The Phantom of the Opera (Cherik X Reader)

Chapter Six: (Y/N)'s debut

The two old friends walked back to the coach happily. (Y/N)'s hair was messy and Phillippe had his coat off. They kissed again when (Y/N) stopped him asking what time it was. Phillippe showed the time and (Y/N) realized she had to go see Erik. Phillippe tried to protest but she was persistent and they went back to the theatre. When (Y/N) arrived in the practice room, Erik wasn't there. Crying, (Y/N) sat at the piano and begged Erik to forgive her. Meanwhile, Carlotta had found where (Y/N) had been living for the past few months and looked through her things just as (Y/N) came back.

"Madame!" (Y/N) curtsied.

"Don't be frightened. I simply had to see you," Carlotta told her, "you were so fantastic tonight."

"Thank you."

"So fantastic that I couldn't sleep. I could only think about you," Carlotta looked around (Y/N)'s home, "so this is where you've been living."

"Yes, it just, um, temporary."

"Dear, there's something I can't quite understand."

"Yes?"

"How you learn to sing so well."

(Y/N) didn't answer and went over to her little table, "because technique like yours simply does not come naturally. So who has been teaching you?"

"I can't say," (Y/N) said sitting down.

"Can't say?"

Silence.

"I gave my word."

"To whom? Your teacher?" (Y/N) nodded, "I see. Your teacher said, don't tell Carlotta who I am!"

"He said not to tell anyone."

"You think I'm anyone?"

"Please, Madame!"

"So this is how you repay my generosity? Letting you stay in this magnificent quarters against all these regulations, rent-free!"

(Y/N) couldn't stand the yelling, "alright! The last thing I want to do is to appear ungrateful."

"I would hope," Carlotta said.

"But you must swear never to tell another soul."

"Oh, you have my word."

"The truth is, I don't know what his name is. Maestro never told me it."

"Well, what does he look like?"

"Not sure."

"Not sure?"

"I've never seen his face."

"Dear, I'm afraid I don't understand."

"He wears a mask."

Carlotta told Choleti that she knew who (Y/N)'s teacher is. Back with (Y/N), she had just hung her dress up when Choleti called her saying he had news and not to tell his wife. Because Carlotta wouldn't sing in the new opera, he gave the part to (Y/N). Carlotta later found out about it and she was in tears. Choleti told her it was good for business and that he had another reason for giving the part to (Y/N). Speaking of, she just told Erik the news the next day.

"He wants you to what?"

"Sing Margarite in 'Faust'!" (Y/N) told him.

"When did he ask you that?"

"At the bistro, after I had finished singing. Oh, it was such a triumph. I wanted to come back and tell you right away but Carlotta, well, she insisted that I go off with her to celebrate. And that's why I was so late."

Erik hesitated, "... well, that's certainly wonderful news. We have a lot of work ahead of us."

Both were silent. Erik knew she was lying but he didn't say anything. What would she say? Will she stick to her lie or tell the truth?

"I'm sorry," (Y/N) said quietly but loud enough for Erik to hear, "I lied to you just now. Monsieur Choleti came and told me this last night. I wasn't with Carlotta after the bistro, I was with the Comte. I should've lied. I'm not sure why I did. I suppose it was because I thought you'd be upset and I didn't want to hurt you because none of this would've ever happened without you."

(Y/N) hugged him but he didn't hug back, he just tensed up. He didn't expect this but he did relax into it. He still didn't return her embrace. That morning, Choleti went to see Inspector Ledoux and told him his plan. The night of Faust was packed, ready to see (Y/N)'s Paris debut. (Y/N) was getting ready when Phillippe came into her dressing room to wish her good luck and gave her a single red rose. Phillippe soon left to go to his box with Gerard and the show started. (Y/N) wasn't supposed to be on yet so she still had time to prepare. Carlotta came to visit (Y/N) bringing a drink with her.

"Madame," (Y/N) curtsied.

"Just wanted to wish you well," Carlotta said kissing her cheek.

"Oh, thank you. Can't believe this is all really happening."

"Oh, it is! Very much!"

"You really have been so generous."

"Nonsense! Opera is my life and you, my dear, have the greatest voice I've ever heard."

They sat down and Carlotta took a sip of her drink.

"What is that?" (Y/N) asked.

"Oh, just a little something made of herbs. Most opera singers use this before going on. Helps steady the nerves. Oh, I'm a bit nervous too, you know. How you do tonight affects my reputation as well as yours."

"Yes..."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. You're going to do just splendidly! Oh, I'm so nervous for you. Without this, I don't think I'd be able to talk!"

(Y/N) got her five-minute call and she asked if she could have some of Carlotta's drink to which she said yes to. The show was in progress and it was close to (Y/N)'s first scene. Everyone was singing and dancing as (Y/N) came out of her prop house ready to sing. Her male co-star sang to her and when it was her turn, nothing came out of her mouth. She couldn't sing and it clearly wasn't out of nerves. Something else happened. Erik was devastated and the booing from the audience didn't help his anger. Yelling 'NO' at the top of his lungs,  he left his box to do something terrible. Bringing out his sword, he swung it against the rope holding the chandler and after a few swings, the chandler fell on the audience.

(A/N: Erik is pissed. See you next chapter)