Finding Love

Chapter 3

** Disclaimer: I don't own Poto**
The picture above is the dress that Rose likes!

Rose POV
"Rose! Come look at this dress!" I walk over to Christine from the rack of dresses I was looking at and stop when I see the dress. "It's so beautiful! How much is it?" Christine ignored my question and told me to go try it on. On my way to the fitting room, I glance at the price tag. Holy cow! I can't afford this! But I try it on regardless of the price. Christine practically squealed when I walked out. "It looks even more beautiful now that your wearing it!" I look in the mirror and see that she's right. The blue ribbon tied around my waist makes my already bright blue eyes shine like the brightest star. I closed the door to the fitting room and changed back into my dress. "It's a really pretty dress Christine, but I can't afford it." I returned the dress to its original rack and continued looking around the store. Christine bought a few dresses for herself, then we headed to our favorite café for lunch, the Café de la Paix. We each had a small sandwich and some water. When we returned to the Opera House, we were told that rehearsals for Il Muto start in about 10 minutes. With that, Christine and I hurried to get changed and on stage to warm up. Christine is the page boy and Carlotta is playing the lead. Ugh! I thought she left! Looks like I'm going to have a headache after practice again. Rehearsals went as normal as you'd expect. Carlotta sounded horrible, like always, Christine was silent due to not having any lines at all, and Meg and I learned the choreography. When Meg, Christine, and I got to our room, I just plopped onto my bed. I was exhausted, but I sat up when Christine started to speak. "Rose, Meg, I have a gift for each of you. Just for being the most amazing friends ever" she handed each of us a box wrapped in baby pink gift wrap with a laver colored bow on top. "Rose, how about you go first" Slowly but surely, I opened the gift to reveal the dress that I had tried on at the shop. "Christine! Thank you so much!" I hopped off of my bed and gave her a big hug. Meg opened her gift to find a brand new pair of pointe shoes! "They are absolutely wonderful! Thank you!" Christine and Meg shared a quick hug before deciding to go to bed. I waited until both of them were asleep before I made my way to the roof of the Opera House. Sometimes I go up there to sing, it's very relaxing.

Erik's POV
I hid behind a statue at the sound of someone coming onto the roof. Who would be out this late? I look around and see a young woman walking towards the railing on the roof. Rose, I think her name is. She leans onto the railing and starts singing Vio Che Sapete in perfect Italian! I stayed, only because I couldn't bring myself to leave her angelic voice!

Voi che sapete che cosa e amor,
Donne, vedete, s'io l'ho nel cor,
Donne, vedete, s'io l'ho nel cor.
Quello ch'io provo, vi ridiro,
E per me nuovo capir nol so.
Sento un affetto pien di desir,
Ch'ora e diletto, ch'ora e martir.
Gelo e poi sento l'alma avvampar,
E in un momento torno a gelar.
Ricerco un bene fuori di me,
Non so chi il tiene, non so cos' e.
Sospiro e gemo senza voler,
Palpito e tremo senza saper,
Non trovo pace notte ne di,
Ma pur mi piace languir cosi.
Voi, che sapete che cosa e amor
Donne, vedete, s'io l'ho nel cor,
Donne, vedete, s'io l'ho nel cor,
Donne, vedete, s'io l'ho nel cor.

When she finished I was in awe. Rose sounded so beautiful! 'But Christine sounds way better' the voice in my head nagged. I start to walk away when I accidentally stepped too hard and heard my footprint. Sprinting I made my way into my Opera House.

Rose's POV
I could've sworn I heard something! I looked around the roof a few seconds more then decided to walk around the Populaire. Within a few minutes I found myself on the stage. To my right was the piano we use for rehearsals. I slid my finger across the keys but didn't play as it was late at night. Moving along I let my curiosity get the better of me, and headed towards Box 5. What's so special about it that the Phantom feels the need to keep it all to himself? When I was inside of the Box, I sat in one of the front seats. I sat there for a few minutes trying to find something special. Other than the fact that the seats are extremely comfortable, there seems to be nothing 'special' about Box 5. I left to go to my room before any late nighters, which are very few, saw me. Once I got there, I immediately changed into a nightgown and went to sleep. That night I dreamt about Box 5 and the Ghost that claims it.