Hello everyone! Sorry that this is a bit late, I'm working practically every day and I'm tired 24/7, that mainly my only excuses lol. Plus I went on a camping trip and couldn't bring my computer with me.

Thanks to Lylex96, ghostwritten2, and LittleJarvis75 for reviewing! YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!

Let me know what you guys think!

Enjoy!

I could hear the hustle a bustle of the stage as I began to make my way downstairs for day two of rehearsal. Day one was a complete disaster. Props missing, ballet rats crying, out of tune and broken instruments from the sudden scramble. I had to buy myself a pair of slacks for the sudden dirty work I had to do up in the rafters, pulling ropes that had to be taken down immediately, moving props to locations then moving them again, and painting props that had to be repainted once more.

Working with Basseri had only made it worse. He was becoming a better Opera Ghost than Erik had. Untying ropes that I had pulled, 'repainting' my work by spilling a bucket of paint on the tapestry I had been working on, and certain props disappearing where they had been, causing me to search all over the stage for them, Jacob smirking every time I rushed by him. Many times I had been tempted to give him the bird as I passed, but thought better of it and tried to stay far away from him as possible.

By the time that we had all gone to bed that night, it was safe to say that everyone in the Opera Populaire had accomplished almost nothing in the dire and hopeless need to get everything done at once. Everyone in the Opera House wanted this show done and over with.

The new day sparked a new hope, and everyone was awake and downstairs by 7 to get things done. The sound of people scrambling and shouting met my ears as I walked onto the stage. I spied Bayard rapidly talking to a stagehand as I neared him.

"Monsieur Bayard," I called and he turned to me, "Good morning, sir."

"Morning Mademoiselle," he said with a tired smile.

"What shall it be today?" I smiled back, "Props? Paint? Heavy lifting? Series of both?"

Bayard chuckled, but shook his head, "Usually all three, but not today, Mademoiselle. The Managers have asked for you, they've been wishing to speak with you all morning."

I nodded, "Thank you, Monsieur." I turning and looked away, glancing over the stage for a sign of the two.

There were people running around me, carrying ropes, props, and costumes. A group of people stood to the side, reading over a series of papers. In the middle of the stage I finally spied the managers, holding the score in their hands as they paced around a piano. I could hear them shouting as I approached them.

"Ludicrous!" shouted Andre to Firmin, waiving the score in his face, "Have you seen the score?"

"Simply Ludicrous!" he replied as he looked a page over.

"It's the final straw!"

"This is lunacy,

Well, you know my views!" Firmin continued, slamming the score onto the piano.

"Utter lunacy!" replied Andre.

"But we daren't refuse!"

Andre looked around nervously, "Not another murder, here."

Firmin pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, "Look, my friend,

What we have here?" He held out the note to Andre. He took it from him carefully.

"Dear Andre,

RE: My Orchestrations.

We need another first bassoon." I looked over at the bassoon player, who had turned pale at this and slowly backed away and hid behind the curtain.

Andre continued, "Every note's overblown,

And the third trombone has to go!" The man in question paled as well, handing his trombone over to a flute player, took his flute with a smile, then stood with a handkerchief to his head while the flute player looked at him in shock.

"The man could not be deafer!

So please preferably one who plays in tune!"

Firmin took out another note and stepped forwards, "Dear Firmin,

Vis-a-vis my Opera.

Some chorus members must be sacked!" A slight gasp from the group standing by the side. They had begun to listen and turned to each other in worry at this news.

Firmin continued, "If you could find out which,

has a sense of pitch!

Wisely, though,

I've managed to assign a rather minor role

To those who cannot act!"

At this there was a shriek and Carlotta, Piangi, and Carlotta's crew stormed onto the stage. There was a series of shouting as choir members and dancers made a path for them.

"Outrage!" cried Carlotta, her poofy lilac laced dress bouncing as she stomped. Piangi, walking behind her, also looked rather put off. He held their scrips in his hands as he followed Carlotta. Her face was beet red as she stopped in front of the managers.

Firmin groaned and turned to her, "What is it now?"

"Dis whole affair iz an outrage!"

"Signora please!"

"Now what's the matter?"

"'Ave you seen the size of my part?" she asked, Piangi behind her looking through their scripts.

"Signora listen!" coaxed Andre.

Piangi threw the papers at Firmin, "It's an insult!"

I rushed over to Carlotta, "What's going on?"

She turned to me and shook her head, "We've changed our minds!"

"It's an insult!"

Firmin paled and handed the script to Andre, "Please understand!"

"Signore, Signora!"

Carlotta leaned over to me, "Zee tings I haf to do for my art!"

Piangi shook his head and gestured to the script, "If you can call this sh-... gibberish art!"

I stepped forward, "Please, Signore, Signora," Silence fell and everyone turned to look at me. My face felt warm from the attention but I continued, "I'm going to be honest with you here, alright? You have already agreed to do the Opera. So has everyone else here. None of us wish to perform it either, yet we still work. Part of the stage is already built, half of the costumes are made, and most of the props have been painted. We perform the Opera in a week, whether you're here or not," Carlotta and Piangi opened their mouth but I put my hand up, "If you quit, if you walk away, I'm sure that the managers and Reyer will find the perfect replacements for you. I'm sure some of the chorus members are perfectly capable, and perfectly happy, of playing your parts," at this Carlotta paled, "So cry, shout, and scream all you want. This is still gonna happen. With or without you."

Firmin nodded, "I couldn't have said that better myself."

Carlotta looked over at Piangi in worry, "Mademoiselle Moore ha ragione, amore mio. Potrei non voler fare questa opera, ma non voglio nessuno che nessuno prenda il mio posto."

Piangi shook his head, "Ma il mio amore è troppo pericoloso. Questo fantasma, quest'uomo, la sua opera. Temo che ci possa succedere qualcosa di brutto. Non voglio che ti succeda niente di brutto!"

Carlotta nodded and reached out to him, holding his hands in her own, "Conosco il mio amore. Ma con te al mio fianco, so che non potrebbe mai succedere niente di male. Ho tanta paura, ma amo questo teatro dell'opera più di quanto io ami me stesso. Il giorno in cui lascio questo posto è il giorno in cui cade il Teatro dell'Opera."

Piangi smiled and brought her hands to his chest, "Allora starò restare io. Ti amo più di quanto amo la mia vita. Tu sei la mia luna."

She nodded, "E tu sei le mie stelle."

There was a nervous pause, then Piangi turned to us, "We will perform."

Andre sighed in relief, "Oh thank God."

"Well, then," started Firmin, "Shall we start rehearsals?" At this, everyone began to move again. Chorus members began to practice singing, the orchestra made it's way to the pit, and dancers began to practice. It was like the whole affair never happened.

Andre turned to me, "Mademoiselle, could we talk with you for a moment?" he asked, leading me to the side. I nodded, Firmin, noticing, rushed over with us.

"We had noticed," Firmin began, "That the composer had a little rendition at the beginning of the Opera. He had instructed that you were the one to play it. Since we know how well you play already, we have... well... updated you contract."

I tilted my head, "Pardon me?"

Andre smiled, "You will no longer be working as a stagehand, mademoiselle. From now on you will be our main pianist, starting with Don Juan."

My mouth dropped, my eyes widening, "No way. Are you serious?" I asked.

Firmin nodded, "Reyer had agreed himself. And I'm sure our little... ghost will have no problem with it as well."

I shook my head, grinning like a Cheshire cat, "Wow. I'm speechless."

"Take no offence to this, Mademoiselle," Andre chuckled, "But you should go shopping to celebrate! Find something very nice for the Opera. Reyer will find you later and give you your music sheets. For now, we bid you adieu!"

I nodded, "Yes, of course. Thank you, Monsieurs. Thank you so much."

My feet pounded up the stairs, my smile large as I reached box five. I burst through the door and shut it behind me.

"Erik?" I called out, walking to the middle of the room, "Please tell me that you're here, Jesus Christ!"

There was a chuckle to the right of me, and I turned but no one was there, "Of course I am, Scarlet. What is wrong?" He was throwing his voice, trying to trick me. I chucked at the fact.

I shook my head and began bouncing, "Nothing is wrong. But Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!" My heart pounded in my chest. I was so excited it was beginning to hurt my cheeks as I smiled.

"Then pray tell," the voice moved to the door, and I turned to it, "What has put you in such a good mood?" the voice moved again, to the balcony. I followed it.

I smirked, "Oh, it's nothing really. It's just that the managers have made me the main pianist for Don Juan Triumphant."

"Really?" the voice moved behind me, and I turned again, coming face to face with Erik and I made an excited squeak, "That's fantastic! That's the first smart decision those two have made since they began here!" he reached out and grasped me in a hug. I gasped in surprise, but hugged him back with a smile, "I'm so happy for you," he said softly, his voice tickling my ear, then pulled away with a grin, "I can't wait to see how well you do! Oh, it'll be so exciting! Christine singing as Prima Donna, and you playing as... Prima Pianist!"

I chuckled, "Why, thank you, Erik. I can't wait either. I just hope that I do it justice."

Erik shook his head, "Oh, there is no doubt in my heart that you won't perform it perfectly. You'll be the talk of Paris once the night is over!" his smile fell slightly, "If you're still here afterwards, of course."

I rolled my eyes and jumped past him, "Well, thank you for the talk, Monsieur Phantom, but I must be getting back. Reyer is supposed to be getting me my part of the score in a bit," I glanced down at my pants, "I also need to buy myself something professional to wear, as well."

Erik shook his head, "Don't bother. I have the perfect dress for you, now that I think about it."

I shook my head, "Oh, Erik, you don't have to-"

He cut me off, "Don't even try to get out of it. It's my Opera, you wear what I say you can wear."

I held up my hands in defense, "Alright, Mr Bossy, it's your show." I backed up, grasping the door handle behind me, "See ya." With a twist of the door nob I slipped outside, shutting the door behind me softly.

"What were you doing in there?" someone asked from behind me. I jumped with a squeak and spun around coming face to face with Basseri. I groaned and rolled my eyes.

"It's none of your business, Jacob."

Jacob smirked and leaned towards me. I pressed myself up against the door as he shook his head, "I don't think so. See, I'm sure that the managers won't appreciate the fact that you've been snooping around the Opera Populaire while you should have been working."

"Ok, first of all, I live here. I can snoop all I want. Second of all, I'm not a stagehand anymore. And you know what?" I tilted my head, "I'd say the same thing about you. Why are you up here, Basseri? Have you been following me?" He opened his mouth but I spoke louder, "And another thing, why have you been messing with me? Don't even try and deny it. You've been fucking with me since day one! Are you trying to get me fired or something? Why do you hate me so much? I've never done anything to you!"

He took a step back, "Well, I-"

"Well you can stop that right now, Basseri. I'm not a stagehand anymore. You don't have to pick on me. Now you can actually do your work instead of mess up mine. Congratulations."

"Oi, Basseri!" shouted someone, and we turned our heads towards the sound. Joseph Buquet stood at the edge of the stairs, holding a prop in his hand, "Stop lollygagging right now and get back to work!"

"I-I wasn't-" Jacob stammered.

"Now!" he shouted. With a growl Jacob rushed away from me, strolling past Buquet and disappearing in a flash. Buquet looked over at me.

"You alright?" he asked me.

I nodded and relaxed, "Yes. Thank you, Joseph."

He nodded, "Anytime."

AAAAHHH! So sorry this is a bit late, I've been crazy busy. But hey, a lot happened in this chapter so thats a plus, hahaa. Also, we are one more chapter away from PTPONR! I'M SO EXCITED! ASDFGHGFDSASD

Carlotta and Piangi translations:

Mademoiselle Moore ha ragione, amore mio. Potrei non voler fare questa opera, ma non voglio nessuno che nessuno prenda il mio posto: Mademoiselle Moore is right, my love. I may not want to do this opera, but I don't want anyone to take my place.

Ma il mio amore è troppo pericoloso. Questo fantasma, quest'uomo, la sua opera. Temo che ci possa succedere qualcosa di brutto. Non voglio che ti succeda niente di brutto!: But my love is too dangerous. This ghost, this man, his work. I'm afraid something bad can happen to us. I don't want anything bad to happen to you!

Conosco il mio amore. Ma con te al mio fianco, so che non potrebbe mai succedere niente di male. Ho tanta paura, ma amo questo teatro dell'opera più di quanto io ami me stesso. Il giorno in cui lascio questo posto è il giorno in cui cade il Teatro dell'Opera: I know my love. But with you by my side, I know nothing bad could ever happen. I'm so scared, but I love this opera house more than I love myself. The day I leave this place is the day the Opera House falls.

Allora starò restare io. Ti amo più di quanto amo la mia vita. Tu sei la mia luna: Then I'll stay. I love you more than I love my life. You are my moon.

E tu sei le mie stelle: And you are my stars.

Awwwww, how cute! #relationshipgoals

Thank you guys for reading this chapter! Don't forget to review!