The Phantom's Guardian (the Phantom of the Opera fan fiction)

Part 8 - A whispered request

Author Note: I do not own any character from the Phantom of the Opera books/ musical/ movie. Only my characters (Desiree, Sharon, the old violinist, Alice, Clara, Madame Dubos) and any others I may add along the story are mine.

Part 8 – A whispered request

Undoubtedly, Christine's impromptu audition was a success and she was cast in Elissa's role in stead of Carlotta in the Hannibal. That afternoon, Desiree, Clara, Madame Dubos and other seamstresses were running around the costume room again, trying to re-fit the dress to Christine's size. Work was going slow because every few minutes, a stagehand would put his head in the room to ask for Desiree (Derrick)'s help in moving a set piece, or hanging a new poster (the soprano's name had to be changed) and that would result in Madame Dubos screaming about how it is more important to ACTUALLY have a dress for the soprano than her name on a poster. Therefore, nobody was successful in dragging Desiree off for other chores.

That was, until she went out of the room.

Desiree was sent to take a measurement of Christine's head for the headpiece. Christine was being bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information on Elissa by the director, the conductor and Madame Giry. The poor girl was almost in tears but managed to stay sane and listen to everyone. After shoving her way near Christine and almost elbowing Madam Giry in the face, Desiree succeeded in getting the measurement. She was hastily walking back along the corridor when someone unceremoniously tugged her by the tail of her waistcoat into an alcove.

Desiree almost screamed but even before the leather-gloved hand covered her mouth, she remembered who she worked for and shut up. The smell of candles and leather wafted to her nose and it was all Desiree could do not to close her eyes and inhale deeply.

"What is it that you want, Master? The whole theatre is busy now because of your little stunt with the backdrop.", Desiree huffed and tried to wriggle around him, but the task was almost impossible without brushing her body along his chest, so instead, she opted for a safer option.

"Please move aside, I have to get these measurements to Madame Dubos soon or she will freak out."

"MY little stunt? Boy, I do not have an inkling what you are talking about.", the Phantom had the nerve to look baffled.

"Oh, do not play coy with me, you dropped the tapestry on Carlotta, didn't you? Now, your pupil is going to be a star. I doubt that these two things are mere coincidence.", Desiree rolled her eyes, without even caring that she was now behaving like a girl.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go serve my OTHER master, Master.", she tried to sidestep him again.

"No, stop. I need you to go to the market for me, it's urgent."

"Are you kidding me?? We have a show tonight with almost everything about the production being revised, refitted, re-adjusted and you want me to go to the market! I am sorry, Master, but can't it wait until tomorrow? What would you possibly need urgently?", Desiree threw her hands up.

The Phantom went silent.. and hanged his head down.

After patiently waiting for 5 seconds, Desiree decided to brake the silence.
"Master?? Are you going to stand here and delay my work some more, or are you going to tell me what you want?".

"A rose",

The sound was merely a whisper, barely audible. But Desiree heard it clearly and her breath caught.

Ohhh, he wanted to get her a congratulation present...

Head still bowed deeply, he continued without looking up.

"I want you to buy a red rose, tie it with a black ribbon around the stem and deliver it to Christine's room before the performance. Do not say who it is from. I cannot go to the market in daylight. I know that you are busy and I am apologetic to have caused this situation, but Christine deserves this, Derrick. She deserves so much more. This is not a demand, this is a request."
"Will you do it?",

He talked slowly, each word tumbling out hesitantly. For the first time since she met him, the Phantom spoke without authority or confidence. Desiree could almost hear the insecurity in his low voice.

'(Christine deserves this... Will you do it?)', the phrases echoed in her head long after he stopped talking. Desiree sighed heavily. Dammit, who can say no to that voice, and that speech? It is unfair for him to be so persuasive, Desiree thought.

"Okay, okay, I will do it. Consider it done. Now, can you please let me get back to my work, thank you very much."

At last, he moved aside and Desiree walked out of the alcove, feeling a little cold without his body and cloak blocking the entrance.

Okay, time to pretend that she lost a whole bunch of important sequins and go to the market. Desiree exhaled what might have been the  hundredth sigh of the day, already picturing Madame Dubo's red angry face.

.......

"Think of me, think of me fondly,

when we've said goodbye.

Remember me, once in a while -

please promise me you'll try.

When you find that, once again, you long

to take your heart back and be free -

if you ever find a moment,

spare a thought for me"

To everyone's relief and delight, Christine performed very well despite the burden of having to step into the role in less than 10 hours. Unfortunately, other parts of the production were not so lucky. The ballet number fumbled a bit and a backdrop was dropped too late, although such slip-ups were hardly noticed by the cheering crowd. Madame Giry reprimanded the ballet girls for being such a disgrace and led them off to rehearse again. Desiree saw Meg sneaking out to Christine's room, undoubtedly to grill the new prima donna for information on her secret tutor.

According to the story, Vicomte Raoul will be going to Christine's room and ask her out for dinner. The Phantom will be enraged and take Christine to his lair instead. Desiree planned to snoop around Christine's room to see these events, but her fate clearly had other plans.

"Derrick! Why are you standing around the female dressing rooms?"

Madame Giry stood in front of Desiree(Derrick). She looked angry and Meg stood behind her with a crestfallen look.

"Umm..." Desiree was looking for an excuse but Madame Giry did not let her finish.

"Go help the other stagehands oil the set elephant. Piangi said it was creaking so much on the stage. And god helps me if I find you idling again!"

"Yes, surely Madame, I will see to it straightaway", Desiree hurriedly walked away but she could still hear Madame Giry complaining.

"What a disaster! And those two new managers are just celebrating instead of actually running the theatre. Most unhelpful, these two. I wonder if they think every show will be sold out, it is just the opening night, afterall...."

Dejected, Desiree went to the stage and started oiling the set elephant. However, before she finished the job, there was a commotion in the direction of the dressing rooms and she heard Raoul's urgent voice.

"Get Monsieur Firmin and Monsieur Andre!! Somebody's kidnapped Christine!!! Took her straight from the dressing room!"

Author Note: Yay, a new update!! Hope you like it. Please comment, vote and share my story with others who might enjoy it too. It means a lot to me.

Yours