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

Chapter 24

Christine looks at his facial expression as she sees the frustration and anger towards his son. "He did what?!" Ralph shouted as he stands up and takes a few steps away from her.

"Sir, please," Christine pleaded with him.

"He hurt you! I can't believe he did that! To you! He should have known better!"

"Yes, I know but –"

"Did you tell him that he shouldn't have done that?"

"Yes, but he apologized to me saying he wouldn't do that again."

"Apologizing doesn't make things any better. You need to stand up for yourself if he does this again!"

"What is it with everyone telling me this!" shouts Christine.

"Because it's the truth and they care for you," Ralph answered. Christine pauses and looks away. "I know my son wants what's best for you but if he's going to this again...I hate to say it. But...you should break the engagement and move on with your life."

Christine begins to panic and mutters, "But what if he...he..."

"Stands up for yourself! And if he harms you again, I will be there for you to handle him. As I am sure your family will too. And I'm most certain that Erik will stand up for you," Ralph interrupted. Christine continues to not look at him. "I would chat some more about this but I'm going to the train station to pick up Emily," Ralph continued. He glances down, heads to the door, but stops and looks back at her. "Christine. I'm saying this just because I want what's best for you even though it means it would hurt my son. Goodbye Christine." Ralph leaves the library. Christine looks around the room as she is surprised by what Raoul's father had to say.

Later on that night, Christine was waiting for Erik, so she could talk to him. But while she was waiting, she was thinking about what everyone was telling her, especially Raoul's father. "What's wrong with me! Everyone's right. Raoul just isn't the same man that I met when we were children and that I fell in love with. I can't take his lies and broken promises anymore," Christine said out loud. As Christine walks back and forth, talking to herself, Erik quietly opens the door. "I'm going to tell him. It's over. As soon as I see him. When he comes home that the wedding is off. It's over."

"What's over?" asked Erik.

Christine quickly turns around as she is relieved to hear his voice, but nervous that he heard her talking out loud. "Oh God...What have I done?!" Erik thought to himself.

"How much did you hear?" Christine asked.

They gaze at each other. He doesn't say a word. "Please tell me you didn't hear everything," Christine asked herself.

"No. I didn't why?" Erik replied. Christine looks to the side for a moment after his reply. However, in the back of his mind, Erik says "Of course, I heard all of it."

"No...no reason," Christine replied. They stare at each other. Erik blinks several times then looks away as he tries to think of something to say. "Well do you want to practice or would you like to just talk?" Erik asked.

"Talking sounds better. Talking to you makes me feel better than not at all," she replied. However, in the back of her mind Christine says, "What was that? That sounded completely stupid!"

Erik raises his eyebrow and says, "Alright." In his mind, Erik thinks that something is bothering Christine. "That sounded as though she's really wanting to confess about her feelings about Raoul." Christine smiles then looks away. Erik walk towards her. "So what you like to about?" Erik asks.

"Not sure. But actually, I have a question that I want to ask you," said Christine.

"Sure."

They sit down on opposite sides of each other. As they sit down Christine tries to think of something but has a hard time of what she wants to say. "What do I say? I want to tell him how I feel! But I feel like I can't for some reason. There's gotta be something that I...Of course!"

"Christine? Are you alright?" Erik asks.

"Yes. I just was figuring out how to ask," Christine stutters.

"Christine. Just ask."

"Ok, well my cousin and her fiancé are getting married in a few days and Raoul and I were invited. But he's out of town and is going to miss the wedding. I'm still going but the problem is I don't have anyone to go with me. So, I was wondering..."

"If I could go with you so you wouldn't be alone?" Erik suggests.

"Yes. Erik, please...will you come with me to my cousins wedding?" she asks.

"Of course," Erik replied.

"Oh Erik! Thank you!" Christine expressed happily. She hugs him tightly. Erik is shocked and doesn't know how to respond at the moment.

"You're welcome." Erik thought to himself.