Author's note: More Adrift song for the record. I'm really glad that you like it this far. And yes, things are going go HOT between Erik, Mina, Raoul and Christine. So let's go on, let's go on.

I do own Mina and of course, Mr. Gonzalo and all his family.

5. Waiting for the Wheel to Turn

Christine kept on sewing while Carlotta was still with her shrieks on the stage, then someone came into the room.

"Uh, sorry. Wrong door." It was Raoul, Philip's little brother. "Christine? Is that really you?"

"Raoul!" Big hug. (Aaawww. Get a room). "I did not recognized you the first time."

"What are you doing here? Why are you not on the stage?"

"Well, the truth is I was hired as part of the staff, not as singer or ballerina. The direction thought that with Carlotta, there was no need of me and said that I was too… young."

"Nonsense. You sing like the angels, you should be up there doing the Aria not Carlotta."

"Forget it, Raoul. Father was just your music teacher, nothing else."

"I must see you doing the Aria. I must"

"Carlotta will kill me" Whimpered Christine.

"There has to be a way to turn the tides. Come."

"But…" He grabbed her hand and lead her to the street.

"If not as singer, you will go as my companion. Philip won't mind."

"But what if…" Raoul gently took her into his carriage.

"I take all responsibility." Kissed her hand. "I shall find a way for you to be a singer" The horses started walking. Christine remembered her mysterious friend and wondered how would he react when he found out.

Erik walked along Mina inside the theatre. While she was putting the clothes back, the phantom checked on the Angel but she was gone. No sign of the little angel. Where had she gone?

"What is it?" Asked Mina.

"She is gone. Christine is gone" He was about to start a search but the maid grabbed his arm. "Do not worry. I shall be fine."

"You cannot go around the theatre like this. You need rest. And if they see you strolling."

"Maybe you are right. But where is she?"

"Wait here" Mina had a look at the owners and Philip. Raoul was missing in action. "The little Chagny is gone" She wrote for Erik.

"I should have known they will come up with something like that". The pain in his side was too much to handle. "Curses. I'm too weak. I have to go back to…" He slipped and felt into the floor. "What can I do?"

"I go find Antoinette" Mina wrote again and he grabbed her arm. "And Christine, don't worry."

"Thank you so much."

Mina ran to the foyer where Madame Giry was waiting with her ballet girls, she was surprised to see the maid looking so concerned.

"What is it? What is wrong?" The girl answered making a nose gesture with a hand. "Erik! Where is he?" Mina lead her to him. "Why do you not listen? I am taking you home this instant." Both women walked him to the street where a black carriage with six horses was waiting. "Peter! You made a good time"

"My master send me to escort you when the rehearsal was over but I guess this is more urgent." The driver, wearing a thick black leather jacket helped the man into the carriage. "Home, I guess."

"Yes, please. And tell Marianne to give him his medicine."

"Aye, madam. Go, boys, go!" Peter whistled and the horses panted and puffed starting to move.

"This boy…"

"I need to do something in town, madam" Mina wrote.

"Very well but come back as soon as you can."

Christine was speechless.

They were not heading for Raoul´s house but one that looked absolutely like paradise. A huge garden, dogs barking, calm and peaceful. Who could possibly lived here?

At the door, a fine butler smiling at them.

"Bonjour, monsieur count. And the same to you, miss. I'm Firming and I serve Mr. Gonzalo. He will receive you at once. This way, please." No doubt they were not French nor British but still, the air in the house was unique and wonderful.

"Firming, could you please order a new dress for Mss Daee."

"Of course, I shall tell our tailor at once. Wait here please"

"Mr. Gonzalo is an old friend of my family. He is very well known all along the world. He will gladly help you look like a lady and perhaps with appearing on the stage."

"Raoul, this is too much. The poor man…"

"Shall be delighted to help a young lady like you." A gentleman was staring at them from the armchair near the fire. "Forget my rudeness, I am Gonzalo Garcia. Very please to meet you, Mss Daee. I knew your father, an excellent violin, I dare say." He was the most singular character Christine have ever seen, apart from his golden eyed friend. That gentleman have beautiful oak tree wood eyes that no one could stand on defiance, black brown hair, cat walking and a halo of mystery and kindness. Like a lion staring at you. "Madame Margaret Price will make you a dress for this evening."

"Thank you so much. But I do not wish to…"

"You are my guest, madam. I can assure you that as far as I am concerned, a girl like you deserves more than collecting the toys Carlotta breaks. Care for a real life? This is your chance. Anyway, I have business in Paris and I can swear that none of those two amateurs of the direction or that shrieking lady will lean a paw on you while I am here." The door opens and a lady of fifty shows up.

"You called, sir?"

"Yes. I want the finest dress for this evening for this lady. And please, take your time to make her look like a queen."

"Yes, sir."

"And now, Mr Chagny. You and I have a lot to talk."

In a way Mr Gonzalo reminds me of Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon.

He is one of my oldest characters.

More to come very soon.

Next stop: The Wild Rose