Your Voice

Chapter 7

Christine

The sound of the piano wakes me up. Slowly, getting out of my groggy state, I remember what happened the night before. Erik looks from the keyboard at me and gives me a big smirk; his mask is off. Blushing, I try to cover myself - I'm in my nightdress - but he simply chuckles and starts towards me.

"Christine, darling, it seems as if you have forgotten that night years ago. I've seen you naked before."

"Good morning, Angel." I plant a quick kiss on his lips and look over to a clock on my left. Half past eleven. "I should go! I have rehearsals to attend-"

"Don't worry. I'll come with you. The score is with me anyway - they can't start without their manager." He starts to get dressed and gives me a sky blue satin dress to wear.

"How did you get this dress?" I ask, suspicious. He tells me he made it for me to wear in one of the performances I was supposed to do. "It's pretty!" As I look into the full length mirror, Erik stands behind me and we stare at our reflection for a moment; we looked like a couple in an old portrait.

"Come, Angel, we must be going." He takes me by the hand and helps me into a boat similar to the one back in the hidden canals of the Opera Populaire.

"I can't wait to hear what you've written for me, dear, your music is amazing." I turn to him and, inspired by the familiar boat ride, start to sing.

In sleep he sang to me

In dreams he came

That voice which calls to me

and speaks my name

And do I dream again

for now I find

The Phantom of the Opera is there inside my mind

Sing once again for me

Our strange duet

My power over you

Grows stronger yet

And though you turn from me

to glance behind

The Phantom of the Opera is there inside your mind

Erik

"Here is the finished score," I hand the wad of paper over to the conductor. He nods and I walk over to Christine, who was just introduced to the cast of Fantasma's production of an opera I wrote a while ago.

"I must say, Mr Destler, I am rather impressed by your theatre." She gets up on her tiptoes and kisses my cheek. "And this aria." In amazement, she hums the first few notes. "Oh, darling, thank you!" I was taken aback when she jumped up, circling her arms around my neck, pressing her lips onto mine.

Anywhere you go let me go too

Love me, that's all I ask of you

"What is this?" An angry voice shouts from amongst the chatter of the ballerinas. It's a familiar voice belonging to someone I have despised ever since he stepped into my opera house.

"Raoul." Christine shakes with fear and I defensively step in front of her. Everyone (the orchestra, the dancers, the freaks) falls silent, watching with tension in the air like a poisonous gas.

"You slut! Why would you ever love such a monster?" He spits out his words through gritted teeth, pointing to me.

"Raoul! I love him! I always have! I thought I loved you, but after our engagement you stopped being the boy that ran into the sea to get my scarf and turned into this- this alcoholic mess!" Tears stream from her eyes and I grip her trembling hand in mine.