After a night, Christopher returned to the opera house at the crack of dawn. Of course he'd arrive early, he could barely sleep. He was up all night thinking about the new singer he would find, how he would take care of the opera house, and who this mysterious opera ghost was. With all these thoughts weighing on his mind, he decided to get up for the day. After finishing his regular morning routine, he departed to the opera house.

When he arrived, he was the first one there. After all, it was only 6 AM and the performers were still sound asleep. With a cup of coffee in his hands and business on his mind, he got to work. He walked up the stairs, across the stage, to the backstage area. He walked through the back, admiring all of the lighting equipment, props, costumes, and scripts lying about on the floor. He truly respected the good people behind the scenes. They truly made the show go on. Of course, the actors and actresses are vital to a good show, but without the set crew, nobody could make the show as spectacular as they do.

As a little boy, Christoper would come down to the opera house like this. Before anyone got here, high on adrenaline and excitement, he'd wander aimlessly on the grounds of the beautiful palace, and would try to see everything before his father came and collected him to go to school. Now, he was a full grown man. His father wasn't here anymore, he could do whatever he wanted. Christopher sighed, taking in the fresh air of the opera house. "Father, you have left me a gigantic responsibility. Taking care of this opera house, the people in it, and this remarkable but strange opera ghost. It's all such a thrill! I will cherish this until the day I die." He whispered to himself.

After trekking across the stage area, he finally reached the hallway, and behind a door lied his father's desk, now his to rule. He reached the door, on it a sign with the words "Manager's Office" upon it. He creaked upon the door, being hit with a wave of anticipation. It was just as he imagined. As a child, he was never allowed in his father's room due to the fact that he was a rowdy little boy. One minute in there, and half of his father's items would lie on the floor, in pieces. Christopher walked in there, placing his coffee and briefcase on the desk in front of him. Trying to preserve his manly aura, he struggled to fight back the overwhelming emotion he was feeling.

He picked up the name plate on the desk reading "Monsieur Durand." He put it back in its original place and smiled. "I will have a name plate of my own soon." He sat down on the velvet, spinning chair and opened his case. He had a lot on his plate today. Finding a new singer for opening night was not an easy task. In fact, opening night was supposed to be yesterday night, be it had to be postponed. Christopher couldn't get the word spread fast enough that he was having auditions for the lead soprano, and nobody in the chorus line wanted to step up, so tonight was the official opening night. The huge weight that fell onto Christopher's shoulders surely was making him feel anxious, but he wasn't going to let anything stop him.

After hours of spreading the word, hanging up fliers, and making it known that auditions were being held today, the performers and Monsieur Laurent started to enter the opera house. Christopher walked out of his office and ran to the stage to greet everyone. His father wasn't as jovial or friendly, so it was a pleasant surprise for everyone to see their new manager greet them. "Good morning, all! I hope you are ready, because we must work hard today. Opening night is tonight, and I already am having various singers audition for me." He turned to Laurent. "Monsieur Laurent, will you join me as a judge in the auditioning process? I would like a senior composer to input his word as well."

Laurent smiled. "You know I despise the word "senior", Christoper. It makes me feel old. But, I suppose I am old. I would be delighted to join you on your endeavor." Christoper's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Monsieur! You will not be sorry, I am sure we will attract only the best singers in all of France!" He shouted, happy as a man could be. Laurent had to calm him down by putting his hand on Christopher's shoulder. "Why don't you take a small break from sipping your coffee?" Christopher laughed joyously. "Excuse me, Monsieur, I apologize." He bowed to Laurent and ran back to his office, waiting for all the new sopranos to audition.

"NEXT!" As the hours progressed, and the apathy levels of Christopher and Laurent rose incredibly, they had auditioned 32 voices for their opera. Thankfully, they weren't as loud or obnoxious as Carlotta, but Christopher definitely wasn't prepared for the number of voices he heard. Various types of voices, all strong, none decent. Laurent turned to Christoper. "Oh, Christopher, what are we to do? 32 auditions, and not one decent match has been found!" He cried, face planting onto the desk in front of him. Christopher sighed, as hopeless as he was. "I am sure there will be someone to fill in the role. She'll come along now, I am certain of it." His positivity was remarkable, but would his words be fulfilled? "I bet that the next person to walk through the door will be beautiful and talented!" Christoper smiled.

Sure enough, a woman walked in the doorway. She was about Christopher's age, maybe a year or two younger. She had on the most dazzling, crisp, white dress, adorned with beautiful jewelry. Her eyes were a deep ocean blue, and her hair was a curly blonde. Christopher's mouth almost dropped to the floor because of his state of shock. Laurent looked up to see what the fuss was. His eyes widened. "Beautiful? Check." Laurent whispered. The woman still heard and chuckled lightly. "Why, thank you, kind sir."

Her voice was light and clear. If she applied it to her singing, she would definitely be the new singer of the Opera Populaire. "H-Hello, Mademoiselle." Christopher stuttered. He continued to stare at the woman, taking in her beauty and radiance. "Hello, Monsieur. Are auditions for the soprano still open? If so, may I perform for you? If not, thank you for your time." The woman began to leave, assuming the worst. In a panic, Christopher ran to the woman and held her hand. "N-No! Please, we haven't chosen a singer yet." The woman turned to him, her cheeks turning a light red color. She looked down at her hand and back up at Christopher. Getting the message, Christopher released her hand and bowed. "Terribly sorry, Mademoiselle. Please, do sing for us."

The woman smiled. "Thank you, Monsieur." Christopher smiled up at her and went back to his seat. "If you may." The woman nodded. She opened her mouth, closed her eyes, and started to sing. The sounds emitting from her mouth were so splendid. She had a clean, crisp voice, a tender vibrato, and a sweet tone. Christopher gasped, his eyes lighting up. He had found her. His singer. Dare he say, his angel of music? After her song, which sounded like a chorus of angels singing, she smiled graciously at Christopher and Laurent. "Thank you for hearing me, Monsieurs." She thanked, politely.

"Mademoiselle, that was truly incredible. You have a gift." Laurent smiled. The woman smiled back at him. "Thank you, Monsieur." They both turned to Christopher, awaiting his judgment. After all, what he decides is what everyone must agree with and adapt to. Christoper left them hanging in silence for a while, until laughing a bit. Scared of why he was laughing, the woman's face fell. "Monsieur, did you not like it?" She asked in a hush. Christopher continued laughing softly. "Are you kidding me? You are the new soprano!" The woman's face lit up in a smile. "Monsieur! Thank you!" She cried, gratefully.

Christoper walked up to her. "Your voice is truly beautiful. A gift you have, a gift indeed. Everyone should have the privilege to hear your magnificent voice. You're incredible, amazing, you're an angel of music!" With that last word spoken, a loud thud was heard, followed by a creak, followed by the lights flickering on and off. They finally ceased flickering and everything went back to normal, after hearing the sound of a door closing. The woman looked utterly frightened, so did Christopher. "Please, mind that. Must be the electrical bills." He joked. But he knew what it was. The opera ghost was real, and now he knew for sure. But he couldn't dwell on that at the moment, he must give this woman the information so she could perform.

"So, your name is..?" "Elise." "Ah, Elise! A pleasure. I am Christopher." "Christoper. That's a pleasant name." Elise smiled. Christopher smiled, his cheeks turning crimson. "Thank you, Elise. I hope you like your life at the Opera Populaire! It is truly a wonderful place." He gushed. Elise nodded. "I am sure I will greatly enjoy my time here. Thank you for giving me the time of day, and choosing me as your leading soprano." Elise smiled, putting her hands to her heart. Christopher gave her a tender smile. "We are looking forward to having you." The two looked into each other's eyes, sharing a moment. It was as if the universe had stopped time for them. All they saw was each other. Christopher broke the precious moment with a light cough. "I look forward to seeing you tonight." Elise nodded, a smile still glued onto her lips. "Goodbye, Christoper, and thank you." She walked out the door, her white dress flowing in the light wind.

Christoper couldn't help but smile to himself as she took her leave. "Wasn't she amazing?" He sighed, obviously smitten with the woman. Laurent stood up, a smirk on his face. "Why yes, Christopher. Your choice was a sound one. Let's hope she enjoys working at the opera as much as you will enjoy having her." Christopher broke out of his daze and sharply turned to Laurent. "Yes, she will be a pleasure to have, but how absurd that you would think we would have anymore than a professional relationship!" He cried, trying to keep this infatuation a secret. Unfortunately, Laurent could already tell that the young man was close to being in love. "I shall go and prepare for the show tonight. You should take a break, you have been working hard for hours." Laurent sighed. Christopher nodded. "Yes, Monsieur, I shall." Laurent took his leave and Christopher was left standing alone in his office, thinking about Elise's remarkable voice.

Suddenly, he remembered what had happened. The lights flickering, the sounds of doors opening and closing? He had to investigate that as well. But where would he start? Luckily, the problem arose again. The lights flickered sharply, on and off, dark and light. Creaking doors and slamming doors filled the opera house. So violent, much more frightening, Christopher was starting to build up fear. Anybody in their right mind would, for he had already gotten a letter from this opera ghost, and now this? "Enough is enough." He ran out of his office and down the stairs. He had heard there was a stairwell leading to the basement of the opera house. If anywhere, the ghost should be residing there.

He lit a candle and trekked down to the basement of the opera house. "I know you are there!" He yelled, his eyebrows furrowed. No response came. "You think you're so scary and mysterious. Reveal yourself, and I'll see how intimidating you truly are!" His voice was raised even more. Again, no response from this mysterious stranger. Christopher sighed. "This is ridiculous. Christopher, there is no opera ghost. Probably just a dumb hoax." He stomped back up the stairs and to his sleeping room, where he slammed the door. His father used this room to rest during shows and when he had to stay overnight to watch over a rehearsal. He had it lavished with a king sized bed, a working desk, and a long mirror. Christopher sighed and sat down on the bed. In his peripheral vision, he caught a glance of the mirror glinting at him, and moving slightly. Could it be..? "No." He whispered. It was easier to figure that he was probably just going insane. He tried to reassure himself that he was being silly and that there was no opera ghost.

And then his mirror opened.