The Phantom of the Opera (Cherik X Reader)

Chapter two: meeting

Choleti and the worker helping (Y/N) get singing lessons were walking down a flight of stairs as Choleti read a letter from the Comte. Choleti didn't know who he was until the worker told him that the Comte was one of their biggest patrons. Choleti had a look at (Y/N) who just looked up at him. Gerard, who left Erik's home, wrote a letter signing it as the now-dead Joseph Bouquet saying that he quit and gave it to the worker who left Choleti as he was thinking about singing lessons and told him to give the letter to Carlotta. When Carlotta got the letter and read it, she went straight to her husband about it. Choleti greeted her before introducing (Y/N).

"This lovely young girl would like singing lessons. What can we do?" He asked.

"Nothing," Carlotta looked at (Y/N), chuckling, "you think this girl can sing? Look at how she stands, look at what she's wearing," Carlotta laughed heading about halfway up the stairs, "where did you grow up, on a farm?"

"Sort of, Madame," (Y/N) replied.

"The world of opera has nothing to do with farm life," Carlotta told her, "why are you asking me this?"

"Because she has a patron who is powerful," her husband replied.

"Aha..." Carlotta was silent but still smiled, "there's only one way to learn to sing: observe singers. My dear, I'm going to do you a favour. I'm going to let you work for me."

(Y/N) smiled and curtsied a little.

"In the costume department. She has just replaced Joseph Bouquet as my costumer," Carlotta told Choleti.

"What?" He asked.

"Bouquet has quit!"

"Quit?"

"Doesn't like the working conditions!"

The two continued talking as (Y/N) watched them walk out of sight. (Y/N) thanked the worker who asked where she would be staying. She told him that she had nowhere to go because she had no money so the worker led her down below to a place where all the sets and props were saying she could stay there until she could afford somewhere else. Before leaving he told her not to wander around the opera at night as she might get lost in a large place like this.

Making herself at home, (Y/N) unpacked her bag, singing happily, unaware that Erik was listening from where he was with his other masks. Taking off a silver one he was wearing, only to reveal his usual white one, he dabbed his exposed chin with a powder puff as he listened to (Y/N) sing. Both stopped what they were doing until (Y/N) decided to explore hum the song she was singing. (Y/N) found a staircase to the stage and Erik went to investigate who was singing.

(Y/N) explored behind the backdrops of one of the upcoming operas before making her way to the centre of the stage singing something new. Hearing her voice again, Erik made his way to his private box to see who the angel was singing. At least that's what Erik thought of the voice. When he arrived, he hid behind the curtain of the box and peaked to see (Y/N) onstage still unaware someone was listening. Soon, she stopped, much to Erik's disappointment.

'Her voice is beautiful, much like herself but, it could use a bit of training. Who is this girl? She's like an angel,' Erik thought to himself.

(Time skip)

The next day, (Y/N) went out to get some bread for her and her new friend, Jean-Claude, as people advertised the new opera, Norma, performed by Carlotta. (Y/N) bid Jean-Claude good morning and gave him a sandwich and the money she had leftover and went to work. In the shadows, Erik was watching (Y/N) wearing the silver mask from the night before. Erik watched as (Y/N) was told what to do by another costumer. As (Y/N) worked, she watched everyone work on the stage, backdrops and all the singers' lines.

(Y/N) went into Carlotta's dressing room where she was being fitted into her costume all the while Choleti was trying to compliment his wife. Throughout the day, (Y/N) worked, watched over the progress of the opera and was introduced to some of the cast all the while Erik watched her all day. Night fell quickly and everyone packed up for the night.

(Y/N) started collecting discarded costumes as everyone took their leave. Erik has never stopped watching and finally took off an angry black mask he started wearing a while ago. (Y/N) went on stage to see about more costumes while Erik went to the orchestra pit and continued to watch her. Bidding the last few people goodnight, she went to pick up more costumes when she heard something. She turned to the orchestra pit to see the ginger-haired masked man.

"Please don't be afraid," Erik told her, "I'm a friend as well as an admirer."

(Y/N) went to approach him but, "no, please! I would appreciate it greatly if you would stay exactly where you are."

Erik cautiously went to the conductor stand as (Y/N) did as she was told.

"Mademoiselle, last night I heard you singing. I know you-you-you-you thought you were alone, but you were not. You have the most astonishing voice. It is like an angel, exquisite in tone and shape, in fact in almost every detail, except, but forgive me, it is obviously untrained. Now without training your voice, beautiful though it is, will never attain the heights for which I know it is destined. Now if you will allow me I can help you. I am a musician, of sorts," (Y/N) went to go to him again but, "no, please, there is a condition and this condition is invariable. I have never taken on any students for until last night I never wanted to, and if others should hear that I'm giving lessons well, they'll want them, too. Therefore I must insist that if you allow me to be your guide and I sincerely hope that you will I must insist that I remain anonymous, which is why I'm wearing this mask. Please, there is no need for an answer now. I will find you. Goodnight."

Erik left and (Y/N) finally went over to where he was to see he disappeared into the darkness. (Y/N) agreed to lessons and for the next month, the two met for lessons every night.

(A/N: see you next chapter)