Chapter 6

Madame Giry

I softly knock on Kristina's room, "It's me, Madame Giry." She whispers, "Come in." I take in her pale, pale face.

"Are you nervous?" I ask and Kristina nods. I give her a hug, "You deserve this. Now, I shall call the stylists in..."

"Stylists?" she asks. I nod, "Hair, make-up, accessory, dress, shoes..." She shakes her head, "I visited my mentor yesterday." I quietly nod, "Was he pleased?" Kristina smiles, "Very..." she trails off and I walk out, "I'll call them in." She simply sits there.

Kristina Daae

As I look in the mirror, I see a beautiful young lady with honey blonde hair, with golden silver suns entwined in it, blue eyes, outlined with mascara, and red lips. I have on a long white dress spreading out, with golden twinkling stars on the bottom and trailing on the floor, a bit. I have on white flats, with sparkling diamond earrings.

"You look gorgeous." Meg comments.

"I don't look like, well, myself." I whisper. Meg kisses me on the cheek, "Well, you're on in five minutes... just get out there and do your best." she says, leaving me along behind the set.

"Kristina Daae?" The managers introduce me to the director and producer. I thank them and get where I'm supposed to be.

"Right now, we're going to take the memories part. About you and your lover-when you two first meet." I ask, "Who is 'my lover' going to be?" the director points to a young man who has a trace of a mustache, gorgeous blue eyes, a perfect white complexion, and blonde hair...

Erik

I watched Kristina's performance from below the stage. I didn't like the man, though. He well... he acted so superior and I knew those types... the rich, handsome ones, with all the girls swooning for him... and it seemed he was going for Kristina. But he didn't deserve her. I clench my fingers with anger. That man would just think Kristina was a toy... I've seen men like him, playing with the girls, then leaving them-heartbroken... I couldn't let that happen to my Kristina... I mean, Kristina. I swallowed, writing a letter to the new managers.

I hung around, waiting for Madame, as usual.

"Hello." she simply said as we walked along the dark streets, with a few orange-yellow street lights.

"Madame. I have a letter to the managers." she nods, "I've delivered the last one. Hand it over." I hand it to her and she pockets it, "E-" she thinks for a moment, "You've been teaching Kristina... isn't that right?" I stare, "Yes."

"I need to tell you..." she shakes her head, "Farewell, then." and leaves. I walk back to my lair and surprisingly find Kristina waiting for me.

"You came here on your own?" I ask, looking at her wet white nightgown. I look away, "Here, why don't you change into this?" I dig into my drawer and find a blue dress.

"Maestro-thank you... I got a bit wet from, well, paddling. I fell a few times in... where did you get this dress?" she stares at it, by I focus on her words, that she fell a few times.

"Are you alright, Kristina, dear?" I question, worriedly. She nods, smiling, "I'm fine, Maestro. Thank you... but where did you get the dress?" I frown, looking over her, "Oh, yes, the dress. I ordered a few dresses-incase you fell in or anything." She thanks me again and goes into the bathroom to change.

"Give me your nightgown, I'll dry it and hand it back to you-your maids might be suspicious." she smiles, "Oh, Maestro, you're so wise and kind." I look away, what would she say if she knew that I'd done so many horrible things? I turn away from my thoughts and look to her, "How was the movie?"

"Oh, Maestro, it was wonderful... and this man-one of the actors was quite kind." I bite my lip-kind... the word she had used for me... ugh, how can she call that man kind? I smile, "Well, that's great-but your singing?" She beams, "Oh, wonderfully, Maestro." I swallow, "Kristina... sing this piece for me. It's a duet, actually, so if I can sing with you?" I hand her a sheet of lyrics. Her eyes grow wide, with pleasure-perhaps because I've never sung for her. She starts and I close my eyes...

Kristina Daae

"Where've you been, Kristina?"

Meg is awake, when I get back, "Where in the world have you been hiding? Really, you were perfect. I only wish I knew your secret. Who is this great tutor?" I quietly speak, "When your Mother brought me here to live... whenever you two were sleeping-I'd light a candle for my Father... and a voice-a beautiful voice... perhaps it was all dreams... but he was always there. You see-when me father lay dying.. he told me an angel would protect me... the angel of music."

Meg asked, "Kristina, do you truly believe? You think your father's spirit is mentoring you?" I whisper, "Meg-who else?" Then I sing to her, "Father once spoke of an angel. I used to dream he'd appear. Now as I sing, I can sense him-and I know he's here." I drop to a whisper as I sing, "Here in this room, he calls me softly. Somewhere inside-hiding. Somehow, I know, he's always with me... he-the unseen genius." Meg shakes her head, "Kristina, you must've been dreaming! Stories like this can't come true. You are talking in riddles-and it's not like you." I ignore her, "Angel of music, guide and guardian... grant to me your glory."

Meg mumbles, "Who is this angel this..." I sing, "Angel of music-hide no longer, secret and strange angel... he's with me even now." Meg breaths, "Your hands are cold." I sing, "All around me." Meg looks at me worriedly, "Your face-Kristina, it is white." I turn away, "It frightens me." Meg takes my hand, "Don't be frightened."

I give her a quick hug, "Let's go home."

"Now? But..." she stutters, surprised. I beg, "Please, Meg."

Then, someone knocks on the door, "Christine Daae?"

"Raoul!" I open the door, recognizing his voice from today's movie. He smiles, "Little Lotte, let her mind wander... Little Lotte thinks: Am I fonder of goblins or dolls or shoes?" he smiles. I laugh, "Oh, Raoul."

"or of riddles of frocks." he continues. I think, "Really, Raoul?" He purses his lips, "Those picnics in the attic... and chocolates... oh, Christine. How can you not remember the dear times we've had?" I pause, "Yes-Father... he..." I think and Raoul murmurs, "Yes... yes, but you used to call him Daddy back then."

"he was playing the violin..." I grin, remembering those times.

"While we read dark stories of the North and..." I interrupt, "No, Raoul. What I loved best was when I was asleep-the Angel of Music..." we both exclaim, "The angel singing in my (your) head!" Raoul gives me a tiny kiss on the cheek, "You sang like an angel this evening, truly." I whisper, "Father said... 'When I leave to heaven, Kristina... I shall send the Angel of Music to you.' Well... Raoul-I've been visited by the Angel of Music."

"Oh, yes, yes." he smiles-and I know he's only doing this to go along with what he doesn't believe in.

"Truly, Raoul! I'm serious." I stare and he stares into my eyes, "Christine... of course." I look away, "My name's not Christine-you must have forgotten."

"Kristina, now, is it?" he says. I nod, absently.

"Well, why don't we have dinner-I'll buy." I shake my head, "No. The Angel of Music is quite strict." He frowns-I guess it's his first time being denied, "I won't keep you late."

"No, Raoul." Raoul looks at my blue dress, "You must change-perhaps something lovelier... not that it doesn't suit you, but... anyways, I'll fetch a limo... two minutes then, my dear Lotte?" he exits and I shout after him, "No, Raoul, please." I sigh. I notice Meg standing there, frozen.

"Who... it's your childhood friend-then?" she swallows, "He's very handsome-Kristina..." she turns away.

"Meg... I must-the Angel of Music..." Meg's words turn bitter, "You would deny Raoul for your angel?" she swallows, "Kristina-I must go." Her words strike me, hard.

"Oh, Meg... what've I done wrong? It's just a childhood friend... one that I don't particularly remember."

"He seems to remember you clearly." she breathes, opening the door, to leave.

"No-no, Meg. Please. I have a favor to ask you-please?" she glares and I gulp, but speak, "Please go on the date with Raoul... pick any dress from my closet... just, please, Meg." my eyes plead.

"I do not prefer being your replacement-" I interrupt, "You are not... he will prefer you more, please, Meg." She finally nods, "I have a dress in mind-my room. I'll see you in a bit, then?" I nod.