Disclaimer: I do not own Phantom of the Opera or its characters

Hello everyone...

Its been 4 years since my last update (yikes) but I'm not done with these stories! I will be continuing both. I was just very discouraged and left writing. But I'm back now. Here is chapter 3 of dark paradise.

*** also I got everyone's comments about Eriks last name, that will be fixed when it comes up.

Chapter 3

Christine quietly hummed to herself as she continued her work, the melody in the background was beautifully composed and did well to soothe her senses. She sat in a small wooden desk in the back of the large dressing room, the theater gown spread out in front of her as she worked to mend the torn edges.

"CHRISTINE!" she heard Carlotta call out to her from behind the door. Christine sat up and prepared herself for what was to come. The door sung wide open and the tall red haired woman walked in. Carlotta's hair was in an intricate updo, her makeup was flawless but clearly overdone for the stage and she wore one of the performance gowns. Carlotta refused to practice in anything but costume and it took a toll on the dresses, giving Christine double the amount of work.

"Are you finished?" Carlotta asked with impatience.

"Almost, I just need the hemming" she needed much more work done on the dress but figured it would be best to hide that fact.

The tall woman scoffed and headed in the direction of the vanity. "You know Christine, you could maybe have your work done if you took some of it home." Christine thought about this for a second and became infuriated, she already worked twelve hour days and saw no appreciation for her work.

"I will have it done." she tried to be as short as possible with the woman, trying to keep her temper in check. It had been a week since she started and already the job was taking a toll on her. She could not let Carlotta see her breaking.

"I sure hope so, Oh I forgot to mention were having an opening party for the upcoming opera, Ill need another dress done." Carlotta turned and waited for Christine's reaction.

"when do you need it by."

"mmm a day before the party, so Friday. It needs to be perfect, I have to look good for him." Christine didn't want to ask, she didn't care. she just nodded and continued with her work not taking her eyes off the dress in hopes that the woman leaves.

"Its one of the best parties of the year, food, drink and dance! so exciting, and anyone whos anyone in this business is invited. Of course your welcome to come in and work that day for extra hours."

"how generous."

Carlotta smiled picked up her bag and headed towards the door "If your not done with that dress by tomorrows rehearsal, don't bother coming back." she smiled before turning to leave. The door slammed shut behind her.

Finally, quite.

Christine was honestly worried for the first time, she had a lot of work to do still. 'take it day by day' she reminded herself, she needed to keep it together.

Hours passed and she was close now to finishing the gown. She continued to work not bothering to break for food or rest, she could not remember if she had even eaten but it did not matter, this job was important and maybe through hard work and determination she would move on to a different position within the opera house, maybe something less demanding.

"done!" she was delighted, the gown looked amazing, considering what it had been though.

a soft knock on the door interrupted her admiration for the dress.

"Yes come in." this was a strange time for anyone to seek her out.

"Hello I had a delivery, she told me you would want to start working on this."

Christine saw a young woman, thin, dark hair with a nervous look in her eyes. She was holding up a dry cleaning bag by a hanger, another one of Carlotta's assistants perhaps?

"yes thank you."

The woman left the room in a hurry. Christine unzipped the bag to find a dress inside. This dress was no performance gown, it was black, strapless made from quality material that was covered in lace. It looked like something a model would wear down a runway. It was beautiful but seemed very revealing. She wondered what poor man she was trying to lure in.

Christine zipped the bag quickly anxious to get out of there. She hung the dress with the other 'to do pile' and left the dressing room, locking the door behind her. As she walked through the empty halls she wondered how if she would be able to get any sleep tonight, she needed to be up early to work on that dress and no doubt Carlotta would be in one of her moods.

'Tomorrow is another day' she thought to herself and left the opera house.