Her Innocence || Phantom of the Opera

Chapter Sixteen

Christine POV:

My eyes fluttered open to an empty space. I blinked a few times, testing my vision. The ceiling became clearer and I realised that I was in my bed. How did I get here?

I carefully sat up, noting that there was still a slight nausea in my stomach. Not nearly as bad as before, though, I risked standing up. A bad choice on my behalf as I had to immediately sit back down before I threw up. I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Madame?" A soft voice entered the room. I reopened my pupils to find Madame Giry in the doorway. "How are you feeling?" She asked concerned, and I noticed she seemed really exhausted.

"Well, I-" I paused. Something wasn't right. If I was here, that must mean..."Madame!" I sprung to my feet, ignoring my stomach's complaint. "Where is Erik?" She shuffled her feet and sighed.

"Christine," she said in her strong French accent, "he's fine, for now."

"But Raoul- did he see him? What exactly happened?" I tossed questions in her direction.

She answered quietly, "Yes, he did see him, but I think he shouldn't be running his mouth, at least until you've recovered. He is in the library now if you would like to speak with him."

"No," I simply replied. "Not right now." I sat back on the bed, grateful that my husband hadn't gone to the police. "I'm actually quite tired right now," I added with a slight yawn. "Would you mind closing the door on your way out?" She nodded and left quietly.

For the next few minutes, I sat on the mattress, pondering my next course of action. Now that Raoul knew HE was here, and still alive, I was positive that my husband would already be planning our trip back home. Frankly, I couldn't disagree.

Suddenly, the large single window to to the left of my bed swung open, reeling in the frosty, winter air. I shivered and moved to close it, but stopped as a large shadow climbed into the room. I internally screamed, frozen in shock to actually let my voice escape my throat.

"Christine?" The shadow called softly. I let out a shaky breath in relief.

"Oh, it's just you," I casually said. Erik closed the window and strolled towards me. The moonlight danced across his white mask, making small patterns on the porcelain in the darker room. "Why are you here?"

He faintly smiled. "To make sure you were alright, of course." He was only a few inches away now, causing me to draw in a deep breath. "Well, I am," I said in the bravest, most confident voice I could use. "I suppose that wasn't the only reason you came, though?" His smile turned downward.

"You suppose right," he answered quietly. "I want to know what will happen now that your husband," he scowled,"knows of my presence?" I bit my bottom lip, forcing myself to look away from his piercing, ocean eyes.

"I will probably be going back home, now. I don't think Raoul would be fond with the idea of staying."

He squinted furiously. "You mean you won't be back?" I shook my head lightly. I knew, once I left, there would be little to no chance of my return.

Erik suddenly looked angry. He clenched his teeth and backed up. He started mumbling under his breath words that I could not form. Then, he charged towards me, his fists in balls at his side. I gasped and prepared to be hit by his oncoming punch, but only jumped as he hit the wall behind me that I was standing against. Then, he did the unthinkable. Lowering his face to mere millimeters from my own, he kissed me. A fire sprung from his touch and I found myself enjoying the burning sensation. Internally, I was screaming at myself...why wasn't I reacting!? He eagerly searched my lips, slightly parted, and sighed.

I wasn't the first to pull away, which surprised me and confused me all the same. Lifting his gaze, Erik stared into my eyes, which were probably red from the lack of peaceful rest. I couldn't move anything, paralyzed in my own state of shock. Then, he lowered his head back down to mine. "Stay," he whispered into my ear.