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xoxo
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Chapter Eight: Secret And Strange Angel
Previously,
Backstage Of The Opera House, The Palais Garnier Opera House Paris, France, August, 1894
"But of course Madame Giry. But if you wouldn't mind if I had a word with you."
"Of course, Monsieur." Antoinette turned to Meg and kissed her cheek. "Goodnight my dear, you did wonderfully tonight." Meg smiled, and gave a slight curtsey to Raoul before she walked to the dorms.
As they past Christine's dressing room door, Raoul stopped, hearing Christines giggles from the other side of the door, he frowns. Antoinette stopped as she noticed Raoul had fallen behind, she turns around to see him standing outside Christine's door.
When will this boy ever understand, that Christine is well and truly taken?
"Shall we, Monsieur?" She called out, taking him out of his reverie, as she gestured towards her office.
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xoxo
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The Opera House, The Palais Garnier Opera House Paris, France, September, 1894
It has been over a month since Christine's last performance, and the managers are frantic to get Mademoiselle Daaé back to the stage. Despite Christine's insistence that she needed to rest her voice, and wanted to focus on her dancing, the managers still persisted. Antoinette tried to tell them to stop, especially now with Raoul constant nagging of where Christine is. "Madame Giry I was hoping we could talk about Christine." Raoul said as he in front of her small desk.
"Of course monsieur, is there something wrong with her that I'm not aware of?" She placed a teacup in front of him, before returning to sit at her desk. "No, I was wandering if she is seeing anyone, you see I've ask her to dinner a few times now and she's always busy."
"Well I have said before, she a very busy young lady with her new role of Prima Dona."
"Of course, of course, but what of her private life outside the opera."
"It seems vicomte you are playing investigator and not a patron." She frowned, "I know nothing of her life outside these walls, if she feels to tell me something privately that is for me to know."
"But surely-"
"For heaven sakes, monsieur leave the poor girl alone!" Antoinette exclaimed, then took a breath. "Forgive me, it's been a long day, I'll let her know you wish to dine with her I'll make sure she's free the day after tomorrow."
"Thank you Madame."
Christine was told the very next day about the vicomte intentions, and after her meeting with the managers who wouldn't stop hassling her to return to the stage. When she's trying rest and spend time with her friends, and especially with Erik. The whole thing gave her a headache, she didn't realise how bad it was until Erik noticed that it effected her behaviour. He could tell from her body language, and even from talking to her, he knew something was on her mind and after questioning her he discovered her reasons of distress.
Erik frowned at Christine's plate as she barely touched it. He rose from his seat and knelt down by her side, taking her left hand onto his, slightly squeezing it. "What is it mon bel ange, is the food not to your liking?" Christine smiled as she reached out to trace the scars on his face. He leaned into her hand placing a kiss to it. "No, it's not your food, it's delicious. I've just had a rather exhausting day. Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur André haven't stopped nagging me about when I'm returning to my singing. I keep reminding them that I need to rest my voice, and continue my dancing with the girls. And it seems I have to dine with Raoul tomorrow night."
Erik dropped his fork, "No absolutely not." Christine sighed and moves from her seat and sat down on his lap, brushing back his chestnut hair, "I know, she whispered. "I don't want to either I must rather stay with you." Erik opens his mouth, but she places her fingers to his lips. "I know, but I have to see him Erik." Erik groaned. "Alright, I'll pick you up from your dressing room after you've eaten with that boy." She smiled kissing his stared cheek. "I'll send the managers a note, regarding your sining. I'll be reasonable, but if they continue to bother you." Erik trails off.
"Ange, don't harm them please." she pleaded. "Christine if they don't listen I'll-."
"You'll what, bring down the chandelier? You've already played that card monsieur, you cannot play it again." She gave him a look. "Well played, mademoiselle." Erik smirked offering his fork from his meal, placing it in her mouth.
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The Opera House Stables, The Palais Garnier Opera House, Paris, France, September, 1894
"We have to enter via the stables, Madame Giry said she had left the back door open for me." Christine said walking down the alleyway, with Raoul on her arm. He nodded, and smiled they had dine at a lovely restaurant in the city, they spoke of that happened during the years of separation. She spoke of her father's sudden death, and how she was sent to Madame Giry at the opera house. He laughed when she told the story of how she and Meg would play tricks on Madame. She paid attention to him when he told her how he became a vicomte and the struggles of the job.
They walked through stables when Christine noticed one of the horses wasn't setting down. "César!"
"Christine stay back!"
"Oh don't be silly Raoul, César would never hurt me." She smiled at César, Raoul frowned watching as she pulled on the dark horse's reigns, trying to calm him down. César snorted and rubbed his noice against Christine's hand. Realising she was his master's mistress and he nickered lightly. "There, they're easy boy, I'm here it's alright. You miss him don't you, I miss him too." she murmured, stroking his mane, brushing through his dark coat.
"Christine?" Raoul called out. Christine sighed, and moved away from César's stall and turned to him. "I'm sorry if my actions weren't very clear Raoul. But I'm in love with someone else."
"Who? Your Angel of Music?" he laughed, Christine looked away. "Christine, I can give you life, all you need to do is say the word and you will be my vicomtesse."
"A life fill with shoes or riddles of frocks. Isn't the life I want Raoul. I want a life where I can sing and dance on stage, and be surrounded by music. I was born to a be Pima Dona not a Vicomtesse." Raoul looked down, "Is there anyway I could change your mind?" Christine shook her head.
I have a love, and it's all that I have.
Right or wrong, what else can I do?
I love him; I'm his, and
Everything he is I am, too.
I have a love, and it's all that I need,
Right or wrong, and he needs me, too.
I love him, we're one;
There's nothing to be done,
Not a thing I can do
But hold him, hold him forever,
Be with him now, tomorrow
And all of my life!
She slowly backed away towards the door leading inside the theatre. "Christine, please." Raoul stepped closer to her. "I'm sorry." She whispered and ran inside.
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The Historical Library Of The City of Paris, Paris, France, September, 1894
Ivy groaned as they walked into the library. Mary and Belle raced through the endless aisles of books stopping at the romance section. Christine and Ivy followed behind them, Christine frowns at Ivy's response, "What on earth is the matter Ivy?"
"Oh it's just that, once those two get into another one of those romantic books, I'll never hear the end of it!" She exclaims. "Shh! This is a library mademoiselle!" The old librarian cried from her desk, Ivy rolled her eyes at Christine. "I think you'll change your mind about love once you've found someone." Christine smiled thinking about all the romantic gestures Erik had made during their courtship.
"Girls come this way." Antoinette called quietly from the table where Mary and Belle sat next to each other reading from the same book, quietly giggling. Christine smiled pulling off her favourite book from the shelf. Pride and Prejudice and grabs the library ladder, climbing up and reaching for her second book for Erik, Les Misérables. Earlier this morning as she laced up boots, she asked him if he wanted a book from the library, and she was not at all surprised by his request.
"Well I don't see how you could love Mr Darcy, he tries to ruin Elizabeth's happiness." Erik said as she sat beside him, in front of the fire. Christine smiles, "He reminds me of you ange, so cold at first but over time becomes loving and protective of her." Erik smiles and rolls his eyes as she dons her cloak.
Christine grins clutching the two books together, as she climbed down from the ladder, she begins to softly hum. "Angel of Music, guide and guardian grade to me your glory."
"That's a beautiful song Christine." Christine jumped at Ivy, dropping the books she chosen from the shelf along with several others that somehow managed to fall. Antoinette's staff hit the floor, announcing their departure. "Here let me help." Ivy said as they gathered the fallen books. Before grabbing her chosen book, and running out to find Madame Giry.
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The Rooftop Of The Opera House, The Palais Garnier Opera House Paris, France, April, 1890
"We hurry, Erik or we shall miss it." Christine exclaimed as she rushed towards the edge of the roof of The Opera House. Her auburn curls pinned back with a white ribbon, her ballet skirt, fluttered through the breeze, and ballet slippers, wrapped tightly around her ankles. After her she had finished her dance rehearsals she managed to escape from her friends constant questions of her whereabouts. The young eighteen year old rushed up the staircase that led her to the roof of the opera house. She breathed in fresh air of the Paris evening, as twilight began to set. Laughing behind her was her angel of music, who was smiling at her childishness.
"Be careful, of the edge, my Christine." He warned coming closer to her, pulling her back to his chest, his hands wrapped around her torso. "Your Christine?" She looked up at him. He nods, brushing back a strand of hair behind her ear. "My Christine."
She blushed looking back towards the sun, as it slowly behind to set. "Have you ever seen something as beautiful as this?" She whispered, placing her hand into his. "Yes I have, and I'm looking at her right now." He replied kissing the side of her head. "Mmm, this is nice." She whispered leaning into him. Erik turned her to face him, lifting her up onto pointe, holding her steadily. She giggles as she met his height, he smirks slightly, pulling her closer, his features turned serious, looking deep into her eyes.
"Christine… I love you." He sang to her. She smiled in delight, and whispered, "I love you too Erik."
He smiled and bent down and brushed his lips against hers. Christine let a small sigh as she felt his smooth, freshly-shaven face on his left side and hard coolness of his mask on his right. His tongue peaked through, seeking permission, Christine opened her mouth allowing their tongues to collide. His hands moved from her hips to her waist, lifting her up into his arms. She pulls back slightly, and begins to giggle as he spins them around and around, his laughter joining hers. He rests his forehead to hers, as he gently placed her back onto the placement, pulling out his pocket watch checking the time.
10:00 p.m. Blast! He knew Christine had promised Madame Giry she'll return at 9:30 p.m. "What is it mon ange?" she whispered. "It's seems you are late for Madame Giry and Little Giry."
"Oops." she giggled. "Yes oops indeed my love." She smiled at his endearment, "Come we must return those two ladies, will be missing you."
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Madame Antoinette Giry's Office, The Palais Garnier Opera House, Paris, France, April, 1890
Antoinette paced back and forth waiting for Christine to return, as young fifteen year-old Meg sat on the sofa, attempting to sew her ballet shoe. She jumped as the door opened causing to pricked her finger as Christine entered. Antoinette stopped pacing and crossed her arms. "Where have you been, young lady?"
Christine couldn't help back but grin, Antoinette then realised. She's seen that look before, the very same look she once gave to her mother long ago, when she had admitted her feelings about Meg's father. Meg rose from the sofa, walking over to Christine frowning. "What is it Christine?" Antoinette took hold of Christine's hands, "Is it true, my dear?"
"What's true mama?" Meg looked between them. "Christine what's going on here?" she demanded. "It's seems my dear that you're dearest friend is in love." Antoinette smiles at Meg confused face.
"Oh I knew that already mama, I've known since-" Meg trailed off looking at Christine again, who grinned at her. Meg then realised, "Did he tell you?" Christine nods, tears filling her eyes. Meg squealed with excitement, wrapping her arms around her. "Oh Christine I'm so happy for you!" The two girls held each other tightly as Meg pulls back smiling, "Tell me everything mon ami, and don't leave anything details out."
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The Ballet Dormitories, The Palais Garnier Opera House, Paris, France, April 1890
Antoinette whispers as she opens to the door. "Now off to bed, both of you." The girls enter their room, where the three beds were placed. One pointing towards the door, and the other two, were spaced out and in diagonal angle towards the centre of the room. As a ballerina at the opera house you are required to share a bed with another ballerina, this was easier, as it meant less beds and more space for dancers to rehearse or warm up, as the dormitory had a ballet barre and smooth wooden floorboards. Christine noticed all of the ballerina's were in their beds. However Eloise and Ivy were still awake waiting up for them. While Clarissa, Belle, Mary and Lily all were asleep.
Eloise notices Madame Giry and lays down, pretending to sleep. Antoinette sighs at the girls in their beds, knowing full well they weren't asleep. "Good night, girls I shall see you all at 8:00 a.m. sharp, that includes you Eloise!" stomping her staff, closing the door. Meg and Christine begin to giggle, at their friend.
"Oh you think its funny now?" Eloise blushes, rising to her knees. "Where have you two been?" she demanded. "I hate secrets," Ivy added, who laid next to Eloise. "Come on, now tell us."
"You'll get nothing from her." said Meg, as she unbuttoned her ballerina attire, sitting on her bed she shared with Christine. Ivy screams with delight. "She's in love." Looking to Christine then to Meg, the others awoken at Ivy's squeals. "What?" Mary asked rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "Just look at her she's putting on her dressing gown still wearing ballet tutu." Eloise gestured to Christine, as she shrugged off her robe, and blushed slightly. "Tell us Christine!" Lily and Clarissa call from their bed. "Oh, Christine," Eloise complained, "please tell us, you used to aways tell us your secrets."
"Yes and now she doesn't. Because someone always reveals them." Meg pointed out. Eloise holds up her hands in surrender. "Hey that was an accident, and you know it." Christine smiles, ignoring her friend's bickering. She begins to hum pulling on her nightgown leaving her stockings and ballet slippers on and walked up to shared the dressing table. Reaching up behind her, pulling her pins out she looks at her reflection. Sighing as she closed her eyes, feeling Erik's presence. Smiling she places her left hand onto the mirror, somehow thinking that behind the mirror was Erik pressing his hand against the glass.
Meg shook her head and walked up to her, as Christine lets out silent gasp remembering that she wasn't alone. Hoping to distract her friends from her so called strange behaviour she begins to sing.
I feel pretty oh, so pretty,
I feel pretty and witty and bright!
And I pity, any girl who isn't me tonight.
The girls all rose from there beds walking up behind her. Helping Meg take out all the pins out of her wild auburn curls, Meg smiles at Christine as she continues.
I feel charming oh, so charming
It's alarming how charming I feel
And so pretty that I hardly can believe I'm real
"See that pretty girl in that mirror there? Who can that attractive girl be?" Christine points to herself in the mirror, placing her hands to her red cheeks, then her nightgown, then points to her smile. "Such a pretty face, Such a pretty dress Such a pretty smile, Such a pretty me." Moving away from the mirror she continues, twirling around the room, she goes on pointe, spinning around and around, on the wooden floorboards of her bedroom.
I feel stunning and entrancing
Feel like running and dancing for joy
For I'm loved by a pretty wonderful boy!
Christine turns to look her friends, Meg joins in looking at Eloise. "Have you met my good friend Christine?"
Eloise laughs, rolling her eyes, gesturing to Christine as she did another twirl. "The craziest girl on the block?"
Meg nods, "You'll know her the minute you see her."
Eloise shakes her head, looking and Christine as she grabs her pillow and throws in Eloise's face. "She's the one who is in an advanced state of shock."
Lily and Clarissa joins in chasing Christine with their pillows. "She thinks she's in love, She thinks she's in Spain." Eloise continues, hitting Lily with her pillow.
"Ay, she isn't in love." Belle, agreeing with Eloise.
"She's merely insane." Clarissa and Lily, trying to give excuses for Christine.
"It must be the heat." Ivy joins in offering another one.
"Or some rare disease?" Clarissa and Lily agree and added. "Or too much to eat."
Christine laughs sneaking up hitting them with her pillow. "Or maybe it's fleas!"
Meg teased while singing. "Keep away from her."
Eloise doggers Christine's pillow singing. "Send for Madame!"
Ivy and Eloise held hands, dancing together, while Meg twirled Christine around. "This is not the Christine Daaé we know."
Belle chimed in. "Modest and pure."
Lily and Mary sing back. "Polite and refined."
Clarissa agreed. "Well-bred and mature." Meg runs to them, "And out of her mind!"
Watching as Christine grabs her red scarf, climbing on the table which stood in the centre of their room. Eloise laughs as Christine poses, wrapping the scarf around her, as if she was a Prima Dona. "Miss America!" Meg giggles clapping her hands. "A speech, please Mademoiselle Daaé." Christine giggles, holding her scarf, tightly just like she'd imagined Elissa would do in Hannibal.
I feel pretty oh, so pretty
That the city should give me its key
A committee should be organised to honour me
The girls all harmonised. "La-la-la-la la la la la la-la." Christine jumps down from the table, wobbling slightly from the adrenaline rush, grateful that Meg and Mary held her up. "I feel dizzy I feel sunny." Dropping her scarf she giggles and she leaps and jumps around the room again.
I feel fizzy and funny and fine.
And so pretty Miss America can just resign!
The girls all laugh at Christine's behaviour. "La-la-la-la la la la la la-la la-la." Christine runs back to the mirror, pointing at her reflection again. "See that pretty girl in that mirror there?" Meg pulls up from behind her. "What mirror where?" Christine smiles at her friend. "Who can that attractive girl be?"
Mary sings, "Which?"
Eloise sings, "What?"
Belle sings, "Where?"
Christine sings to her reflection in the mirror. "Such a pretty face." The girls asked, giving each other puzzled looks, asking Christine with a simple. "Whom?"
"Such a pretty dress." Christine sang twirling her skirt around as it floated around her, as the girls repeated, "Whom?"
"Such a pretty smile," Christine cheeks flushed with excitement of her future with Erik. The girls asked again, wanting to know. "Whom?"
"Such a pretty me," Christine gestured to herself, feeling like she was the luckiest girl in Paris.
"Such a pretty me," Meg sang.
"Such a pretty me," Ivy sang.
"Such a pretty me," Clarissa sang.
Christine twirled and danced around the table, her friends giggling and playing along as they followed her every move, echoing her every line. "I feel stunning, snd entrancing." Christine turned back to them, giggling. "Feel like running and dancing for joy," And the six ballerinas all joined with her, singing "For I'm loved by a pretty wonderful boy!" The girls all laughed and giggled as they landed on Christine and Meg's bed.
Hidden from behind the mirror Erik smiled at his Angel, watching as her friends all sang and danced around like the little performers they were. His heart felt full and fluttered with joy, for he truly knew that Christine loved him. He couldn't help but laugh when Antoinette barged into the room, stomping her staff, once again demanding the little ballerinas to bed as they all screamed and immediately returned to their respective beds. He blew a kiss to his love, and walked away from the mirror, returning to his home below the opera house.
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"Christine?"
"Christine Daaé get your head out of the clouds."
"What?" Christine looked at Eloise. "I said, are we going to meet this man who has one your heart?" Eloise asked. Christine blushed looking at Meg, who gave a arm a slight squeeze.
"I-
"I don't think he's ready to meet you yet Eloise." Meg said, causing the others to laugh. "Oh, since when to did you know?"
"I know."
"Tell me than."
"Girls, enough. If Christine wants to share how she met her suitor, that is up to her not you Meg."
Meg rolls her eyes at Christine. "Eloise, to answer your question, Meg does know because, she and Madame were the ones who introduced me to him." Christine smiled at Antoinette and then to Meg, knowing that they would only ones to know the truth about Erik.
"Ohh that so romantic." Mary clasped her hands together, while Belle tugged Christine's hand, wanting to know more. "Tell us how you met, please Christine."
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xoxo
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The Catacombs Of The Opera House, The Palais Garnier Opera House, Paris, France, July, 1882
Young ten year-old Christine knew once she look at the building of The Palais Garnier Opera House she would easily get lost. Who knew that a theatre would be such a maze? Running on her ballet slippers and wrapping the woollen shawl she borrowed from Madame Giry, she continue through the hallways trying to get to the rehearsal on time.
Erik was on his usual watch duty, he heard earlier today about some knew girl joining the ballet rats, and knew Antoinette wanted to see him after the rehearsal.
But those thoughts left his mind as he saw young girl with wild auburn ringlets run down to the catacombs. Wrong way. He thought, he began to follow her, hoping by scaring her she'll find her way back to Madame.
Stepping deeper into the shadows to get a closer view of her, she turned around to face him, and Erik's heart dropped. She looked like an angel straight of heaven, he couldn't help himself. "Are you lost angel?"
Christine let out a slight scream, "Who's there?" She gasped, placing her hand to her chest. "Forgive mademoiselle, it seems I've scared you." He said, while his voice echoed around her. "It's alright," Christine turning expecting to see someone, she frowned, finding no one. "where are you? Come out so I can see you."
"Mademoiselle, you are speaking to the Opera Ghost mademoiselle, you should be terrified. I'm impressed you haven't run for me."
"Well, to be honest I thought it was a joke, something to frighten the new girls like me with."
"Ah, well I'm afraid, they didn't lie to you, I'm here, I'm real."
"Well I not afraid of you. Monsieur Opera Ghost." She said sternly crossing her arms, "You are a feisty little one aren't you?" Erik couldn't help but laugh at her stubbornness, "What is your name firecracker?"
"I'm Christine Charlotte Daaé monsieur, and yours?"
"Only a few know me as, Erik Charles Destler."
"Erik," her voice made him shiver with delight. "Why are you hiding? His response made her almost cry, having to hear his voice break for the first time. "I hide, because the world shows no compassion to me."
"Is that why you wear a mask?" she stepped closer towards his voice. "Yes, acid was poured onto my face, destroying the right side of my face." Christine chocolate eyes filled with tears. "I'm so sorry about what happened to you Erik. No one deserves to live in fear and feel they must hide from the world."
"Thank you Christine." Then there was silence. "Will you come out?" she asked, "I'll scare you." he whispered, Christine shook her head. "No you won't, trust me."
"I learnt a long time ago no to trust anyone."
"You can trust me..." she whispered, before she took a deep breath and begins to sing.
Love's a curious thing
It often comes disguised
Look at love the wrong way
It goes unrecognised
So look with your heart
And not with your eyes
A heart understands
A heart never lies
Believe what it feels
And trust what it shows
Look with your heart
The heart always knows
Love is not always beautiful
Not at the start
So open your arms
And close your eyes tight
Look with your heart
And when it finds love
Your heart will be right
Learn from someone who knows
Make sure you don't forget
Love you misunderstand
Is love that you'll regret…
Erik stepped closer to Christine, only for her to make out his figure, she smiled at him and continued.
Look with your heart
And not with your eyes
The heart can't be fooled
The heart is too wise
Forget what you think
Ignore what you hear
Look with your heart
It always sees clear
Love is not always beautiful
Not at the start
But open your arms
And close your eyes tight
Look with your heart
And when it finds love
Your heart will be right…
She smiled at watched patiently for Erik to stepped out from the shadows revealing himself to her. She let a small gasp of disbelief, of the boy who stood before her. He was nothing how she imagined him to look. She didn't envision how tall he was, or how darkness of the room seemed to complement his dark emerald green eyes and his handsome features on his face, the left side was perfect, while his white mask shifted between the shadows, covering his right side. He wore black pants, a white crisp dress shirt, and over his strong shoulders was the darkest black velvet cloak she'd even seen, she almost shook her head, she couldn't believe how handsome he was.
Erik cupped her face, "You have the voice of an angel." Christine looked down and blushed. "And you are so handsome." she whispered. "What?" He shuffled slightly, and with a blush she repeated. "I said you look so handsome." He shook his head not believing her words. "I'm a monster."
Christine frowned, "No you're not, not to me. The world may not see or understand. But I do, I see the beauty underneath. And when you are ready to reveal your face, and I'll be there for you. You don't ever have to hide from me my angel." And for the time in years Erik actually smiled. "Why do you call me an angel?"
"Oh, Madame Giry said that I would find my angel of music here at the Opera House." Erik eyes furrowed with confusion, as she explained. "My father promised me before he died that he'll send me the angel of music to me, and I think I've found him." Erik smiled, "Very well then Mademoiselle Daaé, ill shall be your Angel of Music. But only if you will be the same to me, and I'll teach you how to sing and become a Prima Dona."
And she could only gasp.
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"I find the real story better." Meg whispered to Christine as they trailed behind from the girls and Antoinette, only they're walk back from the bakery. Entering the Opera House, Christine let giggle she whispered back. "I know I hardy and can believe I was only ten and he was twelve when we met and now we're here." Meg giggled at her. "Just like a true fairytale mon ami, you've found your handsome prince."
"What are you two brats giggling at!?" Carlotta screeched as she wobbled slightly with each step she took. Christine and Meg looked at each other, hoping the other came up with some clever reason. Christine sprung into action. "We saw someone choke on their lunch today at the bakery, it was quite an amusement you see everyone couldn't help but laugh, even the gentlemen who choked laughed."
"Of course after we checked to make sure he was alright." Christine looked at Meg and nodded. "Of course." Carlotta's eyes flared at their response. "Just get out of my way, and for the last time Mademoiselle Daaé stay out of my aria's you are ruining my career!" She screamed and stormed out of the Opera House.
"Wow, what a career." Christine said staring at the front glass door. Meg laughed. "Come your highness, your Phantom prince is expecting you."
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xoxo
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Songs:
A Boy Like That / I Have a Love: West Side Story 2021
I Feel Pretty: West Side Story 2021
Look With Your Heart: Andrew Lloyd Webber