Chapter 14: Heartbreak and Admittance

Part 3

The day seemed to have dragged on, everyone was on edge from the previous night's events. However that wouldn't keep them from their daily dose of gossip and incorrigible tales of the phantom. My Aunt had to constantly keep the chorus under a watchful eye less they interrupt into fits of giggles and whispers. I walked around aimlessly, my Aunt had things covered and the stage hands were given some time to deal with the "loss" of their colleague. Once in a while I would glance up at the rafters to see if I could catch a glimpse of Erik but no such luck.

With a defeated sigh I grabbed an abandoned cloak and walked towards the stairs that led to the roof. The roof… Painful memories flooded my mind, why did it have to be her? I know that I'm not beautiful, or anything special, but still. Christine was the type of girl that every man dreamed of. That every man wanted her, she could literally have any of them she had enough admirers to last a life time. But none of that was good enough, she had to have Raoul. I balled my fists and clenched my teeth as I reached the top of the stairs and opened the door.

"Claudine?" I looked up and saw Raoul, I felt myself go pale.

"Oh… well hello there Satan." I brushed past him and wrapped the cloak around my body.

"I beg your pardon?" I turned to him and glared.

"You beg what now?" I laughed.

"Claudine…" He walked towards me and I held my hand up.

"Don't, you've clearly made your feelings clear." I walked towards one of the statues a sat down.

"I think we should at least discuss this first." He followed my lead and sat next to me.

"What's there to talk about Raoul? You professed your love to each other and kissed her, in a not so gentleman like way might I add."

"Claudine, I know what you saw must have been hard for you but I assure you… that was nothing she was distressed and our emotions were running high." He grabbed my hand and held it as he moved closer to me.

"Maybe I over reacted, I shouldn't have made a judgmental accusation like that before talking to you." He smiled, it was adorable how he thought he was just going to get away with that. I'm not as dense as he believed me to be.

"Can I have a kiss Raoul?" I feigned sweetness as he smiled and leaned in towards me. I smiled mischievously as I grabbed a small pile of snow from behind me. I leaned in ever so slightly once his face was close enough to mine I took the pile of snow and shoved it in his face.

"What the hell?" He pulled away and wiped the snow off his face as he stood.

"How dare you!" I stood and began to pick up snow as I chucked it at him. He held his hands up to shield himself.

"I wasted my time on you, you two timing pig of a man!" I threw more snow at him.

"Why did you even bother with me, huh?" I stopped throwing snow at him and stood before him breathless. I was so close to breaking down and running again.

Raoul slowly put his arms down and looked at me.

"Claudine, I'm so sorry that I hurt you. But be honest with yourself you knew that I always loved Christine." He walked up to me I remained silent.

"Claudine, I love Christine she makes me feel alive, and I know that while we were together you never had full feelings for me." I looked up at him.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Be honest with yourself, you love someone that's not me."

"You're insane Raoul." I scoffed.

"You may not even know you love him yet but think hard and search deep within yourself, who else would it be?" He held my hand.

"Whoever that man is, he's a lucky bastard." Raoul and I chuckled as he kissed my forehead.

"Have a great night Claudine." With that being said he left me to think.

I walked back to my original spot and sat down. What could he mean by I have feeling for another man. I only spoke to him, the only other man I've really spent time with is… Erik.

"Erik…" I sat up straight, it's always been Erik. That's why I was always jealous of Christine not because she wanted Raoul but because Erik wanted her. Erik was the man who I loved, how was I so blind before? Getting up I ran back into the Opera house and down the secret passage way. I reached his lair in no time, ignoring the thumping in my chest I got off the boat.

"ERIK!" I ran past his organ and the kitchen.

"ERIK WHERE ARE YOU?" I came to his door and stopped, I could hear his soft snoring on the other side. Slowly I opened the door and walked in. He was laying on his bed sleeping peacefully. I walked closer to him only to see something that I had never seen before. His mask was off. I sat at the foot of his bed and looked at his face. It wasn't perfect but he shouldn't be ashamed of it. He was so handsome without his mask. Slowly I moved my hand and caressed the side of his face that was scarred.

It felt like velvet. I went to feel it more but suddenly his hand snapped to mine. In a matter of seconds I was on my back and he was above me.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He was speaking through clenched teeth as he held the side of his face that was scarred. His other hand had my arms pinned to the mattress as he held them tightly.

"I-I'm sorry… I couldn't help myself." My voice was soft and weak.

"Oh what you wanted to see the devil child's face?" His face came close to mine, I could smell whiskey on his breath.

"No… I wanted to tell you something important." He slowly let me go.

"You trespassed into my room, and touched my face because you wanted to tell me something?" He scoffed at me and allowed me to sit up. I nodded my head.

"What is it then?" I looked at him nervously.

"Ummm…. Well… uhh" My words were caught in my throat.

"Come on out with it Claude." He stood and began to take off his shirt and then proceeded to throw it off to the side. He began to sift through his drawers looking for a clean shirt. Taking a deep breath I spoke.

"I'm in love with you." I stated it loud and clear. Erik paused and stiffened.

"Erik?" He was silent, with each moment of silence that passed my spirits sank. After a few minutes I sighed.

"I'll see myself out then." I got up and brushed past him only to have him grab my arm to stop me. His lips crashed into mine as he led us towards his bed. The rest of that night was history.

Alright guys there you have it, chapter 14 for you! I had writers block the past few weeks and I've also started my summer classes to get ahead in college so I've been a bit busy with that too. Anyways, this story has about a handful of chapters left! So yeah review and just continue to be awesome!

-Kara