The Masked Parisian

The Opening Night

Christine's heart raced as a lady pinned her wig down. She was terrified of missing a word or forgetting a line.
"Breathe, Christine." She heard from the voice in the walls. She took a deep breath and felt infinitely better.
"You have been trained well, child. You will be perfect." She heard Erik whisper.
"Will you be there?" She whispered back.
"In box number five." She nodded, glad that he was there to support her.

André and Firmin sat in box one and looked on to the closed curtains.
"She has never performed in front of an audience. What if she freezes?" André worried to his friend.
"She won't. He has been training her, the Giry girl told me that Christine spoke of a voice coming from her mirror, guiding her through her material." Firmin assured André. He nodded and before he could say anything, the music began and the curtain lifted.

Erik watched from the concealed section of box five. She was perfect, the audience were stunned into silence by Christine's voice. He watched the first act, revelling in his creation and then retreated to his lair, to prepare himself to see Christine.

Christine scooped up the flowers that lay at her feet at the end of her performance. She took her final curtsy and sashayed off stage. She handed the flowers to Meg, who took them happily, smiling at Christine.
"You were perfect!" She squealed, so glad that her friend would be able to stay with her in Paris to perform more operas. Christine stripped out of her gown, left in a light white dress, with her corset and underclothes. She removed the wig before making her way back to her dressing room. She heard Firmin and André leading a young bachelor to her room.
"I am sure she will love to hear your words of praise, Monsieur." She then hurried, wanting to beat them to her room and lock herself in.

Erik watched as she hurried into the room and locked the door behind her. When she turned to face him, her eyes widened.
"Erik!" She whispered in shock and the smile that grew on her face filled him with such joy. She ushered him to a chair and asked him to sit, whilst she changed. He watched her silhouette behind the changing board, feeling sinful and invasive, but unable to stop.

Christine changed quickly, she had wanted to throw herself into his arms when she had seen him stood in her room. But she was sure that he would feel threatened by such an act. She changed into a night dress and a dressing gown, then returned to sit on her bed, opposite Erik.

Erik moved to sit beside Christine on her bed. He was unsure how to say what he wanted about her performance, so he opted for his usual tactic and pulled a single red rose from his jacket. Christine's face lit up and turned a deep shade of red. She once again held the flower under her nose and inhaled deeply.

Once Christine had placed the rose on her dressing table, she sat back beside Erik and looked at him, for the first time in a month. His hair was darker and he looked paler than usual.

"Let me see if she is in for you, Monsieur." Christine heard Firmin outside the door. She quickly placed a hand on Erik's hand and placed a finger to her lips.

The managers soon left and Erik noticed that Christine had not moved her hand. Her skin felt so soft against his glove and he wished he could feel her skin against his.
"You were gone for such a long time." Christine pinned to Erik, making his heart yearn for the girl.
"I was not gone, only hidden." He smiled, wanting her to know that he was always watching.
"Perhaps. I did miss you, ever so much." She frowned, looking down at their hands. Erik felt his heart begin to race.
"I will try to not stay away for too long again." He remarked and Christine's face lit up.
"Oh please don't, I do so enjoy our time together. And merely singing with you is nothing compared to being with you and being able to see you." He almost felt his mouth fall agape. She wanted to see him? Who on this earth would want to see such a horrid creature?