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

Part 11 - Making up

Part 11 - Making up

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.

The Phantom was not in the hall when Desiree arrived to the lair with a basket of food.

"Master, are you there?", her voice was tentative.

"I'm in here, boy.", his voice came from one of the curtained back rooms, the one Desiree had never entered before.

'(Well he sounds normal enough, maybe he doesn't want me to know what Christine did.)', she thought.

"I've brought some food. Why don't you come out and have some, Master?",

"Just a moment..."

Desiree tried to calm her mind while setting the table for him.

The Phantom came out and sat at the table. His eyes were downcast so all Desiree could see was the short, thick lashes casting shadows on the mask. His demeanour was indiscernible, withdrawn, maybe?? But Desiree couldn't see any anger or hysterics. He looked at the table set for one.

"The food smells wonderful. Why don't you join me?",

Although they usually dine together, she thought he would prefer to eat alone today.

"Oh it is all right, Master. I am not hungry. You enjoy it."

"I insist. It is lunchtime, is it not?"

"Oh, .. okay, then.", Desiree sat hesitantly and peeked at him again. He was digging into the roasted chicken with vigour now, even his earlier reserved manner was gone.

Desiree felt confused. She expected him to be sad and sullen after the morning's events. Her usual overactive mind started to race.

('Had Christine not rip the mask off? Oh, No!! If so, did I change the original events? What will happen to me then? Would I get sent back to my world? NO!!! the old man said there will be serious implications. Does that mean I will disappear from both worlds? Oh My G0d!), Desiree looked down at her hands, dreading to see them fading away like she saw in the science fiction movies where some characters got erased from existence.

"Are you feeling well, boy? You look pale, as if you have seen a ghost.", the Phantom was studying her face quizzically now.

"Umm, I am fine, just tired. How was your day, Master?"

The Phantom put down the utensils and finally, looked up at her. His dark green eyes gazed straight into Desiree's blue ones and once again, her heartbeat quickened and she suddenly found it hard to breathe.

Before Desiree could interpret the emotions in his eyes, he looked down into his plate. Then he said in a low voice,

"I wanted to apologize to you. You were right."

Desiree was shocked.

"What do you mean, Master?"

"This morning, after you left, Christine woke up while I was playing my organ. I did not notice her approach and she did something outrageous. She came near me and took off my mask."

Desiree felt the lump in her throat loosen. So everything happened according to the story. Then why did he seem normal – or as normal as typical Erik can be- ? Her thoughts were interrupted when he continued in the low voice.