Rachel's POV

After settling in, I hear footsteps outside my door. I quickly head over to the chaise lounge and cover myself with a plush, pale pink blanket. There was a click of a key and the door opened, spreading candlelight into the room. I open my eyes slowly, as if I just woke up. Who stood there was not at all who I expected.

It was Madame Giry.

"How are you doing dear?" She asked.

"Just wonderful," I reply.

"Where were you?" Madame Giry interrogated.

"You know Erik Destler correct?" I question back.

She looked taken aback by this, but she regained composure.

"Yes I'm well acquainted with Monsieur Destler," she answered.

"I know who he is and how his childhood was," I tell her, "You don't have to spare me."

"He brought you down to his home didn't he," Madame Giry stated.

"That is correct," I answer, "I plan to move in with him soon enough."

"You mustn't," she snapped.

"Why ever not?" I ask.

"You might gain suspicions," Madame Giry says in a harsh whisper, "The other ballerinas, or "ballet rats" as Monsieur Destler calls them, will ask questions and attempt to follow you."

"But, I told him I would..."

"I'm not saying not at all," she interrupts, "Just not now. You can start off with a visit, since you two seem to get along well."

"How do you know all of this?" I ask her.

"He came to me just after eight o'clock, telling me how he's so happy to have you as a friend."

Well that was fast. Well if Erik has tunnels all over the Opera House, then he probably is able to go from one side to the other in less than five minutes when it takes everyone else on the surface a good fifteen minutes to a half an hour.

"What else did he say?" I inquire, intrigued.

"That he finds you to be more than he's ever imagined the night he met you. He said he felt safe and secure when you are around. It is because not many don't turn away in horror if they catch a glimpse at his face. You are the newest light in his life. He is so grateful to you."

"I'm glad to have help him," I reply.

"I'll tell everyone you were "sick" and can't come to rehearsal," Madame Giry says with a wink.

I laugh at the rebellious streak from the always serious Antoinette Giry. I decide to write down a plan on some stationary, to help plan out how to set sail a ship I typically usually tend to sink. As soon as the quill pen hit the paper though, I started to write lyrics to a song. Being the songwriter I am, I usually think about recent experiences.

The night I first met you
You were walking through the door
As I was wishing and hoping
For life to give me more
You then introduced me to a brand new world
At that moment my heart was set awhirl

The way you smiled made me feel my soul was anew
I felt a glow, a spark of love I longed to give to you
But we were just kids trying to make it out alive
We looked before we lept and then we dived

Headfirst in love
As deep as an ocean
The way you left me
Filled with devotion
And then as soon as it begun
We parted ways and that small moment was done
We floated and flew
We reached for the stars
If only I knew
Who you really are
Then I rose from the ashes
Like a bird of fire
And then my heart, my love
Felt as rare as a sapphire

Putting my first encounter with Erik Destler to words, let alone lyrics, was hard since it defied description. It titled the paper, or song, "Sapphire" and slipped it into the drawer in the vanity underneath a punch of clothes right next to my necklace. I'll just relax for the day I guess. I then started writing out a plan for real this time.

Third Person POV

In the office of the opera house, the new managers Andre and Firmin were discussing the disappearance of the new soprano.

Firmin speaks to himself, "Mystery after gala night
It says mystery of soprano's flight
Mystified all the papers say
We are mystified, we suspect foul play
Bad news on soprano's scene
First Carlotta now Christine
Still, at least, the seats get sold
Gossip's worth its weight in gold
Diva tenders resignation
Cover does a moonlight flit
Half your cast disappears but the crowd still cheers
Opera!
To hell with Gluck and Handel
Have a scandal and you're sure to have a hit!"

Andre storms into the room with an envelope with a noticeable red skull wax seal on it.
"Damnable!" Andre interrupts Firmin
"Will they all walk out?
This is damnable!"

"Andre please don't shout!" Firmin shushes Andre,
"It's publicity!
And the take is vast
Free publicity!"

"But we have no cast!" Andre interrupted yet again.

"Andre, have you seen the queue?" Firmin asks,
"Ah, it seems you've got one too."

Andre begins to read.

"Dear Andre what a charming gala,
Christine was, in a word, sublime
We were hardly bereft when Carlotta left
On that note, the diva's a disaster, must you cast her when she's seasons past her prime!?!

Firmin reads his note as well.

"Dear, Firmin
Just a brief reminder
My salary has not been paid
Send it care of the ghost by return of post
P.T.O
No one likes a debtor so it's better if my orders are obeyed!"

Both managers start singing, and questioned who could've sent them those notes.

"Who would have the gall to send this?
Someone with a puerile brain."

"These are both signed O.G." Firmin observes.

"Who the hell is he?" Andre asks angrily.

They both realize at the same time.

"Opera Ghost!"

Firmin states, "It's nothing short of shocking."

"He is mocking our position!" Andre adds in frustration.

"In addition he wants money!" Firmin grumbles.

"What a funny apparition!" Andre yells sarcastically.

They both sing, "To expect a large retainer
Nothing plainer, he is clearly quite insane!"

At that instant, Raoul bursts into the room waving another one of the iconic envelopes.

"Where is she?" Raoul asks, practically shouting.

"You mean Carlotta?" Firmin asks.

A/N: Why did he think of Carlotta? Why would Raoul ask for Carlotta when he doesn't even like her? That was one thing I didn't understand with these managers. Okay I'll shut up and let you continue with the story.

"I mean Miss Daae
Where is she?" Raoul asks yet again.

"Well how should we know?" Andre fires back.

Raoul shoots back with venom in his voice, "I want an answer!
I take it that you sent me this note!"

"What's all this nonsense?" Firmin asks to himself.

"Of course not!" Andre answers to Raoul.

"Don't look at us!" Firmin directs the blame away from him and Andre.

"She's not with you then?" Raoul questions.

"Of course not!" Andre answers again.

"We're in the dark!" Firmin states, just as confused as Raoul.

"Monsieur dont argue!" Raoul orders, "Isn't this the letter you wrote?"

Firmin then asks, "And what is it that we're meant to have wrote?" He then realized his mistake in grammar and quickly corrects his mistake, "Written!"

Andre then begins to read the third note left by the Phantom of the Opera.

"Do not fear for Miss Daae
The angel of music has her under his wing.
Make no attempt to see her again."

"If you didn't write it, then who did?" Raoul asks with a shocked expression on his face.

Then Carlotta burst into the room with Piangi in tow, bringing even more drama.

"Where is he?" Carlotta screams.

"Ah, welcome back!" Firmin greets.

"Your precious patron
Where is he?" Carlotta asks at the top of her lungs.

"What is it now?" Raoul asks dramatically.

"I have your letter," Carlotta states, "A letter which I rather resent."

"And did you send it?" Firm in asks Raoul.

"Of course not!" Raoul answers in order to defend himself.

"As if he would!" Andre agrees with Raoul.

"You didn't send it?" Carlotta asks.

"Of course not!" Raoul answers again, calmer this time.

"What's going on?" Firmin asks to no one in particular.

"You dare to tell me that this is not the letter you sent?" Carlotta questions.

"And what is it that I'm meant to have sent?" Raoul asks Carlotta as he begins to read the fourth note, "Your days at the Opera Populaire are numbered
Rachel Daae..."

"Rachel Daae!" Carlotta shrieks.
Raoul continues,"...will be singing on your behalf tonight
Be prepared for a great misfortune
Should you attempt to take her place."

Firmin and Andre regain composure and start to sing.

"Far too many notes for my taste
And most of them about Rachel
All we've heard since we came is Miss Daae's name--!"

Then Madame Giry steps into the room, followed by both Meg and Christine. In her hand was yet another envelope.

"Miss Daae has returned," Madame Giry told everyone.

"I hope no worse for wear as far as we're concerned," Firmin said.

"Where precisely is she now?" Andre asked.

"I thought it best she was alone," Madame Giry explained.

"She needed rest," Meg and Christine added.

"May I see her?" Raoul asked, worried for the girl he loved like a sister.

"No, Monsieur," Madame Giry answered, "She will see no one."

"Will she sing, will she sing?" Piangi and Carlotta ask.

"Here, I have a note," Madame Giry reveals the envelope to the others.

"Let me see it!" Andre, Carlotta, and Raoul demand. Firmin reaches for the note.

"Please," he asks as Madame Giry gives him the note.

"Gentlemen," Firmin reads,
"I have now sent you several notes of the most amiable nature
Detailing how my theatre is to be run
You have not..."

As he reads our Phantom's voice continues as Firmin's fades out.

"followed my instructions
I shall give you one last chance"

The opera ghost sings the rest of the demands in hopes that everyone in the room will heed his warnings.

"Rachel Daae has returned to you
And I am anxious her career should progress
In the new production of Il Muto
You will therefore cast Carlotta as the pageboy
And put Miss Daae in the role of Countess
The role which Miss Daae plays calls for charm and appeal
The role of the pageboy is silent, which makes my casting, in a word, ideal."

The Phantom speaks his final warning.

"I shall watch the performance from my normal seat in box five
Which will be kept empty for me
Should these commands be ignored
A disaster beyond your imagination will occur
I remain, gentlemen, your obedient servant
O.G."

"Rachel!" Carlotta screams.

"Whatever next?" Andre asks.

"It's all a plot to help Rachel!" Carlotta shrieks face getting redder by the second.

"This is insane..." Firmin grumbles.

"I know who sent this:
The Vicomte -- her lover!" Carlotta thinks as she noticed Rachel and Raoul were in the dressing room for a long time the night before.

"Indeed?" Raoul says dripping in sarcasm, "Can you believe this?"

"Signora!" Andre tries to calm the banshee.

"O traditori!" Carlotta screams.

"This is a joke!" Firmin shouts,

"This changes nothing!" Andre yells.

"O menititori!" Carlotta cries.

"Signora!" Firmin quiets her like a father would a spoiled child.

"You are our star!" Andre sucks up to her as well.

"And always will be!" Firm in finishes.

"Signora..." Andre starts.

"This man is mad!" Firmin tells her.

"We don't take orders!" Andre shouts in defiance towards the Opera Ghost.

"Miss Daae will be playing the pageboy -- the silent role..." Firm in calms the former Prima Donna.

"Carlotta will be playing the lead!" Andre and Firmin say together.

"It's useless trying to appease me!" Carlotta tries to see any lies in their statements,
You're only saying this to please me!
Signori, e vero?
Non, non, non voglio udire!
Lasciatemi morire!
O padre mio!
Dio!"

"Who scorn his word, beware to those..." Madame Giry starts.

"You have reviled me!" Carlotta shouts yet again.

"The angel sees, the angel knows..." Madame Giry continues.

"You have rebuked me!" Carlotta shrieks.

"Signora, pardon us..." Andre and Firmin practically are begging at this point.

"You have replaced me!" Carlotta cries.

"Please, Signora
We beseech you..." They are all but on their knees bowing, laying at her feet, begging like dogs would a piece of leftover meat.

"This hour shall see your darkest fears," Madame Giry warns.

"I must see her..." Meg, Raoul and Christine say in unison.

"Abbandonata!
Deseredata!
O, sventurata!" Carlotta screams again.
(Madame Giry)
"The angel sees, the angel hears..." Madame Giry tries to warn them of the consequences of the foolish decision they are about to make.

"Where did she go...?" Raoul asks Madame Giry.

"Abbandonata!
Disgraziata!" Carlotta yells.

"Signora, sing for us!
Don't be a martyr..." The managers grovel to Carlotta, trying to get her to sing.

"What new surprises lie in store...?" Raoul, Madame Giry, Meg, and Christine ask to themselves.

"Our star!" Andre and Firmin try again.

"Non vo' cantar!" Carlotta wails in anger back to them.

"Your public needs you," Andre says.

"We need you too," Firmin also tries to convince her.

"Wouldn't you rather have your precious little ingenue?" Carlotta asks, finally calmed down.

"Signora no!" The managers reassure her, "The World wants you."

Andre and Firmin start the sing.

"Prima Donna first lady of the stage
Your devotees are on their knees to implore you."

"Can you bow out when they're shouting your name?" Sang this question to Carlotta.

"Think of how they all adore you," Firmin tells her.

The y sing the next line together.

"Prima donna enchant us once again."

"Think of your muse," Andre begins.

"And all your queues 'round the theatre!" Firmin finishes.

"Can you deny us the triumph in store?" Andre and Firmin both ask.

"Sing Prima Donna once more," Both the managers and Piangi beckon for her to sing.

"Christine spoke of an angel," Raoul sings quietly to himself, trying to click the pieces together.

Carlotta then sings in her over exaggerated, melodramatic voice.

"Prima Donna your song shall live again."

"Think of your public," Andre and Firmin tell her.

"You took a snub but there's a public who needs you," Carlotta convinces herself.

"She has heard the voice of the Angel of Music," Madame Giry answers Raoul.

"Those who hear you liken you to an angel," Andre and Firmin keep showering Carlotta with compliments.

"Think of the cry of undying support," Carlotta sings to herself.

"We get her Opera," Andre says.

"She gets her limelight," Firmin finishes.

"Follow where the lime light leads you," Carlotta self explains again.

"Leading ladies are a trial," Andre and Firmin sing to themselves.

"Prima Donna your song shall never die," Carlotta sings, "You'll sing again and to unending ovation."

"Order, warnings lunatic!" Raoul lashes at the Phantom.
Andre & Firmin
"This misacating will invite damnation
Lunatic demands are regular occurrences," Andre and Firmin fire at the Opera Ghost with Raoul.

"Think how you'll shine in that final encore," Carlotta admires how everyone adores her and her singing.

"Sing Prima Donna once more," the managers beg Carlotta again.

"I must see these demands are rejected," Raoul sings louder for everyone to hear.

"Who'd believe a diva happy to relieve
A chorus girl whose gone and slept with the patron?
Raoul and the soubrette, entwined in love's duet!
Although he may demur, he must have been with her!" The managers come to that conclusion.

A/N: I made a brief change that interrupts the song that is important to the plot, sorry if this bugs you.

"This isn't true Monsieur's," Christine interrupts the managers.

"However so?" Firmin asks, waiting for an explanation.

"I'm in a courtship with Raoul, not Rachel, Raoul and I went to supper. Rachel decided to stay behind since she was tired after the performance. Madame Giry told us that she checked up on her after we left and this morning. She has come to the conclusion that Rachel is sick. She has nausea, a scratchy throat, and has a migraine due to a fall she took a few days ago. She needed rest and will not be able to perform. I could take her place, if you'd like because it's a silent role, but I can sing as well if you need me elsewhere," Christine speaks diplomatically toward the managers.

"We will see her before the performance to determine if she can pull through it," Andre tells her.

Before the song continues the Phantom is watching, and here's this. He decides to go to Rachel's room and make her appear convincing that she is sick.

A/N: And now back to your scheduled program...

"Fortunata!" Carlotta says, "Non ancor abbandonata!"

"You'd never get away with all this in a play,
but if it's loudly sung and in a foreign tongue
It's just the sort of story audiences adore, in fact a perfect opera!" Andre and Firmin tell themselves.

"For if his curse is on this Opera," Meg and Christine sing.

Everyone sings the final verse.

"Prima Donna the world is at your feet
A nation waits, and how it hates to be cheated!
Light Up the stage with that age-old rapport,
Sing Prima Donna...."

Everyone pauses for breath.

"...Once more!"

Erik's POV

I'm all but sprinting through the tunnels, trying to make it to Rachel's room in order to have enough time to get her looking sickly for the managers.

I knock on her mirror, she hasn't been kicked out of the Prima Donna dressing room yet. It opens and the petite ange smiles as she walks me in. She has a bunch of things on the vanity, as well as a compiled list of what we need to do.

"You figured out that they're going to check up on you," I say impressed.

"I kind be figured that they wouldn't take Madame Giry's word for it," Rachel replies back with a small smile.

"Done this before?" I ask, knowing she has with some other ballet rats.

"Once or twice," she answers honestly. She may come off as a good girl to most, but she can have a rebellious streak sometimes.

"Okay I'm already working on making dark circles under my eyes, you can make my hair look like a rats nest," Rachel commands, "but please make it so I can fix it."

I run my hand through her really thick, wavy hair to get a feel for what I need to do. I then pick up a comb and back brush her hair. I then tousle it to give it a bed head look. By the time I'm finished, Rachel has finished making dark circles with eye shadow and has put on a foundation that was three times paler than her natural skin tone.

"Now how do I make my throat seem scratchy?" She asks.

"Try a beverage, like a juice that will stain your younger red, and make your throat dry. You'll have to clear your throat so many times, they'll buy the fact your sick," I repeat what I've seen other ballet rats do over the years.

"Could you get the juice?" Rachel asks, "I need to stay in here to make some finishing touches."

I nod and head to the kitchen. It's a good thing the cooks are out getting new ingredients, or it would've been hard to sneak past all of them. I get the strawberries and squeeze the juice into a glass. I be careful not to spill as I head back to the Prima Donna dressing room. I look through the mirror and see that Rachel isn't alone.

Christine is sitting next to Rachel while she's laying on the chaise lounge faking cold. Christine feels her forehead.

Rachel's POV

"You do seem a little warm, and more pale than usual," Christine says with a worried expression on her face.

"I feel cold and my throat hurts," I says weakly faking a cough.

"I wish you were okay, then I wouldn't have to take your place in the gala," Christine looks nervous.

"You're going to do great, I know it," I reassure my sister.

"What if I mess up, or have to sing?" Christine asks.

"Just imagine it's just you and our Angel of Music," I tell her, "I felt his presence during last night's gala, I'm sure he'll watch you as well."

"Thanks Rach, but I should be the one who takes care of you and helps you, not the other way around."

"You are a great big sister Christine, never doubt that," I give Christine a weak hug.

After Christine leaves the room, I turn to the mirror and say, "I know you're there Erik, you can come out now."

Erik opens the sliding glass door and hand her the juice.

"Thanks Erik, I really appreciate you doing this," I tell him.

"Even though I don't understand why you want the fop with your sister, but if you feel they'll be happy together, then I'll do my best on my part," Erik says to me.

"Good after sabotaging Carlotta, come get me and scare Christine enough of "The Phantom of the Opera" to get her to lead Raoul to the roof. Raoul seeing she is frightened will comfort her and she'll realize she loves him," I explain to Erik his part of the plan.

"Have you been reading romance novels again?" Erik asks.

"So what I want something to happen to me like that, super romantic and sweet."

Just then a knock at the door jolts us out of our seats. I push Erik through the mirror, drink the strawberry juice, shove the glass in the vanity drawer, and throw the blankets over me just as the door opens.

"Come in," I say, starting phase one of my plan.

Showtime!

Hey guys. Hope you've enjoyed this chapter. It took a while to write, but it was really fun. I also have a YouTube channel now as well. I plan to make covers of POTO, LND, Descendants, and Aphmau songs on the channel. It's called RACHEL SHORT (I'm short in real life so why not make gust a part of my name?) and I camp every weekend so it's hard to find time to write. Bare with me and all will be well. See you guys in the next chapter. Bye!