Wanted

Chapter 3

Erik crept through his secret passage ways in the opera house. Once he reached Christine's dressing room he slipped in the door quickly to make sure no one saw him.

"You're lucky they haven't ever caught you coming in here. It'd be easier to use the mirror." Christine told him as he hung his cloak up and set his fedora on her vanity.

"But this way is more fun." Erik countered. Since he wasn't an actual ghost he liked to act like one. He was very good at it. His steps were so stealthy that sometimes he accidently scared Christine.

"Erik, you're not a ghost. Please don't act like one." Christine sighed and Erik placed his hands on her shoulders.

"I am the opera ghost, my dear, it's my job." He said with a smile.

"I didn't marry the opera ghost. I married Erik Destler." Christine said and Erik sighed.

"There's not a difference." He said as he removed his hands from her shoulders.

"There is, Erik! I've seen it! The opera ghost would not show affection." Christine said and she turned around to face him.

"But they both are cursed with an ugly deformity. Erik took off the mask and held it in his hands. He never exposed his deformity to Christine. She hadn't seen it since she walked in on him cleaning it a year ago.

Erik looked down at the mask in his hands. "Erik," Christine softly said. He looked up at her and she stood up. In a quick motion the mask returned to his face and he turned around. "Please do not deny me, Erik." She pleaded.

"If you see it you'll hate me. You'll leave me, Christine." Erik cried and Christine placed a hand on his back.

"Let me see it." Christine whispered as she turned him around. She placed her hand on his masked cheek and slowly pulled the mask away. Tears poured down his cheeks as Christine stroked his marred cheek.

"I'm sorry you're married to a monster." Erik said but Christine shook her head. She pulled his head down and placed a kiss on his forehead. She trailed kisses along his deformity before kissing his lips, lingering there the longest.

"You're not a monster." Christine said once they pulled back. She handed his mask back to him and he put it on. "Stay in here while I go to the meeting. It shouldn't last long." She kissed his cheek before walking out.

She made her way to the managers office. Firmin and Andre were in there along with Raoul. "Thank you for coming, Ms.Daaé. We just wanted to discuss some things about the opera ghost."

"Ask away," Christine replied as confidently as possible.

"When was the last time you saw the phantom?" Firmin asked and Christine contemplated how to answer that.

"I haven't seen him for two years." Christine lied as Madame Giry walked in. Christine wanted to find a time to tell Madame Giry about her marriage to Erik. Surely Erik wouldn't mind telling her.

The managers and Raoul kept asking her questions and Christine kept lying. Once they were finally done she was dismissed. Christine found Madame Giry in the hall and pulled her over.

"Madame, I have something to tell you." Christine started slowly and Madame Giry have her a confused look. "I am married to Erik." She confessed and Madame Giry's eyes got wide.

"Please tell me he didn't force you into this." She pleaded and Christine profusely shook her head.

"No, I wanted to marry him." Christine assured her.

"Are you happy?" Madame asked.

"Very. He's an amazing husband. I couldn't be happier." Christine smiled remembering the past two years of her marriage.

"How is he?" Madame Giry asked with a caring tone to her voice. Christine smiled and led her to the dressing room. When they walked in Erik was sitting at the vanity. "Erik?" Madame Giry asked and Erik looked up at the old woman.

"Christine, does she know about us?" Erik asked and Christine came over to him as she nodded. Erik stood up and wrapped an arm protectively around her waist. Christine rested her head on his shoulder and Madame Giry smiled at them.

"You treat her well, Erik. Or you'll have hell to pay." She warned and Erik smiled and looked down at Christine.

"I'll protect her with my life, Antoinette."