Chapter 18
Sorry for the delay. Here is the new chapter. Enjoy. (I don't own anything or anyone from the Phantom of the Opera).
Erik was finally ready to return to his work. He thanked Antoinette for all her help and care towards him but she told him that he could live with them as long as he wanted. Erik declined politely her offer saying that it would be better if he stayed alone. Besides, it was not appropriate at all for a single man to live with three women at the same house. The first thing he did, when he returned to the hotel was to write a detailing letter to Nadir about the last news. He could imagine his partner's face when he would read the letter. He also asked Madame Giry to tell the managers that he would return to his duty in a few days. Richard and Firmin were happy to know that their composer was healthy again and they made an announcement to the employers of the Opera House that the rehearsals would start again in two days. His first day at work after the accident, Erik was cheerful. To be honest with himself, he had this feeling because he had made a step with Christine. Even this little chat they had, made him think that she was not afraid of him as he thought at first.
The first thing he heard when he entered the Opera House was voices from the auditorium. Erik walked towards it and when he entered he saw all the cast of the production clapping their hands smiling at him. The two managers were there as well and shook his hand.
"Welcome back Monsieur Destler", Firmin said shaking the composer's hand. "We coordinated this little party to celebrate your arrival".
Erik thanked him and then he noticed that everyone had a glass of wine into their hands. The Phantom was speechless.
"Let me express my happiness for your arrival as well, Monsieur", Andre said to the man in front of him. "I hope everything will be forgotten soon. You should know that all of us were worried when we heard about your accident. I suppose you are better now?"
"Much, much better Monsieur Andre, thank you", Erik said with a trembling voice. A young boy from the cast offered him a glass of wine. "Thank you all. Cheers", he said to the people n the room and took a sip from the red liquid.
He was moved. No one did something like that before for him. Never. Drinking once more, Erik turned his head around and noticed Madame Giry, Meg, and Christine to the faraway corner of the auditorium. They had a conversation with the other ballet girls. Madame Giry saw him and came closer.
"Why do I have a feeling that you have something to do with all this?", Erik asked her showing around him.
"Oh, it was not my idea entirely. I just told to the managers that you are feeling better and they had this idea about the party. We all agreed of course. It's a welcome party", Antoinette said to her friend.
"Thank you. All of you. It means a lot to me", Erik answered deeply touched from this beautiful gesture.
"Don't mention it, Erik. They were all so excited about this party and for your return of course", Antoinette added.
"Yes, because they don't know who I am. If they knew, I would make a party in prison".
Antoinette sighed. Suddenly, she saw Christine look at their direction.
"Erik, what happened with Christine? She told us that you had a little conversation".
"Yes, we had. I thanked her for saving my life and she narrated to me how you found me. The truth is that I owe her my life".
He looked at Christine's direction but she talked with the other girls.
"You could talk more, you know", Antoinette continued.
"What do you mean?", Erik asked.
"You could know each other better. Talk about some… things".
"I don't know Antoinette. I don't think I am ready yet for this. I don't think that she is ready either".
"Maybe you are right", she told to the Phantom. "But think of it".
The next days passed as usual. Erik was working almost the entire day and he was very satisfied with the progress of his employers. All the cast put a great effort to become better and better and they didn't make any complaint about the composer. He was good to them and he always helped them, correcting their mistakes and showing them how was the right way to play their roles. Sometimes he watched ballet's rehearsals. He had to admit that little Meg was an excellent dancer. She was following her mother's steps. As for Christine, she was an amazing dancer too, but Erik always believed that Christine's destiny was to be an Opera singer. She knew it too but it was hard to sing again in the same Opera house after all the bad things that happened. Things that he had caused. He shook his head to send away the thoughts. In his mind was the idea of talking with Christine. Antoinette was right. They had to talk to each other one day. And that day came. It was afternoon and Erik was ready to return to the hotel. He was not so tired so he decided to take a long walk before going back to his room. As he was crossing the hall, he saw a group of girls talking and laughing. The three of them were wearing dance costumes. The last girl was ready to wear her coat and leave. He recognized her in an instant. She bid farewell to her friends and turned her gaze to the hall. That moment, her eyes met his. He kept going to her direction and she kept looking at him. When Erik approached her, stopped and greeted her.
"Good evening", he said lifting his hat.
"Good evening", she responded.
Erik noticed that she seemed a bit uptight.
"Are you done for today?", he asked her, trying to have a little more talk with her.
"Yes", Christine answered. "I will return home but Madame Giry with Meg will stay for a little longer".
It was obvious that both of them were awkward. Erik tried again.
"Would you allow me to escort you all through the home then? It's getting dark outside and it would be safer for you to be with someone else".
"Thank you but it's not necessary, I return home alone a lot of times. Besides, your direction is the other way around".
"I know but there is no problem. I insist".
Christine realized that the former Phantom was trying to talk with her more. But she wasn't afraid. She was feeling almost… flattered. So, she accepted his companionship.
The first minutes of their walk was into silence, both of them into their thoughts. Christine spoke first.
"So, how are you? Are you better?"
Erik looked at her curiously.
"I mean, after the accident", she continued.
"Oh, yes, much better. Thank you", Erik told her. "I have only some bruises, nothing serious. In the meantime, they will disappear".
"I am glad to hear it", Christine said smiling.
"What about you?", Erik asked the young woman. "How was your day?"
"Good. Very good actually. Even though Mama Antoinette is very strict as usual and we make rehearsals for about five hours a day, I can say that I feel good", Christine said, letting a small laugh.
"I know. She is very strict and she is the best ballet teacher I have ever met. All of you work really hard but the result is astonishing".
"Yes, you are right about that".
The road was not empty yet. Many people were walking and the bistros were almost full. Christine was looking around her and realized that she hadn't been in a place like that for years. She also was thinking that she was enjoying this walk. It wasn't so cold and she could make a small walk before return to the house. Suddenly, Erik spoke.
"Would you like to sit for a while? My leg is hurting me a bit and I would like to enjoy the night a little more".
It was like he read her thoughts.
"Yes, of course", Christine answered.
They chose the nearest bench and sat. Erik made an effort to ease the pain rubbing his leg. On the other hand, Christine was looking at him. She observed him for a few seconds. The Phantom was beside her. He hadn't changed much. The only difference was his mask. It was not white anymore but a mask in the color of the skin which was covering his entire face. Christine stopped looking at him. She didn't want him to catch her looking at his face.
"How is your leg?", she asked Erik curiously.
"Better. It hurts me some times, especially when I walk more than the usual".
"Maybe is better for you to return to the hotel. You still need rest. I can go alone to my house from here".
"No, no. The pain has also disappeared. Don't worry. Besides, I promised to escort you and I will do just this".
"But, are you sure? It seems that hurts a lot", she continued as she was looking the grimace on his face.
"Yes, I am. Please don't worry about me. I am already better", he said, releasing a breath.
Christine didn't say anything more. If he was saying that he was alright, then she would believe him. 'Now, what?', she thought. 'What can I possibly say to him? It's weird'.
Erik did the same thoughts on the other side of the bench. After so many years, they were sitting together on a bench, in Paris, where everything had started and he had no idea what he would tell her. He was surprised that she had accepted his offer to escort her home. If he was her, the least he would do was to run away and never talk to him again. Or in the worst scenario, she was screaming that he was the Phantom and the police would arrest him. 'No, stop', he said to himself. 'Stop thinking like this. Think something to tell her. After all, you volunteered to walk her home'.
"So…"
"How…", they said to each other at the same time.
"You first", Erik told her.
Christine wanted to make the question that was in her mind the first time she saw him in the Opera house. So she took a deep breath and asked the man beside her.
"How and why did you come here?"
Erik was prepared for this question. He couldn't blame her. She wanted to know.
"Monsieurs Firmin and Andre sent me an invitation in which they told me that it would be a great honor for them and for the Opera House, of course, to present one of my operas there".
"But, why you? There are so many other composers".
"To be honest, I don't know. But I am a famous composer you know and maybe they liked my music", he said with
"I am sorry if I offended you with my question".
"No offense. You wanted to ask your question and I answered".
The young woman nodded.
"Alright", she continued. "Your turn".
Erik smiled.
"Well, why are you here too? I don't believe that a Vicomtess like you has permission from her husband to work in the Opera House like a dancer".
Christine saw that his tone was a bit ironic. She couldn't open up to a man who was absent from her life for so many years. She thought him dead as everyone else but here he was, alive in front of her eyes. No, he hadn't any right to know.
"I needed a job", she just said. Christine knew that he wouldn't be persuaded but she couldn't give a better answer.
"Why a Vicomtess needs a job?", he asked again.
"Don't ask me more, please".
"I am sorry but I can't forget that day in the Opera House when I saw your husband. You weren't so happy to see him", he said in a calm tone.
Christine didn't answer. Erik thought that something was wrong. These two people were so much in love and now Christine didn't want to talk about Raoul? Something was definitely wrong but he didn't want to push her.
"You can make your next question, you know", Erik told her wanting to make her feel comfortable.
Christine let a small laugh.
"Well, where do you live?"
"Italy. It is a beautiful country you know. You should go one day".
"I have heard that is a beautiful place. Good for you".
Another pause.
"I suppose that your second question will be about my life these past ten years, right?", she asked him looking at his face.
Erik looked back at her. "I have no right to ask you such thing but…. can you blame me? The truth is that I am really, really curious about what happened these years as I am sure that you are curious too about it. So, yes, my question has to do with that. But only if you want to tell me".
Christine turned her head away from him and Erik saw a look of sadness on her face. When he was ready to change the subject, Christine spoke again.
"What do you want to know?", asked him, waiting for his response.
"Everything", he responded with a sincere smile on his lips.