Bravissimo

A Mask For a Mask

Erik-

I wake up feeling like a ball of nerves. I look to my left and Christine is already sitting up smiling at me. She's already dressed in a sunset yellow dress. 

"What is it?" I ask. 

"How are you doing?" She asks with a little worry in her voice. She knows me too well. 

"Nervous, very, for now at least." I say. 

"Okay, well I bought you this." She says handing me some bread and jam. 

"I actually do not know what kind you like so I grabbed them all. While you eat, I'm going to take away your biggest stressor and get you that mask okay? Don't think about it! And I'll be right back." She explains and puts her hand on my shoulder. 

"I- feel better already. How do you do that?" I say as she takes my hands. 

"I just know what's going on up there." She says kissing my forehead. "One problem at a time, it'll be great! Now, actually eat that please!" She says making her way out of the lair. She's right I usually would just have a few bites and leave it but I'll do it, for her. I shake my head, sit at our small table and eat. I thought eating would make it all the worse, but no, she was right, I feel better. I think of the night before me, though she said not to, and I don't feel so bad.

Christine-

I get to the doctors and walk inside to the lobby. 

"Christine! So glad to see you up and going." The desk worker says to me. 

"Not a ghost today!" I say and laugh as I am not as pale. 

"What are you here for this time?" She asks me. 

"Actually..." 

"Mary." She says answering my lingering question. 

"Mary, I am here with a question for the doctor, about burns, is he in?" I ask batting my eyes. I can't wait much longer to see him. 

"Oh dear, did you get burned that horrible night? You're in luck! I'll go get him." 

"Thank you." I say as she walks away. I teeter back and forth on my feet anxiously until he appears.

"Miss Daae! How can I help you today dear?" The familiar voice says. 

"Doctor, hello!" I said as we walked into his room for privacy. "A great friend of mine, burned the entire right side of his face the night of my performance, do you have a mask or a cover that would suit that? One that may even be formal?" I ask. The doctor pondered for a moment nodding his head. 

"I think I do, please have a seat." My heart leaped for joy and I sat. He turned around and opened his closet to reveal a huge chest. And inside a whole bunch of medicines, wraps, creams, and casts. Finally he brought it out. "I think this would work just fine." He handed me a mask that looked extremely similar to Erik's except this one covered his ear. 

"Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me!" He chuckles. 

"Now if I may?" 

"Yes?" I asked. 

"Why wouldn't your friend come to us? For treatment?" I looked down and pretended to think, with a sad look on my face I said; "He was ashamed, however, he dealt with it just fine." I say. 

"I see, well you tell him, he can come in anytime if he has questions or worries, no cost. For a friend!" He winks at me. 

"Oh thank you sir, you are too kind!" He nods with a smile. 

"However, that piece I cannot give to you it's very expensive." He explained. 

"I assumed as much sir." I say and begin to walk out the door. 

"This friend Madame.." he says and I peak my head back in the doorway. 

"Yes?" 

"He's the one you spoke of is he not?" He says. I nod my head and grin, "he absolutely is sir." He chuckles. 

"You tell him he's a lucky man." He said nodding at me, "he'd agree with you sir, and I a lucky woman." I say and make my way to the lobby, with the mask in a clear bag. "Mary, can I pay with you?" She nods and looks at the piece and looks for the numbers on the bag in a giant book and frowns. 

"Madame that piece is 600 francs." She says nervously and I hand it too her. She smiles obviously shocked. "I know it's none of my business but how-" she begins. 

"Prima Donna." Is all I say, curtsy and walk away. I place the mask in my side bag and make my way back home. The people catch me in the same place they did yesterday. I look around, André isn't with me this time and I feel nervous being alone with all these people. I look around more and see Erik up by a gargoyle on the roof, and I feel a lot better.

"Madame Daae! A few more questions today?" A man asks me, I nod my head and I hear a few "whoops!" in response. "Miss Daae, who is courting you?" "When did you meet him?" I hear the questions I expected, I look to my left and three young men all hold roses. One of them holds his out to me, "Miss Daae won't you give me a chance? Don't settle!" The second man says. "Christine reconsider?" And the third just holds out the flowers to me. I put my hands up in a defensive position and feel unease as I see the roses, those are Erik's special gifts to me. Though I feel bad, I can't even accept them as a fan gift, roses are strictly off the table in my mind. I back away and the boys take a small step forward. 'Please don't!' I desperately think to all these men. 

"Ah, ah ah!" I hear along with the clicking of heals. I feel relieved as someone else is here with me. 

"The Lady said 'no'. Back up monkeys, go, GO!" She says, I turn to my left and it's Carlotta. She takes my arm in hers, then takes the rose from one of the boys and hits him on the head with it. "Shame on you boy." She says with venom in her voice. I put my hand on her shoulder and smile, I am now eternally grateful to her. She doesn't leave my side even when I let go.

The reporter comes back up and says; "Madame Daae, who is your suiter?" Everyone looks at me with anticipation and I take a deep breathe and give a big smile. 

"His name..." I say taking everything in, I want to remember this moment forever. "Is Erik, Erik Destler." All of the crowd begins to talk. A photographer snaps a photo of me and I only hope I can see it soon as well, for I just told the world my beloved's name for the very first time.

"Christine does he sing as well?!" The same woman with red hair from yesterday asks. I nod my head and laugh. 

"Even better than I!" The crowd gasps and smiles. 

"Christine, how long have you known him? Will he be at the grand reopening?" I clap my hands together and I can't help this giant grin on my face anymore. 

"I have known him for many years, and I am excited to tell you he will be! However... if I may?" I ask and take a step forward. A few reporters nod at my question and get their pens ready, they know I have something important to say. "Erik will be wearing a mask, you see, he attended the opera that night.. and the right side of his face was burned. So please, if we meet, refrain from any questions about what happened as now you all know." The crowd nods in understanding. "I also want to make it clear." I say with tears brimming. "No scar, no burn, and no change to my Erik, will ever make me stop loving him." I say and the crowd "awww"s. "The Opera Populaire opens tonight at 9! We can't wait to see you all there." I smile and turn around. Carlotta nods her head and takes my arm again, giving the 3 men an ugly look, and we walk up the stairs.

Once inside she rolls her eyes and says, "Miss Daae this, Christine that!" She says and walks away. I look after her confused and Firmin walks up to me. 

"We told her to help you out, you know, for her image." 

"Ahhh, that makes more sense." I say and shake my head. 

"Alright! Well, Miss Daae we will see you two tonight!" André says taking my left hand and kissing it, and Firmin with my right does the same. 

"Yes, we can't wait!" Says Firmin.

"Neither can I Monsieur."