KRISTA'S POV

The next day, it was rehearsals again and everyone was going about their lives but, it was a bit hectic since the Hannibal performance will be coming up soon. Everyone has been working their hardest to make sure everything goes smoothly. The other seamstresses and I were also working hard as well. We wanted to make sure the costumes are all perfect and good to go. I was working Carlotta's dress for Hannibal before the rehearsals started. She told me yesterday that she didn't like the design but luckily, I managed to make a few changes to it.

"What do you think, Signora?" I asked as she looked at herself in the mirror while wearing the Hannibal costume. She gave herself a twirl and she looked impressed.

"Nice work, you made this last night?" She asked while examining the skirt.

"Yes, Signora," I spoke with a smile.

"Good. Now if you'll excuse me," Carlotta told me before she walked away with a smirk on her face.

I sighed in relief before I got back to work. Suddenly, I felt light headed before I placed my hand on the wall and placing my hand on my head. Christine saw me and she rushed over to me.

"Krista, are you okay? what's wrong?"

"Nothing...I'm just a little tired..." I mumbled before she placed her hand on my forehead.

"Oh my gosh! you're burning up! Madame!" Christine called her over and told her what was wrong with me.

"It's probably from the late night projects you've been working on. That's it, you are taking the day off and rest."

"But Madame...what about the...?"

"Don't even start. Christine, do you mind escorting Mademoiselle Krista back to her room?" Madame Giry asked.

"Of course, come on, Krista," Christine told me as she held me by the arm and escorted me back to my room.

"I could've made it back myself you know..." I told her weakly.

"No you wouldn't. Look at yourself, you can barely stand up and you're hot all over. You're not well. You're clearly taking on way too much work," Christine scolded me which made me giggle.

"What?"

"Oh nothing...you're such a worrywart you know that?"

"I can't help it, you're like a sister to me and Meg since we were kids. Of course, I worry about you," Christine told me as we got back to my room.

Once we got there, I collapsed onto my bed and I was completely exhausted. I heard Christine rummage through my wardrobe and she got a night dress for me. I slowly sat up and then the room started to spin before laid back down.

"Ugh...I don't feel so good..." I mumbled.

"See? this is why Meg and I have been nagging at you to take a day off and get some rest," Christine told me as she help me sit up on the bed and helped me change.

After Christine help me change into the nightdress, I laid back down on the bed and then Christine covered me with the blanket and placed a cool cloth on top of my forehead.

"Now get some sleep and don't even think about finishing any more designs. Madame's orders, got it?"

"Yes, ma'am..." I mumbled before she left the room and then I closed my eyes and fell asleep. Unaware that someone had snuck into my room.

3RD PERSON

As Christine made her way back to rehearsals, Erik was watching them from the shadows. Ever since that night at the chapel, Erik had been keeping an on both her and Christine. There was something about Krista that Erik couldn't take his eyes off of her. He had heard of Krista before but, he never thought that someone like her has an amazing singing voice. What took him by surprise was that little advice she gave to Christine helped her a lot as well.

Erik sneaked into Krista's room and he found her asleep on her bed with red cheeks and sweating a little as well. He heard that she wasn't feeling well but he didn't expect her to be like this. He looked around her room and he noticed the costumes that she had been making as the next performance is coming up soon.

Erik looked impressed when he saw the costume for act 3 but, the dress that she was making would look better on Christine or her for that matter. He gently ran his gloved fingers over the skirt and he also examined fabric that she was using as well. He didn't know how she came up with these ideas but he was impressed. Erik heard her groaning in her sleep before he looked over his shoulder and then he noticed she's still asleep.

Erik quietly approached her and he took off his glove and then he placed the back of his hand against her cheek and she was getting hotter. Erik looked a bit concerned before he puts his glove back on before he quietly left the room. He searched for Madame Giry and he found her in her room.

"Call a doctor, that costume maker, Krista is not well," Erik told her through the walls.

Madame Giry raised her head and she looked around the room and she knew who's voice that was.

"Is she all right? you didn't do anything to her?" 

"No, but she is not well. Her fever is getting worse," Erik told her in a stern voice.

Madame nodded her head before she left the room to find a doctor. When she finally did, she and the doctor headed to Krista's room and she was still in bed with a bad fever. The doctor examined her and he told Madame Giry.

"How often does she overwork herself?" The doctor asked as he placed another cloth on Krista's head.

"Quite a lot. Christine and Meg have been trying to tell her that she needs to rest but with the performance coming up, she's been working harder than normal."

"That can explain her symptoms. I recommend that she continues to rest until she gets her energy back. Make sure she also eats and drinks something later as well," The doctor told her.

"Of course, Misour," Madame replied before the doctor left the room.

"...Madame...Giry..." Krista spoke weakly which caught her attention.

"How are you feeling now my dear?"

"Bit better...but still not right..." Krista told her softly.

"Well the doctor said that it's definitely exhaustion catching up with you. Until you're feeling better, you're taking the next few days off."

"But Madame...but what about Signora Carlotta's costumes...?" Krista asked with a worried look.

"Don't worry about them. Now rest," Madame Giry told her before she closed her eyes and fell back asleep.

***

KRISTA'S POV

After a few hours of rest, I felt a lot better now. I knew I was working hard but, I never realised it was this bad. But then again, the Krista from the musical is also a hardworker and she has her excuse for taking on too many projects. Now I know why Amy was always telling me to cut back on the hours and to never stay late like I always do.

Right now, I'm on the rooftop of the threate and I felt the nice cool breeze blowing against me and I sighed in relief. 

"Feeling better?" I heard Christine's voice.

I turned around and saw her walking towards me with a cup in her hands.

"I am now. The cool air is helping a little. What do you have there?" I asked her as she gave me the cup.

"Its Chamomile tea. Madame says that this should help you."

"Tell her I said thanks," I told her before taking sip of the tea.

"We did warn you."

"Hehe, I know. How did Carlotta react when she found out?" I asked with a chuckle.

"Bad. She kept shouting at the cast and at the costume makers. Poor Annette got the worst of it."

"I feel bad now."

"Don't be, it wasn't your fault that you got sick," Christine told me as she stroked my arm.

"Madame also said to keep resting and if you are feeling up to it tomorrow, you can go back to work. Until then, get back to bed," She told me with a stern voice.

"Yes ma'am," I spoke with a smile before she headed back inside.

I sighed a little before turning my attention back to the view of Paris. I always dreamed of coming back here but, not in this time period. I still haven't figured out how or why I was sent to this time period. I wonder what is happening back home right now? Is my dad okay? is he worried about me? Is everyone in the theatre concerned about me?

I sighed a little before the wind gently blew and then I felt a presence behind me. I turned around and no one was there. I guess I was imagining things before I took my cup and headed back inside to get some more rest.

3RD PERSON POV

After Krista made her way back inside, Erik came out of hiding and he stared in the direction where Krista went. He couldn't understand how someone has an amazing singing voice but, they chose to work in the costume department. He continued to watch Krista from the shadows as she went back to her room to get some rest. After she went to bed to get some more sleep, Erik came out of the shadows and he placed a red rose with a black ribbon on the steam along with a note on her bedside table.

"Get well soon," He whispered before he left the room.

KRISTA'S POV

I woke up the next day and I'm feeling refreshed and better now. I couldn't wait to get back to work. I was about to get out of bed until I saw something on the bedside table. It was a rose with a black ribbon and there's a note as well. I picked up both the rose and the note before I opened the note.

To Mademoiselle Krista,

I heard you weren't feeling well and I decided to check up on you. I also wanted to thank you for helping Christine with our lessons. That advice you gave her has helped her improve her singing voice perfectly. I don't know why you are not on stage with the other main cast but, I suppose you have your reason.

Please continue to get some rest and don't worry about whoever sent you this note because you already know.

O.G

"Opera Ghost...." I mumbled before I looked around the room and I knew instantly that it was Erik.

I didn't know whether to be pleased, flattered or worried because I had completely forgotten that Erik is actually the opera Ghost and the angel of music. He must've been listening from somewhere behind the walls.

"Krista?" I heard Madame Giry spoke from the other side of the door and I told her to come in.

"I see you're feeling better," She spoke with a smile before she noticed the red rose.

"I see he's paid a visit."

"Should I be worried?" I asked him.

"I don't think so. Anyway," Madame Giry mumbled before she placed her hand on my forehead.

"You don't feel feverish today. You can go back to work but, don't overdo it, okay?"

I nodded my head when she gave me that stern look before she left the room so I can get changed. I got out of bed and went into my wardrobe to pick out some clothes for today.

I chose a white shirt, a black corset, black leggings and knee boots. I decided to do something different with my hair. I tied some of it back but left the rest of it down. I used a black silky ribbon. I smiled at my cute appearance before I put on my belt kit which contains some of my sewing supplies such as needles, threads, extra fabric etc. Basically just some emergency tools in case one of the performers costumes tears.

Everything was going smoothly throughout the day aside from the screaming cat Carlotta. I even had to wear ear plugs just so that I can block out the noise. The maids that were in the seating areas they were cleaning were doing the same. I tightened Carlotta's corset and she gasped.

"Hey! easy!" She shouted in anger.

"Sorry Signora. Don't want it to fall off now, do we?" I said as I tightened the corset but not too tight that Carlotta couldn't breathe properly.

I finished adding the final touches onto her dress and I adjusted the skirt a few times before standing back to see my handiwork.

"What do you think, signora?" I asked with a small smile.

"Perfect! at last you got it right," Carlotta spoke with an arrogant smirk.

"Just to let you know, the dress for act 3 is nearly finished. Do you mind coming to my room and seeing it for yourself?" I asked her.

"Maybe later, now if you'll excuse me," She told me before brushing her shoulder against mine.

I glanced at Annette and Meg and we stuck our tongues out at her when she wasn't looking. Carlotta tensed up before she glared at us but we just smiled and waved at her. When she turned around we started snickering and giggling.

"Its good to see you back on your feet, Krista."

"Its good to be back to work. Sorry for worrying all of you," I told them.

"That's okay, just don't overdo it again, you hear?" Meg gave me a warning and I nodded my head.

"Krista, can do you me a favour?" Annette asked before I turned to look at her.

"What is it?"

"We need more fabric and thread. I've made a list of the colours and patterns we need. You can get them at the usual place," Annette told me as she handed over the list and some money.

The usual place is a fabric store in town where we buy some fabric and threads for the costume department. I read about it in the musical Krista's journal when she first started this job and I can picture where it is as well.

"Do you mind getting these for us?"

"Sure," I spoke with a smile as left the stage.

I left the opera house and walked through the busy streets of Paris. It felt strange at first since it has been a long time since I have been in France but, the environment looks so different in this time period. The cars are different and there were a lot of horse drawn carriages as well. I got to the fabric store and I opened the door which caused the bell above the door to ring.

"Bonjour," I greeted with a smile before someone charged at me.

"Rahh!" 

I jumped in fright before the culprit came to a halt while holding a wooden bat in his hands.

"Oh...Mademoiselle Krista...sorry, I thought you were that shop lifter again."

"Oh don't worry about it," I spoke nervously.

The shop owner is a dear friend of the opera house and he does some good deals for me and the other costume makers. Don't ask me how but, it's how it worked.

"What can I do for you?"

"Just here to get a restock, here's the list of things we need," I said as I handed him over the list and the money. He looked through the list and he nodded his head.

"I've got the stuff you need. Wait here," He told me before he went into the back to get the fabric and the thread that Annette asked me to get.

While I was waiting, I looked at some of the rolls of fabric that's on display. My creative side was starting to kick in as I touched some of the fabric from smooth silk to lace fabric.

"Here you go mademoiselle," I heard the shop owner speak as he came out of the back and carried the rolls of fabric and the threads in his arms before placing them into some bags.

"Merci, Misour." I spoke with a smile.

"I don't want to sound judgemental, but, don't you think you should try wearing a dress? all women do it."

"Not all of us besides, I can move a lot easier as I am working at the costume department especially when that screaming cat Carlotta is being demanding and a bit of a Diva."

"True...I'm just saying because a young lady like you won't be able to find a man who will take an interest in someone who doesn't bother dressing up once in a while."

"Hehe, I'm not looking for someone any time soon. Anyway, I should get back, thank you again," I spoke with a smile before I left the store.

I carried the bags of fabric and thread through the streets but, I was struggling to carry them since they are a bit heavy. As I made my way back to the opera house, someone bumped into me and I stumbled a little but I dropped the bags. I glared at the person who bumped into me but he got away from me. I shook my head and then I started to pick up the rolls of fabric and the threads until someone came along and helped me.

My eyes widened a little and then I looked up to see a man wearing a black hat, cloak and he has his face covered as well. I also noticed that he has stunning brown eyes. 

"Are you all right, Mademoiselle?"

"I'm fine, thank you, sir," I spoke politely before we stood up from the ground after picking up the bags.

"Where are you going with these?"

"To the opera house."

"Allow me to escort you," He spoke politely before he went ahead of me. I followed after him and I started to have a conversation with him.

"Do you work for the Opera House?"

"No, I only go there to listen to the musicals. I love listening to the music but, I do some have some comments about the cast."

"You mean that screaming banshee Carlotta?" 

The man snickered when I called Carlotta that and he said to me, "Banshee? that's a new one."

"What? Its what I've called her. Don't tell her or anyone else I said that. She'll have my head if she heard me calling her that."

"My lips are sealed. By the way, do you work on the costume department?"

"I do. I'm actually a costume maker and helper as well. I made some of the costumes and I had some help too. But, I mostly make Carlotta's costumes since I'm the only one who has a good creative style. But, she keeps complaining about the designs that I make for her one minute she's happy and then the next she changes her mind. It gives me a headache."

"Don't you wish you want to do something else?" he asked me.

"I did work in another job for a while but, I quit that role a while a go."

"Is there a reason?"

"Yeah but, I'd rather not talk about it," I told before we got to the Opera House.

"Will you be okay from here?" He asked.

"I will be fine, thank you," I spoke with a smile as I took the rest of the bags from him.

"I'll will leave you to it, Mademoiselle."

"Wait, can I ask for your name?" I called out to him but he has already gone. I felt a little disappointed but, I had a feeling that I was going to be seeing him again soon.