"Nervous?" Erik asked the white-faced and shaking Ella. She just glared at him. "You'll be fantastic. You have one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard."
"That doesn't mean I won't faint," she replied. "God Erik, don't you realize how many people are out there? They're all going to be staring at me!"
Erik chuckled. "That's the point of being an actress Cheri. If you don't want people to see you, then you picked the wrong career."
"You're not helping!" she cried. Ella began to pace. "Why did I agree to this? Jacqueline can do this. I can't!"
"Do you really mean that?" he questioned with a gentle, playful smile. "You'd really have the girl who shoved you down a flight of stairs be the lead over you?"
"Maybe, if it means I still have my dignity after tonight. I'll faint if I go out!"
"Mon Ange, I have faith in you. If I didn't, I wouldn't have stopped to offer you my help." He caressed her cheek. "You have so much talent, you shouldn't waste it."
She turned her face into his touch. "Erik, you're going to be watching right?"
"Of course," he replied. "I'll be in Box Five the whole time. You have nothing to worry about."
"I have to go get into costume. The show will be starting soon." She hesitated before going, "Erik will you kiss me? For luck? It is my first performance as the lead after all."
He smiled before leaning in and tenderly pressing his lips against hers. "Luck for you or for me?" he teased. "Because I'm feeling pretty lucky right about now."
"Well that makes one of us. Erik, what if I mess up? What if I faint? There could be an accident. I could forget my lines, I could trip and fall, I…"
"Ella," he laughed. "There are a thousand things that could go wrong. But nothing will. You're better than that. You won't do anything wrong. And as for any 'accidents' on stage, the Phantom is taking the night off. Everything will go perfectly."
"But I can't sing for other people!" Ella protested. "You know I can't!"
"You sang for your audition. They didn't just decide to make you lead soprano," Erik reminded her. "The only person that can claim that is La Carlotta, and that is by far the worst mistake the managers have ever made."
"I wasn't singing for them at my audition though! I was singing for you!"
Erik brushed a stray curl off of Ella's forehead. "Then sing for me tonight." His voice dropped to a seductive purr as he sang "Sing my angel of music! Sing for me!" Ella nearly swooned at his silky smooth voice. She loved when he sang to her. It always made her feel things she had never experienced before meeting him. He bravely leaned in and captured her lips once more. "Good luck, I'll see you after the show." Once Erik had left Ella, quickly went to go change. The show was starting soon.
Ella stared out into the theater, frozen. It was time for her first aria, but she wasn't sure she could do it. She could hear the orchestra working their way through their introduction, and it was nearly time for her to begin. Looking up to Box Five, she saw Erik step into the light just long enough for her to see him. Letting everything else melt away, Ella kept her focus on him and began to sing.
"There only so much
That a heart can take
Before it starts to break
Please don't make me love you
Please don't make me need you
I've no room in my life
For something like this
Please don't take my mornings
Please don't steal my summers
I know they will vanish
The moment we kiss
I grow weak when we talk
I'm confused when we touch
I should just walk away
But that's asking too much
Pease don't make me do this
Please don't make me want this
All my drams were taken
Until I met you
You're the one I think of
Soon as I awaken
Funny how the heart tells
The mind what to do
I'm not sure I can go through all
The joy and the pain
Much better now
To let these dreams take flight!
Please don't make me love you
Please don't make me need you
Simplify my life
By just setting me free
Promise me you'll do this
Only you can do this
Please don't make me love you
Unless you love me"
As her final note faded, the entire audience burst out into applause, giving her a standing ovation. Ella didn't even notice, her focus remaining on Box Five. She saw Erik clapping with everyone else and he gave her a triumphant smile, all the encouragement Ella needed to continue on.
"That was fantastic!" Meg cried as she helped Ella out of her costume. "I don't know if we've ever had a show go that well! And it's all thanks to you!"
"I'm sure that's not true," Ella argued. "I'm sure you've had better shows before."
"Not like that! The closest thing we had was Christine's debut. Don't tell her I said this, but I think you're just as good, if not better than her! Your voice is fantastic!"
"Thank you," Ella murmured, turning red at her friend's praise.
"We're going out tonight right?" Meg suddenly asked. "After all, after a performance like that, we have got to celebrate!"
Ella shook her head with a yawn. "Absolutely not. I feel like I can fall asleep right here, right now. I just want to go to bed."
Meg sighed. "Okay, but we are so going out next time! I'll see you in a bit. You might want to stay in here, seeing as every man in the opera house will be looking to attract your attention, and he'll be out there somewhere probably too."
"See you in a while," Ella replied. Once her friend was gone, she turned to the mirror. "How was I?"
Erik smiled. "You sounded like an angel from heaven. I was so pleased. You've made so much improvement since you've arrived, it's astounding."
"Well I had a good tutor," Ella said modestly as she sat down on the futon. "But since I sang for you, you have to sing for me."
"I don't remember that being part of the deal."
Ella gave him a playful smile. "I just made it part of the deal."
"I have been blind, unwilling to see
The true love you're giving.
I have ignored every blessing.
I'm on my knees confessing
That I feel myself surrender
Each time I see your face.
I am staggered by your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
I have been wrong about you.
Thought I was strong without you.
For so long nothing could move me.
For so long nothing could change me.
Now I feel myself surrender
Each time I see your face.
I am captured by your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession."
Erik smiled when he saw Ella's eyes begin to close. She was so exhausted, but he couldn't blame her. He gently stroked her cheek as she lay down, and finished his song, lulling her to sleep.
"You are the air that I breathe.
You're the ground beneath my feet.
When did I stop believing?
Cause I feel myself surrender
Each time I see your face.
I am staggered by your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart
Falling into place.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
I can't hide
Now hear my confession.
Hear my confession"