The Phantom of the Opera (Cherik X Reader)

Chapter Four: The Comte de Chagny

Another month later, a new opera was announced and Carlotta was the star again. Everyone backstage were getting their costumes sorted, making sure they knew their lines and all that nonsense while (Y/N) and two other costumers helped Carlotta. The orchestra started as Choleti looked over the full theatre. Middle of the first scene, Carlotta was being praised by about eight men as one of them sang. A butler came up to them with a tray of champagne glasses and Carlotta handed them around singing. The last glass, however, took the tray with it and the audience laughed. Carlotta struggled to get it off but ended up throwing it and ran off stage. After that disaster, Carlotta was fanning herself while (Y/N) and Choleti put cold, damp cloths on her forehead.

Ledoux came over with the tray and half of the glass, "we know how it was done: glue."

Carlotta asked for a drink so Choleti went to get the requested drink. Once he did, he noticed a body on the sofa behind him. Joseph Bouquet. Dead and pale. Choleti screamed and Ledoux went to investigate. Choleti told the Inspector what he saw but Joseph had vanished. Now he wanted Erik caught. Erik will go out of his way to make Choleti resign but that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Later that night, Erik finished a song on the piano and closed the lid without a word.

"Have I done something wrong?" (Y/N) asked getting no reply, "my voice does not please you."

"Please me? Ha! Ever since I was a child you are the one I've been hearing in my dreams," Erik said standing up and walking to one end of the room, "I can't teach you anymore. I mean you're ready."

"Ready for what?"

"To audition for the company."

"No, they're not holding auditions anymore."

"No, you're not going to audition the usual way. Madame Carlotta will be much too jealous of your voice. No. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Just be patient."

Erik walked over to a mirror and looked in it as (Y/N) walked up behind him, "Maestro! There's one thing you have not told me; where do you live?"

"When you sing, I live in the heavens and when you do not, down below."

Erik looked down and (Y/N) approach him, putting her hand on his shoulder, "how will I ever repay you for this?"

Erik looked at her before looking at her hand. He wasn't used to being touched by anyone so this was surprising for him. The only people who have touched him are his mother and Gerard on occasions but never did it again when Erik started to become an adult. (Y/N) took her hand off his shoulder and they just looked into each other's eyes.

(Time skip)

The next morning, the Comte de Chagny arrived at the opera. He came back from his trip early to see (Y/N). Once the Comte parked his horse and carriage, he knocked on Jean-Claude's office and hid as he looked out. The two old friends greeted.

"We weren't expecting you for weeks," Jean-Claude said.

"I know, I was away on business and I saw my only business was to come back. Now, Jean-Claude, please say yes, is there a young girl named (Y/N)?" The comte asked.

Already knowing who he meant, Jean-Claude repeated her name pretending to try recall the name.

"Do not joke!" The Comte said.

Jean-Claude chuckled, "this is remarkable. It's possible Monsieur Le Comte is in love?"

"In love?" The Comte questioned, "how can I be in love? I hardly know the girl."

"That's how it happens."

"Really?"

"We all thought you were immune."

"So did I. Don't let it get around."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it."

"Oh, my reputation would be ruined."

"I understand."

The two chuckled, "so where is she?"

"She's inside."

Jean-Claude took the Comte inside and told him that all he could think about on his trip was (Y/N). What if she didn't believe him about the singing lessons or if she even came to the opera house. He asked if (Y/N)was in the chorus yet but Jean-Claude told him where she really was and everything that's happened recently. While being considered for (Y/N), all the women who knew the Comte, who we'll now call Phillippe, came downstairs to greet him. As he was enjoying the welcome, he saw (Y/N) with a costume cart walked passed and went up to her. She stopped as all the other girls watched the two.

"I swear I did not intend for you to be doing this," Phillippe told her.

"It's alright, Monsieur. I'm honoured just being here," (Y/N) said trying to leave but Phillippe stopped her.

"You should be having singing lessons. It's what I promised you. You have a wonderful voice. I know about these things. I... I come to the opera all the time."

All the girls laughed and one shouted, "we'll be at the bistro tonight!"

Philippe approached them, "Better than that! Because I'm so happy to be back with all of you I'm going to throw a party for the entire company," all the girls clapped, "at the bistro!"

(Y/N) tried to get back to work but Phillippe stopped her again and asked if she would accompany him. She later told Erik and he told her that the bistro was what they were waiting for because the tradition was to sing there, that's why the company loved going there. That was Erik's plan. (Y/N)'s audition would be at the bistro and hopefully, Carlotta won't say no. Erik quickly left and returned with a white dress for her to wear.

At the bistro, the whole company was there and I mean everyone. Phillippe was desperately waiting for (Y/N) who was getting ready with a little help from Erik who was promising her she would be fine. Phillippe getting impatient went outside to wait for her only to meet Gerard again instead. Gerard had heard about (Y/N) before he left from what Phillippe had told him so he was interested to meet her. Phillippe invited him back inside for a drink and told him more about (Y/N).

Carlotta was having a good time until she heard that their next opera was sold out. Carlotta knew nothing about this. After her last two debuts, she vowed she'd never sing again until Erik was killed. The two men tried to convince her to sing in Faust but she wasn't having any of it. She left but bumped into Phillippe who said she wanted to ask a favour. Phillippe talked about (Y/N) saying that she was his niece and asked about singing lessons which Carlotta said yes to.

"When can I meet her?" Carlotta asked.

"Well, I was hoping tonight. She promised me she'd come but... uh..."

"She's shy," Carlotta completed for him.

"Extremely."

Carlotta chuckled, "nieces are like that."

As if on cue, (Y/N) came in and someone took her cloak. Phillippe noticed and went over to her. Carlotta was shocked to see (Y/N). She wasn't expecting that.

(A/N: see you Cherik lovers next chapter)