Erik and Christine: Loves Secret (A Phantom of the Opera Story)

Chapter 18

While the engagement party was going on, Erik was in his domain all alone thinking about what had happened to him and Christine earlier that day. "I'm such an idiot. I knew that it would turn bad if she asked me those questions. Let alone, have her slap me in the face that my mask would fall off. But I should have known that if I said that it would have happened," Erik. Said as he walked around the edge of his moat. He then turns and looks at his drawings then to his desk. "I wish I could take back what I said," Erik sighed.

"I would do anything to make her happy again. I care about her too much for her to be mad at me. I don't want to lose her again. If only there were a way to –"

He notices on his desk one of his masks. "Wait a minute," He says softly as an idea pops into his head. He then quickly gets out of his seat and rushes out his domain. As Erik grabs his coat, he says, "I know what I have to do."

Meanwhile, at the party.

"Really? What did you two talk about while I was away?" Raoul asked intently.

"Well, we...We...talked...about - "

"We were talking about how the wedding plans were coming along. And I can't wait even more because of how memorable it's going to look like," Ralph interrupted.

"Oh well that's good," Raoul says happily.

"Yes, it sure is," Christine said as she lied. She glances away for a moment and looks at Raoul's father confused to why he lied to his son about what she said about his son. In her mind, she thought, "Why did he cover up for me?"

Charlotte notices that Christine's facial expression and decides that she has had enough. "I can't take this anymore! I'm going over there!"

"No don't," Alex pleaded. However, he was too late. For she put her glass down and walks towards them. Madame Giry, Meg, and Gabriel notice Charlotte walking away from Alex and decide to walk towards him. Alex covers his face as he is slightly frustrated. "What happened?" Madame Giry asked.

Alex uncovered his face, sighs and replied, "Charlotte couldn't take the feeling of not wanting to talk to Christine, so she's slowly making her way over there."

"Well, I knew it was gonna happen," Gabriel sighed.

"Should we do something?" Alex asked.

"Besides if we try to get to Charlotte by the time that she makes her way to Christine...then Christine will feel that something is wrong," Gabriel replied.

"So, what do you think of the party so far father?" Raoul asked intently.

"Hello, Christine," interrupted Charlotte as she approaches from behind. Raoul, his father Ralph, and Christine turn around; Ralph smile at her, as for Raoul, and Christine, they are confused to why Charlotte came up to them. Christine smiles, lightly touches Charlotte's arm and ask, "How are you?"

"Wonderful!" Charlotte replied.

"Good!"

"Christine. Who is this lovely young lady?" Ralph asks politely. Christine turns to Ralph and says. "This is my cousin Charlotte. Charlotte Daae."

"Well it is a pleasure to meet you Miss Daae," Ralph answered as he tilts his head down and takes her hand to kiss it.

"It is a pleasure to meet you too. But that name will not stay long actually," responds Charlotte.

"Oh, are you getting married?"

"Yes, I am."

"Well, congratulations!" Ralph proclaimed.

"Thank you, sir," Charlotte replied. They all smile at each other. "Um, if you two wouldn't mind. Would it be alright if I steal my cousin for a minute to chat for a while?" she politely asked. Christine looked at Raoul hoping that he would allow it but noticing the expression on his face. Realizing that he isn't pleased with the idea. Raoul sighs and says, "Um, well actually..."

"Sure! I don't mind just talking to my son for a little bit," Ralph interrupted. Raoul turns to his father not entirely happy. Christine, however, is relieved that she not only gets to talk to her cousin, she at least gets away from Raoul for at least a while. "Thank you," Charlotte says as she smiles and takes Christine by the arm to leave and talk in private. Alex, Madame Giry, Meg, and Charlotte's father notice them. "Well. Here we go," Alex says softly.

Charlotte pulls Christine behind the pillar so that no one can see them talking. "So Charlotte what do you want to talk about?" Christine asks as she glances to make sure Raoul isn't watching. However, as she turns back, Charlotte doesn't say a word but raises her eyebrow at her. This makes Christine nervous and uncomfortable. "Charlotte...what's wrong?"

"Christine is it true?" Charlotte asks.

"Is what true?" Christine asked nervously.

"About what Raoul's behavior towards you?" Charlotte asks once more. When the music ends, and everyone applauds. Then people begin to dance once the music begins to play. "How he got angry at you and locked you in your room for an entire night?" Christine glances down for a moment as she doesn't know how to react to that question and how she found out. However, she knows that she figures that her Uncle could have told her. She looks back at her cousin and says, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Christine don't lie to me. Tell me the truth," Charlotte demanded. Christine sighs as she knows lying to her wasn't smart, since her uncle told her.

"So father, how is everything?" asks Raoul.

"Everything is well," Ralph replied as he grabs a glass of wine from a servant passing by with drinks.

"Good."

"Yes."

Raoul smiles and puts his glass down on the table next to him. He then turns to his father and asks, "And what has been happening since I left home?"

"Nothing much. However, I did forget to tell you that I got married a few months ago," Ralph answered. Raoul takes a step back, shocked and speechless to what his father had said to him. Ralph notices the look on his son's face and realizes that he is not taking it very well.

"You...what? To who?" he asked.

"Ms. Emily Babbington."

"Ms. Babbington?!"

At the same time, Madame Giry glanced from the top of the stairs a figure hiding in the shadows. As the character moves closer, Madame Giry recognizes him and realizes that it is Erik.