Chapter 2 My Heart's Desire

Erik's POV

I had been watching the young prodigy for nearly six months before I decided to finally reveal myself to her under the disguise as her "Angel of Music." I chuckled to myself at this statement; what an ironic thing, to have a creature as dark and ugly as me posing as an angel of music… A genius, yes, but never an angel.

I found myself sitting at my organ, letting the harsh, angry and dark music flow through me onto the page. For the first time in nearly five years I was composing my beloved creation; my Don Juan Triumphant. The music that had laid dormant all of this time flowed out of me in a frenzy of passionate notes.

There was no doubt in my mind as to why I had started suddenly composing again… For the first time in perhaps my entire lifetime I had found pure inspiration, in the form of Christine Daae.

Her purity and innocence was like a bright beacon of light in my dark world. It wasn't that she was naïve-her life experiences had made sure of that- it was more like a child-like joy emanating from her very being.

And her song…

The music in her soul had a passion that rivaled even mine… And at only nineteen years old! Of course she had a lot to do to truly reach her potential, but with me teaching her it was only a matter of time.

This was why I had chosen to reveal myself to her after remaining removed from the world for so long. As her angel of music I could teach her, be near her and listen to her beautiful song take flight. Perhaps she would be my redemption after all these years, singlehandedly lifting me out of the darkness…

I chuckled darkly. A creature as hideous as me was far beyond redemption, even by a stunningly beautiful nineteen year old. In order to redeem me she would first have to know about why my world was so dark, and if there was any way I could help it that would never happen.

I pulled my hands off the keys and stood up from the bench, my sudden inspiration abruptly leaving me. I walked over to my writing desk, clenching my fists and placing them on my desk on either side of me.

I wanted to cry… I wanted so badly to cry, but it was as if I had lost the ability to. Emotions as simple as sorrow had long since left me, leaving only dark, powerful emotions behind; hatred, anger, self-loathing…

"AH!" I yelled out in anger, picking up one of my intricate candle-holders and launching it into the far wall. It shattered on impact, glass shooting out across my dark room.

"Damn it!" I yelled frantically running to my organ and pounding on the keys, music being the only emotional outlet I could still use.

"Furtively, we'll scoff and quaff,

Stealing what in truth is mine,

When it's late and modesty starts to mellow with the wine!" I exclaimed, singing as Don Juan until the late hours of the night.

No one would ever care for me, or want to share music to me. Even Christine only tolerated my presence since she believed I was an angel of music, sent from her deceased father. And after only having one lesson, who knew how long even that could last.

After all these years nothing had changed. Even after an attempt to leave my past behind me, I was still all alone, trapped in darkness. I needed to hear Christine… Needed her light and brightness. Without it I would surely go mad.

"Again!" I exclaimed, cutting Christine off yet again. It was only our third lesson and she was progressing remarkably, but the song lacked some of the passion she needed to bring, and she kept underestimating her lung capacity and breathing too early.

"I've sang it like fifteen times!" She yelled in frustration, "I'm sorry angel, but I can't do it!"

"Christine," I said harshly, "Have I not improved your voice already?"

"Well, yes…" She started, "But…"

"And have I not told you repeatedly not to say 'I can't' to anything I ask of you?"

"Yes…"

"Well then listen to me now Christine," I said, attempting to keep the frustration out of my voice. "You can do this… I know you have the capability. You just need to stop underestimating yourself and just sing! Think about something powerful, and let it give you inspiration!"

She appeared thoughtful for a moment, then sighed. "Okay, I'm ready to try again."

"From the beginning then." I commanded, starting up on my piano, the music echoing throughout the room.

"There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting"She began, the words pouring out of her throat in a stream of passion. Something was different about the way she was singing it this time, and whatever it was had turned the song from extraordinary to simply glorious.

She sang to the very back of the room, her voice echoing throughout the empty theatre. She sounded on the verge of tears at time, and if I hadn't known her, I would have difficulty believing the situation she was describing had not actually happened to her.

"I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living!
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream I dreamed!" She finished triumphantly, the words flowing effortlessly from her throat.

It was the first time anyone's song had truly moved me.

When she finished she smiled up at me and I stood for a moment in shock, wondering if she could somehow see me.

"How was that angel?" She grinned so beautifully, my heart nearly stopped in my chest.

"Christine," I breathed, struggling to get these strange emotions under control. "That was glorious."

"Thank you," she blushed as she so often did when I complimented her.

"What did you do differently this time?" I questioned curiously, and she blushed furiously, looking down at her feet. She squirmed a little onstage, turning her back to me.

"It doesn't matter," she mumbled, running her fingers through her hair with embarrassment. Instantly I was intensely curious… what had she been thinking of that had made her so embarrassed?

"It obviously does matter," I stated, struggling to keep my tone uninterested, "Considering that was marvellously better than the fifteen other times you sang it."

"It's none of your business," She said defiantly, placing her hands on her slender hips. I had never seen her irritated with me before and I had to admit that it was kind of amusing. She had a peculiar way of sticking her bottom lip out when she was mad.

"Angel?" She said timidly, and I hadn't realized how long I had been silent. "I'm sorry if I made you angry… I just don't really want to share, that's all."

"Oh," I spoke, slightly shocked at her apology. "I'm not angry my dear, your angel is just thinking."

"Okay," She sighed, relief obvious in her tone. Had she honestly been that upset about the prospect of upsetting me? What a curious thing!

"Whatever you were thinking about it, ensure its ready in your mind next lesson." I stated simply.

"I'm sure it will be," She mumbled, almost too quiet for me to hear.

"You have done well Christine," I stated, "You may go… See you tomorrow."

She turned and began to walk, then abruptly stopped.

"Angel?" She questioned timidly, slowly turning around.

"Yes?" I answered, unsure as to what expect.

"I was wondering something…" She trailed off, shyly playing with her hair and looking down at her feet.

"Go on," I prompted her, surprisingly eager to hear her question.

"Well, I was wondering if maybe we could try singing a duet sometime." She blushed again.

"Oh," I said in surprise, then continued, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice. "Perhaps… It's good for you to practice harmonizing."

"Okay," She grinned broadly. "Goodnight angel," And she walked out of the theatre.

I stood there for a moment, then left down the secret passage way to the underground lake that surrounded my home.

Despite how trivial I knew it was, curiosity seemed to burn within me. What had she been thinking about that had made her sing so beautifully? Was there a man in her life I didn't know of? Was it love that caused her voice to have so much passion?

Jealousy flamed up inside me, pushing the curiosity to the side. She would not love anyone else, not while I was around. She couldn't… To love someone else would mean to leave me, and maybe even her music.

For the sake of my sanity, I couldn't let that happen.

I walked over to the lone couch in my sitting room and picked up my sketch pad, beginning to draw the first thing that came to mind… Christine.

I began to draw he quickly; The delicate wave of her hair, the fullness of her lips, the brightness of her eyes… She was so beautiful.

I drew for nearly five hours, all sketches of Christine. None of them seemed to truly capture her essence and after I completely nearly the tenth drawing of her I threw down the paper in frustration. I had drawn for the rulers of the middle east! And yet I couldn't manage to draw one nineteen year old girl.

The new emotions coursing through me had left me emotionally exhausted, so I retired to my large, four-poster bed early that night. However, I was also more determined. I needed to know more about Christine Daae, and not just what I learned through our lessons.

I wanted to know about her past, present and future; her likes and her dislikes; her friends, hobbies and dreams. I wanted to know her more than I had ever wanted to know something in my life. And one thing was for sure, I would learn everything I could about her… The Phantom of the Opera could do anything.

AN: Voila! Here is the second chapter! So this story is going to be told from both Christine and Erik's POV… For the first little bit Erik's chapters are going to be a bit shorter, since I need to write Christine to progress the plot. I'm hoping to try to update every Friday since I have enough written ahead that I should be able to stay a few chapters ahead even when I'm busy Thanks so much to everyone who has already reviewed and followed me… It means the world to me! I would love it if you all could drop me a review as well… Thanks for reading!