Chapter 27: At The Gala Part 1

A Few Weeks Later

Evangeline's POV

I started messing with my hair as I tried to decide how to put it up. The gala was in an hour and I was sitting in my dressing room with my dress on. The top part was dark blue and the bottom part was sky blue, per Robert's request, and it had gold embroidery on the bodice and hem (A/N: dress is above).

After finally deciding to let it stay loose and putting crystal pins into it, I felt a breeze enter my room as the mirror opened behind me.

I turned around to see that it was Erik, dressed all in red from the top of his head to the sole of his feet, with a huge calavire hat on his head that was topped with a red feather and a gigantic, billowy cape. A white, full-faced mask in the shape of a skull was on his face.

"Hello, my dear." He spoke, the bottom part of his mask moving along with his mouth.

I was in shock. The costume was exactly like the Andrew Lloyd Webber version of his costume from Masquerade!

"Ah, it seems that I have made a good impression." He laughed as I sat in a sense of awe.

I snapped out of my stupor as I began to do my hair, talking to him in the process.

"Didn't you wear something like that before?" I said as I brushed out my hair so that it wasn't a nappy mess.

"Hm. Well, not exactly. I do not know if you are aware of the costume that I wore during the Bal Masqué, but I had decided to wear a red suit and cape with a skull mask covering the top part of my face to pass off as a convincing Red Death. This is a more, shall we say, flamboyant version of the same costume with modifications."

I listened as I continued to do my hair, Erik's words giving off subtle tones of excitement.

"You're sitting in Box Five?" I asked as I placed the final pin in my curls.

"Of course, that's my Box. Besides, I wouldn't miss this gala for anything! "

"And there won't be any incidents? "

"My dear, you have my word." He replied, sweeping his hat as he took an mock bow.

I laughed as I gave him a playful nudge. He then turned back to the mirror to leave but not before I grabbed his hand.

"Hey, just be careful out there. Okay?"

He nodded and as he turned away, he then said, "By the way, you look very beautiful, Evangeline."

Soon, I was alone. I checked the clock and saw that I had an half an hour left until showtime. I then turned my attention to the playbill and saw that I was one of the final performances for the night.

After making sure I look okay in the mirror, I then left the dressing room and headed for the back of the stage, passing stage hands and chorus members as I rushed to where some of my fellow performers waited.

Suddenly, I felt someone grab my arm and lead me away from the others. But before I was able to react, I heard a familiar voice.

"Calm down, Evangeline! It's me, Robert."

I turned around to see that it was my boss, smiling at me with a sparkling grin.

"You look absolutely stunning, Miss McKenna. And with this necklace on, I know that you will be even more astonishing."

With that, he quickly got behind me and draped my lapis lazuli necklace around my neck and fastened it on.

"Thanks." I said politely as I returned his smile.

He then began to walk to the house when he turned around.

"Don't forget. Meet me after the show is over. I can't wait to dance with my escort."

As he left, I felt my blood start to boil.

Of course, how could I forget? I thought sarcastically.

To take my mind off of things, I went on stage and peeked through the crack of the velvet curtain that separated us from the massive audience that showed up.

"Five minutes 'till showtime. Five minutes 'till showtime." The stage manager warned.

I quickly returned to my spot offstage as the show began to start.

Erik's POV

I was greeted with the sound of the orchestra warming up as I sat in my seat in Box Five, eager to see my beloved's first actual performance. I had "borrowed" a playbill from one of the printing rooms and I began to flip through its pages to find out when Evangeline was scheduled to perform.

If her name isn't anywhere on this playbill, there will be hell to pay! I thought to myself as I continued to look for her name with no luck. Finally, after reaching the back of the playbill, I saw it.

Evangeline McKenna- Prima Donna ; E'strano, E'strano From La Traviata By: Giuseppe Verdi

Suddenly, I heard the sound of mild applause. My gaze turned from the paper to the stage to find the old fool and his insolent boy.

"Good evening. We are Jonathan and Robert Baptisté and welcome to the grand re-opening of the Opera Garnier." The senior Baptisté replied. The house echoed with more mild applause as Robert spoke.

" We have a very beautiful array of performances tonight, some old and some making their debut. So, if you will, please enjoy the show. "

After even more useless applause, the two managers made their way back to their box which, to their misfortune, was right next to mine. Soon, the curtain was drawn and the orchestra began to play as the first of the mediocre acts began to perform.

*ONE HOUR AND THIRTY MINUTES LATER*

It had been an hour and a half and we were halfway through the second act.

Thank God.

It seems that I have been spoiled to Evangeline's heavenly voice since all of the other acts, although good, still were not as awe-inspiring nor as beautiful as her's. The night seemed to drag on and on as each of the performers had their turn and the audience gave them adequate applause.

That was until it was finally time for Evangeline to perform.

I excitedly sat at the edge of my seat as the curtain rose to reveal a dark-skinned angel wearing the colors of the naiads of old, her black, curly hair bedazzled with crystal pins making her appear more ethereal in the spotlight.

As the musicians made ready, the audience kept her in their gaze. Some, like Robert, stared at her in curiosity and awe while others, like the boy's father, looked on in disdain.

But that didn't matter as she opened her mouth and began to sing.

E' strano! e' strano!

in core Scolpiti ho quegli accenti!

Sari'a per me sventura un serio amore?

Che risolvi, o turbata anima mia?

Null'uomo ancora t'accendeva

O gioia Ch'io non conobbi,

essere amata amando!

E sdegnarla poss'io

Per l'aride follie del viver mio?

Ah, fors'e' lui che l'anima

Solinga ne' tumulti

Godea sovente pingere

De' suoi colori occulti!

Lui che modesto e vigile

All'egre soglie ascese,

E nuova febbre accese,

Destandomi all'amor.

A quell'amor ch'e' palpito

Dell'universo intero,

Misterioso, altero,

Croce e delizia al cor.

A me fanciulla, un candido

E trepido desire

Questi effigio' dolcissimo

Signor dell'avvenire,

Quando ne' cieli il raggio

Di sua belta' vedea,

E tutta me pascea

Di quel divino error.

Senti'a che amore e' palpito

Dell'universo intero,

Misterioso, altero,

Croce e delizia al cor!

Follie! follie

delirio vano e' questo!

Povera donna, sola

Abbandonata in questo

Popoloso deserto

Che appellano Parigi,

Che spero or piu'?

Che far degg'io!

Gioire,

Di volutta' nei vortici perire.

Gioir! Gioir!

Sempre libera degg'io

Folleggiar di gioia in gioia,

Vo' che scorra il viver mio

Pei sentieri del piacer,

Nasca il giorno, o il giorno muoia,

Sempre lieta ne' ritrovi

A diletti sempre nuovi

Dee volare il mio pensier

Follie! follie

Gioir! Gioir!

Sempre libera degg'io

As the music crescendoed and the final note echoed throughout the house, there was silence.

No one said anything.

No one moved.

Although she kept her beautiful smile, I could see in Evangeline's eyes that she was about to cry if they didn't do anything. So, I did what they should have been doing the moment she arrived on stage.

I started clapping and soon more of the audience joined in until the entire Opera House seemed o shake with applause and shouts of "Brava!" and "Encore!".

Even the ones that looked on at her in disgust were cheering and throwing flowers at her.

My heart swelled with even more love for my darling pupil while I watch her curtsy as the curtain closed.

Seeing as the show was pretty much over, I secretly left Box Five to await Evangeline in her dressing room after the bows.

A/N: Hello, mu fellow Phantom Phans!

Thank you guys so much for the 29.3 views and the 2.06 votes! 😁

So, how do you like the chapter?

If anyone's interested in the song of choice, it's E strano E strano from La Traviata and it is being sung by Noluvuyiso Mpofu in the video.

Also, if anyone is interested in participating in the #TPARFanart competition, then here are the rules and regulations:

1. This contest is open to everyone.

2. You can post any type of artwork you like (such as silhouettes, character headshots, scenes from the story, character ships, etc), so long as it is NOT inappropriate. So, no highly sensitive content or anything that might seem pornographic.

3. All entries should be sent to me via Twitter (twitter.com/BroadwayBaby970), via Facebook(facebook.com/thepar9700) or via Wattpad PM's all under the hashtag #TPARFanArt

4. You are allowed to post the minimum of one to the maximum of 5 pieces of artwork to either Wattpad, Facebook or Twitter, but not to all three.

5. All entries should be in by December 25th in which there will be a poll to determine who will be part of the Top Three Best Artists.

6. I will announce the Top Three on the 30th and the overall Winner will be announced on the 1st of January.

7. All entries need to be YOUR OWN ARTWORK so NO PLAGIARIZING ALLOWED

8. The Top Three will be given a special shoutout, have their artwork posted on Facebook, Twitter, and Wattpad, and the overall Winner will have one of their artworks displayed as this book's cover art.

9. Violation to any of the set rules above(i.e: sending inappropriate artwork, posting more than five entries, suspected plagiarism) shall result in IMMEDIATE DISQUALIFICATION.

Stay tune for Part 2 and I'll see y'all next time!

M'kay bye! 💖

Shoutout to jessica_klowala for being awesome!