Christine

Weeks passed and my embarrassment grew less and less. Thankfully, Erik didn't tease me anymore. Though he did smirk a few times. 

I now lived fully at Erik's house, returning every night. During the weekday, I'd venture up to the Opera house. I no longer needed Erik's help to find my way. In the evening, I'd venture home. Erik would always see me off and hug me when I returned. 

I began to feel something warm and fuzzy inside whenever that happened, I wondered what was happening but didn't tell Erik...

It was some time later that Erik said he was going to visit an old friend.

I asked who but he merely kissed me on the cheek and said farewell. 

"I shall miss you, my Christine." He had whispered. 

"And I you Erik." I had replied softly. 

"Goodbye, Goodbye, parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say goodbye till it be morrow." He called as he departed. 

So he had read Romeo and Juliet, had he? I thought he only read sorrow-filled things. I didn't think he liked romances.

I decided to go to the Opera House and take a walk around the grounds. It was Sunday so no one was working. 

I arrived on the grounds some minutes later, and breathed in the fresh air. No matter how much I loved the dark mystery and charm of Erik's home, you could not beat fresh, flowery air.

I walked toward the flower gardens, then a voice interrupted me and a hand was put on my shoulder.

"Christine, hello!"

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Erik

I walked towards Nadir Khan's residence and knocked on the door.

Nadir opened the door a small crack. "May I ask who it is?" He asked softly.

"Need I tell you?" I asked. 

"Come in, Erik." He sighed, opening the door.

"So...What brings you by?" He turned to face me in the lounge.

"Can I not drop in on you?" I asked innocently. "What do you need?" He asked tiredly. 

"Why do you think I need something? Why can I not just want to see you?" I complained. "You aren't like that." Nadir stated. "Am I not?" I felt a little insulted. "No, you cannot." 

"I do not need anything, truly! I just wished to see you." I tried again. "Now I know something is wrong!" Nadir laughed. 

"I...I just wish to talk to you." I stated softly.

"Alright, Erik. How have you been?" He asked, sitting down in a plush red chair. I did likewise.

"Well, I have a woman living with me."

"Erik, I believe you have finally lost your marbles." Nadir commented.

"Never mind."  I grumbled and stood up, about to leave.

"Aw, Erik, come now! Tell me your story." Nadir said with an apologetic smile.

"Well...." I began.

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Christine

"Hello Raoul." I said tiredly.

"Whatever is the matter, Christine?" He asked, looking concerned. How could I tell him he was the problem?

"Oh, I am just tired." I finally lied.  "Oh? Are the managers overworking you? I could ask them to stop..." He offered. Why couldn't he take a hint? If I fainted, would he go away? No...He'd probably carry me to his house. Then Erik would get worried and everyone else would too.

Stupid man.

"Christine? Are you all right? You seem very tired." He stated, full of concern. "I told you, I am tired." I repeated with a hint of annoyance. 

"Are you tired because of the Opera Ghost? Is he frightening you so much that you are exhausted?" He asked, touching my face. I resisted the urge to swat him. Wait, why did I want to swat him? Why did I find him so annoying? 

"Christine, you do not seem well. Is there anywhere I can take you?" He asked. 

"Mme. Giry's. " I said immediately. I had a few questions for them. Perhaps they could help me?

"Of course. Do you wish me to carry you?" He asked. "No, I am fine to walk, thank you." I replied. 

We walked to Mme. Giry's then he left me. 

"Madame?" I called. "She's not here, Christine." Meg called and gave me a hug. "Long time no see!" She said, "How did the Truth or Dare go?" She asked. 

That reminded me. "Horrible. Why would you write such awful dares and truths?" I exploded. 

"You embarrassed yourself, didn't you?" She snickered. "We both did." I mumbled. 

"Which reminds me, who did you play with, where do you go after work, and why don't you visit me anymore?!" She screamed. 

I'd  hurt my best friend's feelings.

"This is going to be a long story..." I warned. "Tell it." Meg commanded.

I began to tell my tale. 

Starting with who I was staying with and then all the rest, ending with the explanation of my annoyance with Raoul. I asked her what she thought and why I thought him so annoying.

Meg smirked.

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Erik

"So, you have an attractive young lady in your house, whom you are in love with?" He questioned with an eyebrow raised.

"Yes." I said exasperated. Why had I wanted to tell Nadir this?

"And you think she loves you back, or is falling for you?" Why was he asking stupid questions? What was the purpose of them?

"And you think that she is, at the present, at your home, waiting for you?" He inquired. 

"Yes." I was losing my temper.

"Then whatever are you doing here? You should be at home with Christine. Go, go to her, Romeo!" Nadir exclaimed. 

Nadir was the only reason I had read Romeo and Juliet, having told me about it years ago. He tried to read it to me years ago, but at that time I was composing and couldn't be bothered to listen. The only reason I read it was because he kept harping on about it. 

I had actually loved Romeo and Juliet, though I'd never tell Nadir that! It was such a beautiful story...

"Go, Erik!" Nadir said again. 

"Alright, Nadir." I sighed and got up.

"And come back any time! We simply must do this again soon!" He called as I departed.

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Christine

"It sounds to me like you are in love with The Phantom of the Opera!" She giggled. Could I be?

Could I be in love with Erik? 

"What?" I squeaked. "You are in love with him! All the signs are there! Feeling safe with him, getting embarrassed, flushing, finding other suitors a waste of time! You love The Phantom! Wait till I tell mother! Wait till I get her to tell The Phantom!" She giggled.

"No! Don't! Please!" I begged. "As your best friend, I ask you not to!" I pleaded.

"Fine." She pouted.

"When is your love supposed to return?" Meg asked. "I am not sure...soon..." I answered. 

"Then get yourself back to his lair! Don't you want him to have someone to come home to?" Meg ordered. "Oh, and make dinner for him!" She added.

I nodded and ran out the door. 

Back home.

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Erik

I came home to the smell of cooking. It smelled wonderful.

"Hi Erik!" Christine greeted me with a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi." I murmured. 

"Dinner is on the table." Christine stated. "Oh? What did you make?" I inquired. "French Onion Soup." She replied with a dazzling smile. 

"Come on, let's eat." She pulled me to the dining table. 

She served us then sat down. I sat too and started eating. 

"Erik, is that all you're going to eat? Come on! There is so much left!" Christine complained. 

"I am just not hungry..." I tried.

"Please, eat! You must eat!" She looked so sad and distressed.

"Oh, all right." I grumbled and ate more. It was good, I am just used to not eating much.

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Christine

"So, how was you day?" I asked, sitting across from Erik. "Fine, and yours?" He asked. "Fine." I replied. 

"What did you do?" Erik inquired. "I went for a walk then visited with Meg." I answered, "And you?" 

"I visited with a friend." He replied. "Who?" I asked. "Nadir Khan, remind me to tell you about him later." He commented.

"Of Course." I said.

For some reason, I longed to be in Erik's lap. So I stood up and sat in his lap. "Wha-" He gasped in surprise, putting the book he'd been reading aside. "What were you reading?" I mused, looking at the cover-Jane Eyre!

"You're reading romances now?" I smirked. "I have decided to try your books." He said simply. 

"Ah." I nodded.

He pulled me closer, I snuggled into his embrace.

Maybe I was falling for The Phantom of the Opera after all