A Heart Misguided (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 4 - First Real Kiss

Christine's POV:

I knew that would stop him in his tracks. I knew that saying those words would keep him close. I stood up and walked over to him. His back was still turned toward me so I laid my hands on his shoulders and, laying my head on his back, whispered,

“Erik, I love you. I love you. I will always love you. Don't leave.” He was shaking and I could feel the disbelief rolling off him. He pulled away and I felt the instant rejection. I wrapped my arms around me and heard him say,

“Don't say such things, Christine. It isn't right. Come, you must be tired. Rest tonight and leave in the morning.” He showed me to my room and all I could see was the pain. It hurt so bad. It hurt so much worse than had Raoul told me not to love him. This was real and he didn't love me anymore. I collapsed onto the bed and sobbed myself to sleep.

Erik's POV:

I stood in the doorway and heard her sobbing. It sounded like a broken heart. I laid my hand on my own heart and knew that it would kill me but I couldn't let her stay. She deserved the light and I couldn't give that to her. I walked back to my organ and stared at the keys. If I accepted her love now I wouldn't have to die. I would have her forever. I would be happy. But I didn't matter anymore. She was all that mattered. She would have to go back. No matter what she said, I was going to send her away. I set my jaw and started to play again. But something tugged at my heart. It was that she seemed so hurt when I told her not to love me. I couldn't bear to see tears in her eyes but she would recover soon enough from the spell that was over her. She wasn't right in the head. I loved her more than life and would always do what was best for her.

Christine's POV:

My sleep was restless. I couldn't rest when the pain wouldn't go away. I thought he was always love me. I guess that was a lie. I laid in bed as I listened to him play the piano. I wanted to hear that sound for the rest of my life. I curled up in the fetal position and sobbed quietly. If I went back to Raoul than he would want to marry me and I didn't love him. I loved Erik but I wasn't going to stay if he didn't love me back. Suddenly there was a dark shape in the doorway. I turned toward Erik and tried to wipe away the tears. He walked forward and said,

“Christine, don't cry. You shouldn't be crying. You should be glad that you will be free of me. You are under a spell of some sort. You aren't right in your head.” He started to walk away but I piped up,

“Erik, you once told me that you loved me but would only tell me if I asked you.” His back was to me but I could see him nod his head slightly. I took a deep breath and said, “Do you still love me?” He turned around and stared at me with those golden eyes which were shining like twin suns. They were really pretty in the dark. I heard his voice quiver as he said,

“What difference does my feelings make? You don't need to be here. There was a time when I thought that it might work but it won't. I love you too much to curse you to a life with me.” He shook his head and walked out of the room. That was enough for me. He still loved me. That was all I needed to know. I stood up and followed him. He stood by a window and I walked quickly over to him. He ignored me though he knew I was there. He wasn't such an idiot. I turned him to look at me then said,

“Erik, I came back. You didn't force me. I am here of my own freewill and I loved you.” I took his hand in mine and I could feel the shaking. He quickly pulled it away. I reached for it again but he took a step back.

“Christine, don't. I don't deserve to have you even touch me.” He looked intensely into my eyes. I stared back just as intensely.

“Neither do I, Erik. I almost killed you. I hurt you beyond repair. I am asking your forgiveness. I don't deserve that but I am begging you to forgive me. Let me stay with you.” He reached forward and carefully touched my fingertips.

“Christine, you were right to leave. You did nothing. It should be I who is asking for forgiveness. I was the one who ruined you by simply being around you. Forgive me, Christine!” I stared up at him and, not answering, pulled off his mask. Before he could make a move, I kissed him on the lips. Forget the forehead stuff.