The Point of No Return- COMPLETE

Chapter Six


Opera Populaire

That is what the marble crest in the floor at the top of the stairs read. Christine bent down and traced the letters with her fingers. The theater was not in that bad of shape despite the fire. The backstage area and the stage needed the most work. A few panes of stained glass and a few velvet seats, they would be back in business. She sighed as she looked down at the colored marble. This was the only home she had now.

“Little Lotte, always the curious one.”

Christine stood up as her head whipped to the entrance of the theater. Raoul stood there dressed in his fine clothes, looking very much like the lord of a great castle. He had on one of his best suits, top hat in one hand and his cane in the other. His dark blonde hair was down, framing his face. The one thing she was not too sure of was the almost cocky smile on his face. “Good morning.” She stood and looked down at him.

“Good morning?” Raoul’s eyes rose. “That is all get? Is it too much to ask for a hug from your former fiancée?” He began to walk up the stairs.

“Raoul, please.” Christine looked away, praying that he wouldn’t make this difficult.

Raoul looked at her as he climbed the stairs. Christine was breathtaking in the soft blue silk gown she wore. The bodice hugged her curves as it lifted her breasts. The sleeves came down to her elbows in a wide bell shape as the full skirt brushed the floor. Her dark curls were pinned up with tendrils framing her face. Her dark eyes looked away from him. His eyes narrowed even more when he saw how flushed she was and how full and red her lips were. Had she just come from him? “Please what? You don’t have time for a childhood friend?”

Christine slowly turned her head to look at him. “A childhood friend wouldn’t put a condition like you did on a business transaction.” Her eyes held a look that he had never seen before. It was an icy look of anger.

“My only concern is your happiness.” Raoul said softly. He reached her and caressed her cheek. “You are my concern Little Lotte.”

“I am happy.” Christine jerked her chin away. “That night you told me to go to him. You told me to escape with him. I love him Raoul. Why this sudden change of heart?”

Raoul’s eyes suddenly flashed with anger. “Do you know the secret your precious Angel of Music is keeping from you? Do you know why your father said he would send the Angel of Music?” He couldn’t keep the growl out of his voice.

“What are you talking about? What about my father?” Christine gripped the railing of the stairs. “Raoul, what do you know?”

“I never had a chance. Your father and that…man-“ He sputtered for the right word. “Made sure that you were to always be untouchable.” Raoul clenched his cane tightly in his hand.

“What are you talking about?” Christine looked panicked. “Raoul, you’re scaring me.” She took a backwards step up the stairs.

“What is going on here?” A booming voice came up behind them.

Christine looked to find Erik walking down one of staircases that led to one of the wings of the theater. A rush of relief flooded over her at seeing his face. Well the side that he showed the public. His white mask was firmly attached to hide his scars, secure in his disguise. She could tell he had been working with the way his black trousers had smudge marks on them and his white shirt was nearly unbuttoned. To her, he never looked better.

“You never told her did you?” Raoul stared at him with a cold look in his eyes.

“Dare I pretend to know what on earth you are talking about?” Erik raised his visible eyebrow in a cocky manner. He walked up behind Christine and slid his arm around her waist as he pulled her back against him. Kissing her temple he whispered, “I love you.” in her ear.

“You know what I’m talking about. Gustave made sure that you’d be the only one in her heart.” Raoul accused. “I was her way into society.”

At hearing her father’s name, Christine looked back and forth between the two men. “What has my father got to do with this?”

Erik glared down at Raoul with a renewed sense of hatred. His fingers tightened up on Christine’s waist as he tried to regain his control. He bared his teeth in a snarl. When he felt Christine’s hand cover his, his body loosened up. “Don’t listen to him.” He reached up and ran a finger tenderly down her cheek.

“I’m telling the truth. At least someone is.” Raoul challenged. “You say you love her and yet you keep one of the biggest secrets from her.” He shook his head.

Christine turned around to look at Erik. “What is he talking about? Erik what secret? What is going on?” Her voice had a hint of fear. She put her hands on his chest, loving the feel of his bare skin against her’s. “Erik what is he talking about?”

“Yes Erik. What am I talking about?” Raoul raised his eyebrows. “Tell her. Or is there something that is holding you back?”

Erik looked past Christine to glare at Raoul. He thought he had pushed the killing instinct away and deep inside. However, right now he yearned to feel his hands around Raoul’s throat, squeezing hard. When he felt her soft fingers on his chin, turning it, he looked down. “Christine…I…”

“Tell her.” Raoul ordered in an aristocratic voice.

Erik whipped his head up as he roared. “Never order me in my own domain, BOY!” His voice came out in a snarl. “Remember your place.” The last came out as a subtle threat.

“This is my domain and will remain so until I see fit.” Raoul snapped. “As for my place, I would think society would turn the tables a bit. Perhaps it is you who should remember his place.”

“Stop both of you!” Christine yelled as she stepped away from Erik. “One of you tell me what is going on, NOW!” She glared at Raoul and then at Erik.

“Do you think it was a mere coincidence that your father promised to send an Angel of Music?” Raoul blurted out. If Erik was going to keep this from her then he could be damned. There was no reason Christine shouldn’t know what her father and Erik did to alter her life.

“My father was a wonderful musician, Raoul.” Christine felt a lump in her throat. The thought of her father brought back bittersweet memories.

“Yes he was. He was also a masterful teacher. In fact so masterful he schooled his successor, should he die before you became the singer you were meant to.” Raoul turned to glare at Erik.

Erik moved away from Christine and took a step down the stairs. The beast in him was roaring for blood. He gripped the railing until his knuckles were white. “I’m warning you Vicompte.” He growled low in his throat.

“His successor? Raoul, I was Father’s only student. We were alone in the house by the sea. You know this.” Christine appeared puzzled.

“Were you?” Raoul challenged. “Did you never question why your father asked you to stay away from the West Wing? I remember several times he scolded you for your inquisitive nature. Patience he said, remember? He said you’d receive your gift from him soon enough.”

“I grow tired of your riddles.” Christine stared at him coldly. “If you have something to say, then say it.”

Raoul inwardly growled. He wasn’t sure he liked this new boldness that she seemed to possess. “Your father kept a secret from you Christine. A secret he partially revealed on his deathbed. When he said he was going to send the Angel of Music to you, he very much had a specific person in mind.”

“Who?” Christine asked as she threw up her hands in frustration.

“Your beloved Erik.” Raoul said with a sneer. “What you didn’t know was that your father took the young deformed musical genius under his wing. It was him who your father was training! Your father knew he was dying. There was only one person he trusted with you, and it wasn’t me!” Raoul began to yell.

“What?” Christine’s voice came out a pained whisper. She whipped her head around to look at Erik. “Is this true?”

“Of course it’s true! Erik here was your father’s little pet project. He knew when he was in Heaven, Erik here could continue with his work. You were to be the Diva, no matter the costs!” Raoul yelled. “Here read for yourself!” He dug something out of his pocket. It was a weathered envelope. He walked up the stairs, returning the glare that Erik was giving him. “Take it Christine.”

Christine recognized her father’s seal. With trembling hands, she took the envelope. She looked up at Raoul. “Where did you get this?” Tears filled her eyes.

“I found this on your father’s desk the morning after he died. I took it and kept it all these years.” Raoul answered truthfully.

Just as Christine was going to open it, Erik stopped her as he put his hand on her’s. “Christine, I beg of you. Don’t. It will just reopen old wounds.” His voice came out pleading.

“You deserve to know.” Raoul told her. “Open it.”

Christine opened the envelope. She took out the worn piece of parchment and unfolded it. Her eyes began to scan over the words written. It was her father’s handwriting all right. Swallowing hard she read aloud.

My Dearest Daughter-

If you are reading this, I am safely in Heaven, child. Please do not cry for me my little angel. For I will see you again, this I promise you. You must live your life my dearest Christine. Music is your life and always will be. I promised you I would send an Angel of Music, and so I shall. Remember what I taught you. Beauty comes in many forms. The Angel I am sending you has beauty radiating from the inside. You must look past the barriers that would stop you from seeing this. I trust Erik with you, my love. He is a gifted young man. Such an eager learner. His life has been one tragedy after another. Love him for who he is Christine. I know that is much to as for a child of your age. Yet I trust I have taught you well. This is goodbye my daughter. All I ask is that you say a prayer for me and light a candle. I will always be watching over you.


Love always,

Your father

Christine looked up as the tears ran freely down her cheeks. She shook her head. “No, my father would not have kept this from me.”

“He did Christine. Your father had this planned all along.” Raoul’s voice was bitter.

“That is a lie!” Erik roared. “Gustave was not conniving! His concern was for Christine. I promised him I would continue her education on his deathbed!”

“Then it is true?” Christine asked in shock. She took a step back up the stairs. “You lied to me all these years?” She felt a lump in her throat. “Erik please tell me this is some misunderstanding.”

As much as Erik would have liked to lie to her and soothe her fears, he couldn’t. “Christine, you have to believe me. It is not as he says.” He tried to explain.

Her eyes widened as they filled with hurt. “Then it IS true?”

“NO!” Erik burst out. However, it was too late. Christine dropped the letter as she turned and fled. He could hear her sobs as she ran away from him. Each tear broke his heart.

“See what you’ve done.” Raoul sighed.

Erik’s head whipped around as he grabbed the lapels of the Vicompte’s jacket. He shook with anger as he forced himself to restrain from killing the fop. “I should tear you apart! What are you thinking? Are you that bitter that you would hurt her?” He clenched his jaw as he gave Raoul a hard shake.

“You are the only one who is hurting her.” Raoul jerked away from him. “All I care is about her happiness. Keeping this secret hurt her more than you know.”

“I love her with every fiber of my being. If you care for her happiness then why dredge up old skeletons that you know would hurt her?” Erik glared at him.

“I’m honest with her at least. You can’t say that, can you?” Raoul put on his hat. “You never could, could you?” He taunted as he turned and walked out.

Erik growled as he clenched his fists at his side. He never meant for it to come to this. He promised Gustave he would tell her one day. He swore that he would protect her and do everything he could to help her hone her skills. “I’m sorry my friend. I let you down. Now I may lose her yet.”

* * * * * *

Christine knelt by the door to her father’s crypt. She ran out of the opera, not caring about anything except reaching the cemetery. Hot salty tears ran down her cheeks as she clutched the single red rose tied with the black satin ribbon. “Why Father? Why did you hide this from me?”

“Because I asked him to.”

She whipped around to find Erik standing behind her. He reached up and pulled the hood of his cape down. The mask was gone, and he looked at her with pain and sadness radiating out of his green eyes. The snowflakes that fell melted on his scars. In his arm was her cloak. “I brought this for you. You will freeze.”

“Then my body will match my heart.” She choked out.

As much as he tried to steel himself, her words were like a dagger to his heart. “If you must blame someone, blame me. I asked your father to keep this secret.” He walked up the stairs and wrapped her cloak around her. “You are freezing, my love.”

She stood up abruptly and took a step away from him as she tied her cloak around her neck. “I am fine.” She wiped her eyes quickly. “What do you mean you asked my father to keep this secret?”

“Maybe we should go back to the lair? It is freezing and we should get you warmed up.” Erik went to reach for her.

“NO!” Christine jerked away. “Tell me now.”

Erik sighed as he looked away. “Christine please?” This was hard enough. He swore he was going to tell her one day. However, not like this. This was the hardest thing he was ever going to do. “Do you know why your father chose this opera house to send you after his death? Why he chose Madame Giry to watch over you?” He began.

“No.” She shook her head.

“Your father was one of the patrons of this opera house. He loved this place. He said it gave him a sense of peace. On one of his trips here, he became entranced with a young widowed ballerina. Your mother had died in childbirth and her husband died shortly after their daughter was born.” Erik began to reveal more of the story.

“You mean my father fell in love with Madame Giry?” Christine asked in shock.

Erik nodded. “Although that probably isn’t the right term. They were fond of each other. He came to watch her dance. Each night he would be in Box 5, watching her. When you were old enough he would bring you.”

“I remember.” Christine nodded. “I used to beg him to bring me just so I could hear the music.”

“One night she told him about the boy who lived beneath the great opera house. She told him of my desire to learn anything and everything about music. She told him I was special. That is when he wanted to meet me. I remember the first time I met your father. I was afraid at first. Why would a musician such as him want to see a monster like me?” Erik took a deep ragged breath.

“Erik…” Christine couldn’t help but chastise softly.

“After that first introduction your father requested Madame Giry bring me to your house. I refused to go at first. But when your father came to escort me in your private carriage, I finally went. Your father shared his music with me. He became my first and only teacher. He made me see that music was blind. Music didn’t care if I had this.” He ran his fingers down over his face as the tears started to flow. “Your father looked past this and taught me. Each time he would send his carriage. I would come to learn a new lesson.”

“Why didn’t I ever see you?” Christine asked.

“Because I was ashamed. You were a thing of beauty and I was the beast. Therefore, we conducted our lessons in the West Wing in secret. Then came the day when your father told me he was dying. I refused to accept it. He told me that he had great plans for you. That you were his shining star. You were still young and would have no one to guide you through the music. That is when I promised him I would always be there for you. I promised him I would teach you as he had taught me. I would help you to become anything your heart desired.” Erik let the tears fall against his cheeks, feeling the sting of the wind on them. “Madame Giry promised him you would have a home with her, at the opera. It was perfect so we both could watch over you.”

“You were the Angel of Music he promised me that would come.” Christine stared at Erik in a whole new light.

He nodded. “I promised him I would protect you. Your father feared that Raoul would interfere. He was afraid that Raoul would slowly drag you away from your studies. He made me promise I would stop that from happening.”

“So my life was in the hands of you and my father? I had no say in it?” Christine couldn’t help by lashing out.

“Christine it was not like that.” Erik protested.

“Was seducing me part of your plan for protection?” She cried, knowing her words were hateful but powerless to stop them. “Did you ever really love me or were you fulfilling your promise to my father?”

Erik felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart. Staring into her troubled dark eyes, he could only muster a whisper. “If you have to ask me that then I don’t know what to tell you.”

“I don’t know what to think, Erik.” Christine sobbed. “All I know is that my life has not been my own since I was a child. Just once I would like to decide what I want.” She thumped her hand on her heart.

A long period of silence filled the gap between them. “When you decide what you want, you know where to find me.” Erik bowed slightly before turning on his heel. He wouldn’t look back at her. Her tears were killing him. Knowing that this time he couldn’t calm her fears chilled him to the bone.

Watching him go, Christine slumped down and clutched the rose to her chest. She knew she hurt Erik and that was never her intention. The look on his face as he bowed slapped her in the face. Sobbing softly she looked up at her father’s crypt. “Oh Papa what have I done?”