A Heart Misguided (Phantom of the Opera)

Chapter 6 - The Agreement

Author's Note:

Dear Readers,

I have found a diagram to Erik's house. I wish to thank CarlySullivan9 (again) for her help. I found it on Chapter 4 in her book Phantom Friends. By the way, GO READ IT! That was an ORDER!!!!!! And, yes, I am sure it is a disgrace for any phangirl not to know the diagram to his house by memory but I have always found him more interesting than his house. I will be using that diagram from now on. Hope this doesn't confuse you. ENJOY!

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Christine's POV:

I looked up at Erik and he looked back at me. His eyes were glowing and I knew what he was thinking. I took his hand and said,

“Erik, stay calm. Just stay calm. Raoul will never take me back. I will stay with you forever.” He looked at me and I swore that I saw tears in his eyes. I hugged him and then we hurried down the hall towards the Louis-Phillippe room. My heart tightened when I remembered what had happened here only a week ago. The day that I had had to choose. I looked up at Erik who was gliding quietly across the room. I had chosen him then and I had chosen him now. And Raoul wasn't going to do anything about that. Erik laid his head against the torture chamber door and I swore his eyes were smiling. The Phantom had returned. I ran forward and whispered,

“Erik, let me talk to him. Let me explain.” Erik sighed and opened the door for me. I stepped in and saw Raoul cowering in a corner. Or at least where there should have been corner. It was a circular room with a iron tree to one side. Hanging on the iron tree was a noose. I shook my head and looked back at Raoul. His head was buried between his knees and he was shaking. He had been in here before and hadn't forgotten. I took a deep breath and said,

“Raoul, its me, Christine. Look at me.” Raoul looked up and quickly ran over to hug me. I hugged him then pushed him away before it could go much further.

“Raoul, you have to leave. You shouldn't have come here. Erik is a short tempered man. You really get on his nerves. I am sure he will let you leave if you promise never to come back.” Raoul took my hand in his.

“Christine, I am not leaving without you. You can't stay down here. It will be the death of you. I love you and I want you to stay with me.” I shook my head.

“Raoul, I love you as well. But only as a friend. You have been my friend for years. I will always be your friend but my heart is with Erik. I don't mean to hurt you but please understand!” I begged him. He stared at me in shock.

“You love that monster?” I nodded.

“I do love him and he isn't a monster. He is a very unlucky man. He can't help the way he is. He was made that way. I love him for who he is. He needs someone to teach him right from wrong. Someone who cares what happens to him.” Raoul paced through the room and finally said,

“Alright, Christine. I see. You love him as a lover and me as a friend. But I have one question, why did you act as if it was the other way?” I lowered my head and said,

“I was so confused. You were safe. He wasn't. He still isn't but I understand him better. Besides, Raoul, I can't be the perfect wife you will need. You are the Vicomte. You need a wife who had live up to that. I can't. But I can be the Opera Ghost's wife. That shouldn't be too difficult. I only have to please him. He isn't too hard to please.” I smiled. He tried to smile.

“Okay. I don't like it but I will let you stay here. I thought you had lost your mind when I read your note that you were coming back. I thought you were under some spell.” I laughed.

“So did Erik. He thought he was hallucinating when I returned. It took me a while to convince him I was staying.” Raoul laughed.

“May I speak with him?” I walked over to the door and knocked lightly.

“Erik, Raoul wishes to speak to you. Could you open the door?” The door moved and I walked out with Raoul in tow. He looked up at Erik and I smiled. He looked so girlish in comparison to Erik. Erik towered over him by at least a foot. Raoul probably weighed more than him but at that moment height really made the difference. Raoul swallowed and said,

“Erik, I am letting her stay. She loves you and not me. I will come to accept that. Take care of her.” Raoul held out his hand. Erik looked at it and said,

“I will.” He took the offered hand firmly. Raoul sighed.

“I don't think I can find my way back.” I swore Erik rolled his eyes. He led Raoul out of the Louis-Phillippe Room and outside to the boat. I followed them but stopped at the drawing room. Raoul turned to me and waved. I waved back. He was a good friend and he had proved it by putting his life on the line to help me. But I didn't need helping. I was happy. I was glad that Erik hadn't had to hurt him. I couldn't have born that. I ran my hand through my hair and, sitting down in a chair, fell asleep. I hadn't realized how tired I was.