The Angel of Music Sings for Me

Chapter 6: All I Ask

Rachel's POV

The door opens and those I expected stepped in. The managers trailed by Carlotta, Madame Giry, Meg, Christine, and Raoul.

"So Madame Giry tells us you're sick Miss Daae?" Firmin interrogates.

"Yes Monsieur," I reply in the weakest voice I could muster, "I've felt nauseous, had a sore throat, and a large migraine."

"I see you don't appear well, so we'll just leave you alone," Andre walks out of the room with Firmin.

"You stay here! I don't want to catch your germs little toad!" Carlotta backs out of the room quickly. Which is a good thing considering I need Erik to reach me without being seen.

"Get better soon, I expect you well enough to see you at rehearsal tomorrow," Madame Giry orders as she and Meg leave to prepare with the other ballerinas.

"Are you sure you not up to performing?" Christine asks nervously, "I really don't want to sing in front of so many people."

"You'll be fine," I reassure her, "Your role is silent so you don't have to worry about messing up a line and your a great singer if your needed in the chorus."

"Come Christine, you must get ready," Raoul stands up to leave, "we'll see you after the gala."

As they move out I secretly smile. Phase 1 of the plan is complete.

I decide to change into a more suitable dress for when I have to run through the secret passages to watch a ship set sail. I find a dress -with a white bodice and a pink skirt- and a red cloak, since in the movie it snows and the last thing I need is to actually get sick. I change behind the changing screen, then find a hairbrush to fix the rats nest my thick hair has become. After what seemed like a half an hour (probably 5-10 minutes) my hair was brushed and pinned into a braided bun. I then wash all the makeup off my face and redo it to a more natural look. As I lace up my shoes-brown boots which no one will see anyways- a familiar man in a mask startles me from behind.

"You know you don't have to be a phantom 24-7 right?" I ask Erik in a joking manner

"But that's the fun of it," he defended, "Also, how else am I supposed to get your attention?"

"Maybe try knocking next time."

He gave me a look like, 'Are you serious right now?' and I just laughed.

"So, did the gala start?" I asked Erik.

"Yeah, come with me and we can watch from a hidden spot."

He led me through the many passages through the opera house, and singing could be heard as we got closer.

"They say that this youth has set my Lady's heart aflame!" I heard the actors that played the fops sing. When we finally reached our destination. We went through a door that lead behind the large chandelier. I was able to see the performance, as well as Meg who was playing a maid.

"His Lordship, sure, would die of shock," One of them sang."

"His Lordship is a laughing-stock!" The other sang.

"Should he suspect her, God protect her!
Shame! Shame! Shame!
This faithless lady's bound for HADES!
Shame! Shame!! Shame!" They sang together as Meg wagged a finger punctuating that line. Then came Carlotta as the countess and Christine as the pageboy in a maid disguise. Erik had a look of distaste on his face.

"Serafimo - your disguise is perfect." Carlotta exclaimed as a wooden block was hit in the orchestra pit to represent the knocking of a door, "Who can this be?"