"Hey, Sis? Can I have a word with you?" Called out Valentina's little sister as the woman stood up from her spot and joined her sister in the break room. Her little sister was practically a spitting image of their mother since they both had blonde though hers was red fading into soft blonde, and an orange eye since her right one was covered by her bangs, the color of bronze and mahogany skin but with a few beauty marks under the corner of her eyes. She wore a black and red pinstripe suit with a blood red tie, matching pants and black pumps.

"What is it you wished to speak to me about, Serena?" She asked as Serena handed her sister a small envelope that caused Valentina's breath to hitch. It was written in neat yet cursive handwriting with red ink as it was addressed to her. "I found it on my desk this morning. I figured since it was addressed to you, I should give it to you." She explained, watching her sister's reaction. "Thanks sis, I'll do it later when I'm in my office." Said Valentina as she placed the envelope in her purse. "Good thing that guy, Arno isn't here to bother us. He just can't seem to take 'no' for an answer." Serena growled out, referring to the new agent hailing from France who would not leave the sisters alone, despite their mother's warnings.

"Agreed. He's the worst!" She complained as she stood up and walked into her private office. Once she was in, she sunk down into her black comfy leather chair and took out the envelope from her purse. It was cream colored with a red seal. Picking up her letter opener, she carefully cut the underside of the seal and lifted the flap of the envelope, getting the letter inside. She opened the neatly folded note gently as not to rip it by mistake. She started reading the note throughly as she smiled softly at what it said, her cheeks turned a shy shade of red.

'My dear Valentina- I enjoyed our duet last night. You sung so beautifully, almost as if a angel blessed you with such a sweet voice.. I wish to hear more of it. When I heard you crying in your sleep, it broke me, my angel of music to hear that sweet voice I adore whimper and tears staining that pretty face.
Your Opera ghost, Carmen❤️'

She pressed the note to her chest and swooned softly into her hand. For a strange reason, she felt like she was succumbing to the phantom's charms. She shook her head and placed the note in a small black box, latching the top of the box closed and proceeded to write a few reports down, sorting out the finances of the agency and looking over potential agents from Interpol. She heard the phone ring as she placed the receiver on her ear. "ACME agency, this is Valentina Irene Fraser." She said in her usual professional tone.

"No, Arno, I'm not interested in a date with you, Good day." She hung up with pure unbridled rage. Valentina had no time to date due to her job and she hated when men didn't seem to realize was that she was busy. It disgusted her, to be honest. She thought back to last night when she met Carmen as she remembered something that their father told her before he died. He promised Valentina that when he died, he would send an Angel of Music for her to protect her when she was 9 years old and Serena was 7 years old. She felt like she knew Carmen back then.. she shook her head, knowing that was impossible for someone to be the person whom their deceased loved one sent!

She sighed softly as she walked to the window, looking at the clear blue sky. Her father's eyes were a shade of blue, reminding her of December skies with a mix of darker blue. She didn't even want to remember how he died.. she shivered slightly, her eyes glittering with unshed tears. The guilt of not saving him in time just broke her when her Ex shot him dead and the hospital not doing anything to save him.. That was her private reason to help people get justice. Regardless of what happened when she was 19, it still stung as it felt fresh in her mind.

She didn't want to fall in love again, as she was afraid someone she loved would die if she did. Of course, No-one blamed her for what happened to him. Her father was a selfless man, one that her mother fell for. Reaching up to her neck, she pulled out a small silver necklace from underneath her suit's undershirt, hidden with her tie. It was a 18th birthday gift from him as he knew she loved blue jewelry. The silver necklace had a heart shaped turquoise stone with little carnelians surrounding it.

It was said to protect others from falling walls/ buildings and break ancient curses. She smiled faintly, her father loved her, just as she loved him. She wished vaguely that it was all a bad dream and her father was alive and well.. just once. She stifled back a cry, covering her mouth with her fist. Unfortunately, she knew it wasn't fake and instead, it was real. Reluctantly, she tore herself away from the window and went back to her desk, immediately thinking of the phantom that had unknowingly to her, stolen her heart.

That night after work, Valentina went to the opera house after changing into a dress that was the color of the forest with sleeves that reached to her mid-elbow and accented with gold. Around her neck was her necklace that her father had given her and a pair of shamrock colored slip-ons. She opened the door and didn't see her phantom friend/crush. She continued walking underneath the opera and found her staring at the window. "Carmen? What seems to be the problem?" She softly asked, walking over to her.

"Oh, Valentina.. what are you doing to me?" She mumbled, not noticing the woman's presence. The blonde haired woman tilted her head to the side, listening. "Your making me feel so many things, my rose.. I still don't understand, what do you see in me? I'm a monster, someone who is unworthy of your affections.. I wish I could be the person you adored.." she then turned around, seeing Valentina. "I said that out loud didn't I?" She said as the woman nodded her head yes to the flustered phantom. She let out soft curses underneath her breath in French that caused her to giggle.

"I apologize if you heard me, Valentina.. I didn't mean to sound creepy or anything! It's just-" Valentina raised her hand to cut her off and smiled. "It's ok, Carmen. Although, I wasn't expecting you to like me. But, I will need real proof you like me." The phantom's eyes glittered at the promise that if she completed whatever it was that Valentina wanted done, she would be hers. "Yes, anything, My rose!" She said, her eyes meeting her icy blue ones. That earned a pleased hum from the woman as she walked around her, watching her reactions.

"Here." She said, handing her a small red-gold bracelet. In the center of the bracelet was a pink rose quartz surrounded by tiny amethysts.  "These gems represents soulmates and act as communication devices. I have one too, incase something happens to me." She said pointing to a silver bracelet which also had the same stones as Carmen's on her wrist. "See you next night?" The woman nodded her head yes. Valentina walked out of the opera house, conflicted about her feelings for Carmen. Once she reached home, she got out of her dress, shoes and jewelry.

She didn't bother with writing in her diary and curled up in the covers. In the middle of the night, she woke up with a loud bang. The noises stopped when Valentina shook herself out of her tired state, grabbing her taser which was a gift from her mother from her drawer. She crept downstairs to the door and stopped at the knob. She was scared, what if the intruder was armed? Her mind went to a certain masked individual. She pulled open the door and looked for a burglar, heading down to her living room. She turned on the lights and was shocked.

"Valentina?" The woman in front of her blinked twice as she lowered her taser. "Carmen? What in the world are you doing in my house?" She asked, as the phantom looked at her though the slits of her usual opera mask. "I apologize for barging in unannounced, but I spotted someone about to break into your home." She explained to her angel as Valentina was surprised. "About to break into my home?" She repeated, her heart racing in her chest. Carmen death-glared sideways and grabbed the robber who was properly tied up into a sitting position.

"This young man was about to rob your house and possibly hurt you in the process! Goodness, doesn't your mother provide any security or something!?" Valentina could feel her cheeks heating up. The phantom of the opera, Carmen dealt with a robber for her and she's concerned? "Are you Alright, My angel? Were you scared when you heard the bang?" She asked, holding her cheeks and examining her face. "A little.. I was frightened because I thought someone got hurt.." she replied with honesty.

She watched as Carmen dragged the robber out of her house. She heard her hushed death threats before the man nodded and ran away. Stepping into the house, Carmen sat down on the couch. "Thank you for dealing with him." She whispered under her breath. The phantom smiled at her before she felt the blonde place herself in her lap. "Don't risk your life for me like that again, I was so scared that you were hurt just for protecting me!" She scolded her before her cheeks turned into a deep red color. "Fuck it." Carmen was about to ask what she meant by that before feeling her lips on her own.

She felt like her soul was on fire in the flames of love as Valentina felt like she was soaring with the doves and slowly being corrupted by her dark and mysterious aura that she radiated. Carmen pressed her lips harder, causing the beauty in her lap to moan as she swallowed the sweet sound. The two of them were breathing heavily as the phantom studied her face. Her pupils were blown wide, contrasting with the icy irises, her lips were bruised and had red lipstick smeared a little bit on her upper lip.

Carmen's heart started beating so violently in her chest from seeing her like that. "My angel, that was a wonderful kiss.." she admitted with a deep blush.

"Agreed, My love." That word caused her eyes to widen in shock as she gently placed the woman on the ground. "I need to head back to the opera. See you next night." She said, leaving out through the window.

Valentina now knew of her feelings towards a certain phantom woman. She was smitten with her and wanted to have a good chance to confess to her. But, she was afraid she driven the woman away from her and went back to her room to get some sleep. Carmen was shocked and in disbelief, The woman she had grown to love returned her feelings! She practically skipped back to her opera house happily.

But, she needed to be certain that Valentina truly returned her feelings. She couldn't risk getting hurt again.