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No Easy Way	By : secretlysecretly Category: M through R > The Phantom of the Opera > Het Views: 7568 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Phantom of the Opera, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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A/N: Thanks to BRP and Roisin_Edmund for reviewing and to the rest of you for reading. And now, on with the show. This time, Christine-worshipers, step away from the screen...

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Chapter 22

Erik woke up the following morning feeling exhausted. He had spent the entire night composing furiously but to no end. Finally he had collapsed on his bed breathing harshly, trying to drive all thoughts of Christine and Marianne from his agitated mind.

He stood from his bed, pulling the shirt from his torso with venom and walked to the adjoining bathroom. He stood before his mirror studying his abhorring reflection and for the first time in his life found he was not appalled by what he saw. Normally he would cover the right side of his face even when he was alone as he too couldn’t bear to see his inflection, but this time he did not. For the first time in his life he dared hope that somebody would accept him for what he was; he yearned to show Marianne Pinon his true self.

Back at the neighboring estate, Christine de Chagny was handing an envelope to a servant marked “Monsieur Erik Destler”, insisting that it be delivered immediately. Marianne watched Christine hand over the envelope but said nothing, merely greeting her guest and asking if she would join her for breakfast.

Christine smiled politely and sat down next to Marianne, sipping from a cup of tea and taking a bite from a croissant. Contrary to Marianne’s uneasiness, Christine appeared to be in a very talkative mood. “Pray tell me Marianne, did you enjoy yourself last night at the ball?”

“Indeed Christine. I had a wonderful time.” replied Marianne coldly.

“I’m asking because last night I thought I saw you somewhat… how can I put it? Displeased? Agitated? To be frank, you seemed kind of tense following to the departure of Monsieur Destler.”

“No! I assure you that you are mistaken. It is just that such gatherings often tire me. Such events are good for nothing more other than to give food to idle gossips who have nothing better to do with their time but talk about dresses and other people’s lives.”

“I don’t share your view of such galas Marianne. Perhaps it is you who doesn’t know how to enjoy yourself in such festivities. It is too bad Raoul is too caught up in his work to escort me to more parties and such. I must say I had a wonderful time yester night!”

“Really Christine? I don’t recall seeing you dance that much. Isn’t that what you miss most about such parties?”

“Not really Marianne. Yesterday I had a most interesting evening and I must confess I feel I finally found what I was missing in my life all along.” she replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“What do you mean?” came Marianne’s worried question.

“What I mean is that meeting with an old acquaintance is always a pleasant surprise. For instance, yesterday I had the chance to reflect on old times with a good friend of mine and rekindle a relationship which I thought long-lost.”

“I cannot imagine what you mean Christine. Are you talking about Monsieur Destler? Where is it that you two know each other from?”

“I’ve known Erik since the days I sang as a Primadonna in Paris. He was my teacher and the two of us were really close.”

“Close?” came Marianne’s expectant reaction.

“Erik, other than being my teacher was infatuated with me. When Raoul came into my life Erik went crazy and tried to break us apart violently. Finally logic prevailed and I married Raoul. Last night when we met and had a chance to talk, he attempted to flirt with me again.” At this, Christine looked at Marianne expectantly and when the Duchess didn’t say anything, merely looking at her with an astonished expression on her face, she continued.

“I’m so confused Marianne. I don’t know what to do. Oh, I love Raoul, indeed I love him but… I’m leading such a boring life by his side. And Erik… Erik is so exciting and he’s desperate for my affection. What shall I do? Marianne. What would you do in my place?”

Marianne stared at the woman before her and stood defiantly in her presence. “I cannot believe what I’m hearing! Are you mad? You are thinking of leaving my cousin and you have the nerve of telling me so?” by this point, Marianne was livid.

“Honestly Marianne, I thought that as a woman, you would understand what I’m going through but I forget. You are not married yet. How could you possibly understand me? Raoul is oblivious to my presence and is always away on business travels, he keeps me locked away like some precious ornament around the house, except when he wishes to show me off to his acquaintances. I have no life of my own, can you imagine that? Erik on the other hand, despite all that I’ve done to him, although I hurt him so much when I chose Raoul, still wants me to share his life and he declared his love for me last night!”

Marianne simply stood there for a while, staring at Christine de Chagny, trying to comprehend how such a young woman could have such a corrupted soul. Finally she spoke as calmly as she could.

“Madame de Chagny, I would appreciate it if you would choose not to speak to me in such manner ever again. Your husband is my cousin and I simply do not wish to get involved in your matters. As for Monsieur Destler, his affairs are of no concern to me. You may do as you please but I wish to have no knowledge of it.” she said in a haughty manner.

“Is that true? You have no interest in Erik? And here I thought there was something going on between the two of you. From the way you looked at him last night, I would have gathered you fancy him.”

“Please Madame. Mind your own business. I believe you should leave this house as soon as possible.”

Christine laughed at Marianne’s reply and answered “Don’t worry Marianne. I will leave tomorrow at the latest.”

“Why not today? It’s still quite early.”

“I have quite an important errand to run today. I promise you though that tomorrow morning I will have left your irreproachable estate.”

Before Christine finished her sentence, Marianne had turned her back on her and left. Instead of going up to her quarters though, she walked over to the stables to find Zoffrua, the young servant she had seen earlier taking the letter from Christine. Once she got there, she saw Zoffrua arriving on horseback and signaled for him to come to her immediately.

“Zoffrua, where were you so early in the morning?” she inquired.

“My lady, I had to deliver a letter on the account of Madame de Chagny.”

“Oh, I see. And to whom did she address this note?”

“It was addressed to Monsieur Destler over at the neighboring estate my lady.”

“Thank you very much Zoffrua. You may go.” As Zoffrua turned to leave, Marianne’s vision blurred with unshed tears.

Meanwhile, Erik was reading for the second time the note that Christine de Chagny had sent to him.

‘Dear Erik,

It feels like forever since I last saw you or spoke to you. Seeing you again after all these years has been a real surprise for me and I took great pleasure in seeing you are alive and moving on with your life. I have been pondering on your behavior last night at the ball and I can’t help but wonder whether you think of me at all anymore. Perhaps I shouldn’t, but I still think of you Erik…

I never stopped thinking of you all these years. I keep remembering the way things used to be between us, how close we used to be.

I miss you Erik. I miss my Angel of Music. I miss having someone to talk to late at night. I want to say so much to you; things I can’t tell anyone else, but you are never there to hear me.

I cannot believe you forgot me so easily. I thought there was a special bond between us. I know I hurt you deeply but please, give me a chance to explain myself to you. I never want to lose you Erik.

I would like to see you one last time before I leave for Paris. Please, you cannot deny me one last favor; if nothing at least for old time’s sake.

Meet me by the lake after noon. Don’t deny me this Erik.

Your Christine’

He crumpled the piece of paper in his palm and threw it on the ground angrily. He didn’t want to see her but knew he could not avoid it. He would see her one last time and then drive her away. He was determined to make it clear to her that he didn’t want anything to do with her and decided then and there that Marianne would never find out about this. He simply didn’t want to hurt her with such information.

His mind made up, he stepped out of his room and down the stairs, determined to end this once and for all. He would see Christine one last time to bid adieu to his past and then he would move on with his life, finally free of the ghosts of his past.

An hour later, he was pacing by the lake, contemplating whether he had made the right decision. His mind kept wandering back to Marianne and what she would think if she ever found out about this meeting. His thoughts were interrupted abruptly when he saw Christine approach the shore of the nearby lake riding gracefully on the back of a white horse. In fact, she had never looked better. Her long chocolate curls cascading upon her bare shoulders, the perfectly fitted green dress caressing her slim figure; she was a forgotten image, he could swear she was a vision drifting towards him. Several years ago, he could have only dreamt of all this; Christine coming to him of her own free will. He had not believed her the previous night when she had openly expressed her thoughts about seeing him again.

However, no matter what Christine would say, he knew that he would never be able to forgive her. The picture of Christine fleeing the Opera House in the arms of her lover had been forever etched on his brain. It was as if her voice were still echoing in his ears “Take me away from that monster…” All the painful memories were coming back again, just by taking a glimpse of her.

Christine dismounted her horse and run towards him. She immediately tried to put her arms around him and bring him to her embrace, but Erik did not allow it to happen. Holding her wrists tightly, he placed them by her sides and took a few steps back putting himself out of her reach.

“You said you wanted to see me one last time. Here I am. What do you want Christine?” he spoke decisively.

“Please, Erik. Please, don’t be so cruel with me.” She took a step closer to him. “You used to be so kind to me, so tender…”

“Those days are long gone. I have no more time to waste. Tell me, why did you bring me here?” He had no patience left for her.

“No time to waste Erik? You couldn’t stand to be away from me for even a moment when we were living at the Opera House and now you are trying to drive me away from you? Why are you doing this? What’s wrong with you?” Christine tried to keep her composure. How much longer would Erik be able to resist her?

His irritation was evident in his dark green eyes. “You dare to ask me that? What is wrong with you, Christine! I cannot believe you have the nerve to ask me after all that has happened between us.”

She took a half step towards him again. “I was younger. I was innocent. I didn’t know what to do then.” She lifted her gaze and looked at him. “I was afraid, Erik. I couldn’t deal with the feelings you were awakening in me. Feelings I had never had before.” she said in a low voice.

“Perhaps you did not know how to react to my feelings, but you certainly gave in to those of your precious Viscount!” he hissed at her.

“No! Don’t say that! I am telling you the truth. I was a frightened girl. Answer me Erik; who wasn’t afraid of you, a girl like me no less. You misguided me for many years pretending to be my Angel of Music. And suddenly, one night you decided to reveal your true self to me. Can you imagine my astonishment? My Angel was a real man, and he was standing before me in flesh and blood. Needless to say anything else and bring both of us more pain by recalling the events following to your revelation.”

By now, she was standing close to him again. “Let us talk no more about the past. I’ve grown a great deal during all these years. I am a true woman, Erik. A woman who knows exactly what she wants. I know what I want. I want you, Erik.” she said in a seductive tone.

“Don’t you think it is rather late for all this Christine?” Irony was palpable in his tone.

“No, it is not late! We can start over! Just the two of us! We can build a new life together, Erik! Finally, you can have what you desired.” Christine thought that his fortress of resistance would finally give in. She had to have him!

“I have started over, Christine. I am building a new life.” He stopped for a split second and fixed his gaze to hers. “Believe me when I say you will never be a part of it. The object of my love and affection has turned into someone rather disappointing. In all honesty, you disgust me!”

Much to his surprise, Christine did not turn away when she heard him. On the contrary, she placed her hands upon his chest and stated seductively. “Words, Erik. They are just words.” She put her hands on his shoulders and whispered. “You will never get over me, Erik.”

Placing his hands on top of hers in order to remove them from his shoulders once again, he steadily stated. “I am over you, Christine. Your presence and your behaviour helped me realize that I really am over you. Go away.”

“You can’t truly mean that! I know that you still feel hurt and I forgive your harsh words. You cannot convince me that you don’t need me, that you don’t want me to be yours at last!” She reached for his hand. “You are not over me…”

“You know something Christine? You are right. I can see now that I’m not over your betrayal. I don’t think that I’ll ever forget the self-loathing feeling you made me sense that tragic night. Don’t say that my words are cruel. Tell me, Christine, how could I possibly forget the cruelness of your kiss? Not only that, but you had to return and give the ring back to me.”

His voice trembled; his memories were coming to life all over again. “You managed to get away from a monster; why do you want to betray your husband with that same monster you thought you got rid of three years ago? To betray your Viscount with a ‘pitiful creature of darkness’? Try to comprehend one thing; the world doesn’t revolve around you! Go back to your husband and leave me alone once and for all!”

“I don’t believe it! You don’t mean it! You cannot turn me down!” Christine’s sense of failure distorted the beautiful image she presented not too long ago.

“If you won’t leave, then I will.” Erik turned his back on Christine and walked toward his horse.

“Come back here, Erik!” She stomped her foot on the ground much like a petulant child.

Erik untied the knot and took his horse. He pretended she wasn’t even there. However, his behaviour drove Christine even more furious.

“Come back, Erik! You will regret this!”

He backed up on his horse and as he passed, he stopped before her and gave her a look of revulsion. “I already have regretted it, Christine. I’ve regretted everything I have ever done for your sake. You didn’t deserve any of it. You were unworthy of my love, unworthy of Raoul’s adoration, unworthy of Antoinette’s affection… Good bye!”

Christine’s face flushed at his last words. She looked at him as he moved away, took a deep breath and tilted her head back giving him a venomous look. “Oh, Erik. You will regret this.”

“Hurry, don’t be lazy! Make haste! Put the blue dress in that trunk. No! The other one!” Christine yelled at the young servant who Marianne had sent to help her. “Put these things in the brown leather bag and don’t forget anything!”

“Yes, Madame.” Helene looked down and continued packing Christine’s belongings.

The Viscountess walked down the stairs and spotted Marianne sitting in the parlor, reading a book.

Marianne looked up at her. “How may I help you, Madame?”

“I came to say good bye. I will take my leave as soon as my luggage is packed.”

On the one hand, Marianne felt relieved that Christine was leaving sooner than she had promised, yet on the other, she couldn’t stop wondering what had happened during her encounter with Erik to make her want to leave so soon. “How come? You said you would leave tomorrow morning.”

“I have to leave now, Marianne. However, I want to thank you for your hospitality.” She reached her and took her hands in hers. “Thank you, Marianne. Thank you for speaking to me the way you did this morning. I finally see things clearly.”

Marianne frowned at the change in the young woman’s demeanor. “What do you mean by that?”

Christine turned and looked out the window. “I see now that I was crazy to even utter all the things I said this morning. I don’t know what made me react the way I did.”

She turned again and looked at Marianne. “Yesterday, at the ball, Erik asked me if he could see me in private. I originally declined his offer, but then he became very persistent, so I had to accept and meet him. I sent him a note this morning, describing only the details of our encounter.”

She took a deep breath and continued. “Oh, Marianne, only then did I realize the mistake I had made when I agreed to meet him. It was so dreadful! Erik asked me to leave Raoul!”

“Christine, didn’t you tell me this morning that this very thought had crossed your own mind? You were considering leaving your husband!”

“Yes, I know, but when I confronted Erik, when I saw the rough desire in his eyes and in his words, I lost my nerve. I realized that were I to follow him, I would be committing the greatest mistake in the world. I realized that I can’t abandon Raoul.” She pretended to wipe a tear from her face. “I was really frightened! He got mad when I told him that I love Raoul and that I wouldn’t leave him. He hasn’t changed!”

Marianne couldn’t believe Christine’s words. She heard her continue. “I have to go, Marianne! I just have to! He will come after me, he will never let me go!”

The sense of suspicion never left Marianne’s mind. Nevertheless, she didn’t like the idea of this woman in her house any longer. ‘Oh, my poor cousin.’ She thought to herself. She granted Christine a smile and retorted.

“I am so relieved Christine. You had me worried this morning. I cannot say anything else but agree completely with you. You must return immediately to your husband.”

An hour later the two women were standing in front of Christine’s carriage.

“Thank you, my dear. Thank you for making me face the truth. I am forever obliged to you.” Christine hugged Marianne.

“You do not have to thank me. I didn’t do anything. I am merely happy that you came to your senses. Have a pleasant journey.”

“Please Marianne, let me give you a piece of advice. Stay away from him. He is a dangerous man! No matter what he will say to you, don’t reveal to him my destination. Perhaps he thinks I will return to your aunt’s house. I just don’t want him to upset my life any more than he already has…”

Marianne agreed. “Don’t you worry about it. Have a nice trip and please give my best regards to Raoul.”

“Of course, Marianne. Thank you.”

Marianne stood at the front door of her house for a long time after the carriage had vanished from her sight. She had crossed her arms as she contemplated the events of the day. She finally left her spot and walked to the stables. Perhaps a ride would do her some good and relieve her from her present torment.
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No Easy Way