My Angel of Music

Triumph

The curtains opened, the orchestra began to play, and I opened my eyes.  The house was full.  Every single seat.  My eyes darted around to find the one face I longed to see, but I knew I would not.  He was probably in the shadows, listening intently as he used to do.  My eyes traveled up to the boxes where elderly nobles sat with their spectacles and their fans.  But one box was empty..

I counted down one, two, three, four... Five.  How did he..?  Of course, Erik somehow did it.  He probably scared the manager into keeping box five empty... Just as before.  I felt his burning gaze on me and took a deep breath as I began to sing.  

With the Angel's presence, I sang better than I ever had.  I was lost in the music once more!  

when it was over, I returned to my dressing room, glowing with success and joy.  Once I opened the door, the aroma of flowers hit me like a ton of bricks.  I grinned and stepped inside, closing the door behind me.  my eyes evaluated the room, taking in each daisy and tulip.  Oh, the happiness I felt1  It was unbearable!

Suddenly, my eyes landed on a single red rose lying on my dresser, an elegant ribbon tied around it.  I practically ran to it and oicked it up, pressing my noseto it's silky petals.  I knew exactly who it was from.  The Angel of Music, of course!

The door behind me opened, but I didn't have to turn around to see who it was.

"You were magnificent, child.  Your voice soared to the heavens.  The angels wept tonight."  He whispered darkly.  I grinned and whirled around.  "Oh Angel, thank you."  I breathed, flinging my arms out and rushing to him.  He held my back as I breathed him in and sighed in happiness.  'This moment is all I have ever wanted."  I whispered.  

I heard him chuckle and he pulled away, tensing.  "I didn't want you to sing before because... Well it isn't my opera house and i thought that if I wasn't in control than everything would be wrong.  but you were perfect."   He explained softly, his black mask moving with his lips.  

I blinked and nodded, accepting his apology.

"Except maybe the ballerinas... They were dreadful.  Oh, and the flutes, they were terribly out of tune."  He babbled, frowning in displeasure.  I rolled my eyes and swatted his arm.  "Let us go home."  I mumbled, pulling him out, my single red rose still in hand.