Chapter 12

Christine woke early the next morning. Madame Giry and Meg were still asleep. They had come home two hours later from Christine and Rosalie the previous afternoon. Christine went to check on her daughter. She was sleeping, tugged under the blankets. The young woman looked at her and smiled. Christine closed the door behind her and went to the kitchen. She decided to have just coffee for breakfast because she had lost her appetite thinking these things that Madame Giry told her the previous day. What if that was true? He was thinking her for the first role? Even now? They hadn't seen each other for so many years and he didn't even know that she was in Paris. She couldn't understand anything. Suddenly, she heard the outside door close.

She was certain that Meg and Madame were in their room. But she was wrong. Meg was coming in the kitchen with a smile and fully clothed.

"Good morning Christine", Meg said cheerfully holding a bag.

"Good morning Meg. I thought that you were sleeping. Why are you up so early?"

"Oh, I went to the Opera House. I forgot some of my stuff there yesterday and I needed them. Why are you not sleeping?"

"I couldn't. I didn't sleep well actually. I had my mind to Rosalie. Fortunately, she has no fever and she fell asleep quite fast last night".

"That's good. In a meantime she will be better ", Meg said taking a slice of bread and marmalade in front of her. There was a long pause for a few seconds and then Christine spoke:

"There is something else".

Meg lifted her head and looked at her friend questioningly.

"What else?", she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

"Your mother told me something about Monsieur Destler yesterday".

Now the curiosity was overwhelming Meg.

"What did she tell you, Christine?"

"She told me that he mentioned that my voice could support the first role. Actually, he said that only one voice could support the female role and your mother is sure that he meant… me".

Meg's eyes widened.

"Really? But… how sure is she? Maybe he means someone else".

"I have no idea, Meg. And of course, there is no possibility to ask him", Christine answered categorically.

Meg bowed her head and paid her attention to her food. Looking at her plate, she said:

"The girls were talking about him".

Christine raised her eyes and looked her friend.

"Talking? What did they say?", asked a little worried.

"Nothing important. Bella asked me if I know anything more about him. I told her that he is from Italy and he has come here to present his work".

Seeing Christine a bit confused, Meg continued.

"You know how Bella is. She needs a reason to gossip. But I can't blame her because it's something important and new for the Opera House".

"I guess you are right. But Meg you have to be careful. Don't say anything more. They don't know that he is the Phantom".

"Christine, I wouldn't say anything. You know that".

Meg squeezed her friend's hand.

"Thank you, Meg. I appreciate it".

The two girls continued on with their breakfast when suddenly Meg gave a cry.

"Oh, Christine I almost forgot. I have lost my mind".

She took her bag and began to search for something frantically.

"Where is it? Agghhh, come on, where are you?"

"What are you looking for Meg?", Christine asked, trying to understand what was happening.

"Come on…. Yes, I found it", she said and pulling an envelope from her bag.

"This came for you today", she said and gave the envelope to her friend.

Christine took it, wondering who was the sender. It didn't take long to understand.

"It's from Raoul", she said simply.

"Oh… Did you expect a letter"?

"Not really", Christine said, without taking her eyes from the envelope. "The previous letter was sent three months ago. He had written that he would be busy for the next months and that he would try to write soon but he never mentioned when".

"This is good, right? That he sent a letter so soon".

"Yes, it is. Especially for Rosalie. She loves her father very much".

"I know. And Raoul loves her very much. He wants her to be happy".

Christine nodded. She couldn't deny it. Despite what happened between them, Raoul was a really good father. The only reason that he couldn't write soon enough sometimes, was his job. But Rosalie… She was his entire world. He would do anything for his daughter.

"Meg, if you will excuse me, I would want to stay alone. To read the letter", Christine said, standing up from her chair.

"Of course Christine. Don't worry about me. I will finish my breakfast and I'll go to see mother".

Christine smiled and walked to her room. She opened the door and sat on the edge of her bed. She started to read.

My dearest Christine

I hope you are well. I am writing this letter to you to let you know that I will return to Paris in a few days. The things are better now and I can return. My father will remain for one month. Oh, Christine… I want to see you and Rosalie so much. I have missed you terribly. How is our little angel? I hope she is happy and has a good time. I plan to visit you at the Opera House as soon as I arrive home. Please give to Rosalie a big kiss from me. Christine, I think about you all the time. I… love you. I will see you soon.

Yours,

Raoul

Christine folded the letter and put it beside her. So he would return soon. That was good because Rosalie had missed him. But for her…. Christine I love you. She bent her head. 'Oh Raoul, how can you say that?', she thought. Then the door opened and a little head appeared to the threshold.

"Mama? Can I come in?", Rosalie asked her mother.

"Of course my darling", Christine said, reaching out her hands to her daughter. "How do you feel today?", she said putting her hand on Rosalie's forehead. "You don't have a fever".

"I feel better Mama", Rosalie answered and sat beside her mother. "What's this?", the little girl asked pointing the envelope.

Christine smiled. "This, my love, is a letter from Papa".

Rosalie's eyes glistened with joy at these words. "Papa sent a letter?", she shouted excited. "What he says?"

"He says that he will return soon to Paris and he will come to see us", her mother said and laughed as her daughter hugged her and she made a cry of happiness.

"REALLY? Oh Mama, is it true? Papa will come to see us?"

Christine nodded and Rosalie began to jump on the bed shouting, "PAPA WILL COME TO PARIS!, PAPA WILL COME TO PARIS!, I WILL SEE PAPA!".

Christine laughed so loud that a worried Madame Giry stood on the threshold.

"What is happening? Are you alright girls?"

"AUNTIE NETTIE, PAPA WILL COME TO PARIS TO SEE US", Rosalie said as she running to Antoinette's opening arms. Antoinette forced a smile.

"Really sweetheart? That's very…. huge. You will see your father again. I am sure that you have missed him terribly".

"Yes, I did. But now I WILL SEE HIM!".

"I know… So, who is ready for breakfast?"

"ME!", little Rosalie said.

"Alright. Then go to the kitchen and Meg will make for you a delicious breakfast".

Rosalie nodded and went to the kitchen running. Antoinette approached Christine and sat beside her.

"You know what that means, right?", she asked the young woman. "You will see Raoul again. And I hope that he will not see Erik".

"I don't care about them, Madame. The only thing I want is Rosalie to be happy. And with this news, she is happy".

"You haven't forgiven him yet?"

"It's not that. I just have changed my priorities. My child comes first. I think that, even if they see each other, that will behave like gentlemen. I hope so at least. Besides, you said that… Erik, came here to present his work. So he has nothing to fear."

Madame Giry caressed Christine's hair. "That's true my child. I know that you are worried but you shouldn't be. It's a new day. He will come to the Opera House to see Rosalie and after that, we can invite him, here. Mmm? What do you think? He will be with his daughter and Erik will be protected. Nothing bad will happen. Alright?"

Christine sighed. "I guess you are right. I want to be calm. I don't want any intensities. So, shall we go to the kitchen?"

"Of course dear. After that, I will go to the Opera for a few hours".

Christine nodded and Antoinette followed her to the kitchen.

The time passed really fast that day. It was almost lunchtime. Erik was with Robert Johnson and was trying to explain to him the right way to breath. The boy was willing to learn, Erik could see that. But still, he had to put a great effort. Erik suggested they meet every day - without anyone knows of course – to make some singing lessons. He had admitted that the young man was not so bad after all. He just wanted support and guidance. With a few pieces of advice, he would be sublime. But the female lead role problem remained. It was almost the end of the auditions and he hadn't found what he was looking for. If he wanted to start the rehearsals and return back home, he would choose someone soon but this was difficult. No one of the women he heard these past days was not good enough. He hoped that, maybe, the next days he would find someone to support the role. Fortunately, the audition was over for today and he wanted to go to his hotel so badly. As he exited from his office, he saw Madame Giry.

"Hello, Antoinette. Why are you here? I thought that you would stay home until rehearsals start officially", he asked her curiously.

"Your thoughts are right Erik but managers asked me to come today to take care of an issue. Nothing serious. And you? Where are you going?"

"To my hotel", he answered relieved. "I have finished for today. The only thing I want now is to sleep until tomorrow".

"That's good. You need to rest. What about Robert? I heard you hired him".

"Yes, but I offered him voice lessons for free until rehearsals start. He is good but he needs breathing support. We do not tell anyone about this".

Madame Giry smiled and Erik looked at her curiously.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Because you are a very good man deep inside you, but you don't know it".

Rosalie was not feeling well again. She was burning up and her cough was louder. Christine was so worried that she didn't know what to do.

"Meg, she has a fever again", she said putting her head on her daughter's forehead. "Maybe I should call the doctor".

"But Christine she had a fever yesterday and you weren't so worried".

"I know but she is coughing as well. I don't know, I think I will fetch the doctor. Can you stay with her?"

"Of course I will".

Christine thanked Meg and in a matter of seconds, she had vanished. She knew that maybe she was exaggerating but she wanted to be sure that Rosalie was fine. Her legs brought her outside of the Opera House really fast and she climbed the stairs almost running. She went straight to the infirmary hoping that the doctor would be there.

Antoinette and Erik were walking towards the main door.

"So, how is your daughter Antoinette? Still scared of me?", he said with a playful tone in his voice and a big smile.

"No, Monsieur Phantom, she is a brave girl. And you are a very mean man", she answered and smiled too.

"I am sure about that", the man answered laughing. "Is she still a ballet rat?"

"Always. Although she wanted something more, but for now we are both here."

"I am sure that she will find her own path. From what I remember she was working really hard and I know that she has talent. In a few years, you will be a very proud mother".

Antoinette looked at him with tenderness and gratefulness. She knew that Erik could recognize the true talent when he saw it. She still knew that he would never harm Meg.

"Sometimes you are incredibly tender man Erik. Thanks for your words. They mean a lot to me".

Erik saw that Antoinette' eyes were ready to tear and squeezed her hand, wanting to show her that he was there for her. That moment they heard footsteps coming closer and the voices of two people came to their ears. They both turned around immediately. Ιt was a man and a woman.

"Good afternoon Madame Giry", said Dr. Antonio Bianco. "How are you Monsieur Destler?"

But Erik never responded. He was… frozen. He wasn't moving at all. Madame Giry was shocked as well. She looked at him. He looked lost. She wished she could do something to help him but she didn't know what. Fortunately, the doctor spoke that very instant.

"Monsieur? Are you alright?"

But Erik's gaze was stuck to the young woman opposite of him and the woman's gaze was stuck into his. Antoinette knew that this situation could keep on for the rest of the day so…. she stung him. Erik jumped from the pain but he came back to reality.

"OUCH!", he yelled. "MADAME GIRY!".

"I am sorry Monsieur Destler but the Doctor Bianco talked to you and you didn't respond", Antoinette said, τ make him understand what was going on. Erik then realized where he was and he turned to the doctor.

"My apologies Monsieur Bianco. It's nice to meet you".

The two men shook hands. But Madame Giry's gaze was on Christine. Poor girl! She was looking around her – probably to find an escape door. When her gaze crossed with Madame's, Antoinette tried to make her relax for a while. But then the doctor's voice heard again.

"Monsieur Destler, have you met Madame De Chagny yet?"

Erik turned to Christine. They both wanted to run away, to different directions. Erik extended his hand – his trembling hand – to her.

"It's a pleasure Madam".

Christine looked at him. His eyes were looking straight into hers but she couldn't turn away. She gave him her hand. He kissed it without taking his eyes away.

"The pleasure is mine… Monsieur", she said with a steady voice, trying to look relaxed.

But her hand was trembling as well. They hold hands for a few more seconds and then Madame Giry spoke, trying to find an excuse to turn the conversation elsewhere.

"Christine, why are you here child? Did something happen?"

Christine, still shocked but relieved that she did not have to keep looking Erik, said:

"Ah….. Rosalie has fever and….. I came to tell the…. the doctor to come to… see her. Just in case".

"Christine is a bit overprotective and worries too much. But we will see the young lady and I am sure that in a few days she will be better than I am", the doctor joked. "Seriously Christine, there is no reason to worry so much. I will examine and you will see that everything is fine".

"Thank you, Monsieur Bianco. Can we go?", Christine asked wanting to leave as far away from the Opera House as she could.

"Yes of course. Monsieur Destler, it was nice meeting you". The two men shook hands one more time and Antonio turned to Antoinette.

"Madame Giry, will you escort us?"

"I am afraid not Monsieur Bianco. I have some issues to attend to. But I will come as fast as I can".

She looked Christine and the young woman nodded. Then she and doctor left the building, leaving behind a concerned woman and an even more dumbfounded man.