Full Summary:

Erik Delozier is a reclusive architect. He's never shown his face to a client but instead leaves his assistant, Nadir Kahn, to meet with them. Erik's main passion and focus is music… But, when he accidentally meets Christine Daae, his 'main passion and focus' change. In her presence, a deep love and obsession grow until the ultimate crime is committed.

Christine Daae, a college student majoring in vocal performance, is home for the summer. She spends most of her time with her father and is excited about building a new home… But, everything changes when she meets the designer of their new home, Erik. Though his creepy ways confuse and scare her, she has no choice but to spend time with him. It isn't until his actions becomes dangerous that Christine realizes she is no longer safe.

When the inevitable occurs, Christine must do everything in her power to get through to Erik and escape his clutches before it's too late.

Meeting Christine

"Erik, you have a phone call," came his partner's voice.

Erik turned in his chair so that he was facing the desk and smirked. "Thank you, Nadir." He stared at the phone for a moment. I knew he could not resist. Finally, he pressed the 'speaker phone' button and said in his silkiest voice, "This is Erik Delozier." He knew exactly who it was, for, at the current time, this person was his only soon-to-be customer.

"Hello, Mr. Delozier. This is Gary Daae. I spoke with you earlier.."

"Ah, yes. Good afternoon. How may I help you?" Erik studied his long piano fingers while waiting for the man to continue.

"Well, I have reconsidered, and I've decided do business with you. Will you design a new house for us?" Gary Daae inwardly prayed for him to say 'yes'.

Erik's light blue eyes twinkled in delight. "I remember you changing your mind before. Is that what you intend to do again, Mr. Daae?" Although it was the other man who was actually in control, Erik always had a way of switching positions.

"No, no. I have decided, and nothing will sway me." Gary was still inwardly praying.

"Very well. We should meet soon, should we not?"

Gary smiled. "Yes. May I and my daughter come by today?"

"Yes. My partner, Nadir, will be available to receive your ideas." As Erik spoke, his thoughts were on other things. Compositions and such.

"Oh.. Will you not be there?"

"No, I will not. Nadir takes care of all except for the design itself."

"I would be honored to meet the designer of my new home."

Erik's hands clenched, but he kept his control. "I apologize, but you never will." That was all he said before ending the conversation with, "Be here at 4. Goodbye."

He hung up the phone and stood from his chair. Why must they always wish to see me? They truly have no idea. "Nadir!"

His partner walked into the office expectantly. "Yes?"

"Our new customer will be coming at 4 today. I expect you will take their ideas?"

"Of course."

"Good. That will be all." Nadir left the office with a nod of his head.

Erik slowly walked towards the door and locked it. With shaky hands, he reached up and removed the main thing that kept him from seeing others. The mask, which covered the entirety of his face except for the mouth and jaw. He was sweating underneath.

Closing his eyes to become accustomed to the new feeling of air on his face, he walked towards the piano in his office and sat on the bench. Without opening them, he began to play.

Christine sat on her bed to tie her tennis shoes. Today was a big day for her dad, and she was going to stay by his side. He'd been waiting for a long time to do what he was doing. Building a house had been his dream for years. Now that they had a designer, the two were well on their way.

It was the summer of her freshman year in college. Busy and stressful, Christine was glad it was finally summer. It wasn't all bad, though. She'd gained friends and an even greater love for music, which was her major. Vocal performance was in her blood. It was fantastic to finally be able to study such a field. Now, though, she was able to be with her lonely father.

It was only the two of them in their little apartment. Christine's mother had died after giving birth to her. Though she never knew her mother, she did know that she had a beautiful voice. That was who she got her talent from.

So, humming an aria, Christine walked to the kitchen where her father was. "Well, I'm ready."

"And, don't you look beautiful." Her father was always saying such things to his precious daughter.

Christine looked down at her simple apparel consisting of blue jean shorts and a green halter top. "Oh, please, Dad," she sarcastically said.

"What? Am I not allowed to compliment you?"

"No," she playfully replied.

They left the house and headed towards Delozier Designs singing with songs on the radio.

3:55 came, and Gary parked the car outside the mansion, which held the business.

"Wow! Wouldn't you like to live in a place like that?" Christine asked amazed.

Her father sighed and replied, "I do.. in my dreams."

They both got out of the car and approached the huge house tentatively. The size of the place would make anyone slightly nervous.

Gary rang the doorbell with a shaky hand. A dark skinned man opened it and stepped aside for the two to enter.

Nadir's eyes lingered on Christine for a second, as did everyone's anytime she came into the presence of another. She was a beautiful girl with her dark brown curls, which hung below her shoulders, and her soft features.

Finally, when both Christine and Gary stepped into the house, Nadir closed the door and spoke. "You must be the Daae's. My name is Nadir Kahn."

"It is good to meet you, Mr. Kahn. I'm Gary, and this is my daughter, Christine."

"Good to meet you both. Come, step into my office."

They walked through the house. As they got closer to the office, all three of them could hear music.

"That music is beautiful," Christine couldn't help but say. "Where's it coming from?"

Nadir stopped and looked at her. "I do not know where it is coming from. Perhaps, a radio?" Knowing it was a lie, but without saying more, he turned, and they continued towards the office.

"Now, Mr. Daae, have you thought of the house you want to have?" Nadir asked when they were all sitting comfortably inside his office.

Christine and Gary looked at each other smiling. "Oh yes, Mr. Kahn. I have had the plan in my head for years." And, he continued with every detail he wanted to have designed.

Christine sat daydreaming. She couldn't help but become more and more curious about the music she heard. It was so beautiful.. so enticing..

Louder than intended, she suddenly asked, "Where is the restroom?"

She interrupted her father with her outburst and blushed. Nadir replied, "Down the hall and to your left."

Christine stood and left the room. Now, where is that music coming from?

Erik continued to play, the music rushing through his head and making its way to the keys. Nothing else existed. Nothing but the piano and his fingers.

Christine approached a door curiously. The music sounded louder than ever. Perhaps.. She pressed her ear to the door and sighed pleasantly. The music…

Something suddenly rubbed against her bare leg, and she looked down. A beautiful calico cat sat on the floor gazing into her eyes. Smiling, Christine picked it up and replaced her ear to the door.

So into the music was she, Christine didn't notice when the cat was trying to escape until it meowed harshly and hopped out of her grasp.

Erik heard the meow and abruptly stopped playing. "Ayesha," he whispered and replaced the mask to his face in one swift motion before walking quickly to the door.

He opened it just as quickly, and something he least expected happened. A girl gasped and fell into the room completely ungracefully.

Erik just stared glaring giving her time to regain her composure. Then, he would yell at her for disturbing his peace.

Christine blushed fiercely and stood. Thinking to herself, I am so stupid.., she looked up into the eyes of the man. His light blue eyes caught her attention, sure, but what really made her eyes widen was the mask covering his face.

When she looked into his face, Erik's anger turned to surprise. My god, who is she? Without malice in his voice, he asked, "Who are you?" in amazement. He'd never seen anything like her.

Immediately, Christine said, "Oh, my gosh, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to.. I just heard this music and wanted to find where it was coming from.. And then, it stopped, and… Whoa, were you playing it?"

Erik couldn't help but slightly smile at her. "You did not answer my question."

"Oh! My name.. Um, it's Christine."

"Christine." He'd never heard anything so beautiful. "Now, I will answer your question. Yes, I was playing the piano."

"It was beautiful." She couldn't help but stare at him.

Erik noticed, and he glared slightly.

That simple act alerted Christine that she needed to leave. "Um,.. I'm sorry." She then hurried away.

Erik stared after her until she opened a door, stepped inside, and closed it. He then closed his own door and just stood in his office thinking of nothing but her. Her scent still hung in the air.

A few minutes later, Christine and her father were led to the door, and both left the mansion.

Nadir stared at the sheets in his hands and smiled. Gary really knew what he wanted. This would be all too simple for Erik.

He walked towards Erik's office and knocked on the door.

"Come in, Nadir," Erik announced from inside.

Nadir immediately noticed a change in the atmosphere when he stepped inside the office. Before continuing with the papers, he asked, "Erik?" uncertainly.

Erik looked into Nadir's eyes with something akin to wonder evading his whole form.

Nadir had never seen this side of him.

Then, quietly, Erik stated, "Before you say another word, I must tell you something. A short time ago, I saw an angel. She looked like one, she even smelled like one. Has the angel left? Has she left, Nadir?"

Nadir stared at his boss unsure.

"Bring her back. I wish to see her again." With a flip of his hand, he said, "That will be all," and Nadir left the room.