not recognise your Phantom?"

Christine laughed at the ridiculous expression on his face. "The Phantom! I had no idea, I was too shocked to look through the results of the audition. Congratulations, Theo! That's a really big role, and such a good one to land during your graduation year too!"

Theo nodded thoughtfully. "I thought I wouldn't get it, but Mr Chanteur told me he had faith in my abilities. He's not a bad mentor, I'll say."

"Hmm," said Christine non-committedly, a little surprised that Erik Chanteur had gone out of his way to even encourage Theo. "We will see during rehearsals, I guess."

They had reached the door of the theatre, and Christine pushed it open.

"We are early, aren't we?" Theo began to ask, but broke off at the onslaught of music as the door opened.

From their vantage point at the door, they could see a lone figure sitting on the stage, illuminated by the few stage lights that were switched on. He was sitting poised and elegant at the grand piano, his fingers dancing merrily over the keys and playing a jaunty tune that Christine had never heard before. The pianist was so engrossed that he had not even noticed Christine and Theo enter. His eyes were closed and his head was tilted back slightly, as though he were in rapture.

Then, almost abruptly, the music came to a sudden halt, and the pianist lifted his hands quickly off the keyboard. He looked to the right, and saw Christine and Theo standing in the doorway.

"Ah," said Erik Chanteur. "I apologise. I saw the piano and was distracted. Do enter."

He sounded slightly breathless, as though he had been putting all his heart into the song. It was strange, for Christine had never really seen the man show much emotion, and yet here he was, with even a slight flush upon his exposed cheek.

"That was some playing, Mr Chanteur!" Theo enthused, walking in. "What song was that?"

Erik Chanteur tilted his head slightly. "I had a sudden brainwave upon entering this theatre and I decided that I had to play it out once, before I forgot all about it."

"It sounded amazing," Theo said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Composed on the spot!"

Mr Chanteur allowed the slight ghost of a smile waft over his face, though he said nothing.

"As we are early," Theo said, looking around the empty theatre, "would you like to sing with me, Christine?"

"Oh…" Christine looked at Mr Chanteur uncertainly, but he merely looked intrigued.

"Why not?" He said, nodding at Theo. "I would like to hear the two of you sing the title song together."

"But we… I mean, I haven't practiced that yet," Christine hastily amended, before she blurted out the secret that Mr Chanteur had been teaching her.

"Are you backing down from a challenge, Miss Sangare?" He asked drily, though his eyes gleamed. She frowned at him.

"I'll sing," she said, and Theo cheered.

The opening chords of the Phantom of the Opera thundered through the theatre under Erik Chanteur's agile hands. Christine could feel her nerves climbing higher and higher.

As he played, he looked up at her, staring with those green eyes. His eyes were the most expressive part of him, she had realized. His face and his words might remain emotionless, but he could not seem to do the same with his eyes. When he was angry, his eyes flashed a very dangerous green that rather intimidated Christine. And yet, right now, his eyes were filled with a strange warmth, as though he were encouraging her to sing.

Christine clapped a hand over her heart to calm her nerves, and began to sing.

"In sleep he sang to me…"

When Theo joined in for the Phantom's part, she saw Erik Chanteur nod approvingly at him. Together, their voices melded as one in the chorus, climbing higher and higher yet, the two tones intertwining, serpent-like, in their own rendition of the song.

Christine finished the song a little shakily, feeling a little unsure of herself.

There was a light smattering of applause from the door. She whirled around to see that a small crowd had gathered in the theatre. Some of them were beaming at the duo, and others were looking at Christine wondrously. Christine spotted Charlotte standing at the back of the group, looking mutinous and rather unhappy. She'd bet anything that Charlotte had been praying for Christine to still be unable to sing during the rehearsal.

She looked back at Theo, who was beaming as he ran a hand through his black hair. "Christine, that was amazing! I haven't heard you sing like that in ages."

"There is still room for improvement," said Mr Chanteur quietly, and Theo smiled sheepishly.

"How did I do, Mr Chanteur?"

"You missed the beat slightly on this note," he murmured, jabbing a long finger at the musical scores sitting on the piano. "And you were a little off-tune…"

Christine stood stiffly as Erik Chanteur and Theo launched into a discussion of Theo's singing techniques and how he could improve. She wondered what she could do now—either make her way off the stage to face the rest of the theatre club members who were filing in slowly now, curious looks on their faces and no doubt waiting to bombard her with questions, or stand awkwardly in this position. At that moment, she could have sworn she saw Erik Chanteur look up and gift her with the rare flash of a smile, so quickly that she thought she had imagined it. And yet, as she looked pensively at his eyes, she realised that they brimmed with approval. It had not been her imagination, then. Yes, the man was still standoffish and cool in his comments, but she could see that he had been pleased with her singing.

"Christine," Meg trilled, skipping up to her and saving her from the situation. "Christine, you sounded great! Hello, Theo! And good afternoon, Mr Chanteur!"

The man looked up and raised his eyebrows at Meg as a form of greeting. She laughed coquettishly and linked an arm around Christine's, dragging her off the stage. Christine tore her eyes away from Mr Chanteur and Theo, who were still talking intensely, and followed Meg down to the seats.

"Are you going to ever tell me how you can suddenly sing again?" Meg asked airily out of the corner of her mouth.

"What?" Christine looked at Meg.

"Come on, Christine, I've known you for years. I can tell when you're keeping something from me!" Meg tapped Christine's forehead indignantly. "Besides, there's also your sudden ability to sing again. And no, don't tell me it was because you loved this production so much that you miraculously rediscovered your voice."

"I'll tell you later, Meg," Christine said hesitantly. "I just… I just don't feel comfortable sharing it at the moment."

Meg shot her a stare that promised that she would get the truth out of Christine, but thankfully did not pursue the matter. Christine sighed in relief. She did not feel quite ready to share the details with Meg yet—after all, Mr Chanteur had mentioned that he was willing to teach her to prepare her for the first rehearsal, which meant it was only a short term thing. It was the first rehearsal today, so Christine expected that there would be no more lessons anyway. There was no real need for Meg to know.

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Exhausted, Christine unlocked the door to her house and stepped in, shucking off her coat and throwing her bag onto the floor, not caring where it landed. It had been a very long rehearsal, and she felt tired to the core.

She had been able to sing, after all. It had taken a lot of courage to stand on the stage again for the rehearsal, and she had felt the same anxiety again, but she had looked into the audience and seen him sitting there stiffly, staring at her intently. His presence had comforted her somehow, and truth be told, Christine had no wish to disappoint him, not when he had spent so much time coaching her. She had sung – though admittedly it was still not at her best— hoping that she would be able to prove it to herself that she could triumph over her own fears. This rehearsal had given her the courage to even dare to think that she had a chance at pulling the role of Christine Daae off, perhaps even sing it like she had used to sing. She felt a glimmer of hope, and she prayed that she would be able to nurture it into reality.

Her mobile began to vibrate from within her pocket, and she dug for it hastily.

"Hello?" She asked uncertainly, looking at the unknown number on the screen.

"Miss Sangare," he said, and she gave a small squeak in surprise.

"How did you get my number? Are you a stalker?" She blurted out.

She heard him snort. "Your particulars are on the list of students taking part in the production. I can assure you, Miss Sangare that I have no wish to, as you put it, stalk you. I have better things to do with my time."

"Oh… well." She coughed sheepishly. "Is there something wrong, Mr Chanteur?"

"Something wrong?" He sounded surprised. "No, there isn't. I was merely calling to ask if you would be interested in continuing our lessons."

"Yes. Yes, definitely! Yes! When can I come over next?" Christine asked excitedly in a rush, suddenly sitting up straight. She felt a strange warmth flood through her, and realised a little belatedly that she had been a little dejected all evening because she had assumed that their lessons would come to an end now that the first rehearsal was over.

There was a long, pregnant pause, and Christine worried briefly that she had come across as a little too enthusiastic.

And then, she could have sworn she heard him chuckle. But that was impossible, for Erik Chanteur was not one to show much outward emotion.

"I would like to work out a schedule," he said, after a while. "Would you be comfortable having lessons while my housekeeper is around?"

"Ah," Christine admitted, "perhaps not, because I have not yet told Meg about the lessons."

"Perhaps it would be best," he said gently, "for I shudder to think of the consequences if the theatre club found out. Then we shall meet in the late evenings, after my housekeeper has knocked off for the day."

Together, between the two of them, they managed to cobble up a makeshift schedule that would work for the time being, for Erik Chanteur had had no idea if he would have any sudden commitments with his job. They would meet three evenings a week, they decided, and these evenings would be dedicated to music and music alone.

After Christine had hung up the phone, she sat stilly on the sofa, her heart thumping a little uncomfortably in her chest. Erik Chanteur had just called her. He had just called her, and invited her to more lessons with him. She thought of the way the man spoke so coolly and distantly, and of the way his green eyes sparkled, and she stood up with a smile spreading across her face.

Lessons thrice a week? She could barely wait.

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A/N: Who wants lessons with Erik? -raises hand- Hope you guys enjoyed! As usual, please follow/fav/leave a review to let me know what you think!