Phantom of the Opera

The incident at the masquerade ball left everyone at the opera trembling. A dull fear settled within its walls, and now everyone lives with the dread that the Phantom will return one day to unleash a new catastrophe. However, time has passed, and no new incidents have occurred. Perhaps, just perhaps, the Phantom has finally abandoned your world. To chase away the bad luck and bring the opera back to life, the management has decided to resume rehearsals of Romeo and Juliet. With this, they intend to attract nobles and the wealthy back to their luxurious seats. Full of hope, you audition for the production, singing with your soul. Thanks to the Angel of Music, your technique has improved enormously. This could be your opportunity. Yet, your hope is shattered when the director posts the list of those selected for the lead role. "I would like to congratulate Carlotta, the most admired singer in Paris, for getting the role of Juliet," he announces. "You deserve it!" The entire opera bursts into applause. Seeing that Carlotta is the center of attention, you feel a little disappointed. "____, don't be discouraged!" Meg grabs your arm. "The director just told me that you've improved a lot. I'm convinced that, in no time, you will surpass Carlotta and realize your dream of being the prima donna!" "Meg, thank you for the encouragement, but I know Carlotta is still out of my reach." "Hmm," a sharp voice interrupts, "it's good that you know that, but it's not enough. You still have a long way to go! Singing opera is no easy feat. If it were, Paris would be full of famous singers like me, wouldn't it?" You turn to find Carlotta standing there, arms folded and a smirk on her face. "Carlotta, you seem overly confident, don't you?" Meg steps in, frowning. "Meg, don't..." you try to grab her arm to stop her, but she frees herself from your grip with a sharp movement. She is too angry and eager to argue with Carlotta. "Haven't you seen how much ____ has improved?" she snaps at Carlotta. "We've all seen how far she's come and how hard she's worked from her minor role to this audition!" "My goodness..." Carlotta says with false condescension, placing a hand on her chest. "Who said she hasn't worked hard? But talent is innate. Do you really think practice can make up for a lack of talent? How naive you are!" "Nonsense! I've never seen anyone with as much talent as ____!" "Talent, her? Think about it. If it weren't for the Viscount of Chagny, and if she had to rely solely on her own abilities... do you think she would even have been able to audition?" "Are you referring to Raoul?" you exclaim, feeling a blush rise up your neck. "I'm not taking advantage of him!" "I think you know how to answer yourself." "Carlotta! You've gone too far!" Carlotta gives you a look of contempt and then turns to Meg, raising her eyebrows as if she were laughing at her. With that, she walks away, chin held high, humming a snippet of the song from Romeo and Juliet that belongs to her as the lead. "She's provoking us!" Meg is furious but cannot leave you alone to go argue with Carlotta, so she grabs your arm and tries clumsily to cheer you up. "____, don't believe a word she says! I'm sure she also thinks you sing very well and that's why she wants to bring you down. You can't fall into her traps!" "Don't worry, I won't take it seriously," you say, though a knot forms in your throat. "Raoul was already my friend when we were children. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I won't distance myself from him just because of rumors from people who don't even know us. If I did, I would be hurting him and giving my enemies exactly what they want." "I'm glad you think that way," Meg sighs, relieved. "That puts my mind at ease!" After the casting, you can't help but think from time to time about why Carlotta sings better than you. How can you practice to outdo her, get the lead role and become a singer appreciated by everyone? For several days, you don't stop practicing and rehearsing, but you don't make any noticeable progress. As you fail to improve, Carlotta's words keep echoing in your mind. In the end, you begin to question your own talent. Could it be that Carlotta is right and you have no talent for singing? You feel as if you are trapped in a dead end. You think about how much you need the Angel of Music now. As if someone has heard the silent cry of your heart, a soft, familiar sigh emerges from the walls of your dressing room. "Angel of Music, is that you? Thank goodness you're here! I'm so glad to know the darkness hasn't corrupted you! I imagine you've defeated the darkness, haven't you?" Only the echo of your own voice answers. The silence becomes unbearable. "Please, answer me..." your voice breaks. "When I'm without you, I feel myself getting lost little by little..." "____..." the voice finally emerges, so close it almost feels like a breath in your ear. "I haven't stopped thinking about you. I was watching your performance at the audition." "I didn't do very well... I still have a long way to go to match Carlotta..." "____," his tone is firm yet gentle, "you shouldn't underestimate yourself. You have an extraordinary talent. I've never seen anything like it. Believe me, all you need is professional guidance. Do you no longer trust me?" "That's not it! Since my father left, you're all I have. Of course I trust you!" You move a little closer to the mirror to tell the Angel of Music how much you trust him and how much you need him. He stands quietly listening to you. As you talk, you catch a glimpse of the silhouette of a person in the mirror. Is it possible that this is the silhouette of the Angel of Music? You take a few steps forward and try to reach his silhouette. Your fingertips only feel the coldness of the mirror. The silhouette seems to be made of mist. "____, don't bother looking for me," the voice says with a hint of sadness. "It's enough for you to know that I am by your side." "Angel of Music, is it that you don't want to see me?" "I'm sorry, ___... I'd like to be by your side like a normal person too, but, unfortunately..." "Don't worry, I understand that it's not up to yourself. Thank you for letting me see you. Even if I couldn't see more than a shadow, it's enough for me." "Promise me you won't tell anyone I exist." "Not even the people I trust?" "____, I can only be the Angel of Music to you. So you can't tell anyone." "Of course," you whisper, sealing the pact with your forehead almost leaning against the mirror. "Angel of Music, I promise I won't tell anyone about you. You've been helping and guiding me for so long and you've never asked me for anything in return. How could I not be able to fulfill such a simple request? I will keep our secret well." "I trust you, ___." That night, the Angel guides you with infinite patience, pointing out every mistake, every nuance you can improve. You practice until dawn. "____, I have to go," he says finally. "But when I'm not here, you must trust yourself. I also ask that you trust my judgment. In the future, you will be one of the most splendid artists in all of Paris. I will be by your side until that day comes." ------ The performance of Romeo and Juliet was a success. Carlotta sings so well that audiences have flocked specifically to see her sing. But you don't feel envious about it. After all, what the Angel of Music has told you has helped you to regain your self-confidence. You try as hard as you can to perform all the roles to the best of your ability and take it as an opportunity to get more practice. "____, come see this!" Meg bursts into your dressing room, waving a freshly printed newspaper. "You're in the newspaper!" "Is that really me?" you ask, taking the paper with trembling hands. There it is, your name and a portrait under the headline. "Of course it is!" Meg exclaims, jumping with excitement. "The critics in Paris have noticed you. Have you seen what it says here? They say you're a rising star! The future of Paris! ____, congratulations! You've finally made a name for yourself!" "My God..." you murmur, unable to believe it. But the joy freezes in your veins when the director storms into the room, his face contorted with rage. "____!" he shouts, pointing an accusatory finger at you. "I know very well that you're in cahoots with the Phantom!" "The Phantom?" you blink, confused. "Not at all!" "Don't play dumb! The Phantom left me a letter that made it crystal clear that I had to give you the chance to play the lead! He says that if I don't, the whole opera will have to pay for it!" "Why would the Phantom do such a thing?" you ask, feeling the ground give way beneath your feet. "And you're asking me?" his laugh is bitter. "You're the one who should be asked that! Who knows what tricks you've used to get the Phantom to help you!" "Director, I swear to you, I don't know the Phantom," you insist, your voice now trembling but firm. "How could I be conspiring with him? It's true that I would love to be center stage one day, but I would never try to achieve it in such an unfair way! If you want to blame me, I hope you have proof!" "That's right!" Meg interjects, stepping to your side. "You have no real proof! The Phantom mentioning ___ in his letter proves nothing! She might just be another one of his innocent victims!" "Shut up, Meg. No one has given you a candle at this funeral!" "The Phantom was already doing as he pleased per se." Meg replies, undeterred. "If you keep blaming ___ for no reason? Maybe you'll be the next victim!" "Meg!" he exclaims, horrified by her audacity. "How dare you!" Unable to present any real evidence, the director lets out a grunt of fury and storms out of the room, slamming the door so hard the walls shake. Meg spends a while trying to comfort you, repeating that you shouldn't pay it any mind. But you can't get the Phantom's letter out of your head. Why does the Phantom only speak of you in his letter?The question sticks in your mind like a thorn.