A/N: Hello guys! Thank you for your wonderful reviews :D!

For my anonymous reviewers ;) :

MarcoHietala'sAngel: haha... yes i know ;)... i m glad you liked it :)!
yeah, generally i prefer Tuomas Holopainen too, but Marco's voice has something sooo... special :D...

123456: oh yes... slap him as hard as you can ;)... he totally deserves it xD...

Salina tambi campuran kaling: i hope this was soon enough for you ;)... and yep, it will be a happy ending :)...

gunners7: ooow... sorry for the ice-block rain, i ll make it up to you really soon (like in chapter 14 ;) ) xD!
yes, i know i am, you are not the first to say xP! i m so glad you liked it, hope you ll enjoy the remaining chapters too :D! thank you for your amazing review =D!

MmeButterfly: xDxDxD frogs? your review made me laugh so hard, it s awesome xD! yes, Erik (just like Carlotta :P ) enjoys ruining things... but not for much longer ;)... thanks for reviewing!

Balack88: uhm... apparently it did happen ;)... but i believe Christine did the right thing by stopping him, didn t she?
hahaha... ok i can say that this story will be finished before schools start :)...

Melstrife: yep, you re right :)... they won t do anything as long as Erik sees her as ''a piece of meat'' ;)...

Me: don t worry... he will find out veeeeeeeeeeeeeeery soon ;D... thanks for reviewing!

vanilla: yeah, i know it was :(... but things are going to change from now on :)...

SO... ''Absolute Nudity'' this is my most favourite chapter so far, i hope you ll like it too :)... just imagine ''nudity'' in more ways than one :), but let's move on to find yourself what i mean ;)!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN PotO nor the main plot of the story.

Judging by the cover

Chapter 13: Absolute nudity

The room was still dark when Christine opened her eyes. At the beginning she didn't understand what had woken her, till she heard a sound of splashing. She turned her head to the balcony doors and saw Erik swimming.

The time was three o'clock in the morning. She was still feeling sleepy and Erik's movements lulled her, but suddenly he turned his face to the room. Christine, who had sat in the bed, hid herself again under the covers. She didn't want him to catch her observing him.

She stretched nervously her bare body. She was wearing nothing but her little underwear. Erik had bought her everything apart from a nightgown. This 'discovery' made her stay locked in the bathroom for half an hour covered with a big towel the night before. When she finally got the strength to exit, still covered with the towel, she realised that Erik was already in his office.

But now he was outside. And was swimming in the pool.

"Is he going to swim the entire night?" she wondered "Is it safe to swim at night when nobody is around? And what if..." she didn't have the time to finish her phrase, as suddenly everything went silent. She looked at the swimming pool and the water was calm.

"Where is Erik?" she thought and right then she stopped breathing. Erik was walking to her direction and he was... naked... Her breath caught in her throat. She tried to tear her gaze, but her eyes refused to cooperate. "Every woman would do the same thing." She excused her action.

However, as he was walking closer, Christine gasped and her eyes grew wide. He was not wearing his mask! His skin seemed so thin at his right side and it puckered angrily. Red scars were covering his forehead... red... like they were never healed fully, she chuckled ironically.

She was actually staring with open mouth and wide eyes. His right eyebrow was missing and generally it seemed like someone had set his face's right side on fire... it seemed more like melted skin... like it wasn't real.

Erik stopped under a lamp and now Christine had a clear view of his distortion. It was extended from his hair line to his mid right cheek and from the bridge of his nose to his ear.

Immediately she recalled Carlotta's words "Indeed" she agreed "It's not a sight to behold but... He's still Erik..." she smiled softly.

A loud thump disturbed the night's silence and Christine watched Erik wearing his mask with light's speed and entering his office again.

Christine lied unmoving for several long moments on the bed... Her mind filled with thoughts about Erik's absolute nudity.

After seeing his face it was clear enough... she loved him... She shook her head "What is happening to you?" her conscience scolded her. "Is it possible to love a man like Erik? After all he has done to you?"

"No! It's his deformity... That makes him act this way." Her heart supported him.

"Still, he has no right..." her conscience continued.

Christine sighed and turned on her side. It was obvious that she wouldn't sleep for the rest of the night...

...

"Oho! Look who is sunbathing!" Antoinette said "Erik, I never thought I would see you out here." She teased him and sat on one of the deck-chairs.

Christine was lying nearby under an umbrella with closed eyes.

"Christine didn't sleep well at night and I stayed to keep her company and make sure she doesn't wear herself out with swimming." Erik explained.

Christine didn't dare to speak. She didn't want to explain the reason she couldn't sleep. She didn't want to admit that each time she closed her eyes she had fantasies about making love to her unmasked lover. She would kiss every millimetre of his face to prove her love and...

"You are affecting positively my cousin!" Antoinette told and made Christine open her eyes and smile softly. "Every time he visits us, he locks himself in his office and works. When does grandpa arrive, Erik?" The girl turned to her cousin.

"I have to say that it will surprise me if he comes." This comment belonged to Carlotta who had approached them, escorted by Joseph, without making any noise.

Christine felt her heart sinking. At the breakfast she was very annoyed by Joseph's words and she was glad that Estelle asked to talk to her privately.

"Because I know he is disappointed with you, Erik." She continued cynically.

"Grandfather is disappointed with whoever has a different opinion." He said dryly. "He may get angry easily, but he forgets just as easy."

Erik had made Christine sit under an umbrella, for her white skin was not used to the sun. And now she tried not to feel jealous as Carlotta undid her light dress and revealed her tanned skin.

The rich widow was not going to let Christine have a good time. "Poor girl! It must be really awful to have to protect your skin the whole time. But of course... with such pale skin..."

"Christine's skin is like alabaster." Erik interrupted her firmly.

"Alabaster? Such a cold thing." Carlotta grinned at her cousin's look "Oh, come on! I didn't want to make you angry." She gently told him "And I know exactly how you to redress my 'mistake'. I'll put some sunscreen on your back and..."

"I'll do it, my love!" Christine didn't believe what she had said. "It is one of the fiancée's benefits." She winked at Carlotta who was fuming, and took calmly the sunscreen from Antoinette's hands avoiding Erik's shocked face.

Antoinette stared Christine with approval and mentally applauded Carlotta's expression.

Christine poured sunscreen on her hand and started rubbing gently Erik's back. Erik swallowed a moan as her little exploring hands caressed him.

As Christine massaged his shoulders softly, she saw little lines criss-crossing his upper back... was it possible? After so many years? She shook her head and traced one quite deep scar with the pad of her forefinger. He hissed then and hoped she wouldn't start asking questions, but Christine continued applying sunscreen on his lower back.

Abruptly, her hands began trembling. "Christine, focus! Don't think yesterday's evening... and night."

However, despite the trembling they continued their sensual caress as she worked on the strong planes of his back. Slowly, she felt his tensed muscles relax.

He had completely surrendered to her touch with closed eyes.

Carlotta was staring at them with hatred and Antoinette was smiling.

"I think I am going to swim a little more." Erik said after some time and carefully captured Christine's hands in his and brought them to his lips, eyes still closed.

She shivered at the feather touch of his lips on her skin, but didn't show it. Then she went on talking with Antoinette, and Erik, after calming a painful erection, rose and jumped into the swimming pool.

Meanwhile, the black widow and her pet snake had leaved angrily.

...

Erik tried to empty his brain from all the thoughts that tortured him in order to calm down. Alas, it was impossible. For the reason he still had his eyes closed, he could see in front of him Christine's hands running the length of his body, soft, caressing, experienced.

"I want her..." he admitted feeling his body ache from desire. It was the first time he felt so strong for a woman... he never needed a woman before... he never had the problem to control his self, physically as much as emotionally. And she surely was aware of what she did to him. With so much experience... She was a woman used to seduce men... But still...

But still, even though he knew exactly who and what Christine was, it was hard not to recognise the streaky difference between what he had in his mind about her and about what she showed with her sweet and innocent behaviour.

While kissing her, touching her, after her first shock she began responding with an undoubtedly real passion. This had surprised him... but what surprised him the most was her reaction when Carlotta suggested to touch him. Of course she only played the role he had made her; he reminded to himself every time he thought just how much he was touched by her words and actions...

Erik frowned. "I made her." This last thing made him hate himself.

He wondered if Christine had seen the way his body responded to her touch. On the other hand, he was sure that Carlotta had seen it, especially since she left so abruptly. Carlotta...

When he was fifteen, and was desperately trying to overcome the traumas that his parents had caused to him, Carlotta tried to seduce him for the first time.

At first he thought it was just a game and that sooner or later it would end, until one night he found her in his room. Naked!

And when she gave him her vibrator, determined to convince him to use it on her, his first thought was to run, but no...that would be the reaction of a child... And, unfortunately, life had made him a man in several matters long before he would become.

He tried to make her see reason; for god's sake she was ready to get married, alas... Then he opened the door of his room and threatened her that he would call two security guards if she didn't leave.

Carlotta's outburst was, after his parents' behaviour, the worst thing he had ever observed. His teen heart was scarred even more... And after that...

"You may be a child, an ugly child but still a child, but you have the body of a man and you don't know what to do with it." She had told him angrily "Why don't you let me show you? What are you afraid of? We both know that no other woman will allow you to touch her. Give in to me!" Carlotta had spitted with hatred.

"I am not afraid of anything!" he stated stubbornly "And I know I will find a beautiful woman who will love me. The only thing you are causing me is anger and disgust."

Her evil laughter filled the atmosphere "Love? Nobody will ever love you, you beast! Stop living in fairytales..."

Carlotta never accepted his refusal. And for fighting him better she approached his grandfather and used him for her advantage. As a result, he did exactly the same thing to Christine; he used her for saving himself.

"Who would believe that with what I did I would drive myself into more trouble?" he wondered cynically and then stopped swimming. Everyone had gone inside.

He took a deep breath, dived into the pool and shouted while being into the water. He felt his lungs ache from the big effort; his body went lighter and closed his eyes. He wished to remain in this serenity forever. Somehow, it was like being in Christine's arms, like nothing and no one could touch or harm him.

But very soon his limb body reached the water's surface and began coughing while trying to breathe.

...

"Very cute ring." Carlotta said and leaned closer to Christine in order to take a better look.

They were alone in the living room. Erik was still outside, Estelle had retired to her room, Antoinette was bathing and Joseph was talking on the phone.

"But an engagement's ring does not mean that a wedding is to follow. I hope you do know that." The woman went on "I find you a logic person, Christine. So, I think you've already understood that Erik is a very rich man with unexpectedly" she rolled her eyes "big experience with women. Men like him get very easily bored. It is obvious that the possibilities of marrying him are very few. And they will become even lesser when his grandfather arrives to the mansion. You see... he wants his grandson to marry me."

She stopped for a few moments, as if giving Christine the time to comprehend all the things she had just told her. "I think that if you truly love Erik, he will be more important to you than your own feelings. You have to learn that he is very... loyal to his grandfather. Think how bad he will feel for not obeying his grandfather."

Carlotta sighed fakely and asked politely "For how much time, do you believe he is going to keep you after fighting with his grandfather? A fight that I can easily cause, Christine." She smiled coldly to the girl.

Then she did an incoherent gesture "But let's talk about something else." She said "Like an agreement which could help us both. Of course I could wait till Erik leaves you. But I'll be honest with you. Years pass and very soon I'll reach an age that giving children would be technically difficult. That's why I have an offer to make. I am willing to give you a million pounds in order to leave him. Forever."

The shock was so big that Christine lost her colour. She moved uncomfortably on the couch and looked Carlotta silently.

"Money hasn't the power to buy either love." The girl stated firmly as soon as she overcame the shock. "Or me. I wouldn't leave Erik for the entire world's money. He is free to end our relationship any time he wants. But I am..."

"STUPID, that is what you are!" She spitted. Carlotta had totally lost her patience. "And you really believed that Erik would never make you sign a contract before marrying him? Ha ha! His grandfather would never allow anything like that! And when Erik gets bored of you, he'll throw away with nothing! Nothing! Not even your children! Any kind of heir is important to him."

"God, I cannot listen to her anymore!" Christine thought in disgust. And without seconds thoughts she raised, turned her back to the grinning woman and walked away calmly, despite her urge to run.

"Christine..." Antoinette stepped suddenly in her way "Is there anything wrong?"

Christine didn't reply, she only shook her head. She didn't want to talk to anyone so she got out of the mansion and started walking down a little path.

She had walked a few kilometres till she felt somehow calmer and then she realised her life's most tragical irony.

She had followed Erik in order to save the little money she received at his company. And now that Carlotta had offered her an amount which could provide her grandmother's and her needs for their entire lives... she refused.

...

Antoinette moved angrily to the place where Carlotta was sitting. After everything she had heard she only wanted to get her and tell her what exactly she thought about her. She wanted to make her understand that Erik and Christine are truly in love and that she had not right to put pressure on any of them to break up.

"Oh! Erik!" the thought of her cousin made her stop dead in her tracks. Perhaps it would be better to talk to him first and let him decide what to do with that witch.

So, she immediately turned direction and rushed to Erik's office.

A/N: so, how was it? just let me know :)...