Destiny Takes Time

Chapter 8 – The Unannounced Observer

Erik insisted on putting his mask and wig back on before returning Christine to her dressing room. She had asked him to leave them off, but he couldn’t grant her request. It would take him some time before he really felt at ease without his disguise, and she understood him. At least he had allowed her to see him as himself until they were about to leave his home.

The dressing room was lit when Erik slid back the mirror. They had tarried a bit too long with her bath, and people were already awake. He stepped through, holding her hand. Christine always felt saddened when he had to leave her alone, but this time was much worse. Having shared such closeness with him, she knew that nothing would ever be able to go back to the way it was before.

“When will you come for me again?” she asked when she had just barely crossed through the portal.

He looked at her with a warm gleam in his gaze. They had scarcely returned, and all she could think about was when they would be together again.

“Soon enough. Do you really believe that I could stand to leave you for long?” he asked as he lifted his large hand to her face and ran his thumb over her lower lip.

Her response was to hold him tighter than usual and kiss him softly. Just as their lips met, Raoul approached the room and found the door slightly cracked open. He peered inside and stood watching in shocked silence. So this was whom she had chosen over him? Why was he wearing that awful mask?

Erik smiled at her and disappeared back through the mirror, not wanting to make their good-bye any more difficult. It was best that they concentrate on looking forward to the next time that they would see each other and not dwell on the parting moments. Raoul still watched in disbelief as Christine spun around smiling and plopped down on the little couch. Oh, this was not good – not good at all. He would find a way to put a stop to this nonsense, and the sooner the better.