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" Now tell me what happened, Carlotta? " asked Firmin, slightly annoyed and disappointed by the unexpected event.
Carlotta sat down and cleared her throat. Her servant was desperately fanning her, keeping her cool and calm.
" I don't know..." mumbled Carlotta, afraid of hearing her voice.
" I am going bonkers because of you. Everyone came specially to hear you sing!" screamed Armand.
" Christine can sing too! She sings like a nightingale! " exclaimed Meg.
" Meg! " shouted Christine and Madame Giry in unison.
Meg pushed Christine right infront of Firmin and Armand and winked at Christine.
" You?! " questioned Carlotta as she snorted, looking away and wondering how good her voice could be.
" Come come, Christine, sing a few lines for us. You know what Carlotta would be singing right? " asked Armand.
" Yes, " came the soft reply.
Taking in a deep breath, she counted in her heart, 1000,2000,3000
" Think of me...Think of me fondly...
When you say goodbye...
Remember me...
..."
Everyone stared in awe. The few lines requested by the managers became one full song.
" Magnificent. Come, get dressed! " clapped Firmin.
Christine smiled at Madame Giry and Meg, glad that she had been given such a good opportunity to showcase her singing.
" Good job! Go for it! " assured Madam Giry, patting Christine on her back. Meg followed Christine to help her get her costume and get dressed.
Carlotta stared in disbelief as she lost her chance to perform and prove that she is the best.
" Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen! " invited Firmin and Armand
" We are disappointed to inform you that Carlotta might not be able to perform her piece today! " announced Firmin.
The audience gasped in disappointment and muttered among themselves.
" But but but... We have prepared another performance, the same song but a different singer. Believe me she is equally good! " Armand spoke up, stopping teh pockets of conversation among the audience.
Many insisted that Carlotta was the best, but they still clapped for the new singer.
Christine stood in the middle of the stage. It was her first time looking into the eyes of all the audiences and the audiences had a clear view of her. Previously, she had always avoided the gaze of the public and dare not speak up. Now, it was different. Totally different.
Her sparkling diamond necklace shined in the dark as the lights dimmed slightly and the musicians started playing their instruments. Her hair was neatly tied up with a butterfly ribbon. Her dress was attention catching, glittering all over.
" Think of me... think of me fondly..."
She sang on and on. Meg and Madame Giry stood close to the curtains of the backstage, cheering for Christine.
Raoul sat at the side of the stage viewing the performance. He heard the powerful yet sweet voice. Standing up to have a clearer view of who it was, he was shocked to find that it was his old flame, Christine Daae.
" Christine, can it be Christine? Bravo! " cheered Raoul as he left his seat.
" Oh Christine, it has been at least a decade since we last met... Is she alright? How is she doing now? " a million thoughts flashed through Raoul's mind as he left teh concert hall, to the main hall and arrived at the backstage.
By the time he arrived at the backstage, Christine's performance had ended. Rounds of applause thundered the atmosphere, audience threw flowers onto the stage. Christine breathed deeply, catching her breath as she grinned at everyone, waiting for the curtains to be released. As soon as she was covered by the curtains, she turned and walked towards the backstage.
" Isn't this the Vicomte de Chagny? " asked Carlotta, recognising Raoul. Upon hearing his title, Raoul turned to see who had called him.
" You are? " questioned Raoul.
" Oh my, you must be here to see me. I am sorry that I can't perform tonight, and let an amateur perform. You must have been disappointed. " cried Carlotta.
" What? What are you talking about? I came to see Christine. What a beautiful voice she has.." exclaimed Raoul, looking at Christine in awe.
" How does he know Christine? " Meg asked her mum softly.
" Shh..I don't know," replied Madame Giry.
Christine ran to hug Meg and Madame Giry at the backstage, not realising that Raoul was around.
" Good job! " cheered Meg.
" Haha thanks, " laughed Christine.
" Christine, the Vicomte de Chagny specially came to see you! " stated Madame Giry.
" Christine! " shouted Raoul.
Christine stared at Raoul for sometime. His gaze looked familiar. He had that sharp long nose, high cheekbones, slightly curly black hair and a wide smile on his face.
" Raoul? " muttered Christine, uncertain of her judgement.
" Oh Vicomte de Chagny, what are you doing here? Sorry for the unsightly mess at the backstage, let me escort you to your seat! " explained Firmin who returned to the backstage.
" Excellent work, Christine, " praised Armand.
" Christine! " Raoul raised his voice as he was pushed by Firmin back to his seat. Raoul reached out his hand, trying to hold on to Christine, but Christine did not respond.
As soon as Raoul was out of sight, Carlotta stood up and walked around Christine, scrutinizhg her.
" Where did you learn your singing from? " interrogated Carlotta.
" He is always in my..." replied Christine before she was cut off by Madame Giry.
" She goes out for lessons. But she usually practises in her room! " Madame Gury shot back.
" Argh.. That Vicomte de Chagny must have made a mistake. He must be looking for me! " sighed an angry Carlotta.
"Let's go Christine, I have something to tell you, " said Madame Giry as she pulled Chirstine away. Meg followed behind. Carlotta stared at them and snorted.
They arrived at the basement, where there was an unused room and the trio sat down.
" You know him don't you? " questioned Madame Giry. Christine knew who Madame Giry was referring to and nodded her head.
" How did you know him? " asked Meg curiously.
" We were childhood friends, " explained Christine.
" Just childhood friends? Nothing else? " Madame Giry asked in doubt.
" He helped me when I was young. I feel indebted to him and he always treats me so well, " Christine added.
Madame Giry heaved a sigh of relief, luckily it wasn't romance between the two of them and things could be easily sorted out. She reminded Christine not to speak of the music teacher she had in her room, otherwise the Angel of Music might disappear from her room. Christine didn't want to lose her precious music teacher who taught her so much, hence she agreed to keep the matter mum at all cost.
" I am sure it's her, it's Christine! " mumbled Raoul as he left the concert hall after the performance ended. " Why didn't she want to respond then? " thought Raoul.
" Excuse me, Vicomte de Chagny? " called out Madame Giry.
" Yes, may I know who you are? " asked Raoul.
" Madame Giry here. I would like to speak to you about Christine, " explained Madame Giry clearly.
" You know her? " Raoul questioned in excitement. Madame Giry merely gave a slight nod before leading the way to a deserted place of the Opera House.
" Yes, she was my childhood friend, " agreed Raoul.
" She couldn't reply you previously due to some uncertainty. But I would appreciate that you don't disturb her because she has to focus on her music lessons now that she has become a star, " Madame Giry insisted firmly.
" Can I just meet her for a few times? I promise, I won't disturb her when she has lessons, " pleaded Raoul. Madame Giry thought twice before answering.
" Okay, but just once. It's late now, return tomorrow, " Madame Giry announced as she stood and prepared to leave.
" Thank you, Madame Giry! " thanked Raoul, happy that he finally had a chance to meet Christine.
The End for chapter 2. Please review, thanks! :)