"What do you mean she won't sing?" a voice boomed. The managers seemed absolutely livid as they argued with Madame Giry, the conductor, Monsieur Reyer, and the patron.
Ella turned to Meg. "What's going on? Why are the managers shouting?"
"The star, Maria Bouvier, has a cold so she won't sing. She says it'll be bad for her voice," Meg explained. "And they've sold out tonight's show. If they can't get a replacement before then, they'll have to cancel, which will be really bad for business."
"And there's no understudy," Ella muttered. "Well can't they get someone else to do it. One of the dancers? Someone?"
"Ella could sing it!" a voice chimed into the manager's conversation. Ella's face drained of color as she saw Jacqueline flounce over to the bickering opera staff. "I heard her last night. She's really good." Jacque looked back at her with a malice filled smile, and Ella knew this wasn't going to end well.
The group exchanged glances. "Well I guess we have nothing to lose," Madame Giry said with a sigh. "Let's hear it."
"What do you mean?"
Andre sighed as though she were stupid. "Sing. We want to know if you can step up and perform in tonight's show."
She shook her head furiously. "Oh no, I could never. I'm flattered and all, but I'm no star. I can't sing the lead."
"Don't sell yourself short," Madame Giry insisted. "I'm sure you're more than capable."
"I can't," Ella protested. "I…I…" her argument got stuck in her throat as the patron gave her a reassuring smile.
Madame Giry gently pushed her to the middle of the stage. "You can do this."
"I…I really can't," she stammered. The whole cast was watching her, staring at her, hundreds of eyes on her. She could hear the opening bars of the song, so she took a deep breath. When it was time for her to begin, Ella opened her mouth, but couldn't get her voice to work. As everyone stared at her expectantly, the room began to spin, and she collapsed.
Erik couldn't believe how cruel Jacqueline was. It wasn't fair for her to take advantage of her shyness. He shook his head. "No," he told himself. "Don't get attached. Don't you dare get attached to her. You saw how she reacted to you. And that was with the mask. Imagine how she'll fear you if she saw you without it."
Ella's head was pounding as her eyes fluttered open. She didn't remember what had happened. "Are you alright Mademoiselle?" a voice asked.
She gasped as she saw a pair of warm chocolate brown eyes staring down at her. It took her a moment to process the fact that she was lying on a cushioned bench in her dressing room and the person hovering over her was the man Meg had said was the patron. "I…I…um…what happened?"
"You collapsed on stage. Are you alright? Have you strained anything?" he asked with concern.
"I'm fine. Thanks for your concern Monsieur…?"
"Dubois. Archer Dubois. I don't believe we've met Mademoiselle…?"
"I'm Ella LeFontelle," she said. "Well, I appreciate your helping me, but I really must be getting back to rehearsals."
As she turned to go, he grabbed her hand. "You don't want to stress yourself," he protested. "I'm sure the managers won't mind."
"I…I don't know," she stammered, staring at the floor to escape his gaze. "We have a performance coming up and I really do need the practice."
"Please, I insist. I don't want to see you hurt yourself."
"I have to go," Ella said, turning away. "Thank you for everything Monsieur Dubois."
"Call me Archer. And if you won't listen to me, at least allow me to take you to dinner after tomorrow night's performance," he replied, flashing her a charming smile.
"I'm flattered by your offer Monsieur, but I don't think I'm able…"
"Think about it, okay?" He took her hand and brushed it against his lips. "I won't take no for an answer Miss LeFontelle."
Hours later, Ella was tossing and turning in bed, unable to get to sleep. She had never been the center of attention before, but in one week she already had one of the best ballerinas tormenting her, the Phantom listening to her singing, and the opera patron demanding she go to dinner. How had so much changed?
Silently, she climbed out of bed and slipped out of the dormitories, she couldn't think in there. Alone in the darkness, Ella crept through the theater until she found herself on the roof. The cold winter wind blew around her as she shivered in her thin nightgown.
She wrapped her arms around herself and looked out over Paris. Closing her eyes, Ella thought about her life. For as long as she could remember, she had been a nobody dreaming of being a somebody. Now she had had that chance, and she blew it.
And what about Archer? Yes he was handsome, and yes he was interested in her. But she had never had even a minor relationship with a man, let alone a wealthy noble. Besides, she could barely speak to him earlier.
As her thoughts shifted again, Ella realized Archer was the least of her problems. After her run-in with the Phantom last night, she was afraid of what he was going to do. He had let her go, but she wasn't sure if it was because he didn't care about her, or if he had some bigger plan in mind, and she knew she didn't want to find out.
Even if he ignored her, she still had Jacqueline to deal with. Obviously the ballerina was still trying to get rid of her, or humiliate her as much as possible. The look on her face earlier was all the proof Ella needed.
God why did her life have to be so complicated? Ella just wanted to be left alone, but at the rate things were going, that wasn't going to happen. Why couldn't she make it all just go away? As she looked down at the streets below, Ella realized she could. It would be so simple. All she needed to do was let go. As the wind grew stronger, she carefully climbed onto the ledge.
"Wake me up inside
Wake me up inside
Call my name and save me from the dark
Bid my blood to run
Before I come undone
Save me from the nothing I've become"
Erik paced back and forth across the floor. Even though he was usually comfortable here in the darkness, right now, he just felt confined. He couldn't focus, all he heard was that girl singing again. Finally with a sigh of frustration, he abandoned his home and moved further upstairs. Perhaps on the roof, he could clear his head.
As he opened the door to the roof, his eyes grew wide at the sight waiting for him. Obviously he wasn't the only one with the idea of coming up here, although he wasn't hanging off the edge. Erik rushed forward, hoping he wasn't too late.