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

Part 10 - Aftermath of the confrontation

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

The photo is the notes and prima donna scene.(I do not own the photo)

Part 10 – Aftermath of the confrontation

Desiree slept poorly that night. She kept tossing and turning, anxious about Christine in the other room and when she did fall asleep, her dreams were troubled.

Frequently she woke up sweaty and tired without any memory of what she actually dreamed about. She doubted that the Phantom got any sleep too because she could hear him turning pages or playing the organ in the hall every time she woke up.

Finally, she decided that she would not get any more sleep today and got up. She picked up the envelopes that she has to deliver and went out. The Phantom was sitting like a statue at the organ, staring at a sheet music. He turned to look at her as she stepped out of the room. His harsh words from last night came back to her mind,

"No one has the guts to question me like this, Derrick."

"That is enough of you telling me what I should do, Derrick. I do not appreciate being lectured by my disciple"

She could see that he was still brooding and she, also, still felt sulky from their disagreement. Desiree did not bother to say any greeting; instead she chose to divert her eyes and left without a word.

When Desiree finished delivering all the notes and returned to the theatre, it was almost late morning.

On her way to the costume room, she heard voices in the corridor.

"I have seen him!! He exists...

prowling the halls nightly..

Worse than your nightmares, nastier than any dark creature...

I can tell you about him..

About that dreadful, horrendous PHANTOM OF THE OPERA", a slurred voice boomed.

Feminine gasps and squeals followed that voice.

"Oh, give me a break!!You drunken fool.", Desiree cursed inwardly. She was really getting fed up with Joseph Buquet and his stories about the Phantom.

Today, she was not in a good enough mood to ignore it. She looked around to see if Madame Giry was nearby. In the story, Madame Giry told him not to be loose-tongued, so if the storyline is accurate, Madame Giry should be around here...

Desiree's speculations were not wrong. Madame Giry was walking along the corridor with her staff in her hand. Mentally smiling, Desiree casually greeted her and sighed dramatically.

"Good day, Madame. I hope that you enjoyed a quiet morning, although I cannot say the same for myself. That drunkard Joseph Buquet and his audience are intolerable. Apparently, he thought that entertaining ballet girls with the Phantom stories would make him popular among them. Spreading such rumours is not good for our business, is it?", she shook her head.

As if on cue, Joseph Buquet's voice floated down...

"Like yellow parchment is his skin . . .

a great black hole served as the nose that never grew . . .

You must be always on your guard,

or he will catch you with his magical lasso!"

Some of the girls screamed.

Madame Giry's eyes glittered and her lips thinned.

"Why yes, Derrick. I do agree with you on this issue. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

Desiree trudged forward, Madame Giry's voice following her in the corridor...

"Those who speak of what they know

find, too late, that prudent silence is wise.

Joseph Buquet, hold your tongue

he will burn you with the heat of his eyes . ..."

Desiree walked woozily, her lack of sleep catching up with her. She would love to get some sleep before the preparations for the show, but she did not want to go back to the lair. She did not want to face the distant, withdrawn Erik from the morning. Therefore, she just tumbled into a heap of tapestry behind the stage and passed out in the dark, warm corner.

She woke to another commotion, still dizzy from suddenly waking up. People were arguing in the stalls in front of the stage.

"Where is she???"

"You mean Carlotta?"

"I mean Miss Daae - where is she?"

"Well, how should we know?"

"I want an answer - I take it that you sent me this note?"

With a start, Desiree recognized that the two managers and Raoul were talking about the notes she delivered. She knew that two of them were irritated by the Phantom's demands and Raoul was equally mad because the note told him not to contact Christine again. If her memory was correct, Desiree thought, Carlotta would also be angry about her own note saying that her days at the Opera are numbered and she was not to stand in Christine's way....

"WHEREEE isss he?!!!"

Annd.. enter the bat-killer with her high-pitch voice.

"Ah, welcome back!"

"Your precious patron -where is he?"

"What is it now?"

"I have your letter - a letter which I rather resent!"

They started arguing, their voices overlapping and Desiree felt a headache coming on. She was planning to cover her ears and go back to sleep when she heard Madame Giry's voice.

"Miss Daae has returned."

Just when the group erupted with questions towards Madame Giry, Desiree bolted upright, her foggy mind cleared by the notion.

Christine has returned. Christine has returned!!. This meant that she had ripped off Erik's mask and seen his face!

Desiree stood up, her sudden action making her vision go black for a moment and she put a hand to the wall for support. She remembered how the Phantom sounded so broken in that particular scene in the movie and she can only imagine how Erik would be feeling right now.

('I have to go back now!'), one part of her mind said urgently.

('Let him wallow by himself for a bit, Deedee. Even if you go back now, you know he'll just be bitter towards you'), another part of her conscience scoffed, sounding a lot like Sharon.

(No, he needs a friend. Now more than ever! He doesn't deserve to be alone. Not anymore.), affectionate Desiree won the argument.

('At least have a clear plan, you fool. You say the stupidest things when you are near him'), Sharon-conscience rolled her eyes. Desiree decided that both of them are right and after carefully slipping out of her hiding place, went to the kitchen. While cooking dinner, she started to plan how to approach the Phantom and how to cheer him up when she get back.

Author Note: So sorry for a late update and a short chapter... I was traveling and did not have a chance to write much. Let me know how you feel about Desiree and Phantom's relationship. It would mean so much to me. Please comment, vote and share my story with others who might enjoy it too.

Yours