Protect Her, At All Costs. (Phantom of the Opera AU)

Prologue

Erik Destler was a private man. He didn't work, he didn't have friends, and he didn't love. Until now.

Erik's phone rang when he was sitting in the den, drinking a glass of Brandy.

"Hello?" He spoke into the phone.

"Hello, Erik." A woman said through the phone.

Erik rubbed his temples.

"Hello, Antoinette. What do you want?" He snapped.

"Do you have an opening in your lessons? I have a very talented girl I could send over to you." Antionette said.

"What's her name?" Erik sighed.

"Christine Daae. She needs a voice teacher and you're the best recommendation I have to offer." She said.

"I need her guardians' information." Erik said.

"Of course. I will email you. Goodnight, Erik." The woman said, hanging up.

Erik set his phone on the table next to him and downed the last of the Brandy. He stood and walked down the halls of his mansion. He didn't need all of this space. After all, he lived alone, except for some workers that came every day, and Nadir. He felt like he needed to be powerful, though. His past had left him to think money and authority was the only way to get by. The only thing Erik ever did was compose and teach voice lessons to children. None of them were exceptional, hell, Erik doubted if any of them even had potential. Erik had very low expectations for this girl, this 'Christine Daae.' His workers had left for the night and Nadir was busy doing something unrelated in his side of their home. His white, porcelain mask shimmered in the lights of the hallway. Erik looked at art he'd accumulated from his travels around the world. He stopped on a painting of a young woman with curly, brown hair that reached her mid back and big, green eyes. She had light skin and a slim figure. She was singing by a piano to a man in a black suit with his back turned. Erik continued to slowly walk until he'd made a full circle around the mansion. He walked back into the den and poured himself another glass, which ended the bottle. Erik took a sip and sat in the armchair. He picked up his phone and checked his email. Sure enough, there was an email with contact information for a man named Gustave Daae. Erik clicked on the phone number and he waited as it rang.

Gustave picked up the phone with an unknown number displayed.

"Hello?" Gustave asked.

"Am I speaking to Gustave Daae?" Erik questioned.

"You are. How may I help you?" Gustave asked, in a kind manner.

Erik and Gustave were very different, if it wasn't clear.

"I was given your information by Antionette Giry. If I'm correct you would like to set your daughter up for voice lessons with me." Erik said.

"Ah, Mr. Destler. Yes, Christine has been needing a voice teacher and we were told you're the best of the best. When are you available during the week?" Gustave asked.

"I am free on Mondays and Wednesdays both at 3:30. Does that work for you both?" Erik asked, swishing the Brandy around in the glass.

"It does. How much are each of your sessions?" Gustave wondered.

"$50 for each hour-long lesson." Erik said.

"Sounds great. We'll see you tomorrow." Gustave said.

"Goodnight, Mr. Daae." Erik said, hanging up.

Gustave set his phone down and took off his glasses.

"Christine, come downstairs." He called.

Christine hopped downstairs as her curls danced on her back. She walked into her father's study and stood in front of him.

"What's up?" She asked.

"You have voice lessons for an hour every Monday and Wednesday at 3:30 now." Gustave said.

"Really? Thank you so much!" Christine said, smiling.

She hugged him and ran back upstairs to go tell her best friend, Meg.

Gustave laughed and continued to work, but his mind wandered to his past. When he was a young boy, Gustave wanted to be a musician, as most young boys wanted, but once his wife was pregnant with Christine, he decided to become a lawyer. She always told him that she would support him no matter what choice he decided to make, but Gustave always told her that he needed to provide for them. It was even harder to stay a lawyer once she died. All of the stress was becoming too much. Yet, he wanted his daughter to have the best life possible. He smiled, thinking about Gabriela. He sighed and finished some emails before going to bed.