I was sitting by myself in one of the red velvet audience chairs, looking out at the large stage in front of me. 

The Royal Albert Hall was truly one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen, and I found it even more extravagant than Carnegie Hall in New York. 

Unfortunately, though, it was also one of the most overwhelming places I had ever been to, so I was having a hard time adjusting to the grandeur of it all.

It seemed like hours had passed until I heard distant footsteps on the stage, which caused my head to perk up in response. 

A silhouette slowly emerged from the shadows, and my breath hitched in my throat as soon as I saw the distinct white mask.

The light fell upon the exposed side of Ramin's handsome face, and I could see his brow furrowed behind the mask. 

"Avery," he said softly. "What are you doing out here by yourself?"

"Nothing," I replied quickly while standing up from my seat. "I was just...admiring the place."

He tilted his head the slightest bit, nonverbally telling me that he was unconvinced. 

I ignored his questioning gaze and put on my best smile. 

"I should get back to work," I said with a nod. "Good day to you, Ramin."

Just as I began to walk away, however, I heard Ramin faintly say, "Wait."

All my instincts told me to keep walking, but my foolish heart took over and made me glance over my shoulder at him. 

His expression was caring as he gestured for me to come onto the stage.

I inhaled sharply, but I eventually got my legs to move toward him and up the side stairs. 

Once I was close enough, I asked, "Is there a problem?"

"No," Ramin shook his head. "I am merely wondering why you seem so tense. Did something happen backstage that I should know about?"

His tone became slightly protective as he said the last few words, and I was a bit surprised at the sudden change. 

I quickly gathered myself, however, and said, "I promise there's nothing going on. I'm fine."

"Are you sure?" he pressed, his voice returning back to its soft tone. "Your eyes tell a different story."

Nice going, a voice chided in my head. You always have to wear your heart on your sleeve.

I eventually bit my lip and relented. 

"Fine," I sighed. "I'm overwhelmed by this atmosphere. I've never been good with change, but this is a whole different level. I don't feel like I can relax at all, and I'm extremely stressed because of it."

I paused to take a deep breath, then whispered, "I'm scared that I'm never going to get used to this; that I'm going to fail at everything I've worked so hard for."

Tears started to prick at the corner of my eyes, and I turned away from him in shame. 

You are pathetic! the same voice yelled. Have you learned nothing?

I was expecting Ramin to leave because of my awkward reaction, but I was proven wrong when I suddenly felt his hand wrap around my wrist. 

His grip was incredibly gentle, giving the impression that he wasn't even touching me. 

That must be the Phantom in him, I thought to myself.

Ramin turned me around to face him and brushed a stray tear away. 

"You're not the only one who gets overwhelmed in these situations," he said quietly. "Anybody who works in this business knows that it's a very trying job, so I understand what you're feeling."

"You?" I asked in disbelief. "But...you get on stage and perform every night to hundreds of people. I can't even handle loud noises without being overwhelmed."

He softly smiled at me, then admitted, "You'd be surprised at how nervous I get before a show, especially big performances like this."

My body relaxed immensely at his words, and I felt a small smile creeping up on my lips. 

"You're really sweet, Ramin," I said, shyly looking away from him. "I can understand why everyone likes you so much."

Ramin hooked his fingers under my chin and turned my head back toward him. 

"I'm always here to help," he assured. "You don't have to look very far for me."

His kindness made my heart leap in my chest, and I suddenly had an urge to touch the side of his mask, but I resisted and kept my hand at my side. 

He seemed to notice the slight twitch of my fingers, however, and asked, "What is it?"

"Sorry," I muttered while blushing in embarrassment. "I just...I've never seen your face behind that mask. I'm a bit curious, to be honest."

Ramin brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, took a few steps back, then carefully slid his mask and wig off, revealing the Phantom's true form:

I think he was expecting me to be scared, but I felt no such thing. 

Instead, my eyes looked over his unique face with wonder, similar to what Christine felt. 

His soft, chocolate-brown eyes were enough to make any girl's heart melt, and I knew immediately that he had become the object of my affections in that moment. 

I was still hesitant about touching his cheek, but that was only because I didn't want to ruin his makeup at all.

Ramin took it as a sign of fear, though, and caressed my arm with his fingertips. 

"Don't be frightened," he whispered. "I promise this isn't real."

I was so stunned by his words that I couldn't speak at first, but I gathered myself back up and said, "I'm not scared of you, Ramin. I just don't want to mess up your look somehow."

He stepped closer to me and took my hand in his. 

"Go ahead," he smiled gently. "It's okay."

I took a deep breath, then pressed my palm against his cheek. 

As soon as my skin came in contact with Ramin's, an electric shock went through my body in the blink of an eye, almost as if he had woken me up from a trance. 

I carefully traced his fake scars with my fingertips, trying not to tear the prosthetics open.

He laid his larger hand over mine and interlocked our fingers together with an affectionate smile. 

"I'm glad I didn't scare you," he joked. "Most people think I'm terrifying if they see me without the mask for the first time."

"You'd think that they'd learn by now, especially when they're working on a story such as this," I sighed. "They need to see the person underneath, not the physical appearance."

"Their opinions don't matter to me," Ramin shook his head. "I only hoped for you to see me as I am."

"Me?" I asked. "Why me?"

"Because you are the kindest, most loving woman I have ever met," he replied, leaning into my hand a bit more. "You remind me so much of Christine, and just like Erik, I've never been more drawn to a person than you."

I was so touched that I didn't respond immediately, and Ramin took the opportunity to kiss me deeply. 

My eyes widened, but I quickly melted into his touch and moved closer to him.

He slowly pulled back after a few moments, leaning our foreheads together. 

"I love you, my Angel," he whispered, placing a feather-light kiss on the bridge of my nose.

I smiled and said, "I love you more, my Opera Ghost."