Chapter 19

I don't own anything or anyone.

Everything. That single word rang into her head for a few seconds. Everything. That was what he had said.

"You don't want to know everything, trust me", Christine answered looking on the ground.

Erik looked at her quizzically.

"Why are you so…. sad? What happened to you?"

A quick thought crossed his mind at that moment.

"He didn't harm you, did he?", Erik asked with his gaze upon her.

"No", Christine answered. "He didn't cause any harm to me. Can we talk about something else, please?"

"Yes, of course", the Phantom responded. He didn't want to push her more. "So, what do you want to learn about me?"

"Everything", the young woman said, laughing all heartedly.

"Fair enough", he responded. "Well, as you know, I live in Italy. I am the manager of the opera house there and I have a partner, Nadir Khan. I received the manager's letter two months ago. The truth is that I couldn't decide what to do but eventually, I did. I took the train and here I am", he finished his narration and saw that Christine's eyes were upon him.

"Oh, I have a wonderful staff back to my home as well, who respects me and cares about me".

"That's nice", Christine said with a smile upon her lips. "I am happy to hear it".

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Christine was happy to hear that he moved on with his life. She had wondered so many times what could have happened to the former Phantom and now she had received her answer. Her thoughts interrupted by Erik.

"Do you want to continue our walk? My leg is much better now".

"Yes if you are sure", Christine said and both of them rose up from the bench.

They walked for a little while and soon they were in front of the house.

"Well, here we are", Christine said turning to Erik. "That was a nice walk. Thank you for escorting me".

"Don't mention it, it was my pleasure", he responded and taking her hand he let a soft kiss upon her knuckles. Christine felt her cheeks reddened for a while as she saw him walk away.

After two hours, Meg and Madame Giry returned home. Christine was waiting for them in the living room, reading one of her books. When she heard the door open, she lifted her head.

"Welcome home", she said with a warm smile on her lips as she stood to help them with the grocery bags.

"Thank you my dear", Madame Giry replied. "How are you? Rosalie?"

"We are both fine. She is asleep. What about you?"

"Everything is fine Christine", Meg answered to her friend. "Let's take the bags to the kitchen".

The two girls tidied up the food, made tea and then they walked towards the living room. Madame Giry joined them too.

"Why were you so late? I was expecting you earlier", Christine asked the two women.

"Ask Mama why", Meg told to her friend. "We were supposed to leave the Opera House one hour ago but then managers called her to their office. They were in there for about half an hour."

Christine looked Antoinette.

"Why? What did they want?"

Madame Giry let her cup on the table and looked the young woman. "They just wanted to know what Monsieur Destler thought about the party. I assured them that he was touched. Erik told me so. He loved it".

Christine smiled.

"And speaking of him", Madame Giry continued, "what happened with you two Christine? Meg told me that you left together".

The brunette lowered her eyes but she lifted her gaze almost immediately.

"We met at the entrance. I was ready to return home and he offered to escort me. I denied at first but he was insisted so I accepted his offer".

"And?", Meg asked with glowing eyes. "What happened after that?"

"Nothing Meg. We sat on a bench because his leg was hurting and …. talked. I can say that I learned some things about his life".

"You told him about….?", Meg asked again with curiosity.

"No. Actually, he told me that he wanted to know about my life. I was thinking to tell him some things but then I reconsidered. He didn't push me and changed the subject".

"Maybe it's too soon", Madame Giry said. "Don't think about it, my dear. You will tell him if and when you will be ready".

The older woman caressed Christine's cheek and went to her bedroom. The young ballerina was sure that she did the right thing.

Pierre Reneau loved the morning walks. He used to go to his office walking, enjoying the cool breeze of the air, regardless of the season. That morning he took his daily stroll. When he approached the Opera House, he recognized a familiar figure.

"Ah, good morning Monsieur Firmin, how are you?"

"I am fine, thank you, officer. What about you?"

"As you see I took my usual stroll. What can I say? Old habits remain my friend", Pierre said with a loud laugh.

"I agree with you", Firmin said too. "I was going to the Opera House, we have so many things to do today. Our new composer is very strict, you know. Oh, have you met Monsieur Destler"?

"I am afraid not. My employee told me that there is a famous composer in town but I haven't met him yet", Pierre told Firmin.

"Oh, that's a shame. Come with me and let me introduce you to him".

Firmin was ready to climb up the stairs, sure that the officer would follow him. But Pierre didn't move.

"No, it's not necessary, besides you have rehearsals to do".

"Nonsense, it will not take long".

Pierre didn't have any choice so he followed Firmin inside the Opera House. They went straight to Erik's office. Firmin knocked on the door.

"Come in", a deep voice was heard behind it.

Firmin opened the door and saw Erik with his back to him. He was so absorbed in the paper he was holding in his hands that he didn't even look at his visitors.

"Monsieur Destler, I am sorry for the interruption but I would like you to meet someone".

Erik lifted his head.

"Is that so urgent? I don't want to be rude but I am a little busy now".

"It will not take long, I promise", Firmin said.

"Alright, come in".

Erik stood behind his desk and saw Firmin with another man enter the office. The new man was not as tall as Firmin but his face was serious.

"Monsieur Destler, let me introduce you to the officer Pierre Reneau".

His mind fogged. 'Officer? Did he say, officer? Does he know who I am?'

Multiple thoughts crossed Phantom's mind but he managed to make a handshake with Pierre.

"A pleasure to meet you, officer Reneau", Erik said to the man across from him.

"The pleasure is mine Monsieur Destler. We are sorry to interrupt your work. Richard was insisting to meet each other".

"It's alright officer, don't think about it. Unfortunately, I can't stay long because the rehearsals are in progress".

"Oh, of course, Monsieur. I have to go as well. It was a pleasure to meet you".

Pierre stretched his hand for a handshake and Erik took it.

"It would be an honor for us if you could be present at our premiere. I will send you an invitation", Erik said to the man in front of him.

"Thank you Monsieur Destler."

Richard escorted the officer outside the office and Erik left a breath of relief.

'That was close', he thought. He took his music and exited the office. As he walked, he met Madame Giry.

"Bonjour Erik. Are you going to the rehearsals?"

"Bonjour Madame. Yes. I am a bit late because I had a brief meeting with officer Reneau".

"Officer Reneau? What was he doing here?", Antoinette asked a little worried.

"Firmin wanted me to meet him. He brought him to my office and we had a little talk. When I heard the word 'officer' I almost fainted".

"I can see", Antoinette answered. "At least he wanted only to meet you. Don't worry he won't come back soon".

"I hope so. Oh, I had some wonderful news. My partner, Nadir Khan, will arrive in Paris in a few days".

"Really? Good for you Erik. You will have one friend here. Besides me, of course", she said and the Phantom laughed out loud. "But why is he coming?"

"I wrote to him when I first saw Christine. I panicked Antoinette", he said as he saw Madame Giry's gaze. "I needed his help and Nadir thought that it would be best if he would be here with me".

"Maybe he is right", the woman beside him said. "It's not so bad to have a friend here, I guess".

Erik nodded and entered the auditorium. The rehearsals lasted all day. They had made remarkable progress and Erik was really happy. He looked at Christine's direction many times but she was absorbed into her dance. Everything was going perfectly. The only shadow in his mind was Pierre Reneau's appearance but he tried to block this thought and focus on his job. He was sure that the premiere would be sublime.

She was exhausted. The ballet mistress had returned home with Christine and Meg and the only thing she wanted was to lie down. But she felt satisfied and happy. Satisfied with her girls who made incredible progress in rehearsals and happy about Erik, because he managed to socialize with people and because he had made his dream come true. He had managed to become a marvelous composer and conductor. His opera was magnifique and Antoinette was sure that all Parisians would come to see it. She was proud of him. As the older woman walked to her bed, she saw the edge of an envelope come out from her bag's opening.

"I forgot about that", she told herself. She sat in front of her boudoir and opened the envelope. Her name was written on it with delicate handwriting. Antoinette Giry opened it and read the letter.

My dearest friend,

I couldn't stop holding your letter from the very moment I read it. Is it true? Can I hope again? I can't believe that this happens. I was crying all night from happiness. My dearest Antoinette, you are like a sister to me. You gave me encouragement and support when I had none. And now you gave me the most wonderful news. All these years of waiting were worth it. I want to come there and see with my own eyes that it's true. I can't wait any longer. Write to me more things if you can. The sooner the better.

Your grateful friend,

Elinor

"Oh, what will I do?", Antoinette whispered to herself holding the letter tight on her chest.