Angel or Phantom? (book 1 of the phangel series)

Chapter 24 - True Intentions

Eriks POV

What the hell. Christine wants me to go after her. I have to. I know I said that I wouldn't. But it's Christine. I stand there and I look over at Zoe. She's captivated by the note and all that has happened. She's actually very beautiful. She's a huge rebel. The way she dresses. The way she talks. She's great. She may be ........ Perfect? Stop Erik. Christine is the girl for you. Is she? All the sudden Zoe speaks up. "Hey Erik do you mind if I stay with you and Christine after we rescue her. I don't have anywhere to go." I looked at her with a confused look but I didn't question it. "Of course you can. Is it bad that I'm not entirely sure I want to save her?"
She looked shocked.
"Erik Destler you are going to go after her this instant. Go!"
"But."
"Now!!"
Geez. Women. "Fine."
And with that I made sure I had my mask, gloves and cape, showed Zoe where she would be staying and then left to the de chagny manor. Ugh this was going to be hard.

Christine's POV

I hoped Erik would come. Raoul has already started beating me. We just got back to his mansion and I locked myself in my room. He broke down the door and choked me. He almost killed me. I'm started to show ligature marks where his hands were. After he nearly killed me, he got on top of me and started to hit me over and over. He was in a blind rage. Because of Erik. Raoul was pissed off at the fact that I left him for Erik.
He finally stopped hitting me and I was in a ball crying. "Get up you whore. Make me a sandwich."
"No"
"I'm sorry what?"
"I. Said. No."
He got up in my face and put his hand on my throat slightly squeezing so I can barley breath. "You will not defy me Christine Daaé. I swear by god you will learn some respect." He raised his hand to hit me once more and I flinch waiting for the blow but it doesn't come. All of the sudden I look up and see Erik standing behind Raoul. Erik has Raouls fist in his hand and he's looking at Raoul menacingly. "Don't you dare touch her again. Do you understand me insolent boy?"
The look on Raouls face wanted to make me laugh. The reason why I didn't though was because of Erik. When he looked at me his face was filled with cold and unfeeling. Did I do something wrong? Erik spoke again.
"I'm taking Christine with me and you will not follow us. You don't want to mess with me today." Raoul looked terrified. He nodded his head and Erik let go of him. Erik then walked over to me softly grabbed my wrist and lead me out of the mansion and to the Opera Populair without saying a word to me. Uh oh. I'm in trouble.

Zoe's POV

My plan is working. I'm not poor I have plenty of places to stay but I want to stay here. I want Erik. He's so sexy. Christine has hurt him so many times. She doesn't deserve him. I love Christine. Really I do but I mean come on. She's left the man so many times. I'd never leave him. I truly think his beautiful and perfect. His deformity. His dark history. Everything. He's abnormal like me. We're rebels. We go together. Phase 2 of this plan is to get him to actually fall for me. Which shouldn't be hard considering his current predicament with Christine. I hear sloshing in the lake and I look over and see the "happy" couple marching towards me.
"Hey guys" I wave my hand and smile putting on a happy facade. Erik looks pissed and Christine looks upset and beat up. What the hell happened?
"Uh is everything ok?"
Erik looks at me. The coldness in his eyes fade away and is replaced with ....... Lust?
"Everything's fine. Let me show you where you'll be staying." Well ok then. He already did but I guess a second time wouldn't hurt. He let go of Christine's hand and showed me to a bedroom. He closed and locked the door behind him. The room and I huge bed with black satin sheets and a red comforter. It had a dresser with red and black accents everywhere. It was huge. Very beautiful. Like Erik. "Why'd you lock the door?"
He look at the handle then back at me. He tore off his mask walked over to me and smashed his lips to mine. Well this was easier than I thought.

Christine's POV

Erik didn't speak to me once. I don't know what I did wrong. I know I might've hurt him when Raoul came. I don't know what came over me. But he forced me back with him. I didn't want to go. I guess I hurt Erik too much. He took Zoe to the guest room and I heard the door close. I waited but he didn't come out. I guess he stayed in there with her. I suddenly felt sick and ran to the washroom. I threw up over and over again. Then I realized the date. Holy fuck. I'm late. I'm late. I'm late. That's all I could repeat in my head. Holy shit. I'm late. What the hell do I do? I can't tell Erik it'll piss him off even more. Oh shit.
I know!! I'll tell Zoe. She'll know what to do. I can trust her. She's very wise and helps me out when I need it most. I leave the washroom and head over to Zoe's bedroom. I place my hand on the door handle and discover it's locked. Then I hear what sounds like moaning. I hear Erik moan Zoe's name and the she moans his. Oh god. No. No. No. Please god no. I heard him say her name again and I ran. I ran out of the lair and to the stage. I sat in the same spot that I pulled off Eriks mask in front of the audience in Don Juan. Then I recall all of the memories from those days. The sweet memories before everything went to shit.