I don't own anything from the Phantom of the Opera. Enjoy!

Chapter 8

"I hope to have an excellent cooperation. We will try our best to make this Opera shine again. I expect hard work from all of you. I will not accept anything less than perfection…..", Erik continued. "The hard work will lead us to an excellent result and the Opera Populaire will once again turn the attention upon it and it will shine again. Thank you."

Applause flooded the room and Erik breathed again with relief. He looked at the managers and shook their hands once more. He liked this applause and it was for him. Satisfied he followed the managers out of the room. But two eyes were focused on him.

She was running. Looking all around her she could tell that she was in the maze of the passages below the Opera. He was here and he was after her. She could feel his breath on her neck. Suddenly an arm grabbed her hand and she tried to escape but the hand was holding her really tight. She pulled her hand really hard and managed to free it but she fell on the ground. A laugh echoed on the walls and a figure bent over her. She heard someone call her name. She screamed.

Meg called her name a thousand times. She shook her friend but Christine didn't open her eyes. Suddenly, the young girl screamed. Meg tried to wake her up once more.

"Christine, Christine, please, open your eyes. It's me, Meg".

Finally, Christine opened her eyes and looked around her terrified.

"Christine, are you all right? How do you feel? I was so worried", Meg said and hugged her friend relieved.

"Meg, what happened? Why am I here? I don't remember much. I feel dizzy", Christine said.

"We were in the auditorium, remember? The managers wanted us to meet this new composer and you were late. When Monsieur Destler started to talk you didn't seem fine and after a few seconds, you… fainted. So, Andrew and I brought you here, to the doctor. Fortunately, we were close to the door of the auditorium and no one noticed us".

But Christine wasn't hearing anymore. At the sound of his name, she jumped from her bed.

"Yes, yes, I remember now. No, Meg, it can't be… No… He is dead….."

"What are you talking about Christine? Who is dead?".

"He is here Meg, don't you understand? Where is your mother? I need to talk to her".

"I don't know. I haven't seen her since your fainting".

Christine sighed. She had to talk to Madame Giry as soon as possible.

There was no doubt that the famous composer was the former Phantom of the Opera. She knew him very well. She was suspicious at first but when she saw him she knew the truth. So, she decided to follow the three men. Monsieurs Firmin and Andre were taking their guest to his new office. They had told Erik that after the fire the construction team had added extra rooms to the building. Some of them were offices and dressing rooms. The managers thought that maybe Monsieur Destler would like to have his own space in the Opera. Erik liked it. He would be far away from prying eyes. The office was big enough. On the wall opposite the door was a large, impressive wooden desk and behind it there were three large windows. On the right wall near the door, there was a sofa while at the opposite side was a monumental fireplace which sufficiently warmed the room on cold winter days. There was also a small bathroom next to the fireplace. Erik nodded approvingly to the two men behind him.

"If you don't like it, we can go to another office across the hall", Andre said.

"It's not necessary Monsieur. I like it", Erik answered looking around. "It's more than enough".

"That's pleasant to hear. So, Monsieur Destler, if you will excuse us, we will leave you to settle down to your office and if you need anything you know where to find us", Firmin added.

Erik thanked them and his gaze followed the two men exited the room. He was alone now. He took off his overcoat and hat and put them on one of the beautiful, carved chairs in front of the desk. Then, his gaze fell on the desk itself. He put his hand on it and touched the smooth surface. It was made of ebony and on its sides were impressive carved designs. It had four drawers and there was already a bottle of ink and a pen on it waiting to be used. He sat on his chair behind the desk. He was really surprised how well the things had gone. He would write to Nadir later to tell him the first impressions from Paris. He wanted to tell him everything. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. He panicked but answered with a steady voice.

"Yes? Who is it, please"?

The door opened and Erik suddenly was in front of the biggest surprise of his life. At the door was standing Madame Giry. He stared with wide eyes at her and slowly he stood up from the desk. His mouth opened but the words were stuck in his throat and never came out.

"Madame…. Madame Giry, it's… you? It's really… you?". Erik pronounced the words slowly. "How is this possible?"

Madame Giry was staring as well but after a few seconds, composed herself and closed the door. She approached the desk and looked at him but Erik couldn't move.

"I was suspicious about who Erik Destler is and as I see my suspicions just confirmed", she said. She was obviously upset and tears formed in her eyes.

Erik managed to move and went beside her. He was shocked. His former friend was here, in front of him. He didn't know what to say.

"Antoinette…. How….. I mean…What are you doing here?", Erik asked her.

"I would ask you the same Erik", Madame Giry said but she couldn't speak anymore. The tears ran down her cheeks. With a movement, she approached him and wrapped him with her arms in a sweet embrace like a sister who finds her lost brother, like two friends who find each other after so many years. Erik returned the embrace. He was trembling but he was so happy to see her again. A woman who helped him at his darkest times, a heart who knew his secret and would never betray him. After minutes which seemed an eternity, they pulled away from each other. Erik led them to the sofa.

"Antoinette, what are you doing here? I thought you would have retired", Erik told her holding her hand.

"Let me see you Erik, my friend", she said holding his face. "I can't believe that this famous composer is you. Where have you been all these years? I was so sure that you were somewhere out there and yet I hadn't heard any news from you and I thought…"

"I know what you mean Antoinette. But as you can see I am still alive".

"Erik I know, I didn't mean anything bad but …. Forgive me but….". Antoinette tried to apologize but Erik lifted his hand and she stopped talking.

"Don't apologize. There is nothing to forgive my dear friend. I would think the same if I was you. But you didn't answer my question".

"What else could I do here, Erik? I work of course. And who talked about retirement? I am too young to retire, don't you think?", Madame Giry said jokingly.

Erik laughed with his heart.

"Oh Antoinette, I missed you. Truly. I am so happy that I will have a friend around".

"Why didn't you write me all this time? To tell me that you are alright and safe somewhere".

"I wanted it so badly but it would be safer for me to not tell anyone. Even to you. I thought to write to you but what if my letter would fall into the wrong hands? Or worse into the hands of someone who knew everything about me?"

"I understand Erik but, still, you came back. I heard that the managers invited you here because they want to perform one of your operas. Is it true?", Madame Giry asked him.

Erik nodded.

"I didn't do it so easy, you know. I followed my friend's advice. I am still scared. What if someone recognizes me?", he asked her in a serious tone.

"Don't worry, no one will recognize you. Most of the people who used to work here, have retired. Besides, you will not stay here forever. But tell me, Erik, where do you live? How is your life now?", Madame Giry asked him. She wanted to help him if that was necessary.

"I live in Italy in a beautiful home and with amazing people who love me and respect me. At first, it was really difficult to learn to live in a foreign country but with their help, I managed it. I run the Italian Opera wih my partner Nadir Khan. And yes, I will stay until the first performance and then I will return back. But tell me about you. How is your life?"

"The usual, as you know it. I live with my daughter Meg. After the Opera opening, she wanted to work here again and she persuaded me to do the same. So, here we are. I have my old position and Meg is with the ballet rats again.

She smiled. She was so proud of her daughter. Erik looked at her and smiled too.

"I am so happy to hear it. Your daughter is a dynamic young woman. She was right after all. You couldn't stay inside a house", he teased her.

Antoinette smiled. Would she be able to tell him about Christine now? To prepare him? She knew that the two girls were in the infirmary but she didn't know anything about Christine's health. Her thoughts interrupted by Erik.

"Are you alright Antoinette?", he said worried.

"Yes, yes Erik. I just have to go to the rehearsals".

She got up and Erik led her to the door. Madame Giry turned to him.

"Erik, I am so happy that I saw you again. We will have the chance to talk more often now", she said smiling and touched his cheek.

"Thank you, my dear friend. I am so happy too. At least, I will have someone to talk to, in here".

Madame Giry nodded and she left the room.

Christine was still at the infirmary, awaiting Madame Giry. Meg was keeping her company. The doctor had told them that it was only a faint, probably from the tiring rehearsals. He allowed her to return to her room and take the day off, to rest. But she wanted to wait there for the ballet instructor. Finally, the door opened and Madame Giry entered the room.

"Mama, where have you been?", Meg asked her mother. "Christine wants to talk to you".

"I know Meg and I know exactly what she will ask me", Antoinette said walking to Christine's bed.

"So, tell me Mama Antoinette, are my suspicions right?", Christine asked the older woman with her huge brown eyes ask for answers.

"I am afraid so child. It's him. You saw very well".

Then, Christine's eyes grew wider and for a few minutes, she was looking at the older woman without saying a single word.

"Christine", Antoinette said touching the girl's hand, "I talked to him. The managers asked him to give us one of his compositions in order to attract people and make the Opera House shine again. He wanted to attend rehearsals to be sure that everything will be as it should be. He didn't know that you are here and he still ignores it. He didn't even know about me".

Madame Giry was holding Christine's hand and caressed it reassuringly waiting for the young former singer to say something. Then, Christine spoke.

"What do you mean that he still ignores it? You didn't tell him?"

"Of course not. Actually, I thought to tell him but I believe that it was better to tell you first how the things are."

"And now what?", Meg asked. "He will leave soon, right?"

"I don't think so, Meg. The rehearsals will take one or two months to complete. Maybe three. He will attend the rehearsals every day to see with his own eyes that everything is perfect and that the result will make justice to his expectations. He will not accept anything less than perfection."

The three women looked at each other. This was unexpecting. Christine couldn't bear this silence.

"Do you believe him?", she asked the ballet mistress.

"Of course I do Christine. It's true that the managers asked him to..."

"No, I don't mean the issue with the managers. I mean, the fact that he doesn't know about me. Are you sure? Do you believe him?"

Madame Giry looked at her.

"I don't understand. Why should he lie? The truth is that he didn't ask me anything about you or your life and maybe he could lie, but I know him. I believe him. What's in your mind child?"

Christine looked away. She had a terrible thought from the moment she woke up and she couldn't even express it. She gathered all her courage and asked the question she wanted to.

"What if he is lying and he came back to… you know…. to… take…. revenge? What if he wants to…. to kill me?

Meg and Madame Giry were staring at her with wide eyes. The truth was that neither of them had thought about that possibility and Antoinette, seeing the terrifying look in Christine's eyes, wanted to put an end to her fear.

"No Christine, please, don't think like that", the older woman said holding the girl's hands. "I know him and I believe him. Please trust me. He came just for the rehearsals. He didn't want to come at first. That was a really risky decision to make but it will help his career. He told me so. You will see by yourself that nothing will happen".

"I don't want to see him, Madame. I am still determined that he is here for another reason. Remember what happened ten years ago. He almost killed Raoul and made me choose between him and my fiance's life. What if he came back to hurt us? Ugh! I don't know what to think anymore", Christine said looking at her hands.

"But Christine, how can this happen? He would be there when we have rehearsals. He will see you. You can't avoid him forever" Meg told her.

"I know Meg. For this reason, I will have my eyes on him. But if he' ll try to harm me or, even worse, my child, I will hand him over to the police".

With these words, Christine sank into her thoughts and the other two women just wished that these three months would run without problems.