A whole week without Erik, Christine said to herself. She missed him dearly, but he'd killed Joseph Buquet…hadn't he? She couldn't decide all she could see was the heartbreak in Erik's face whenever she thought about it.

Christine wasn't looking were she was going and she walked straight into someone."

"Oh, forgive me," She said backing up. "I wasn't-"

"Miss Daae, how are you?" It was Philippe DeChagney.

"I'm well, thank you." She murmured.

"May I have a moment?" He asked.

Christine nodded.

"I'm sorry, this was sudden, but I'm worried about Raoul. He seems to think the two of you are engaged."

"Monsieur, I've never-"

"I know you're not to blame, Miss Daae." Philippe assured her. "But because of his accident, he seems to believe you are engaged…Now, I have an odd request for you. Would you mind becoming engaged to Raoul?"

"Monsieur, I haven't seen him since we were children-"

"Miss Daae let me finish. You would become engaged to him and then break it off. I am, however, aware that you are engaged to someone, so I will understand if you turn it down, but please think about it."

"I'll do it." Christine said, after a moment.

"Are you sure? Don't you want to talk to your fiancée?"

"There isn't a fiancée anymore, monsieur."

"Oh, I'm sorry…but I cannot thank you enough, Miss Daae. I'll send Raoul here tomorrow saying you're for him."

Christine could only nod.

"Raoul!" Philippe called as he entered the DeChagney manor.

"What?" Raoul snapped from the sitting room.

"I have good news." Philippe told his little brother as he came into the room. "Miss Daae came to me and asked about you. I told her you'd come to Opera House tomorrow."

"Really?" Raoul's face lit up.

"Yes." Philippe returned his brother's smile and for a moment he felt sorry for what he was doing, but he had to do it. Raoul had to realize that it had all been a dream or at least realize that Miss Daae did not love him.

Raoul's face suddenly fell.

"What's wrong? I thought you'd be thrilled?"

"What of the Phantom?"

"Yes, I, uh, asked her about that and she said it was over between them." Philippe tried. Raoul felt as though there was something his brother was not telling him, but he ignored the feeling.

"Excellent." He smiled.

Sorry it's taken me so long to update and sorry this chapter was so short. I'll work hard to make the next one longer!

Reviews are always appreciated!

~Kate